Boise Coop Wine Shop

Two from Chile

• April 9, 2008
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2007 Vina Quintay Clava Sauvignon Blanc

New Zealand has its Marlborough, and California has its Carneros. Yet when it comes to world-class wines that are (still) a jaw-dropping value, Chile may trump them all. Based in Chile’s Casablanca Valley, a sea-influenced region (just 12 miles from the coast near Valparaiso) that is ideal for cool-weather varietals such as Sauvignon Blanc, Clava is the value-priced second label for Vina Quintay. Winemaking there is natural and true to the land—winemaker and organic pioneer Alvaro Espinoza and his partner, Juan Carlos Faúndez, make wine no other way. Harvests are always done by hand, and a strict selection is made before the grapes are pressed to ensure every berry is perfectly ripe. Juice is fermented primarily in stainless steel, with a very small percentage (usually less than 1%) in new French oak for added complexity and body, and is aged on fine lees.

2006 Chono Syrah

Situated in the Maipo Valley, Chono sits just south of Santiago, sandwiched between the breathtaking Andes mountains to the east and the coastal range. Here the weather is hot and dry during the summer days, while evenings are cool—an ideal combination for for world-class Syrah, and that is exactly what winemaker Alvaro Espinoza has crafted. Concentrated and fruity, with a silkiness that runs from its abundant perfumes to its watch-breaking length, this Syrah is ripe, juicy and chock-full of blackberries and chocolate-dipped red berries. Spicy aromas of black pepper and tar show on the nose. The wine’s freshness is dazzling, a nod to the region’s cool climate and careful vinification that captures every bit of pure, unblemished fruit. Tannins are supple and sweet; every drop is polished and wonderfully complex. A stunning effort and a profound pleasure to drink.

Tasting: Vin du Bois Winery

• March 19, 2008
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The Vin du Bois bottlings sport a single distinctive T on the front label, representing the shared first initial of the two generation team that heads the winery. Ted Judd has been involved in the Treasure Valley wine scene for a number of years. He’s the winemaker for Vin du Bois, while his daughter Tonya takes care of the business end. They source their grapes from some of the best sites in Idaho’s Snake River appellation, working closely with the vineyard owners to secure top quality juice. This weekend we’ll be pouring three different selections: A fresh and lively 2007 Pinot Gris that was just released. Their 2006 Viognier that offers delicate honeysuckle and orange blossom aromas backed by spicy hints of nutmeg and white pepper with sweet citrus and crisp pineapple flavors. And a 2006 Pinot Noir filled with juicy berry aromas that play against a nice herbal, earthy quality along with bright cherry and berry fruit flavors.

Tasting: Cinder Wines

• March 11, 2008
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Melanie Krause (the owner, along with husband Joe Scherr, of Cinder wines) grew up in Boise. She attended Washington State University where she graduated in 2000 with degrees in Biology and Spanish. In 2001 she went to work for Stimson Lane, beginning as a vineyard technician but working her way up to assistant wine maker at their Canoe Ridge Estate Winery. After marrying Joe in 2006 she moved back to Boise and started her own winery consulting business. It wasn’t long before she took the plunge and opened Cinder, named after the volcanic remnants found under the vineyards of Idaho’s Snake River appellation. Her wines are catching on quickly (Andrae’s already offers Cinder Viognier by the glass), but come by and taste for yourself. Melanie will be on hand to pour samples and talk about her wines.

2007 Cinder Viognier, $17

White flowers, peach and honeysuckle aromas with just a nice light touch of banana. Both rich and refreshing with good weight and bright acidity. An exceptional wine.

2007 Cinder Rosé $10

Offers lovely rose petal and red berry aromas. On the palate it’s bursting with sweet cherry fruit balanced by zingy acidity. The finish is crisp, dry and refreshing. Great spring rosé.

2006 Cinder Syrah $27

Big black cherry and oak on the nose with touches of graham flour and cocoa. The fruit is just as big in the mouth with lots of vanilla and toasty oak. A smooth wine with a lush finish.

Tasting: Wines from Mexicio

• March 5, 2008
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Wines from Mexico? You bet, in fact the northern Baja is an emerging wine region boasting 24,700 acres of vines spread across six valleys. The dozen or so wineries there account for 90% of Mexico’s wine production.

Cavas Valmar

Established in 1983 at Rancho Valentin near Ensenada, this winery started out in a parking lot at their ranch with an old basket press, hand corker, and just six barrels. Today production is up from that original 300 cases, but they stilll only bottle about 2500 cases a year. Their 2001 Valmar Cabernet shows lots of cherry fruit on the nose with touches of licorce and earth. Cherry cola and plum fruit flavors dominate the palate backed by a nice hit of acidity.

Vinisterra

Located 25 kilometers east of Ensenada, this winery began in 2002 as a partnership between local Guillermo Ropdriguez Macouzet and Swiss winemaker Christoph Gaertner. The midlevel Macouzet label consists of a Cabernet Merlot blend and a Tempranillo. The ‘03 Macouzet Cab/Merlot offers sweet, dried cherry fruit on the nose. It’s marked by a creamy palate with dark plum and blackberry fruit. A rich but well balanced wine. The 2004 Macouzet Tempranillo is filled with lush cherry and dark fruit aromas with a nice meaty quality. Equally lush on the palate, plum and cherry fruit flavors dominate, backed by ripe tannins and a touch of pepper.

Co-op Wineshop Art Show

• March 3, 2008
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In our continuing art outreach program the Co-op Wine Shop is displaying works by three local artists: Zachary Jones, Patty Payton and Kimbal Anderson. Their combined pieces titled “Reality of the Rusted Purelands” are a collection of mixed media and photography. Each of the works connects to the others with themes of retrospection, interaction, awareness, and interpretation. Come by and support local art, thoughtful art, and while you’re at it check out the most comprehensive wine selection in the Pacific Northwest. The show runs through the end of April