Thursday Walk Around Tasting at Best Bottle, Columbia, SC 11/13/2014

I don't often get free, in time, on this side of town, to often enjoy this really popular tasting. My loss. By the time I got there, more than 20 people were already enjoying Robert's 5 tasty choices. This time everything was from the US west coast, 4 California, 1 Oregon. None of these wines could be considered as light and subtle. They all were quite able to assert their raison d'etre.

• 2012 Anne Amie Pinot Blanc 90 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Chehalem Mountains

  Wish we had the chance to taste more Pinot Blanc. This one is really something special. Reading the tech sheet does wonders helping explain the flavors and aromas from the glass. To me, the nose and the flavor profile had a nutmeg, caramel, pear skin, apricot pit thing going on. They used whole cluster fermentation which resulted in a very soft approach and mouth feel. They used mostly neutral barrels to age it on the lees for 18 months which brings a creamy vanilla, beechnut flavor, as well as a rich golden color. The acid is much more civilized than your typical white wine, providing balance in a smooth integrated way. Creamy, refined finish.

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• 2012 Chloe Wines Chardonnay Chloe 86 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Monterey County

  I'm not necessarily in love with this Chardonnay, but for around $13 in South Carolina, let's try to describe what seems to be credible attempt at value and flavor. My first impression from the nose and taste across the lips was that of barrels, either for fermentation, aging, or both. There is a light butterscotch meets brown spice flavor and aroma. Creamy vanilla flavors enhance the fruit which is somewhat atypical for Chardonnay with pear skin meets pineapple and citrus. Moderate acidity. There is a somewhat annoying slight apricot pit bitterness on the finish. Not typical, and not all that bad, and certainly unique.

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• 2011 The Other Guys Pinot Noir Pennywise 86 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Although not my favorite style of Pinot, I thought there were some distinctive flavors and aromas to describe. The color is more brownish red than expected. The nose is a little gamey with pepper spice, cinnamon and sandalwood. The approach is soft and easy indicating some whole cluster fermentation. Nice combination of black fruit; mulberry and black cherry, with red fruit; red raspberry and cranberry. Mild tannins. Proper acid balance. The finish is very berry with cola and graphite.

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• 2012 Shannon Ridge Vineyard Playtime 86 Points

  USA, California, North Coast, Lake County

  Almost a year later we get a chance to re-try this wine. Last time I thought it was flabby and lacking acidity. This time, it showed so well in a public tasting, I brought home a bottle for further research. With some additional time in the bottle, and a decant, this wine showed much more tasty maturity. There is a solid hit of maraschino cherry I failed to notice earlier. The non Zinfandel grapes are doing an excellent job of rounding out even more fruit than Zin does on it's own. More than anything else, this time, the balancing acid, and even some secondary enhancing earthy, leather flavors negate my previous conclusion this wine was flabby.

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• 2012 Nine North Wine Company Cabernet Sauvignon Rock & Vine "Three Ranches" 87 Points

  USA, California, North Coast

  This producer specializes in fruity, approachable, varietally correct wines at reasonable prices, and this one is no exception. The color is inky dark. The nose is California fruit forward with black cherry and cassis with some wood and minerality. Medium plus bodied, not necessarily a big wine in the mouth. The fruit is a memorable, pure blackberry that lingers through the finish. Nicely integrated smooth tannins, oak and alcohol. Ripe blueberry joins the blackberry on the finish.

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