WTN: 2010 Copain Tous Ensemble (Mendocino)

[Jenise]

Apparently, when I wasn't looking Copain put out a line of cheapie syrahs from various sites called Tous Ensemble. When I say 'cheap', I paid $19 off the shelf yesterday. The one I have in a glass in front of me right now is the Mendocino (there's an Anderson, maybe others); opened the bottle about ten minutes ago. WOW. For a Europhile palate, this wine, at $19, is just insane. It's focussed like a good northern Rhone of modest-plus ambitions with a gorgeously en pointe syrah nose and bright raspberry fruit with roasted meats on the palate. Overall fairly elegant with oak fairly non-evident, and there's nice acidity with subdued tannins that helps steer one's thoughts away from North America. Flavors seem to deepen by the minute. I am absolutely in love with this wine and can't remember a bargain at the $20 level retail that I enjoyed this much. Would never in my wildest dreams guess it was Californian. Tomorrow I'm going to go buy the rest of the case.

There's also a Pinot. M

[Jenise]

And chardonnay, I also saw on CellarTracker. Seems to be a catch-all designation. But signifying what, do you know?

And chardonnay, I also saw on CellarTracker. Seems to be a catch-all designation. But signifying what, do you know?

Entry-level wines.

[Jenise]

At the price, makes sense. But it sure doesn't taste/drink like a $19 wine. Doesn't have the weight or saturation of a $50+ syrah--but that's all the better. I just got back from shopping: brought home a case.

[David M. Bueker]

Always had good luck with these wines at restaurants.

I visited Copain back in 2008 after having heard good things from people who like elegance in wine, but what we found (even the Tous Ensemble wines) were still a little too high-octane for my tastes and my money. Sounds like they may have gotten even more elegant in recent years. And that's a great price for that much pleasure!

[Jenise]

Rahsaan, I have a friend who used to be on Copain's list and he was bragging about how French they were. I couldn't imagine it, based on the early Copains I'd had. So he opened a bottle circa 2000 vintage and had to eat crow. No way it passed. I've read that the winemaker had an epiphany and is now cleaving toward a much more European style; andf this would be the first wine of his I've had since got religion. Obviously, it worked with me--probably helps that it's four years old now and came from exclusively Mendocino fruit.