Boise Coop Wine Shop

An Eclectic Quintet

• October 19, 2011
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This week we are featuring five very different wines from the portfolio of Idaho Wine Merchants. Two whites, one from Oregon and one from California, and three reds, one from Argentina and a pair from California. It’s and exciting line-up with something for everybody.

2009 Witness Tree Pinot Blanc, $13.99
Like many wineries in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, Witness Tree Vineyard is a small producer of premium-quality wine. The vineyard takes its name from an ancient oak tree used as a surveyor’s landmark in 1854, during the Oregon Trail era. The tree was used to mark the Northwest corner of the original Donation Land Claim No. 51 and still stands today in their vineyard. Witness Tree is 100 percent estate bottled. Every grape that goes into their wines has been grown on their property. This gives them complete control (at least as much as Mother Nature allows) over the quality of the fruit. Not many Oregon wineries have this ability. The Pinot Blanc variety is grown in very small quantities in the Willamette Valley. At Witness tree they have two and a half acres in production (which includes an acre and a half that came on-line as of the 2005 harvest). This limited bottling offers delightful fruit flavors reminiscent of apple and pear, balanced beautifully by a crisp refreshing acidity. Serve it with lighter table fare, crab or other shellfish, or simply on its own.

2009 Morgan Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay, $20.00
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. Named the Double L (Double Luck, in honor of twin daughters), today this vineyard is one of the most famed wine growing properties in California. Each vintage of Morgan’s Highland Chardonnay showcases the unique attributes of their Double L Vineyard and the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. The 2009 cuvée includes 61 percent fruit from the Double L and the balance from outstanding neighboring estates, including Rosella’s and McIntyre. The Double L Vineyard has been “Certified Organic” since 2002 but has been conscientiously farmed in this method since the original plantings in 1997. This focused, elegant Chardonnay’s aromas feature creme brulee, walnut and lime zest. On the palate, the rich flavors are complemented by a light touch of butterscotch and refreshing grapefruit with bright acidity. Incredibly food friendly, the 2009 Highland Chardonnay is a perfect match with cream-sauced pastas, roast chicken and pork, and seafood.

2009 Bogle Petit Sirah, $9.49
The family owned and operated Bogle Winery is tucked into the Sacramento Delta among 1,000 acres of vineyard land and sits along side of Elk Slough in Clarksburg, California. Thirty-two years after it was first produced by the Bogle family in 1978, Petite Sirah is today considered Bogle’s “heritage” varietal. Once again Thirty-two years after it was first produced by the Bogle family in 1978, Petite Sirah is today considered Bogle’s “heritage” varietal. Once again the trademark qualities shine through in a wine that is the perfect integration of fruit and oak. Voluptuous and full-bodied on the entry, the heady aromas of black currants and plums awaken the senses. Lusciously jammy and inky in appearance, the concentrated fruit wraps itself around tones of pipe tobacco, leather and cocoa, to mesmerize the palate. Juniper and spice seduce the supple tannins, as this wine finishes long and lingering, but not before a final touch of acidity charms the balanced mouthfeel yet again. the trademark qualities shine through in a wine that is the perfect integration of fruit and oak. Voluptuous and full-bodied on the entry, the heady aromas of black currants and plums awaken the senses. Lusciously jammy and inky in appearance, the concentrated fruit wraps itself around tones of pipe tobacco, leather and cocoa, to mesmerize the palate. Juniper and spice seduce the supple tannins, as this wine finishes long and lingering, but not before a final touch of acidity charms the balanced mouth-feel yet again.

2010 Tinto Negro Mendoza Malbec, $9.49
TintoNegro, meaning “black wine” in Spanish, is meant to celebrate the essence of Malbec in Mendoza. Known for its dark, blackish color, Malbec is definitely a Tinto Negro. The project was born of the long time friendship and professional collaboration of Alejandro Sejanovich and Jeff Mausbach, colleagues at Bodega Catena Zapata for almost 15 years. Sourced from Mendoza’s Primera Zona of Lujan de Cuyo and Maipu the Mendoza blend is meant to showcase the exceptional value and approachable profile of Malbec. The wine’s soft, drinkable style is accompanied by light oak aging for additional complexity.

2010 Tablas Creek Patelin de Tablas Rouge, $17.99
Tablas Creek Vineyard was founded by the Perrin family of Château de Beaucastel and Robert Haas, longtime importer and founder of Vineyard Brands. They chose the hilly Las Tablas district of west Paso Robles for its similarities to Châteauneuf du Pape: limestone soils, a favorable climate, and rugged terrain. The partners imported the traditional varieties grown on the Perrins’ celebrated estate, including Mourvèdre, Grenache Noir, Syrah, and Counoise for reds. ablas Creek follows the centuries-old Châteauneuf du Pape tradition of blending chosen varietals, which produces wines that are more complex, better balanced, and richer than single varietal wines. The Tablas Creek Vineyard Patelin de Tablas is a blend of four red Rhône varietals: Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Counoise. The wine incorporates fruit from seven top Rhône vineyards in Paso Robles, each vineyard selected for its quality. Like many red wines from the Rhône Valley, it is based on the dark fruit, mineral and spice of Syrah, with the brightness and fresh acidity of Grenache, the structure and meatiness of Mourvèdre and a small addition of Counoise for complexity.

Four from Oregon’s Joe Dobbes

• September 22, 2011
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Joe Dobbes Family Estate

In 2002, after 17 years in the business working for others internationally and in Oregon, Joe Dobbes started his company with a small amount of money in his back pocket, a lot of experience and passion, and sufficient ignorance of what he was up against. There are no outside partners or investors in Dobbes Family Estate and Wine by Joe — just determined, honest, hardworking people that make it work. Today this multi-faceted wine company is one of the largest in the state. They own 214 acres of vineyard and benefit from the work of more than 20 full-time, dedicated employees, as well dozens of other part-time and seasonal workers. All have made a significant mark on the success of the company. At Dobbes, they are passionate about letting the grapes speak in an effort to bring forth the flavors, the textures, the colors and aromas that the fruit is eager to share. In addition to their own vineyard, the winery has relationships with some of the best growers in Oregon’s Willamette and Rogue valleys. Dobbes understands the important role terroir plays in the character development of wine, so he carefully selects fruit from vineyards with differing elevations, soil types and clones. The ingredients, after all, are the most important factor in producing the most expressive Pinot Noirs.

2009 Dobbes Family Estate Grand Assemblage Pinot Noir, $26.00
A bright garnet wine with aromas of dark cherry, red licorice and a hint of forest floor. In the mouth it is a sensuous wine, balanced and bright with good grip and acidity. The flavor is a mix of dark cherry and blackberry, with a little of that red licorice coming through on the palate.. This is what everyone should identify with Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. Drink now through

Wines by Joe

Joe Dobbes is a pretty laid-back guy, but he couldn’t be more serious about making really excellent wine. This bodes well for the world as we know it, because these dueling demeanors bring forth a true gem: Wine by Joe. This is your go-to wine. Delicious, but never pretentious. A high-quality bottle at a no-nonsense price, meant to be shared with people who make you happy. It’s smooth and “drinkable,” as they say. But it’s rich and complex, too. Wine by Joe, priced at less than 20 bucks, is as comfortable at a dinner party as it is on a Thursday evening in your backyard. And its consistency from bottle to bottle ensures you’re going to be happy every time you pour it.

2010 Wine by Joe Pinot Gris, $12.99
This wine explodes with sweet aromas of fresh cut pears, green apples, and hints of vanilla and cream. The light, clean flavors in the mouth encompass citrus and green apple, well-balanced by refreshing and flinty acidity for a perfect and lively finish with lingering hints of that citrus. A lively, crisp, fruity and perfect “solo” sipper that also marries well with food.

2010 Wine by Joe Pinot Blanc, $12.99
Opening with aromas of vanilla, pears, flint and apples, the medium-bodied mouth feel of this wine delivers rich and rewarding flavors of peach and citrus fruit balanced by refreshingly crisp talc-flinty acidity. A medium-bodied, rich, but crisp wine with text book Pinot Blanc nuances.

2010 Wine by Joe Pinot Noir, $16.99
An excitingly complex and well-balanced Pinot Noir with gorgeous mouthwatering aromas of blackberry and a touch of leather. This wine slips into your mouth with juicy, lip-smacking flavors that mirror the aromas. It is balanced by vivacious acidity and a soft and velvety mouth feel, which wraps around your tongue, delivering an impression of sweetness from the soft ripe tannins.

Turning to Italy

• September 13, 2011
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We are highlighting a quartet of wines from Dalla Terra (of the earth in Italian), a direct importer of a limited selection of Italy’s finest wines.

2009 Marco Felluga Collio Pinot Grigio, Mongris $16.59
Marco Felluga is situated in Gradisca d’Isonzo, province of Gorizia. Founded in 1905, the estate is both a pioneer in quality as well as innovation and today comprises 325 acres of vineyards of which production is roughly seventy percent white grapes. All of the wines come from vineyards within the most important DOC known as Collio Goriziano, or Collio. The white wines are filtered before being fermented at controlled temperatures in stainless steel vats. A certain proportion of the wine is refined in wooden casks. The equipment used in the winemaking is of the latest technology updated through continual experimentation and in order to obtain the ideal results in harmony with respect for tradition. The property today is managed by Alessandra and Roberto Felluga, children of the prominent Marco Felluga, the inheritor of the founding Marco. The in-house oenologist is Rafaella Bruno. The name Mongris comes from the contraction of “mono variety” and the Friulano word for pinot grigio, Gris. Pinot Grigio arrived in Friuli Venezia Giulia over 150 years ago, and is now considered an indigenous grape. Today, it is one of the region’s most widely planted white grapes. This wine has an intense and immediate bouquet with pronounced hints of acacia flowers, straw and apple. In the mouth this wine is elegantly fruity, medium bodied and well-structured with a remarkably long finish.

2009 Li Veli Passamante Salice Salentino, $10.50
Masseria Li Veli is an imposing building on the southern most slopes of the Murge hills in Italy’s Salento region that occupies the heel of that country’s boot. The project is the realization of the Falvo family (proprietors of Avignonesi in Tuscany) who have strong ties to the region. The pre-existing stone structure dating to the late 19th Century has been transformed and enlarged, according to a well-planned and functional design in keeping with the style and layout of the original building. Today the estate comprises 88 acres of vineyards planted with the traditional Apulian varieties: Negroamaro, Primitivo and Malvasia Nera. The Negroamaro grapes for this wine are hand picked with the primary fermentation occurring in temperature controlled tanks. The juice is then transferred into French oak barriques for malolactic fermentations. The result is a dense ruby red with a purplish rim, that is immediately intense on the nose with marked aromas of ripe and fleshy red fruits, notably cherries followed by spicy notes of cinnamon and nutmeg; in the mouth it is full, powerful, smooth and very long, with a well defined acid streak which makes it fresh and pleasing.

2008 La Valentina Montepulciano d’Abrruzzo, $13.99
Fattoria La Valentina was founded in 1990 in Spoltore, a village nestled amongst Pescara hills on the central coast of the Adriatic. Following initial research in the Santa Teresa vineyard, the winery’s objective and passion became the quest for quality and the desire to promote the Abruzzese DOCs. The unique features of the region’s microclimate, combined with vines well-suited to the land, give the wines their distinctive qualities. The nearby forests, mountains and the Adriatic sea are all determining factors in expressing the vine’s originality. “La Valentina’s 2008 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is a gorgeous wine that stands head and shoulders above most of its peers in this price range. Dark cherries, juicy plums and spices are some of the notes that emerge from this juicy, highly pleasurable Montepulciano. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2014.” — Wine Advocate.

2009 Selvapiana Chianti Rufina, $16.99
Selvapiana is a classic Tuscan fattoria located in the Chianti Rufina zone east of Florence, situated on 600 acres, 113 of which are devoted to vineyards and 77 to olives. It was originally a summer residence for the Florentine bishops and then later belonged to a series of Florentine merchant families. Purchased in 1827 by Michele Giuntini Selvapiana, since 1957 it has been run by the fifth generation Giuntini family member, Francesco Giuntini Antinori. With great energy and intelligence Francesco has worked to restore the prestige that Chianti Rufina enjoyed up until 1716, the year of the famous proclamation of Cosimo III de’Medici, when the Pomino denomination was recognized as one of the most important in Tuscany. In recent years the estate has been managed by Silvia and Federico Giuntini Masseti who are loyal to the path forged by Francesco, and continue to work closely with Franco Bernabei, the consulting oenologist at Selvapiana since 1978. “The 2009 Chianti Rufina opens with a burst of red fruit. It is an intensely perfumed, seductive wine loaded with personality. Sweet, silky tannins frame the exquisite finish. This is another drop-dead gorgeous wine from Selvapiana. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2029. Selvapiana is a reference point for fine, traditionally made Chiantis that can age beautifully. The Chianti Rufina is a consistent overachiever within its price range.” — Wine Advocate.

Sake: Wine from Rice

• September 8, 2011
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Which wine goes best with Asian cuisine, everything from Szechuan to Sushi? Consider Sake, that fermented rice beverage that in many ways is closer to beer than wine. The different grades of Sushi are based on how highly polished the rice is. The more of the outer coating that is milled away, the more premium the Sake is considered to be. And while inexpensive Sake can be served warm (heating helps to dissipate the impurities), premium Sake should be sipped lightly chilled like a fine white wine.

Here’s are a few recommendations to get you started:

Ichinokura Taru Junmai, $20.00
Pure rice, cedar flavored sake, the rich, creamy  and refreshing aromas of Japanese cedar are harmonized with smooth flavors to enhance the taste. This is a well-balanced sake with a spicy taste and long finish. SMV: +2

Otokoyama Junmai, $22.50
Light and smouth, the quiet, grain-like aromas have a nice hint of fruit. Refreshingly light with vivid acidity, this very dry sake has an appealing sharpness, with a rich and full-bodied taste. SMV: +10

Harushika Junmai, $21.50
Offers aromas of preserved fruit and plum with an extremely dry palate, medium body and a perfect finish. Pairs very well with Japanese dishes. Barbecue chicken or pork are two good matches, as well. SMV: +12

SMV stands for Sake Meter Value or nihonshu-do. It is a measure of the specific gravity of a sake, or the ratio of the density of the sake in relation to the density of pure water. The more unfermented sugar in the sake the more dense it is. On the scale, 0 is considered neutral, negative numbers are sweeter, and the higher the positive number, the dryer the Sake.

but please don’t drink it that way!

In addition to the three sakes. we consider the Choya Umeshu, $13.49. Often called Plum Wine, ume are the same genus as their cousins, but a different species, and they have very different characteristics. Ume contains 4-5% acidity compared to 1-2% acidity in plums. As ume fruit ripens, citrus acid occupies a higher ratio than other organic acids. The fruit and skin of ume contains polyphenol and the fruit contains amino-acids. The flavors are intense, with bright fruit that starts out sweet, but is balanced by crisp acidity. The perfect choice for spicy dishes.

2009 Michel Magnien

• September 3, 2011
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Our 2009 wines from Michel Magnien have just arrived. Michel Magnien owns 27 acres, including vineyards within the grand cru plots of Clos de la Roche, Clos St. Denis and Charmes-Chambertin, as well as premier cru sites and village parcels in Gevrey-Chambertin, Morey-St.-Denis and Chambolle-Musigny. Magnien sold a majority of his crop until 1992, when Domaine Michel Magnien began to bottle much of the family’s harvest. Soon after joining the family business, Frédéric encouraged his father to vinify his entire crop, starting with the 1994 vintage. While his son takes care of the cellar, Michel still works in the fields, pruning mercilessly and maintaining low yields. Fred proudly calls his father Michel “the finest vineyard worker I have.”

“The wines are always fresh and youthful when released, but they age very slowly and gracefully. Fred says his fathers wines always show young because of the work he does in the vineyard. All I know is that I have had older wines from 2001 back to 1978 and they have been superb in every case. We selected wines for price and quality, if you are interested in other vineyards we can get other wines including Grand Cru’s.” -Wine Shop Burgmeister Divit Cardoza

2009 Pinot Noir Grand Ordinaire, $22
This entry level Pinot Noir is made from estate fruit and is meant to be drunk in the first year or two. A soft, easy style of Pinot Noir.

2009 Bourgogne Pinot Noir, $28 (all estate fruit)
Tasting note: A discreet touch of wood sets off fresh and ripe red and blue pinot fruit aromas that are in keeping with the attractively vibrant, rich and round flavors that are at once delicious yet serious. A good Bourgogne. Score: 85-89, Burghound

2009 Gevrey Chambertin Seuvrees, $59
Tasting note: A slightly riper nose is the essence of a red pinot fruit liqueur nuanced with subtle earth and smoke aromas that precede very round and mouth coating middle weight flavors that brim with ample amounts of dry extract, all wrapped in a firm finish that mixes youthful austerity with a trace of natural sweetness. A high-quality villages that is worth considering.
Tasted: Jan 01, 2011 Score: 89-91 Drink: 2017+
- Comments: Outstanding, Burghound

2009 Chambolle Musigny Fremieres, $59
Tasting note: As one would reasonably expect, this delivers a completely different aromatic profile of cool and airy high-toned raspberry and cranberry aromas that are very Chambolle in character as the limestone influence is quite prominent and it continues onto the detailed, refined and admirably pure flavors that possess a dusty and mouth coating finish that is both firm and mildly austere. This is a mineral-driven wine par excellence.
Tasted: Jan 01, 2011 Score: 89-91 Drink: 2016+
- Comments: Outstanding, Burghound

2009 Morey St. Denis Chaffots, $89
-from a parcel that sits between Clos de La Roche and Clos St. Denis
Tasting note: A restrained and quite cool nose of spice and earth hints that add good breadth to the red pinot fruit that introduces rich and generous but well-focused middle weight plus flavors that possess fine mid-palate concentration which helps to buffer the very firm finish. This is a relatively big wine and clearly built to age.
Tasted: Jan 01, 2011 Score: 90-92 Drink: 2021+
- Comments: Outstanding, Burghound