Giant Wine Sale & Tasting, 12/13/2014 Cellar on Greene, Columbia, SC
Cellar on Greene, Columbia, SC
Tasted Saturday, December 13, 2014 by Mike Kopanski with 663 views
Introduction
During the month of December, Ricky Mullohan, the savvy restaurateur/entrepreneurial wine shop marketer of Cellar on Greene, holds a giant wine tasting every Saturday, hoping to rope in some holiday shoppers. Usually it works, only today it didn't. The mid 60's degree sunshine weather was too enticing for the wine geek public to follow different endeavors that day, so the few of us that showed up had the staff to ourselves to discuss and taste some really nice wines with little pressure.
NV MGM Mondo del Vino Prosecco di Treviso Luna Argenta 86 Points
Italy, Veneto, Prosecco di Treviso
Very nice Prosecco. The color is quite clear. Very crisp lemon drop meets apple and honeysuckle flavors. Clean and refreshing, very mouth cleansing.
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NV Conde de Subirats Cava Brut Rosé 86 Points
Spain, Cava
This non vintage rendition we are tasting late in 2014 most likely was harvested in 2013. I can easily give it more respect than the previous non vintage renditions tasted earlier by cellartracker reviewers. This is not a complex, nuanced, deep rich sparkler. But, it is clean and well made, has the correct touches of the components we expect in decent value priced sparkling wines and tastes pretty good. The color is dark pink, light magenta. The nose has acid with red raspberry. Plenty of vibrant red fruit across the palate. Solid acidity that can easily hold up to food. Crisp, moderate finish.
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NV Zardetto Prosecco Brut Private Cuvee 87 Points
Italy, Veneto / Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Prosecco
The last time we reviewed this NV Prosecco was in 2012, so it is safe to say in 2014 we are tasting a different wine. The last time, we noticed, and greatly appreciated the addition of some Chardonnay and Muscat to the base wine. This release seems to have an addition of 5% Chardonnay, and no Muscat. The result is still a richer, deeper sparkler than is typical for Prosecco. It almost resembles a lighter Champaign from France. The bubbles are very active and refreshing. The lively peach and pear fruit has a spicy edge. The balancing acid is super crisp leaving the finish clean and dry.
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2013 Liquid Geography Bullas Rosado 87 Points
Spain, Murcia, Bullas
A decent wine and a very decent story. From an all star cast of wine savvy people, this Spanish rose brings lots of flavor to the party. All of the profits go to cancer research, and who can be against that. I think this is a bleed wine from someones red wine program, or at the very least, the grapes were crushed and the skins broken to make this rose. From the approach, through the finish, there is the flavor and texture typical to Mouvedre of tart cherry and mild strawberry swimming in minerals. Lots of young, vibrant acidity. Strong lingering finish of maraschino cherry with tart red cherry.
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2013 Left Coast Estate White Pinot Noir 89 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Van Duzer Corridor
This is really something special, and to be honest, quite difficult to describe. There just is not anything like it. It is kind of rustic, reminds me a little bit of the taste of the skin biting into a scuppernong. In no way do you get any indication this tastes like Pinot Noir. All kinds of unique flavors like nutmeg and guava. Closer to full bodied than red Pinot. Incredibly smooth, soft and approachable. Superb balance. I almost want to decant this white wine.
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2013 Charles Smith Riesling Kung Fu Girl 92 Points
USA, Washington
Once again Charles has shown his deft hand with Riesling in Washinton State. Somehow he coaxes out some pure and unique flavors and aromas, no one else there can. This wine just dances across the palate from lips to finish with totally expressive and inspired fruit and non fruit flavors. Passion fruit literally jumps out of the glass on the nose. The palate, first, is fruity with ripe passion fruit, lychee, pineapple, pear skin, orange rind, lime peel and other citrus. Behind the fruit is some serious, steely minerality that adds another layer of complexity. A touch of sweetness. Outstanding balancing and uplifting acidity. Orange marmalade and citrus on the finish.
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2013 Alois Lageder Pinot Bianco Alto Adige - Südtirol 87 Points
Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Alto Adige, Alto Adige - Südtirol
Wish we had the chance to taste more Pinot Bianco's. This one seems quite value priced at around $14. It is a little softer and more rounded than most I remember. The color is quite golden. The nose gives some fresh cut pear skin. This is a soft and elegant, easily approachable mouth full of flavor. I get some fairly unique flavors influencing the fruit like sandalwood, tree sap, lanolin and apple seed. The fruit is mostly apple and pear, but I also get a hint of banana. Smooth and balanced with just the proper amount of acidity. A solid streak of minerality.
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2013 Castello di Gabbiano Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie Promessa 88 Points
Italy, Delle Venezie
This Pinot Grigio seems a little heavier and more viscous than typical. There is also a mineral, earthy, smokey and more herbal side than typical, bringing a little more complexity than we would expect. Even a hint of gooseberry with the white pear, green apple, melon and tropical fruit profile. Smooth and balanced. Really very nice.
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2013 Milbrandt Vineyards Pinot Gris Traditions 89 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Last month we tasted the 2012 release of this Washington State Pinot Gris. There was some really nice sunny slope lusciousness that probably only Washington State can do. This 2013, from an even better vintage in terms of warmth and sunshine, is even more rich and fruity. The palate receives a refined hit of peach, pear and apple. There are some pretty unique enhancing flavors that to me taste like a hint of sassafras root and brown sugar. Nicely refined, soft, perfectly balancing acid profile. Maybe even a touch of molasses with the fruit and acid on the finish.
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2012 Adelsheim Pinot Gris Willamette Valley 88 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Reviewing this wine again, simply because we have more information, we read the bottle and the website writeup. Last time I wrote the review off notes from what was in the glass. This tasting, I immediately noticed the 15% of the wine that was fermented, not aged, in neutral barrels. Reading the winemakers notes let's us know there was no malo lactic fermentation, which explains the big crisp acid profile. They pressed the whole cluster to avoid breaking the skins leading to the soft, elegant, but mouth filling viscosity. The peach, pear, apple, and mild citrus fruit is expressive, smooth, and precise. This one is already a couple years old, and I think the bottle age has rounded and integrated the flavors even more since last tasted 7 months ago.
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2013 Valentin Fleur Chenin Blanc 85 Points
France, Loire Valley, Val de Loire
I'm not as excited about this 2013 as I was with the 2012. This one is all around a little more bland. It doesn't have the bracing acidic finish of last year. There is plenty of stuff to like a touch of Sauvignon style grassiness, a solid hit of citrus like grapefruit and lemon and some peach and apple orchard fruity. Has a characteristic earthy, shale minerality. Not overly fruity, but quite tasty and refreshing.
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2012 Clos du Bois Chardonnay Calcaire 89 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Most of the offerings from Clos du Bois we have tasted have been from their regional or statewide, value priced, entry level. This one is from their premium, higher priced, appellation specific, level. You get what you pay for, this is a rich and concentrated, full throttle Chardonnay. The alcohol is 14.5% so you know these were ripe grapes. Coming from Russian River, we know the grapes had a long hang time to develop the deep, rich, full bodied flavors. They were not afraid to lay on some oak and liberally involve some lees, so this would have to be referred to as "buttery and oakey" All kinds of fruit flavors like peach, pear, lemon, pineapple, apricot, nectarine, melon and grapefruit. Some spicy, mineral flavors. Big mouth feel but still smooth and elegant. The oak, fruit, malo, and acid all come together on the finish.
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2012 Ventisquero Pinot Noir Gran Reserva 87 Points
Chile, Casablanca Valley
Very spicy on the palate in a Chilean sort of way. It has the cloves and bay leaves with the charcoal, wet tree bark meets rusty nail flavors. But still a Pinot. About medium bodied. Fairly opaque purple color. A hint of evergreen, maybe cedar on the nose. Intensely ripe plum, black cherry and raspberry fruit. Still young and acidic. The finish is peppery dark fruit with gritty little tannins.
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2012 Adelaida Pinot Noir 90 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
There is something different going on here. From the west side of Paso Robles, at high elevation, awfully close to the Pacific, these mature vines bring us something special. There is a slight, sassafras, evergreen, cedar and brown spice influence to the aromas and flavors that really adds to the complexity level. Medium plus bodied. Not all that dark in color. The nose actually smells like grapes. There is some creamy smoothness from the judicious use of oak. Still very youthful, could use a decant, but also can hang around for a few more years. Superb balance, nothing, except for the slightly unique terroir influence really sticks out, just nicely integrated.
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2008 Bodegas Muriel Rioja Crianza 86 Points
Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
Looks like this 2008 is a current release. The nose and the palate show quite a bit of maturity. There is probably a slight amount of oxidation that doesn't hurt much, and yet it could still use a decant. Hint of eucalyptus on the nose and palate. Old World style with more of the flavor coming from non fruit flavors like cola, orange rind, smoke, leather and brown spice than the fruits like red cherry, blackberry and plum. Close to full bodied. Still plenty of balancing acid. Red fruit, licorice, and earth on the finish.
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2012 Château Mont-Redon Côtes du Rhône 86 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône
This is a middle of the road Cotes du Rhone. As usual, the blending of 70% Grenache, and 30% Syrah results in a more interesting wine than the varietals could achieve individually. This 2012 seems to show a touch of "New World" style upfront fruit. Nice, fresh, if not super concentrated ripe bramble and blackberry fruit. Some typical Southern French pepper spice, stony, wet leather and graphite flavors. Nicely balanced. Ripe fruity finish.
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2012 Bodega Del Desierto Malbec 25/5 88 Points
Argentina, La Pampa, Alto Valle del Río Colorado
I'm beginning to become a big fan of these wines from Patagonia, Argentina. Nothing against their cousins from Mendoza, several hundred miles north and a few thousand feet higher in elevation, these wines just have their own character and personality. This one has inky dark purple color. The nose is floral, bramble and red fruit. There is a youthful, rustic, quick hitting and brash quality to the raspberry, cherry and blueberry fruit. Some slightly untamed acid, which with some fresh bitten red raspberry lingers on the finish until you eat or drink something else.
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2012 Vinaceous Shiraz Snake Charmer 87 Points
Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
Neat marketing concept and decent wine in the glass. Smooth, fruity, balanced and tasty, this is why we love our Aussie Shiraz. Super dark blue color. Fragrant, earthy, fruity and floral nose. Solid mouth feel of ripe, softly handled, young and vibrant, blueberry, plum and black cherry fruit. Some mocha, mineral and graphite flavors. Not over the top. Balanced. Some youngish oak appears on the long juicy finish.
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2009 Barossa Valley Estate Shiraz E Minor 86 Points
Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley
We don't get that many chances to taste an Aussie Shiraz with some bottle age. This 2009 has a screw cap so in theory it does not matter that much how it was stored. This is a moderately powerful wine. It does not show the characteristic Aussie fruitiness until the finish, which I partially attribute to the extended bottle age. The color is dark red, but surprisingly opaque. The nose is mulberry and blackberry. This is one of those wines that really coats the palate with a brooding blueberry, even though it not much more than medium bodied. Either it is tired from age, or had been heavily filtered because the fruit does not seem to live up to what the nose and texture would indicate. By now the acid is relatively mild. Soft but lingering blueberry finish.
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2010 Aresti Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 87 Points
Chile, Curico Valley
When first pouring into the decanter, then tasting, it would be hard to perceive this as Chilean. It is made in a very International style. It is not until the sip passes the lips, and hits the roof of the mouth, we get the cloves and tree bark flavors we expect from Chilean red wines. This is a 2010 Reserva. We almost always taste our Chilean wines with in 2 years of harvest. Maybe we have something to learn here. Possibly cellaring for about 4 years is the way to drink Chilean Cabernet. Just to discuss the wine. It is surprisingly clear in color. It is barely medium bodied. After over an hour in the decanter, and the time it takes to sip through a glass, we know it is from Chile. Quite pronounced tannins. Still youngish acids. Some charcoal from medium heavy toast oak. Really dry on the finish. Not bad at all.
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2012 Cakebread Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 92 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Just released, this superb rendition of Napa Valley Cabernet, very much lives up to the reputation of it's predecessors. 2012 had an excellent growing season in Napa Valley and everything we have been able to taste shows awesome upfront plum style fruit, and superb balance. This one is no exception. The color is as deep purple as wine gets. The nose is big rich ripe plum, violets and plenty of oak. Rich mouth coating dark blackberry, boysenberry and black cherry fruit. Small amounts of Merlot, Cab Franc and Petit Verdot nicely help round out the structure and flavors. Plenty of new French oak. Designed to be totally drinkable now, but able handle years of bottle age. Strong lingering finish with fruit, vanilla, cocoa and graphite.
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