State Line 20-20 Annual Tasting 2014

Annual tasting which comes in the middle of their 20% off sale. The wines usually are a range of styles and prices, and this version is no different.

• 2012 J.M. Boillot Montagny 1er Cru Blanc 88 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte Chalonnaise, Montagny 1er Cru

  A bit of vanilla in the nose, creamy mouthfeel with a bit of oil. Fresh, lighter style with medium lenght to the finish. Nice effort.

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• 2012 True Myth Chardonnay Paragon Vineyard 80 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley

  Light nose, harsh overall impression. Drinkable but there are many better wines at and below this price point.

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• 2011 Champalou Vouvray 84 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray

  Correct for type, but the wine gets boring rather quickly. One note, and the note is a bit sweet to my taste. If you enjoy that style your rating will be higher than mine, although I do think most will limit themselves to a glass or two.

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• 2012 d'Arenberg The Hermit Crab 80 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale

  I expected a lot more from this wine, but the overall impression was hot and overrripe.

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• 2012 Craggy Range Sauvignon Blanc Avery Vineyard 82 Points

  New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough

  A breakfast wine for the ages. It tastes eactly like grapefruit juice. A long finish...of grapefruit juice. If this is your style, you will love it.

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• 2010 Philippe Leclerc Bourgogne Les Bons Bâtons 89 Points

  France, Burgundy, Bourgogne

  Pretty style, seemed to me to be closing down for a nap. All the elements are there for good everyday Burg in time.

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• 2009 W.H. Smith Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 82 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Sweet, cotton candy, unbalanced. Meduim to full bodied. Not my style at all.

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• 2011 Luna Beberide Bierzo Art... 88 Points

  Spain, Castilla y León, Bierzo

  Inky black in the glass, notes of leather and tar on the nose. Licorice, dark berries dominate the palate. Interesting, challenging stuff.

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• 2012 Domaine des Soulanes Côtes du Roussillon Villages Sarrat Del Mas 84 Points

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Roussillon, Côtes du Roussillon Villages

  Typical in style of high grenache southern French reds, showing high acidity and more than a little out of balance at this time. Maybe a year will tame it.

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• 2010 Neyers Grenache Rossi Ranch 90 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley

  Heady nose of violets and black fruits. Wonderful grenache flavors on the palate. Long, long finish. Will benefit from 2-5 years of cellar time.

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• 2012 Ravenswood Besieged 83 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County

  Piling on to a lot of the other notes - this had great promise, but simply did not deliver. Disjointed, like a Ken Follett novel, too much going on and in need of a good editor.

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In all not the greatest lineup for this event, but four of the eleven were good enough to consider buying.