2018 Pinot Noir Cooper & Thief Winery
Differences as well as variances are expected in wine. And wine makers apply a wide variety of styles.
Cooper & Thief winery takes their wines to a whole different level. Their company name is taken from usual wine making tools: “cooper” is the skilled worker who makes wooden barrels; “thief” is the device or tool used to sneak & taste wine from inside barrels.
Their main claim to fame is placing different varietals into used brandy barrels for 75 days. After a wine has leached the whiskey flavor, it is bottled for sales. For those wanting to buy their wines, log on www.cooperandthief.com to find a store.
Taste=2:
I did not find the usual California tasting Pinot Noir, nor was I expecting to. What smacked my pallet on first tasting was sweetness. Here is a very sweet Pinot Noir.
Their web site clearly states it has a “Jamy” taste. Their tasting notes include toasty vanilla, lush cherry and salted caramel flavors. These are very much present, easily picked-up.
The winemaker used a blend of reds in production: 84% Pinot Noir; 4% Petite Shirah, & 4% Petit Verdot. Thus, 90% of the blend is red wine, making the other 10& brandy, which may account for the wine’s high16% alcohol content.
Looks=3:
The shelf presentation is as unique as the wine! Cooper & Thief winery must have ordered a specially designed wine bottle. Their bottle resembles a barrel - - either for making wine or brandy. It has a shallow punt compared to other wine bottles.
The label is an in-your-face logo with a big barrel printed under the company name. For those who want to cellar a few bottles, it has a genuine cork.
The pour happens as a very dark red, nearly black. Legs; oh, yea. Legs cling to the glass, because of its high alcohol level.
Cost=1:
A buyer can have an unusual wine time experience for around $20. Their brandy-barrel product is readily available in supper markets as well as liquor stores.
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