(It's generally a good sign when there's a little dust on a bottle in the Boulder Creek Winery library. Photo by Ray Rushing)
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Getting winery owners Jackie and Mike Thompson to pick their all-time favorite Boulder Creek wine is probably as easy as asking them to pick their favorite child. It’s not a question they could answer, but at least with the wine, the couple can take a stab, picking five of the most notable offerings since the winery’s first vintage in 2003:
2003 Chardonnay: The wine that proved Boulder Creek belonged
Barrel fermented and aged in new French oak this perfectly balanced buttery Chardonnay style would become winemaker Jackie’s hallmark in the following vintages. More than anything, however, it was the first bottle that received kudos from the outside world. “We didn’t really know if our wines were that great; we just liked them.” Well, this bottle received a double gold at the International Eastern Wine Competition in 2004 and won best of show at Colorado Mountain Winefest that year. The most ringing endorsement, however, came from fellow Colorado winemaker Bill Donahue of Creekside Cellars. He came in, saw it listed on the chalk board for $13 a bottle, sipped some, then edited the price. “Bill tasted it, he got the chalk out and crossed out $13 and put $18,” Mike recalls. “Bill’s always been a big supporter, and getting that from him was as important as the double gold.”
2004 Cooper’s Reserve: Getting sentimental
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah was packaged as a reserve wine with a silk-screened label and served as a homage to the Thompson’s grandson, Cooper. “We just thought it was a cool name,” Mike says. “It had this story on the back about our daughter, her husband, their family. It’s got this typically sappy story that all the ladies love and the guys groan over.” This top-shelf wine served as the predecessor for the VIP Reserve (now Consensus). Oh, and the name helped sell a few extra cases that vintage, too. “Plus, my next door neighbor’s named Cooper — he bought a couple of cases,” Mike says.
2005 Syrah: The first library release (almost)
Mike and Jackie were too consumed with the process the first two vintages to harbor the thought of actually holding some wine back to fill their library. That changed with the 2005 Syrah. This rich, velvety, vanilla-flavored Syrah that won best of show at 2008 Colorado Mountain Winefest was just so good and ageable they finally decided to save some. “The fully extracted tannins will give it longevity,” Jackie says. “It’s just my nature to want to extract everything out of the skins.” The family opened a bottle last month over the holidays and served it with some Colorado lamb. It was a hit at the table. With about six cases left, the Thompsons plan to re-release some of this perfectly aged wine in the next month or so to wine club members. “This one is drinking at its prime right now,” Mike says. “If I had to make a Wine Spectator drink or hold recommendation, I would call this drink. “
2006 VIP Reserve: The one
Where to start with this 50/50 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. How about from the top? This wine won a prestigious Jefferson Cup (the first ever from Colorado) as one of the best red wines in the country. It also got Mike and Jackie an invite to a tasting in Paris, where they served it to French wine snobs who were enamored with it. Perhaps more important than all the accolades, it marked Mike’s entrance into the business full time. He decided to package this as a wine for the wine club members and came up with the idea of having them vote on the final blend. Turned out, Boulder Creek drinkers know their wine. “It was the first endeavor he took on by himself,” Jackie says. “It was neat to see his first real endeavor just really blossom.” … “Sometimes you get lucky,” Mike chimes in. With about six cases left, this wine will likely be a library release in a few years, although it might not hit its prime until 2015.
2009 Gen Y Riesling: Will’s wine
Son Will, a University of Colorado student, got the chance to make his own wine with the 2009 vintage. Turns out he can hang with his mom pretty well. The Gen Y won a Double Gold at the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, which generally features some of the best Rieslings in the world. Will has since made the 2010 Riesling and has both the 2011 Viognier and Syrah in tank and barrel, respectively. Jackie says it’s been incredible working with Will. “We work great together,” she says. “I’m extremely proud of him. He’s my favorite Thompson to work with.”
Consensus (nonvintage, 2011 release): The wine for the people
What started as Cooper’s Reserve then the VIP Reserve has now morphed into the chic packaged Consensus, a new name that reflects the importance of the Boulder Creek wine club members. In its first release, the club voted on a mix of 2008 and 2009 wines with Merlot (50 percent) taking the lead over Syrah, Cabernet Sauvingon and Cabernet Franc. The new branding further engaged the loyal Boulder Creek wine drinkers with the process. Jackie and Mike just wish they’d pick a blend of grapes from the same year so they could put a vintage on it. “It was kind of a mongrel,” Mike says. Well, this mongrel won a Medal of Excellence at the Jefferson Cup. The Consensus is so popular, the next release is already 20 percent sold out on futures purchases.
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Question: Have you had any of these wines? Please tell us about your experience with them below.
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