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I have to admit this was a quick tasting for me. That’s one of the reason why I like Wine World’s Third Thursday and First Friday tastings. They last 3 hours. I can stop at 5PM or 7:30 and I know I’ll be trying 6 great wines (They end at 8PM but who wants to rush things too much).
With it being in the 70’s and 80’s lately the white wines were really nice and refreshing. I have to agree with Dick Benjamin’s assessment of the Gen5 Chardonnay: it’s one of the best chards I’ve tasted in a while. Not in your face but nice aroma and nice fruit forward.
The Château La Gravière had some nice citrus and almost herby flavors. To me it had hints of grapefruit. Others said it was more lemony. Either way I would love to try this with a nice white fish or maybe some lobster.
And at the end of the tasting I found the Josh Cellers Cab an excellent wine. It’s making me hungry thinking about trying this with a nice hamburger or steak.
So, I was in at 5 and out by 5:25. The downside was I didn’t have much of a chance to visit with the usual crew I meet at the tasters (except for David and Anna who I love chatting with).
And I have to admit I didn’t have time to write down the cheeses were they sampling, which as usual were great. Hmmm. Just checked my calendar and realized the next will be First Friday and that will be April 6th.
Where: Wine World, 133 Georgia Ave., North Augusta, SC
803-279-9522
When: Thursday, March 15, 2011, 5 to 8pm
Cost: $5 per person with rebate on purchase of a featured wine.
Here are the wines to be presented (click to see more):
- Callia Alta Torrontes 2010
- Château La Gravière 2010
- Gen5 Chardonnay 2009
- Mont Tauch Village du Sud Pinot Noir 2009
- Domaine Bahourat Cuvée Elisabeth 2009
- Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Here are the detailed wine notes:
Callia Alta Torrontes 2010
100% Torrontes, bright yellow with greenish tints. Clean, crisp aromas of roses and orange blossoms with hints of spice. Flavors of light pear and citrus. Fresh flavors with balanced acidity. A lovely, lingering finish. Aperitif.
From: San Juan, Argentina
Winery: Bodegas Callia
Year: 2010
Goes with: Pairs well with pork dishes, chicken, salads.
Château La Gravière 2010
Entre-Deux-Mers is one of our favorite sources of great value crisp whites. La Graviere is a traditional blend of Sauvignon Blanc with some added Semillon to provide body and a little honeysuckle character. Aromas of lemon and grass lead through to an almost silky finish. Aperitif.
From: Entre deux Mers, Bordeaux, France
: Château La Gravière
Year: 2010
Goes with: Great match for seafood, salads. Chicken and orzo with asparagus.
Gen5 Chardonnay 2009
A delightful, sustainabl-farmed Chardonnay from Lodi. Flavors are ripe and fruit forward with beautiful balance. Sur lie aged for 12 months followed by 25% 6 month aging in French and American oak. Very nice use of oak. Lively and complex flavors of apple and pear. Long finish.
From: Clarksburg, California
Winery: Gen5
Year: 2009
Goes with: Braised pork loin with caramelized onions. Roast chick
Mont Tauch Village du Sud Pinot Noir 2009
Clear medium dark ruby with earthy black cherry aromas and a hint of earth and leather. Balanced dark cherry flavors with attractive, slightly dusty tannins. A lovely light Pinot.
From: Languedoc, France
Winery: Mont Tauch
Year: 2009
Goes with: Grilled rare tuna steak. Baked ham & roasted new potatoes.
Domaine Bahourat Cuvée Elisabeth 2009
Nestled in the sunny southern Rhone Valley, Domaine Bahourat produces extremely flavorful Costieres de Nimes. Patrick Bech, owner and winemaker, produces round, fruit-forward wines on his low-yielding estate. A blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache from a great vintage, this really shows the “French side” of Syrah–dark and gamey, with notes of ripe blueberry, cherry, herbs and peppery spice.
From: Costiere de Nimes, France
Winery: Domaine Bahourat
– Wild game, lamb, grilled meats, hearty cheeses. Couscous with sun-dried tomatoes and mediterranean seasonings.
Year: 2009
Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
A fruit-filled, approachable Cab at a very attractive price. Aromas of ripe black currants, smoke, and a hint of leather. Flavors feature plum and black currants with touches of vanilla and mocha. Easy tannins, yet good structure. Lingering finish. A food-friendly wine. (This is a second label for Joseph Carr)
From: North Coast, California
Winery: Joseph Carr
Year: 2009
Goes with: Steaks, burgers. Casserole of Eggplant, mushrooms, Parmesan cheese–and some Kalamata olives. Aged Gouda.
