State Line 2013 Annual 20% Tasting

Held every February in conjunction with their 20% off sale, this event features 10-12 wines. The 2013 version visited four continents, with wines from Australia, Chile, France, Greece, Spain, and the US.

• 2010 d'Arenberg Sauvignon Blanc The Stump Jump 77 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide Hills

  The wine was flabby and unbalanced. Could not see it pairing with any particular food, and if served as a cocktail white would likely end up watering the plants instead of watering the guests.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• NV Antonopoulos Vineyards Adoli Ghis 82 Points

  Greece, Peloponnisos, Patras

  The chard component dominates the blend. OK juice, but not very interesting.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2011 Domaine Weinbach Sylvaner Reserve 86 Points

  France, Alsace

  All the right stuff seemed to be there, but it was not showing much this night. The acidity dominated the show. Should be decent with time.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2011 Tres Sabores Sauvignon Blanc 83 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Mountain

  Nose had me anticipating a lot more than this bottle delivered. Body was light, almost thin. Not much to the finish.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2010 Tablas Creek Côtes de Tablas Blanc 86 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  Showed a bit closed. Flavors were there for a white CDR styled wine, but was a little disjointed. Just wasn't popping tonght.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• NV Château de Bligny Champagne Grande Réserve Brut Rosé 83 Points

  France, Champagne

  Mid-palate this sparkler just careens off-course. Nice nose, nice finish but the flavors just don't seem to fit the rest of the wine. Almost a juicy fruit note to it.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2010 Concha y Toro Pinot Noir Marqués da Casa Concha 84 Points

  Chile, Casablanca Valley

  This wine has an awful nose that made me move towards the dump bucket. I did taste it though, and was presented with a medium-bodied, flavorful but one-dimensional Pinot. The funkiness of the nose was too much for me to buy this one, but YMMV.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2009 Bodegas Riojanas Rioja Puerta Vieja Crianza 86 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, Rioja

  This has a bit more dusty tannin than I was anticipating. Flavorful, shows the oak, but needs either a long decant or a year or two to settle.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2009 Calluna Vineyards Cuvée "CVC" 90 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Chalk Hill

  Baby Bordeaux. Really, really wound tight. But you can tell this will be nice in a few years.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2010 Famille Brunier Châteauneuf-du-Pape Domaine La Roquète 91 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  WOTN. Well-structured, lots of fruit held in a fist of tannin, will reward five years plus of patient cellaring.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

The wines were not as inspiring this year compared to past versions, and we did not buy any of the tasted selections. The next day we did decide to return and pick up some of the Roquete CDP, which we felt was worth the price and fit a cellar need.