Newsletter: 2018 Broc 'Eagle Point Ranch' Counoise

Newsletter: 2018 Broc 'Eagle Point Ranch' Counoise
Cunoise is a little known grape used in the majestic blends of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Although it doesn't get the fame or recognition of Grenache and Syrah, it plays a vital role, and a major reason these wines are so revered. Cunoise's deceptive greatness lies within its dark skins, vibrant, spicy aromatics and hearty fruit flavors. It adds loads of complexity and life to wines it's a part of. Leaving the question: why don't we see more single expressions of this wonderful grape? 

Today's wine unmasks the magic of Cunoise and brings it to unfathomable heights. Leave it to California's whiz, Chris Brockaway to pin point what Cunoise is capable of and coax out all of its wonderful, heady flavors. Aged for over six years in barrel and bottle before release, the final wine is rich and suave, accented by notes of tobacco and leather. It's like drinking world class Châteauneuf-du-Pape for under $30.

The only problem: 2018 was the final vintage of this special wine. Chris lost the contract to the vineyard in 2019 and never made it again. 

I'm proud to offer the last and only bottles of 2018 Broc 'Eagle Point Ranch' Cunoise in South Carolina. 
BUY NOW
100% Counoise from Eagle Point Ranch vineyard in the Mayacamas Mountains, grown at 1800ft elevation. The soils are thin and rocky but rich in iron and clay, lending richness and structure. Grapes are hand harvested, de-stemmed and fermented with indigenous yeasts. The wine is aged for 10 months in large, used French oak barrels, then bottled and aged a further 6 years before release.

An expressive and brooding nose of crème de cassis, raspberry, pomegranate, new leather and cherry tobacco. The supple palate is chock full of jammy red berries, dried rose petal and a touch of anise. Tannins have more than softened with age, yielding a wine with both elegance and verve. A wine in full bloom and drinking spectacularly right now. A toast to the last of the Mohicans. 
Chris Brockway is making wine the way it has been made for centuries. No chemical additives, no pesticides, no industrial yeast, no herbicides, nothing but perfectly farmed and fermented grapes.

Though he's considered part of the 'New California' wine boom, Chris is actually part of a very long and noble winemaking tradition, and he certainly does not seek out the obscure for the sake of being obscure. As quoted in an Eric Asimov article in the NY Times: 'I'm not trying to out-weird anybody or obscure anybody,' he said. 'We're trying to get back to a more traditional conception of what wine used to be. Also, we like to drink wine.'
2018 Broc 'Eagle Point Ranch' Counoise - $34.99

*SPECIAL NEWSLETTER PRICE - $32.99

**SPECIAL 2-PACK PRICE - $29.99/btl

To order, reply directly to this email or call me at 843.576.4845
Justin Coleman
Proprietor  
Monarch Wine Merchants
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