Walk Around Saturday Tasting at The Gourmet Shop 5/28/2011

Every Saturday from 1 to 5 PM The Gourmet Shop in the 5 Points area of Columbia, SC. hosts a walk around tasting in the wine shop. Typically they ask a vendor to host. This week Justin from Aleph Wines had the table. I was not a fan of either the 2009 Bordeaux' he poured, as both seemed rough and unfinished to me. Even on Holiday weekend, many of the usual suspect regulars showed up.

• 2009 Dr. Konstantin Frank Dry Riesling 87 Points

  USA, New York, Finger Lakes

  Very nice dry Riesling. A lot less viscosity than it's German cousins. Very crisp, cleanses the palate well. Lots of that Granny Smith Apple malic acid. Almost clear color. Just barely medium bodied. Ripe but subtle grapefruit, white pear and lemon fruit. The 12% alcohol is well surrounded by fruit and a slight slatey minerality. Very clean and refreshing.

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• 2009 Santa Julia Torrontés 87 Points

  Argentina, Mendoza

  Always a fan of Torrontes, I make it a point to check them for bitterness at the end of the finish, before I give them the thumbs up. This one passed the test, little or no bitterness. Not as much tropical fruit, and by no means as much tangerine as most, this one is a little elegant and subdued. There is still that nice melon with honeysuckle and citrus on the tongue. Almost perfect acidity. Tasted very nice quite chilled. Medium bodied. Grapefruit, passion fruit, and honey on the finish.

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• 2009 Château Cadet Soutard 86 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

  Tasted alongside another 2009 Bordeaux, this one also tasted rough and unfinished to me. We could tell this is mostly Merlot from the slightly herbal, green pepper aromas. There was plenty of deep dark color. Very spicy in the way fresh pressed olive oil is spicy. There probably is a lot of fruit, but the rustic, tannic and acid unfinished flavors mostly drowned it out. Most certainly they intended this to age, which I am sure it will. By no means can we call this smooth. I doubt a vinturi or a decanter could get enough air to this to make it drinkable. Everybody is praising this vintage and these wines, they can have them.

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• 2009 Château Belgrave 85 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc

  This is my first taste of 2009 Bordeaux Haut-Medoc. I thought it was very tight and austere, almost like a barrel sample. I have to admit, this is going to be a powerful wine someday, but it is no where near ready. This wine is deeply extracted. The color is almost purple. The taste on the lips reminds me of press wine at the very end of the cycle when you know it is time to stop. There is definitely some big fruit here, but it may take years for it to shine through the acid and tannin structure. There is undoubtedly enough new French oak to help mask flavors in this early stage of it's life. It is reasonably priced, but my California trained palate says why bother.

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After tasting these 4 we sat outside in 90+ degree heat, under an awning, and enjoyed a pour of Aguaribay 2007 Malbec.