I am a fan of the Brosseau Syrah. This thread caused me to open the 2007 again when I got home from work today. I’m just settling down with it now, and it is an excellent example of cooler climate, higher altitude Syrah – also much more open than my last encounter.
Then this would be the first Sonoma pinot ever made by Copain. Other than the 2007 Clos Pepe, I’m pretty sure all the others have been from the Anderson Valley.
It is my understanding that the “estate” fruit where winery is has been sold to Kosta Brown in the past.
Different ball game for sure… the property is really in a warmer part of the rrv, not a spot I believe copain would choose to source pinot from… can’t wait to see what Wells did with the fruit.
I talked with Ezra a short time ago and made my order. I took a leap based on my fervor over the chardonany and bought a bunch, as well as the Brosseau syrah (which I did taste in October and that note is posted below). As to the 2011 Estate pinot, you guys already nailed that down above. It is off the eastern side of the estate on Eastside Road. I took one of those to see what it tastes like and I’ll get one open in the next few weeks once the bottles arrive and post an impression after the ship shock settles. FWIW, I do recall the estate fruit going to KB some time ago but it looks like Wells dug what he saw from the harvest and made some so we will see what’s in there.
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2010 Copain Syrah Brosseau Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Chalone (10/30/2011)
Copain Stopover–2011 Harvest (Copain Winery–Russian River): Pop and pour. Listed alc 13.0%. I had not tasted this before, even on the last trip up this past March. Darkest of the 2010 syrahs, wow dark. Purple flower aromatic. Blue and black fruit, yet stays juicy. Not thick or over-ripe but still sexy in tone. Ok, so think about it this way. Picture a 2 lane highway…one truck is full of quarried large rocks coming down the left lane, then in the right lane comes the truck of fresh picked blueberry and black raspberry. They collide, then pour over the scene the color of night…this is 2010 Brosseau syrah. Lovely.
Posted from CellarTracker
I’m curious about the price point on the Estate Pinot Noir. I recall Wells saying the RRV fruit was sold off because the warm climate did not permit him to achieve what he wanted Copain pinot to be. I didn’t recall the buyer of that fruit, but the Kosta-Browne mention above seems right as I do recall it was a winery known for its big, rich wines. Given that, I’d expect a price point below the Anderson Valley Tous Ensemble, as Copain has touted that fruit sources for the Tous have been upgraded. But who knows?
I wonder if Kosta-Browne is cutting back purchases?
I could swear I recall that Jim Kuhner mentioned that Wells was experimenting with some trousseau on the property?
I missed a call from Ezra last night that was probably due to this thread. I’ll call him Monday and try to get the scoop and style of the Estate Pinot.
Yes, correct Mr A. Ezra told me the same thing. I think this is coming in a future release.
I spoke with Ezra today and he described the Estate Pinot as a much lighter floral/red fruited wine than most other RR Pinots. 13.3% $45. If I understood him correctly Wells has thought the vines to be too young till now.
There will be an E-mail offer out tomorrow morning for all customers.
Copain website allocation is working. Placed my order. (not a club member - yet)
Curious about this as well. I was wondering if the Brosseau Chard is worth the extra tariff compared to the Tous Ensemble. Or is this ponderment completely ridiculous, akin to asking if the Kisers are worth the extra money?
FWIW for folks who are still curious about the club situation, I emailed this morning at 10:22 asking to modify my shipment. I sent them the list of the 6 bottles I wanted. They emailed back at 10:38 saying that was no problem. Excited to try that chard!
Michael
I was one of the folks a little confused/concerned about the CLub - but 2 orders in, I’m happy with how they run it. When they send out an announcement of the club shipment you can just email back and indicate what you would like to receive (including the single vineyards) and get the club discount. On this latest shipment i even asked for the Baker Syrah which was released last shipment.
I added some '10 Baker and some '08 Halcon as well.
Glad to hear some have come to the same realization. There was undoubtedly some initial confusion, but in the end we get lower prices, free shipping (6 bottles or more), the ability to pick/choose from previous releases, no obligation…I still don’t understand the problem. Copain seems to be falling over themselves to make it a better experience. I get that some will simply not join a club regardless of the benefits, but I really don’t see any tangible negatives other than needing to make a call or send an email to modify an order.
No need to start another argument, but it seems that several people have recently come forward to speak of their positive experiences with respect to the club. I would encourage those who were initially turned off to reconsider.
There was undoubtedly some initial confusion, but in the end we get lower prices, free shipping (6 bottles or more), the ability to pick/choose from previous releases, no obligation…I still don’t understand the problem.
The main issue is the one you omitted to mention – a 2-3 case per year buying obligation. That’s something like $1,200-2,500 per year on Copain, depending on what wines you choose. Until last year, it was one case per year. You say there is “no obligation,” but there is a 4-figure obligation every year.
I don’t buy 2+ cases of wine per year from any producer, and I buy and own a lot of wine, both in terms of number bottles and dollar value, and I’m on a lot of premium mailing lists. Not that there is anything wrong with you or anyone else doing so, it’s just not what works for me. For those of you who were going to buy 2+ cases per year of Copain, I think it probably is a no-brainer, and I’m happy for you, and happy for Copain.
A smaller issue is that the discounting that you get in the club is partly offset by rising list prices. The Kiser pinots jumped 17% in the last release, and the Brosseau Chardonnay went up 15% from $48 to $55 between the 2009 and 2010 vintages. [Probably other wines, particularly syrahs, have had smaller increases or no increases in price, I haven’t compared them all.]
I was and am happy to let this small disagreement go away for good, but I keep getting prodded by these comments like “I still don’t understand the problem” in every Copain thread, as though the only Copain buyers who dropped off this year are being irrational or throwing a tantrum.
Is this what is now being referred to in other threads as the Copain Pep Squad?
I’ve moved on. I did what Copain asked me to do to be a preferred customer, and then they changed the deal. Now the objective seems to be to sell more wine to fewer customers. I particularly like the Kiser en Haut pinot, and would possibly be interested in the Wendling pinot when that new vineyard comes online, but not with this bundling concept. So I’m out.
I was told that the club is going to be re-structured some time this year where where it will be more tailored to fit each customer. I can understand not wanting to commit to a large amount of bottles and I initially felt the same way as Lew- being told that as long as you purchased a case in the calendar year that you would be offered all the SVD wines. I believe this is still true, although you just won’t get the discount not being a member of the club.
Not trying to stir the pot, just passing on what I was told after trying to explain some of the complaints to Ezra.
Hang tight Lew, I believe further change may be in the works.