Third Thursday Tasting-Wine World-Sept. 15

S topped by a little later than I had planned. A nice little crowd was still there, some familiar faces and some new.Some of those familiar faces were there to support Andrew and the staff after the passing of Sally last week. He and his family are doing well under the circumstances. They are in our hearts and prayers.
And in the spirit of Sally and Dick this Third Thursday tasting was especially wonderful. The Wine World Crew had some excellent selections (I bought the Mas Donis.. and yes, it was more than $10).
The only stop in California was the J.Lohr Riverstone Chardonnay. And it was the stereotypical Californnia Chard. Oaked until it drips with butter. At many wine seminars I hear “ABC- Anything but Chardonnay.” But I’m sorry I like a nice buttery chardonnay every now and then. I know in some circles admitting you like a California Chardonnay is like admitting you voted for Bill Clinton back in 1992 (I’ve never met anyone who admitted voting for Bill Clinton but somehow he got elected). Now this one is really isn’t dripping with butter but it does have the buttery mouthfeel and nice oaked flavor.
I was glad to see the Casal Garcia Vinho Verde. Andrew told me it was now available in South Carolina. I’ve had it at 5 other tastings over the years but only in Georgia. It proves that Portugal produces some nice wines in addition to their great ports.
Andrew pointed out an unusual part of the label on the Tournon Mathilda Blanc 2014. It has braille on the front label. That’s a wonderful thing.
At the red table I was in love. The first red and the last red both were Grenache and Syrah. But the percentages were different. The first one, the Chateau Pesquie Terrasses Red Blend had nice flavors but had tannins that brought your mouth back to earth (and I do mean earth). I enjoyed the subtle fruit but I suspect a bit of food would make this wine spectacular. But the Mas Donis Barrica Old Vines Red Blend is now my favorite Spanish wine. This one has flavors I can’t easily describe. I’ll let the tasting notes handle that. It had more Syrah in it than the Terrasses. But I made the comment that it’s a horse of a different color. It has just enough minerality to keep it from being over the top but it has wonderful flavors you have to let your brain explore.

I also liked the Hopler Pannonica Red Blend. It has grapes I’ve never heard of. This is the second Austrian wine I’ve had at Wine World lately. Maybe we’re onto a good tread. This is a pleasant sipper. Something to enjoy with friends.
Next up for Wine World is a Wines of Susan Balbo, one of Argentina’s premier wine makers, on Friday, September 23.
Where: Wine World, 133 Georgia Ave., North Augusta, SC
803-279-9522
When: Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016, 5 to 8 pm
Cost: $5, with rebate on the purchase of 1 bottle of the featured wines.
Here are the wines to presented (click to see more):

1. Tournon Mathilda Blanc 2014
2. Casal Garcia Vinho Verde
3. J.Lohr Riverstone Chardonnay 2014
4. Chateau Pesquie Terrasses Red Blend 2014
5. Hopler Pannonica Red Blend 2013
6. Mas Donis Barrica Old Vines Red Blend 2013

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Here are the detailed wine notes:
Tournon Mathilda Blanc 2014 | Victoria, Australia
85% Viognier 15% Marsanne. Very pale gold. Fragrant nose of white pear, tangerine, honeysuckle, other springtime florals. Peach, apricot, lychee, sugared citrus peel. Creamy Curries, Pad Thai, Seared Scallops, Sweet Potatoes Website
Cost: $11.99
Casal Garcia Vinho Verde | Vinho Verde, Portugal
Grape varieties Trajadura, Loureiro, Pedernã and Azal. Aromas of citrus and green apple. On the palate the effervescence is very slight. there is youth and freshness and lively acidity. Aperitif, White Fish, Seafood Salads or Asian Cuisine. Website
Cost: $9.99
J.Lohr Riverstone Chardonnay 2014 | Arroyo Seco, California
Aromas of peaches, Meyer lemon, yellow floral, baking spices, honey and cocoa. On the palate and are complemented by fresh orange and apricot balanced with creamy texture from sur lie. Salmon in a creamy Dijon sauce, chicken with mushroom sauce. Website
Cost: $12.99
Hopler Pannonica Red Blend 2013 | Burgenland, Austria
Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch, Pinot Noir. Strawberry, red cherries, clay, dried leaves. Tastes of red fruit with a hint of licorice, Braised Lamb Shanks, Asian Spiced Pork, Chicken Wings Website
Cost: $12.99
Chateau Pesquie Terrasses Red Blend 2014 | Ventoux, France
Syrah and Grenache. Rich, very fruit forward ending with a hit of spice that lingers. Ripe berry fruit aromatics complemented with a subtle vanilla. Pork chops with sage, Grilled T-Bone. Website
Cost: $14.99
Mas Donis Barrica Old Vines Red Blend 2013 | Montsant, Spain
85% Grenache and 15% Syrah. Great earth oak in the nose. Flavors of black currant sweet cranberry with a subtle lingering finish. Manchego cheese, Moroccan tagine. Website
Cost: $12.99