Saturday Tasting at The Gourmet Shop Columbia, SC 3/9/2013

Justin with Aleph, who we can always count on for knowledge and good research, was our host. For only $1 we get to try 4 always interesting wines. This time he chose two of Randall Graham's latest releases, plus a Chianti, and a Chablis. The usual crowd of regulars appeared. We leisurely sipped while walking about the wine shop checking out the wine shelves.

• 2010 Maison Albert Bichot Chablis Domaine Long-Depaquit 88 Points

  France, Burgundy, Chablis

  Just another indication of how true to varietal and unencumbered with unwelcome, occasionally offensive flavors and aromas, Chardonnay from Chablis can be. This is delightfully simple, but still wholesome and complete as a wine at the same time. Nice golden yellow color. The nose has a shale, mineral influence to some lemon and other citrus fruit. Might be medium plus bodied. The fruit has a lemon citrus influence, but it is more toward an apple, or pear flavor. The integration is so smooth, it has an elegance that coats the palate without being heavy. It is balanced, but the acidity is not all that noticeable. No oak. The finish is pure, with a faint flinty minerality that is really enjoyable.

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• 2011 Bonny Doon Vineyard Vin Gris de Cigare 87 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast

  Light and lovely. Just a refreshing mouth full of soft red fruit leaning toward mostly strawberry. Very much like a rose from Provence. Has a fruit first style. Very balanced, not overly acidic. Rich salmon like color. Strawberry nose with some floral components. Lip smacking red fruit with a nice taste of watermelon that lingers on to a clean finish.

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• 2010 Bonny Doon Vineyard Grenache Clos de Gilroy 87 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast

  This is one of those fun, relatively simple, easy to drink red wines. The object of this wine is to deliver fresh and vibrant, up front fruit, at which it excels. It is lively, juicy and fresh. The color is surprisingly clear light magenta. The nose is red raspberry and a hint of roses. There is lots of cool stuff happening across the fruity palate. Most of it is red raspberry and strawberry, but there are some interesting pepper spices and herbs. Barely medium bodied. Minimal tannins, little or no oak. By the time we get to the finish, some cranberry and cherry come forward as do some lingering little tannins.

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• 2008 Vinos de Arganza Mencía Bierzo Flavium Crianza 89 Points

  Spain, Castilla y León, Bierzo

  This is a real find. For a little more than 10 bucks we get a rich and refined Spanish Mencia that spent 20 months in French and American oak. Even though it is a 2008 it seems particularly young. There is a lot of oak, which is masking the fruit intensity at this moment, but there is no doubt this is a respectable wine. Rich purple color. The nose has oak with some emerging dark fruits and minerality. The palate is very tight, and could a several hour decant. There is a hidden richness waiting to burst out. You can feel some flavor development as it slides down the palate, and as you drink through the glass. The blackberry and blueberry fruit is shy and reticent but can't hide itself completely. Very smooth and well integrated tannins and acidity. Medium plus bodied. Smooth except for a little too much oak which will eventually age out. There is a lifted lingering complexity on the finish that makes you want to take another sip, then buy a case to forget you owned for about 5 years.

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