Boise Coop Wine Shop

Weekend Wine Tasting: Three Amazing Values

• October 22, 2008
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This week we are featuring three definite best buys. One white, a French Chardonnay from Burgundy icon Joseph Drouhin, and two Eric Soloman selections, both Spanish reds that garnered great write-ups in The Wine Advocate.

2007 Joseph Drouhin Laforet Bourgogne Chardonnay, $11.99

Since 1880 Maison Joseph Drouhin has produced wines of breed, finesse and elegance. A balance of tradition and modern techniques characterizes their winemaking and vineyard management: on site nursery, plowing, leaf removal, 100% hand harvesting, open fermenters, fermenting and aging in oak. As a result of the quality of their vineyards and their expertise from years of experience, Maison Joseph Drouhin is uniquely placed to uphold the authentic Burgundian style. That style is evident even in their entry level wines. Laforêt Bourgogne Chardonnay is made from 100 percent Chardonnay grapes, picked by hand, coming from all over Burgundy. It derives its bouquet and taste from various terroirs: its general character from Mâcon, its crisp structure from Chablis, its body from Rully, Chassagne and Puligny-Montrachet, and its overall complexity from the young vines of Joseph Drouhin’s own “Crus.” Year in and year out it is an outstanding value.

2006 Bodegas Almansenas La Huella de Adaras, $9.99

Importer Eric Soloman believes that Almansa is Spain’s greatest location for Garnacha Tintorea, more commonly known as Alicante Bouschet. Vine growing on the outskirts of Almasa probably dates from the 16th Century and has been carried out ever since. This D.O. located about 2000 feet above sea level, is the most easterly point of Castile La Mancha, covering some 18,000 acres spread among just 12 different Bodegas. “The 2006 La Huella de Adaras is a blend of 60 percent Garnacha Tintorera, 30 percent Monastrell, and 10 percent Cabernet Sauvignon. Purple-colored, it delivers aromas of spice box, black cherry, and blueberry. On the palate it is slightly lean and structured with just enough fruit for balance.” Wine Advocate, 89 points.

2006 Las Rocas de San Alejandro Garnacha, $8.99

The beautiful region of Calatayud is located about 150 miles northeast of Madrid, and is centered around the rivers of Jiloca and Jalon. One of the youngest regions to attain D.O. status in Spain (as late as 1989), Calatayud is comprised of some 20,000 acres of vines, most of which are planted to red varieties. Although the D.O. is quite young, vines have been grown in this zone for some time. About one eighth of the vineyard land’s producton has been bottled at one of Spain’s best and most progressive cooperatives, San Alejandro. With an abundance of amazing raw material, importer Eric Solomon was able to commission several bottlings of very old vine fruit. “The 2006 Las Rocas Garnacha is dark crimson-colored with an alluring nose of spice box, mineral, black cherry, and black raspberry. Smooth-textured, round, and with no hard edges, this tasty effort is designed for immediate gratification. This is one worth buying by the case.” Wine Advocate, 91 points.

Join us this Friday, October 24 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm or this Saturday, October 25 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm for a free taste of these three wines.