2010 Copain, Chardonnay “Tous Ensemble” Anderson Valley.
It was a great surprise to find Copain’s lovely Chardonnay by the glass at my local favorite bistro, Central Market in Petaluma and I enjoyed a carafe of it over dinner. While I’ve always been impressed with Copain’s Pinot and Syrah wines, it has taken me a while to be seduced by their whites, but this 2010 Tous Ensemble from Anderson Valley is a wonderful Chardonnay that gives lots of pleasure and elegance. The nose is bright and mineral laced somewhat like Chablis, but with a bit more tropical fruit essence which leads to a medium weight palate of pear and apple with hints of lemon, citrus flowers and melon add to the clean purity of this Chardonnay. As it warms it keeps it’s mineral and wet stone streak, but it adds fig, clove and hazelnut. The acidity keeps things racy and fresh throughout and the neutral oak gives only a kiss of wood that leaves scarcely a flash of spice and vanilla.
($24-28 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive
