WTN: 05 Copains - Thompson Syrah & JB Roussanne

2005 Copain Syrah Thompson Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County (3/17/2008)
After tasting someone else's bottle at and OC tasting, I decided to try my own bottle and give it a longer decant. Big mistake. This is just way too young. Decanting is not the way to go for me. But it was fun all the same. Currently then nose is dominated by the stems. Green does not normally bother me but in this instance the were covering some of interesting elements that will emerge over time. Currently it is very broad across the palate. I tasted this a year ago and it was still like a barrel sample and enjoyable because the fruit was upfront. Now it is more shut down. Plenty of acid and tannin. The acidity presents itself kind of like dark unsweetened chocolate. Not sure were to place this wine but it could be in the A+ range after another 6-8 years.

2005 Copain Roussanne James Berry Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (3/12/2008)
Showing rather rich. Enjoyable aromatics. Nutty and creamy with wet stones just peeking through. Mid/heavy palate. Drinking well. Not sure it has the acidity to improve ... but maybe it will shed some baby fat and become more interesting. Nice wine. (88 pts.)

Jason

I too, thought the Thompson was a bit green, not underripe, but just stemmy/veggie for some reason.

I'm pretty new to their list, what would you recommend window-wise for the Thorn-Clarke Syrahs?

TIA!

[Jenise]

It's really time for me to try one of my Copain syrahs. Lemme check what I've got.... Hmmm, 1 01 Eaglepoint. I had 2. My list also shows 2 Hacienda Secoya pinots, but I was sure those were syrahs, or at least that I had two syrahs and two pinots, and since I see the Cerise and Hein here, both of which I'm positive are pinots.... Could it be that really late one night I decided it would be a great time to open a Copain syrah? Don't answer that.

I'm pretty new to their list, what would you recommend window-wise for the Thorn-Clarke Syrahs?

TIA!

I don't recall tasting the Thorn-Clarke. What vintage? Is that different form Harrison Clarke? I think all the 05 single vineyard syrahs will need time. Wells uses good amount of whole cluster. His style would certainly be more in a N. Rhone style rather than Cali/Aussie style.

Jason

It's really time for me to try one of my Copain syrahs. Lemme check what I've got.... Hmmm, 1 01 Eaglepoint. I had 2. My list also shows 2 Hacienda Secoya pinots, but I was sure those were syrahs, or at least that I had two syrahs and two pinots, and since I see the Cerise and Hein here, both of which I'm positive are pinots.... Could it be that really late one night I decided it would be a great time to open a Copain syrah? Don't answer that.

Hmmm.....

I think the Hacienda is probably Pinot. I'd be curious about the Eaglepoint. I have had many of his older syrahs but I know from talking to him at one of our OC dinners that he has be on a steady progression with his style. Heading more towards Rhone.

Jason