Boise Coop Wine Shop

Something for Everybody

• October 27, 2011

With reds from Spain, Australia, Italy and California and a white from the Santa Lucia Highlands, it’s an intriguing mix of wines this time around.

2009 Morgan Pinot Gris, $14.99
In the early 1980s, long before the Santa Lucia Highlands became an official appellation, Dan Morgan Lee was already sourcing fruit from vineyards in the area for his new Morgan label. In 1996, he and his wife Donna Lee invested in their vision, purchasing and planting a 65 acre property in the northern end of the newly named, still not well known AVA. The cool climate of the Santa Lucia Highlands is perfectly suited for Pinot Gris. Rated coolest (Zone 1) on the UC Davis scale, the region is comparable to Alsace in France. The R & D Franscioni Vineyard is directly across the road from Rosella’s Vineyard. Here the influence of nearby Monterey Bay enables slow, gentle ripening. Morgan Pinot Gris is a limited production gem that is snatched-up quickly by long-time fans. Mango, banana and white peach aromas give a graceful, appealing nose. Rich fruit flavors and bright, balancing acidity make this wine a natural pairing with shellfish, ceviche, and bold pesto dishes. A Pinot Gris with more subtlety and complexity than most wines in this category, it deliciously demonstrates the talents of the Morgan winemaking team and the Santa Lucia Highlands A.V.A.

2010 Bodega Martinez Cepas Antiguas Tempranillo, $12.49
For three generations the Martínez family has been committed to sustainable organic vitculture of their 225 acres of 40-100 year old head-pruned vines, located within the Najerilla river valley in the heart of Rioja Alta. In 2006 the family constructed a new state-of-the-art winemaking facility. The grapes hand harvested from 40 year old vines in the Rioja Alta undergo whole berry fermentation. The result is a wine with black fruit aromas of plum and blueberry, followed by a rich and velvety palate and a lingering, refreshing finish.

2008 Alpha Box & Dice, Tarot Grenache, $11.99
Alpha Box & Dice is former Red Heads Studio’s head winemaker Justin Lane’s new winery. Based right in the heart of McLaren Vale, just down the road from his former digs, Justin is sourcing fruit from some of the oldest and best vineyards, primarily in the Vale but also in other parts of South Australia and making some of the most interesting blends from that fruit. His Tarot Grenache is stainless steel fermented and sees no oak. The result is a refreshing wine with a spicy bouquet and bright flavors of plum and spice.

2008 Dievole Chianti, $12.49
Located in the heart of Tuscany, near the fabled town of Siena, in the Etruscan hamlet of Vagliagli, is the home of the over 1000 acre fenced private Dievole Estate. Dievole began producing wine in 1090. To put this in perspective, 1090 was the year when Chinese discovered gunpowder, when Pope Urban II ordered the Crusaders to the Holy Land and when Viking Leif Erikson set sail for North America. Dievole vineyards are the perfect alliance between tradition and scientific technical innovation. Viticulture in Dievole means revealing the area’s extraordinary potential. It also means creating the perfect plant production balance and making the most of the “divine valley”, as Dievole’s etymology suggests. This Chianti is a blend dominated by 85 percent Sangiovese and offers the characteristic plum and cherry fruit flavors balanced by good acidity and persistent smooth tannins.

2009 Deloach Cabernet Sauvignon
DeLoach Vineyards has been a pioneering producer in the Russian River Valley since 1975. They strive to produce distinctive wines that spotlight unique terroirs in a socially and environmentally responsible way, practicing sustainable viticulture and minimally intrusive winemaking. Their 2009 California Cabernet Sauvignon was made from carefully selected Cabernet Sauvignon grapes grown throughout California. The select lots of wine were blended to develop complexity and true varietal character, while retaining an approachable, fruit-forward style that is appealing both at the dinner table and al fresco. This easy-to-drink Cabernet is classic in style. Aromas of black currant intermingle with fresh herbs, sure to entice. On the palate, lush, mouth-watering Santa Rosa plums mix with spicy black pepper, as the taste of rich caramel fills your palate. While soft upon entry, this well-balanced Cabernet firms up for a long, lasting finish.

2010 Heron Pinot Noir, $11.99
Heron owns no vineyards but they source grapes from some of the top growing regions of the world. Their original wine was a groundbreaking Merlot value from St. Chinian in southwest France. Today they make wine in California, France and Spain focusing on the purity of fruit. Their goal is to make high quality, approachable and affordable wines. This 2010 Pinot is an elegant combination of sustainably farmed grapes from several of California’s cool, marine influence micro-climates. Nine months in a mix of new, one and two year old French oak barrels results in a smooth wine with a definite finesse. It has dark cherry and blueberry flavors and aromas, nicely balanced and well structured.