Giant Wine Sale & Tasting Cellar on Greene, Columbia, SC 9/24/2011

We are still having the temperature rising above 90 and sometimes all the way to 100 degrees, but it seems like a good day to try every wine offered by Cellar on Greene. The crowd was unusually large for such a hot day. There are 5 stations, all staffed by knowledgeable wine servers. Fun was had by all.

• NV Bel Star Valdobbiadene 86 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Valdobbiadene

  This is a sweet little sparkler. It has a combination of ripe white fruit and floral tones on the nose. Pretty golden color. It has a very nice light pineapple flavor on the roof of the mouth. The sweetness makes it a little heavy. The fruit is light, sweet and rounded. Relatively low in acid. This is not exactly a thirst quencher, but would be great as the first taste of the day.

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• 2010 Quo Garnacha Campo de Borja Rosado 86 Points

  Spain, Aragón, Campo de Borja

  Not normally a fan of bleed rose, I am going to give this one some love. It starts out with that orangish, pink, salmon color, that is usually a good sign. There is no doubt the skins have broken, but the resulting strawberry and cranberry fruit flavor is relatively subdued, and down right tasty. It is not all fresh fruit, there is actually some structure. It is smooth in the mouth. Only moderately acidic. Clean and well made. Drink this by itself, or with food.

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• 2010 Las Lilas Vinho Verde Rosé 87 Points

  Portugal, Minho, Vinho Verde

  One of those unpretentious fun wines for easy drinking summer time fun, especially around the pool. Relatively simple. Focused, ripe strawberry and red raspberry fruit. Almost feels sweet in the mouth. Just enough acid to keep the palate cleansed. Just a little spritz to give the flavors a boost all the way to the finish.

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• 2009 Lergenmüller Riesling Sankt Anna 86 Points

  Germany, Pfalz

  Usually at first smell and taste, it is easy to determine a German Riesling. This one is a little different. In a good way, it is somewhat New World in style. It still has that rustic, earthy, mineral quality, but also has a bright and fruity roundness. It seems to taste and smell a little more sunny than usual. This is not a real complex wine. It is more fruit driven, and maybe a little more one dimensional than typical. Has that rather heavy viscosity we expect. Soft and easy drinking. Maybe just a touch of residual sugar. A small amount of bitterness on the after taste.

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• 2010 Les Costières de Pomérols Picpoul de Pinet Hugues de Beaulieu 87 Points

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Picpoul de Pinet

  This is one of those wines that does not change all that much from vintage to vintage. This is a mainstay white at some of our favorite wine bars, and at the pool. This is for the crowd that really likes the crisp, palate cleansing, high acid wines. I always pucker on the first sip, but settle into enjoyment on the next few sips. This is pretty clear in the glass. Grapefruit, and some straw on the nose. Grapefruit and lemon fruit on the palate, with just a touch of guava. Not very heavy in the mouth. More acid on the finish.

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• 2010 GEO Wines Pedro Ximénez Cucao PX 88 Points

  Chile, Elqui Valley

  I'm not sure what to say about this wine. It seems to have a split personality. On one hand it smells rustic, and maybe even a little oxidized. On the other hand, it explodes with pear and passion fruit. I get some spiciness that is like ginger. There is some lemon . Almost full bodied, but still plenty of balancing acidity. Actually it is very refreshing for a wine of this viscosity. Everything works in a pleasant easy drinking package. Hats off to the grape growers and wine maker.

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• 2009 Espiritu de Argentina Torrontés 83 Points

  Argentina, Mendoza

  In my experience, the Torrontes grape, like the Pinot Noir grape can be completely hit or miss. Usually, right off on the nose, you can tell if you are going to love them or hate them. This is also one of those grape varieties that changes taste greatly as it warms up in the glass. We have lots of knowledge and experience about why this happens with Pinot Noir, but I'm not sure why Torrontes can be this inconsistent. I did not really like this one. The color is all right, but the nose threw me off, like it was kind of oxidized. It did have that unique to Torrontes fresh peeled tangerine flavor and aroma. After that it seemed disjointed and not together. My tasting partners thought the same. We have to give them the benefit of the doubt, and possibly think that what I thought was oxidation might actually be cork taint, and try another bottle.

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• 2010 Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) Sauvignon Blanc Los Vascos Casablanca Valley 89 Points

  Chile, Casablanca Valley

  This was really a big mouth full of tasty wine. Really something special. So clean and fresh. This is a good indication that Sauvignon Blanc has really found a home in Chile. There is a very nice combination of in your face tropical fruit like grapefruit, pineapple, guava, and lemon, with fresh apple, some apricot, and lots of honey. There is an interesting spiciness which seems like ginger. There is also a very Old World style mineral component which is often absent from our favorite offerings from California or New Zealand. And, of course there is just the right amount of that grassy herbaceous taste and aroma. It feels as fresh and vibrant in the mouth as any Sauvignon Blanc I have ever tasted. Just barely enough acid to keep things balanced.

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• 2010 The Crossings Sauvignon Blanc 89 Points

  New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough, Awatere Valley

  I was never a big fan of that New Zealand style of exotic, overpowering grass, and "eau de gato" winemaking. It seems that, at least the wines that make it into our neighborhood from New Zealand, are now more rounded and subtle. They still pack a bunch of intense flavors and aromas. This one seems to be nice combination of those exotic characteristics, and a more mainstream flavor profile. There is still plenty of that herbal grassiness. The cat is still in the building. Lots of palate cleansing, refreshing acid. There is sensibly controlled amount of guave, passion fruit, melon, grapefruit and other tropical and citrus fruit. Spicy. Medium plus bodied. Long, stony, mineral finish. Nice job.

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• 2009 Bella Donna Pinot Grigio 85 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Veneto IGT

  Hey, it is what it is. This is an easy drinking, value priced white wine to drink chilled and young. Very clear in color. On the simple side. Clean and well made, if not diluted. Citrus on the nose that continues through the palate to the finish. Light bodied, but still refreshing. Wish it was still pool season.

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• 2008 Tiefenbrunner Chardonnay 87 Points

  Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Alto Adige, Alto Adige - Südtirol

  We don't get that much of a chance to taste Chardonnay from Italy, if they all taste as good as this, then we are missing out. We have learned to trust anything brought to us Winebow, one of the most respected importers around, and this is no exception. This is an exceptionally clean, delicate, and elegant white wine. Pretty light color. Really nice nose showcasing cinnamon, spruce, lemon, and minerals. Has true Chardonnay character while still light and easy drinking. There is lemon, citrus and pear on the palate. A slight amount of creaminess. Balanced acidity. Crisp, lively, lingering finish.

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• 2008 Steele Wines Chardonnay Steele Cuvée 91 Points

  USA, California

  All of us Columbia, SC wino's have a deep appreciation of Jed Steele. He travels here several times per year. He visits all of our favorite wine drinking venues in a very unhurried, gentlemanly way. He has a very good memory for names and faces. He gladly converses with any one who shows interest. And, the wines are really, really good. This Chardonnay Cuvee is practically an icon. For decades he has maintained contacts with the best growers in California. This wine has some Bien Nacido fruit! He deftly vinifies and blends Chardonnay from the very best sources into a wine that is truly a gem. It has all the flavors and aroma profiles you could expect. There is apple, apricot, lemon, pineapple, melon, citrus, honeysuckle, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and mineral. Perfect balance and acidity. Understated finish with lemon, pineapple, and honeysuckle. Always under $20.

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• 2009 Black Slate Pinot Noir 86 Points

  Germany, Rheinhessen

  So here we have a German grown Pinot Noir in a Bordeaux bottle. I'm not sure how to describe this wine. I think is a touch sweet. This is one of the few wines that smells and tastes like rhubarb. It seems heavy in the mouth, which backs up my sweetness note. I'm not getting much oak. There are none of those off flavors than can show up with Pinot Noir. It does not taste bad, so we don't disrespect it. I think I am going to buy a bottle or 2 and try some Pinot friendly food andsee what happens.

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• 2009 Brooks Pinot Noir "Runaway Red" 83 Points

  USA, Oregon

  I'm not so sure about this one. Even though others are giving it decent reviews, I'm not sold. My first impression was that they did some pretty heavy filtering. I might have been thrown off by the relatively light color, but I also thought the mid palate was quite hollow. There was some decent red raspberry and strawberry fruit. The nose was a little tight. There is plenty of natural acidity, but also some of those hard to describe off flavors that interfere with the fruit. Little or no influence from oak. Maybe I should try another bottle.

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• 2009 García Carrión Tempranillo Opera Prima 85 Points

  Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, La Mancha

  Hey this is an $8 wine, in some places even less. We are not asking for much, and this one probably over delivers. The first impression is big color, and big blackberry and blueberry fruit. Rather on the simple side. Maybe a little oxidized for a wine this young. Pronounced tannins. Decent acidity. Little or no oak. Probably could use some decanting, or the vinturi.

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• 2009 Campos de Viento Uclés Old Vines 87 Points

  Spain, Castilla-La Mancha, Uclés

  This wine is typical of why we can be so bullish on value priced Tempranillo from Spain. It is a vibrant, fruity expression of red wine that way over delivers for $9. It is fresh and young, and true to the variety. There is some structure and texture. Inky dark color. Nose of violets and black fruit. Has some of that herbal, graphite minerality. Subtle tannins. Flinty dark fruit on the finish. Nice job.

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• 2009 Sierra Cruz Carménère 87 Points

  Chile, Maule Valley

  Another value priced Carmenere from Chile that just gets it. For only $8 we get a big mouth full of black fruit flavor, with plenty of those nuanced non fruit flavors that are sometimes hard to describe. Great purple color. Subtle but earthy nose with some black tea, earth, and some really neat lead pencil that continues on to the palate. Bright red and black fruit on the palate. Medium plus bodied. Balanced. Interesting. Hard to figure out the oak. Dark fruit, spice, and leather on the memorable finish.

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• 2009 Ruchel Valdeorras 87 Points

  Spain, Galicia, Valdeorras

  I liked this wine a lot. I'm not very familiar with the Mencia varietal, and glad to have the chance to taste it. This is a big dark, brooding wine on the nose, and in color, but only medium bodied in the mouth. It is much more drinkable at this young age than the color and nose would suggest. I would consider the nose a little closed, but what I got was that road tar, mineral, earthy aroma with dark fruit. The palate was the same, surprisingly soft and rounded. There is plenty of what they call terroir here, with lots of non fruit flavors and aromas bringing lots of interest all the way through the finish. Not particularly tannic. Balanced acidity. Very drinkable.

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• 2009 Cantina Montelliana Merlot Marco Polo 85 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Veneto IGT

  Here we have Merlot, Italian style, and it is not bad. It is pretty easy to pick out the flavor and aroma profiles we expect from Merlot. There is a small amount of that graphite or lead flavor, along with some of that green pepper. This is not a big thick fruity wine. You get the notion it was grown in a slightly cooler climate as the fruit is sharp and quick hitting. But still, this wine is quite clean, varietally correct, and well made. Has a dark magenta color. Not quite medium bodied. Nicely integrated alcohol. Tastes a little dry in the mouth, though not from tannins, more like an herbal spice rub. Has more of those old world interesting non fruit enhancing flavors than you would expect from a wine in this price range. The finish ends pretty quick.

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• 2009 Bodegas Luzon Jumilla Las Hermanas Organic 83 Points

  Spain, Murcia, Jumilla

  There are some things to like here, but I'm not so high on this wine as some of those well known critics. True, we have some pure, clean blueberry and black berry fruit. There is super dark purple color. For an organic wine, the nose is surprisingly fruit orientated, with minimum off flavors and aromas. I begin to differ, with the viscosity. This wine tastes very thin for something with this color. They decided not to use oak, and I think that was a bad idea. By far the worst characteristic is some very annoying, persistent and rough tannins. On my palate, they are so dominant, that the fruit suffers. I think it could use more body and acid. So trying to make some thing different and unique, they lost me, and as far as I am concerned, wasted some good grapes.

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• 2009 Foxglove Zinfandel 88 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  This is the real thing. You can just all that sunshine and ripeness we so much enjoy with Zinfandel. The addition of 6% Petite Sirah helped with some depth and structure. There is something slightly distinct with the Paso Robles climate and soil composition that brings forward a spicy earthiness that is quit nice. Lots of easy to get at, controlled, wild, brambly fruit. Medium bodied, easy drinking. Not enough tannin to dry things out. Just enough acid to keep things in balance. Textbook zin. A little grainy on the finish.

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• 2010 Cigar Box Malbec Reserve 86 Points

  Argentina, Mendoza

  This Malbec is a little lighter in color than most, more magenta than purple. I would call it on the soft and easy drinking side. It also has considerably more tar and graphite on the nose than your typical Argentinian Malbec. Lots of blueberry up front fruit, kind of jammy. Not going to win any awards for complexity, the mid palate falls off pretty quick. You can catch the octane from the alcohol. Just barely enough acidity to keep things interesting. Little if any influence from oak. It is starting to grow on me as I taste through the glass. There is a place for a slightly lighter style of Malbec. Plums on the finish.

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• 2008 Viña Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon Medalla Real 90 Points

  Chile, Maipo Valley

  Although only a small step up in price, this is definitely a step up in depth and concentration. This is a real big mouth full of structured, complex Cabernet for only $13. Ruby dark color. Rich nose dominated by fruit, but still all kinds of those hard to describe earthy aromas we are starting to expect and enjoy in Chilean wines, like black tea, leather, minerals, and of course some vanilla. Dense, dark fruit like big blackberry and black cherry complimented with spicy, toasty vanilla. Very well balanced and integrated. Just enough of that earthiness to keep things interesting. Medium tannins. Graphite, tar, and blackberry on the finish.

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• 2007 Marietta Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 90 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley

  I've tasted this several times over the past few months, and still don't know exactly how to describe it. It certainly does not taste like your typical Alexander Valley Cabernet. It reminds me more of a right bank Bordeaux. Many things are different, in comparison to wines produced by their neighbors. I suspect some eucalyptus, maybe not from the actual proximity of any eucalyptus trees, but this may be some of that clone of Cabernet that tastes a little of eucalyptus by nature. I also get a noticeable cedar component. There also is a pronounced red licorice. All of these flavors combine for a really distinct wine. I also think they might be using a French barrel that is tighter than everyone else is using. The bottom line is that this wine leans a lot more toward the red fruit than I think typical. The secondary flavor are unique and interesting to say the least. Even at 4 years off the vine, and almost 3 years in bottle, it still needs more time. Still very tasty. Balanced and complete. Holds it's alcohol well. More cedar, cranberry and tobacco on the finish with very polished tannins. Would like to decanter a bottle of this over night.

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• 2009 Hammeken Cellars Carignan Priorat Tosalet Vinyes Velles 90 Points

  Spain, Catalunya, Priorat

  This is another wine that smells and tastes well beyond it's price point. I'm not usually a fan of these early release, non oaked red wines, but I am going to make an exception with this one. There is a serious freshness to to the fruit component of this wine. It does not need oak. It just seems that the soil composition, growing conditions, the blend of varietals, and the wine making techniques bring us something distinct and unique. The nose has a lot going on, floral, fruity, spicy (cinnamon) minerals, and fresh turned earth. The palate is quite heavy with the kind of structured complexity that is the result of this type of blend, and definitely affected by the dry farmed old vines. This is way different from I am familiar with, so we need to drink more Priorat.

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• 2008 Switchback Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Peterson Family Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  This is the first experience with this very well regarded wine. To me, it raises the bar in amost every conceivable way. I tasted this and made my notes before I had the chance to read any other reviews, and was quite surprised how much my notes coincided with the worlds most famous critic. My first impression was "liquid velvet" It just reeks of class and breeding. I have enough experience with the terroir and topography of this region to imagine that this a special spot, with mature well tended vines, super low yields, gentle handling, and inspired wine making with world class equipment. My second impression was that it is not even close to being ready. We know the 2008 vintage was relatively challenging, a wine makers vintage, and I think I can feel some Bob Foley magic here. The color is rich and dark. The nose is concentrated with a nice combination of fruit, and a lot of those hard to describe, non fruit, enhancing aromas. The palate is young and tight with cherry, blackberry, anise, black currant, and earth. The tannins are as smooth as tannins get. The oak is tight also, holding things back, so we will age a little to get things better. Sophisticated finish. A real treat.

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