Friday Walk Around Tasting at Sam's Fine Wine & Spirits, Lexington, SC 10/17/2014

Sam's Fine Wines & Spirits, Lexington, SC
Tasted Friday, October 17, 2014 by Mike Kopanski with 250 views

Introduction

On a beautiful Fall day, at happy hour, we got to taste 4 really nice wines in a very jovial, pet friendly environment. Two wines were from Murphy-Goode, an old friend from our many trips to Alexander Valley. We started with a pretty average Prosecco, which is still a nice pallet cleansing way to start the evening. The hostess was an experienced, knowledgeable, enthusiastic wine rep. The crowd was a manageable 5 to 6 per 20 minute interval. Fun was had by all.

Flight 1 (4 Notes)

  • NV Primaterra Glera Prosecco Brut 84 Points

    Italy, Veneto / Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Prosecco

    As Prosecco goes, this one is more simple than most. Beside the bracing acidity, and refreshing bubbles, there is not much going on. We don't buy Prosecco for it's complexity, we buy it because we are thirsty. I had this as the first taste of the day, and had no reason to complain. It cleanses the palate, provides a modest lemon/lime taste on the finish, and doesn't break the bank.

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  • 2013 Murphy-Goode Pinot Grigio 87 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley

    This is a very herbal, spicy rendition of Pinot Grigio. In some ways it reminds me of some of the unoaked Chardonnay's we get from California. There is some lively flavor action that is not typical for most Pinot Grigio's. The color has a greenish tinge. The nose is ever so slightly vegetative, in an interesting way. It lacks that oily, lanolin character we often taste in Pinot Grigio. The fruit is slightly unripe papaya with rhubarb, lime and some white pear. The acid is pretty docile and does it's job balancing the fruit without being overbearing. The finish is sharp and clean without being overly crisp. This is a really nice, fairly unique change of pace for this varietal.

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  • 2012 La Crema Pinot Noir Monterey 86 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Monterey

    There are a lot of things I like about this Pinot, but a few I'm not so sure about. I like the cold climate type, deep, subdued, somewhat reticent flavors and aromas. To it's credit, it does not have any of those over baked fruit flavors. This is about as close to Burgundian in style as they get in California. The color is very light magenta. The nose is earthy and not all that fruity. The palate is extremely dry from what I think are over extracted tannins that sort of spoil what could have been a higher scoring wine. Has a nice touch of earthy minerality that also is very Burgundian.

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  • 2011 Murphy-Goode Cabernet Sauvignon Operation Homefront 87 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County

    This is the second chance for me to review this wine, and I humbly stand corrected. Ten months after my previous tasting, my impression of this wine has totally changed. Pretty sure the additional bottle aging was the difference. Previously, the oak and the lees dominated the flavors, and I just did not like this wine. Today was entirely different. The blend has come together, both on the nose, and on the palate to become a really tasty beverage. With a truly California fruit profile, but in very Bordeaux style, the assembled varietals work totally in harmony and create a flavor the individual varietals could not achieve alone. The taste, and the nose is a combination of all the dark fruits. The oak has settledc into the background. There is total harmony on a very fruity wine with a finish that lasts as long as you let it.

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