Giant Wine Sale & Tasting 8/5/2017
Cellar on Greene, Columbia, SC
Tasted Saturday, August 5, 2017 by Mike Kopanski with 390 views
Introduction
Another superb presentation by the loveable and dedicated staff at Cellar on Greene. No where else in the Southeast, or for that matter, possibly in the entire US can we taste 30+ hand picked wines with this broad depth.
NV Bocelli Prosecco 88 Points
Italy, Veneto / Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Prosecco
As Prosecco usually goes, this one is way more upfront fruity. Could be the vintage, could be the producer, nevertheless we are happy, this is good stuff. Peach and nectarine on the nose. Layered mineral and earthy supporting flavors. Just the correct amount of acid. Good job.
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NV Rivarose Brut Rosé 87 Points
France, Provence
Great little fun wine. Lively fresh strawberry nose with lilacs. Light salmon color. Soft, smooth and elegant entry. The expressive little bubbles just enhance the elegance. Very refreshing with plenty of acidity. Pleasant balanced and dry finish.
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2016 E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône Rosé 88 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône
To me this Guigal always has something different going on than most of your typical Southern French rose'. There is an easily discernable structure and backbone that is hard to describe. Definitely " Old World" there are more fruit than non fruit flavors. The typical rose style red fruits are enhanced by some orange and tangerine flavors not usually associated with rose. Superb balance. Crisp and earthy on the finish.
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2016 The Great Oregon Wine Company Pinot Noir Rose City Rose 87 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
This is one of those rose' it takes a minute or so appreciate. The nose and the entry to the palate are relatively closed and nondescript. To it's credit, there is a sneaky, underlying mineral and earthy character that need us to give it a chance. There is some green seed aromas and even some diesel that take some swirling to overcome. Not at all fruit forward, this one relies on the whole package of fruit and secondary flavors to show us what it has. Still has that wonderful, typical Oregon elegance.
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2016 Quinta das Arcas Vinho Verde Conde Villar 88 Points
Portugal, Minho, Vinho Verde
This is pretty good Vinho Verde. Quick hitting, refreshing nose of banana and melon. More frizzante than expected. Relatively layered for a Vinho Verde with tangerine, nectarine, pear, peach and green apple with, of course plenty of youthful acidity.The finish is more than just acid with a layer of shale.
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2015 Boundary Breaks Vineyard Riesling 88 Points
USA, New York, Finger Lakes, Seneca Lake
Had a chance to taste the 2016 vintage of this same Riesling back a few months ago. Remember that offering as tasty but lean. This 2015 seems to have a little more meat on it's bones. The nose starts out with a kind of weird fruitcake meets forest floor, earthy nose. It has that successful vintage lifted viscosity and explosive flavor. Mouth coating honey, peach and citrus. Of course some minerality. Just a hint of sweetness on the gooseberry, melon and apple finish.
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2016 Weingut Salomon Undhof Grüner Veltliner 88 Points
Austria, Niederösterreich, Kremstal
This is't about fruit, it is about balance and showing it's Austrian terroir. Has a cool climate, relatively non fruity, stemmy, seedy, earthy, "Old World" entrance. The sneaky, somewhat subdued fruit is green apple, pear and lime. Some spicy, "Red Hots" and mineral flavors. It is kind of rough and rustic, but enough balancing acid and mouth coating structure to earn some respect. The finish is lots of malic acid.
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2016 Teutonic Wine Company Muscat Recorded In Doubly Wasson Vineyard 87 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Didn't know really what to expect from an Oregon Muscadet, but have to say overall it doesn't suck. The nose has something evergreen. It is quite unique with a hard to describe white fruit profile. Medium bodied. Spicy. Earthy. Some sort of a menthol flavor and aroma. Maybe a touch of RS.
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2015 Lagar de Costa Albariño Rías Baixas Doelas 89 Points
Spain, Galicia, Rías Baixas
A bit shy on the nose, probably served a little too chilled. Palate starts with rich honey dew melon then on to rich layered minerals, spice, and all kinds of exotic fruit like gooseberry, scuppernong, kiwi and sassafras. Typical deep streak of minerality. Mouth puckering acidity with leafy, sappy fruit on the finish.
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2016 13 Celsius Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 13 Celsius 88 Points
New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough
This Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc seem to be following the more International style of slightly more modest grass, herbs and spices. There is still plenty of gooseberry, tangy, spicy, deep crushed citrus. Satisfying and complete, refreshing, sharp, mineral enhanced lemon, lime, lychee and grapefruit. It is a bit tight when first poured. Swirling opens up a lemon/lime finish.
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2016 Raats Chenin Blanc 90 Points
South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch
As complete and tasty as a Chenin Blanc can be. For some reason the South African terroir combined with the intuition and skill of the grape growers and wine makers result in a Chenin Blanc aroma and flavor profile unequaled anywhere else. To my palate this 2016 Raats is close to doing it all. There is a honey and citrus nose. The palate has an oily, mineral enhancement to the peach and citrus fruit. Just more than medium bodied but full of fruit and secondary flavors. The superb finish has just the correct combination of fruit, acid and secondary stuff, so we give it 90. Good job.
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2016 Wilhelm Walch Pinot Grigio Prendo 87 Points
Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Alto Adige, Alto Adige - Südtirol
Balanced potpourri of of citrus and orchard fruit. A bit of that shale earth influenced, stemmy, seedy non fruit aroma and flavor. Some balance and structure behind the fruit. Solid mouth feel. Adequate, balanced acidity. Crisp wild fruit flavors on the finish.
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2015 Cristom Pinot Gris Estate 91 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills
They really got this right. Upfront we have crisp, bright, fresh apple and grapefruit crisp flavors. Secondarily we have some layered, leesy, honeyed, ripe pear flavors. More supporting, nuanced, rhubarb, spicy and mineral flavors really make a statement. Typical Oregon balance and elegance despite the size and depth. Layers of ripe orchard fruit, with Granny Smith Apple acidity and lemon/lime on the finish.
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2016 Cape Heights Chardonnay 88 Points
South Africa, Western Cape
Smokey nose and palate. Authentic Chardonnay aromas and flavors. Made in a natural style without the buttery, woody stuff. Sharp and crisp. Not layered or complex but also not simple and easily worth the $11 they are asking for in South Carolina Some of that unique South African terroir with the fruit and acid on the finish.
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2015 Laurent Perrachon Beaujolais Blanc "Terre de Loyse" 88 Points
France, Burgundy, Beaujolais
This is on of those Beaujolais Blancs' that just gets it. The nose has a lively honey and white flower aroma. Surprising, quick hitting, upfront melon and citrus fruit. Layered, complete, smooth and balanced. Medium bodied. Mild green garden influence. Crisp malic acid with some flinty earth and other "Old World" flavors on the finish.
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2015 Boutinot Pinot Noir Haute Vallée de l'Aude Les Volets 86 Points
France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Haute Vallée de l'Aude
It is what it is. A straight forward, relatively simple but never the less basically correct Pinot from a non Pinot producing area. Light purple color. Soft red fruit entry. Typical moderate body and character. Some earthy, mushroom farm Pinot funk. Mild tannins with adequate acidity. Nothing wrong, but nothing truly exciting. Seems to grow in the glass with a credible cherry finish.
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2015 American Pioneer Wine Growers Pinot Noir Virginia Dare 85 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
The people from Coppola have done an absolutely superb job of segmenting and promoting this series of wine. Unfortunately this bottle did not match their splendid presentation. I did not catch it at first. Thought this was made in an "Old World" Burgundian, spicy style. Turns out, this has VA. It almost swirls out. There is commendable, spicy mulled red fruit with roasted cherry. Decent oak and balancing acid. Would love to try another bottle because typically Coppola overdelivers for the money and this one is $22 in South Carolina.
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2014 La Crema Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 89 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Always known for it's solid, stylish consistency, this release shows some Burgundy clone depth and richness with a bit of funk and spiciness. Cherry marmalade and ripe red raspberry are joined on the palate with a nice push of secondary flavors like graphite, vanilla, tea and tar. Youngish grainy tannins that could age a bit or use a decant. Soft and about approachable now, but layered and complex enough to age a bit.
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2015 Cloudline Pinot Noir 87 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
My palate and intuition view this as a Pinot Noir for the masses. A relatively non tannic, Davis clone, easy on the palate moderate Oregon Pinot. The fruit is ripe, upfront cherry, red raspberry and even puckering cranberry. Balanced acid and moderate use of oak. Not tannic.
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2015 Moris Farms Maremma Toscana Mandriolo 85 Points
Italy, Tuscany, Maremma, Maremma Toscana
My first impression, it is a bit oxidized with a small amount of VA on the nose. To it's credit, it tastes a lot better than it smells. Swirling mostly but not completely eliminates the nail polish remover odor. The palate has some maraschino cherry and Ludens cough drop. It has a nice friendly texture and a red fruit mid palate. Mild enhancing tannins. Italian crisp acid on the finish.
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2013 Vegalfaro Syrah Pago de los Balagueses 84 Points
Spain, Valencia, Pago de los Balagueses
This definitely "Old World". Very sharp and spicy on both the nose and palate. Color is a bit faded. Settle down with some swirling. Suspect a touch of VA and oxidation may be part of their hose style. Others may like this, I don't appreciate this style.
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2014 Delas Frères Ventoux 88 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Ventoux
Though a little poopy on the nose the rest of this is sheer red berry goodness. Ripe, big sunshine, expressive red raspberry and cherry fruit. Big dark color. Medium plus bodied. Commendable balance. As it it continues toward the finish, persistent, fresh, lively, juicy fruit dominates the palate.
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2015 Michael Pozzan Winery Zinfandel Back Barn - Oakville Cuvee 88 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
There is a lot to like here. For a ridiculous $16 in South Carolina, we get Napa grown and produced Zin. As it should be, it is all about the fruit. It tastes like a thin skinned grape happily delivering upfront flavors of almost all the dark fruits. Judicious oak and tannins. Complete and so balanced it leaves the impression of sweetness even though it is close to totally dry.
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