About the Wine
Garret Copeland fell in love with Burgundy and its wines when he first visited the region at the age of 16. Today Garret and his wife, Tatiana, own and operate the dark horse candidate for best Carneros Pinot Noir, Bouchaine. The estate was run down and a bit rusted when the Copelands purchased it in 1981, but with their support and vision, it has continued to improve and impress. After spending the better part of three decades revitalizing and transforming the Estate from its former plight Garret and his wife have finally captured the spirit of Burgundy in the picturesque valley of Carneros. Today Bouchaine maintains strict sustainable practices to help produce some of the finest Pinot Noir in all of Napa Valley! The 2017 Bouchaine Estate Pinot Noir is one of our favorite domestic Pinot Noirs of 2020. Don't miss your chance to enjoy this fantastic food-friendly wine, perfectly fit for the upcoming holidays!
Bouchaine is the oldest continuously operating winery in Carneros, but only recently has the Estate truly become a force to be reckoned with. The history of the Estate dates back to the late 1880s when a Missouri-born settler named Boon Fly planted grapes and fruit trees on the property. In 1927, an Italian winemaker named Johnny Garetto bought the land and farmed it until 1961, when he sold to Beringer. After 20 years as a decaying storage facility under Beringer's guidance, Garret and Tatiana Copeland saw potential and took the property over in the 1980s.
Bouchaine’s 100-acre estate vineyard lies on the southern border of Napa Valley’s Carneros district, overlooking the San Francisco bay with the financial district in the distance. Fog, wind, and the cold nighttime temperatures of this unique geographical area lend a distinctive regional identity to our Pinot Noir.
2017 delivered much-needed rains over winter, and beautiful weather during the growing season, resulting in an exceptional harvest. A cool, foggy summer allowed for slow ripening, high acidity, and superb flavor development. The fruit was successfully picked before the tragic fires of 2017.
Aging: 9 months in 18% new French Oak.
Tasting Notes:White Wine. 100% Chardonnay. The orchestration of different yeasts coupled with sur lie aging in stainless steel tanks as well as French oak barrels of different ages, toast levels, and origins create an array of unique wines. Only the finest wines are combined in late spring into the vibrant final blend, showcasing the best of our estate. You will find layered, lovely aromas of fuji apple, clementines, kaffir lime, and jasmine. A rich, yet tangy palate showcases flavors of nectarine, lemon curd, and brioche with a long lip-smacking finish. Pair this with a roast chicken, a thick pork chop, or just good friends.
Reviews
Rich and fruit-filled, with well-focused apple pastry, peach, quince, and tangerine flavors that lengthen out with buttery richness midpalate. The spicy finish features toasty notes. Drink now through 2023. 3,465 cases made. ~91 Wine Spectator
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