Grapelive Daily Pick
By Kerry Winslow
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2007 Copain “Les Copains” James Berry, Paso Robles Vin Rouge. (Rhone Blend)
From the famed James Berry Vineyard, famous for the wines of Saxum and others, the Les Copains is one of the great Rhone style reds in California, and it is made up of about 42% Mourvedre, 42% Grenache and the rest from Syrah. This wine is on the same level as Alban and Tablas Creek, while still reminding of the great wines of Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Bandol with a huge and vibrant palate of baked cherry, blueberry, boysenberry and plum fruits with hints of chalky earth, strawberry, game, cassis and peppery spices. This wine should develop further and gain in all areas over the next 3-5 years. The alcohol is just right too, at 14.4%, making for a very polished and full-bodied wine. This is a wonderful and textured wine that drinks great all ready, I must say it really is pure pleasure in a glass. ($40-45 Est.) 94+ Points, grapelive
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