Thanks to a very generous invitation from The Andersons Sawmill Wine Shop, I was fortunate enough to attend this year’s Vanguard Wines “Grand Portfolio Tasting”, near Downtown Columbus, Ohio. Vanguard Wines is one of the largest (if not the largest) wine importers to Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. And they have a great selection to boot! This year the event featured over 50 winemakers from Argentina, France, Italy, Spain and the US. Since this is a trade only tasting, most of the producers are represented by the actual owner/winemaker, making for a much more authentic experience and vinous journey. I had a blast and managed to taste and spit my way though 33 whites and 45 reds. Below is my breakdown.
My Favorite Whites
Alphonse Mellot, “Generation Dis Neuf”, Sancerre 2011 – $70
Jean-Marc Brocard, “Valourent”, Chablis 1er Cru 2010 – $43
Jean-Marc Brocard, “Valmur”, Chablis Grand Cru 2010 – $70
Jean-Marc Brocard, “Les Clos”, Chablis Grand Cru 2010 – $75
Larmandier-Bernier, “Longitude Blanc de Blancs”, 1er Cru Champagne – $53
Larmandier-Bernier, “Vieille Vigne Cramant”, Grand Cru Champagne 2006 – $90
Az. Ag. Campogrande, Cinqueterre 2011 – $55
Tenute Rio Maggio, Telusiano 2012 – $20
Eola Hills, “Vin d’Epice Late Harvest Gewurztraminer”, Oregon 2006 – $27
Ramey Wine Cellars, “Hyde Vineyard” Chardonnay, Carneros 2009 – $65
Ramey Wine Cellars, “Ritchie Vineyard” Chardonnay, Russian River 2009 – $65
Talley Vineyards, “Oliver’s Vineyard” Chardonnay, Edna Valley 2011 – $40
My Favorite Reds
Caldwell Vineyard, “Rocket Science” Red Blend, Napa Valley 2010 – $48
Caldwell Vineyard, “Silver C” Red Blend, Napa Valley 2010 – $105
Antano, Montefalco Rosso Riserva 2009 – $40
Fattoria di Felsina, Chianti Classico Riserva 2009 – $33
Fattoria di Felsina, “Fontalloro” Sangiovese, Toscana 2008 – $60
Allamand Viñas & Vinos, “H”, Mendoza 2010 – $37
Talley Vineyards, “Rincon Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Edna Valley 2011 – $60
Au Bon Climat, “Isabelle” Pinot Noir, California 2010 – $55
The Rest of the Whites
Kamen Wines “Estate Sauvignon Blanc”, Sonoma Mountain 2012
Dom de la Pertuisane, “The Guardian” Grenache Gris, Cotes Catalanes 2012
Alphonse Mellot, “La Mousierre”, Sancerre 2011
Alphonse Mellot, Pouilly-Fume 2011
Alphonse Mellot, “Les Penitents” Chardonnay, Cotes de la Charite 2010
Jean-Marc Brocard, “Montee de Tonnerre”, Chablis 1er Cru 2010
Jean-Marc Brocard, “Vau de Vey”, Chablis 1er Cru 2010
Mas de Daumas Gassac, “Moulin de Gassac Guilhem Rosé”, Pays d’Hérault 2012
Mas de Daumas Gassac, “Moulin de Gassac Guilhem Blanc”, Pays d’Hérault 2012
Mas de Daumas Gassac, “Blanc”, Pays d’Hérault 2012
Domaine de Pajot, “Quatre Cepages”, VdP de Cotes de Gascogne 2012
Larmandier-Bernier, “Rosé de Saignee Extra Brut”, 1er Cru Champagne
Marco Cecchini d’Orsaria, “d’Orsaria” Pinot Grigio, 2012
Marco Cecchini d’Orsaria, “Tové”, Tocai Friulano 2009
Allamand Viñas & Vinos, “Cuvee de St. Jeannet”, Valle de Uco 2012
Eola Hills, Pinot Gris, Oregon 2011
Eola Hills, Chardonnay, Oregon 2011
Charles & Charles, Rosé, Columbia Valley 2012
Gotham Project, “Truth or Consequences” Keg Riesling, 2012
Ramey Wine Cellars, Chardonnay, Russian River 2010
Talley Vineyards, “Estate Chardonnay”, Arroyo Grande 2011
The Rest of the Reds
Cliff Lede Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District 2010
Crocker & Starr, “Stone Place” Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2010
Kamen Wines, “Estate Cabernet Sauvignon”, Sonoma Mountain 2010
Lang & Reed, Cabernet Franc, North Coast 2010
Lang & Reed, “Two Fourteen” Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley 2010
Lail Vineyards, “Blueprint” Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2011
Lail Vineyards, “J. Daniel Cuvee” Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2010
Dom de la Pertuisane, “Le Nain Violet” Grenache Noir, Cote Catalanes 2011
Mas de Daumas Gassac, “Moulin de Gassac Guilhem Rouge”, Pays d’Hérault 2012
Mas de Daumas Gassac, “Rouge”, Pays d’Hérault 2011
Marco Cecchini d’Orsaria, “Refosco”, 2008
Antano, Montefalco Rosso 2010
Cascina Ca’Rossa, “Langhe” Nebbiolo, 2010
Cascina Ca’Rossa, “Auginaggio” Roero, 2010
Cascina Ca’Rossa, “Mompissano” Roero, 2009
Elio Altare, Dolcetto d’Alba 2012
Elio Altare, Barbera d’Alba 2012
Elio Altare, “L’Insieme”, 2010
Elio Altare, Barolo 2009
Elio Altare, “Cerretta”, Barolo 2007
Mauro Veglio, Dolcetto d’Alba 2012
Mauro Veglio, Barbera d’Alba 2012
Mauro Veglio, “Vigneto Arborina”, Barolo 2009
Mauro Veglio, “Castelletto”, Barolo 2009
Mauro Veglio, “Vigneto Gattera”, Barolo 2009
Fattoria di Felsina, Chianti Classico 2010
Fattoria di Felsina, “Rancia”, Chianti Classico Riserva 2009
La Rioja Alta, “Viña Alberdi”, Rioja 2006
La Rioja Alta, “Viña Ardanza”, Rioja 2004
La Rioja Alta, “Gran Reserva 904”, Rioja 2001
Allamand Viñas & Vinos, Malbec, Valle de Uco 2012
Allamand Viñas & Vinos, Cabernet Sauvignon, Valle de Uco 2012
Charles & Charles, Red Blend, Columbia Valley 2011
Gotham Project, “El Rede” Keg Malbec, 2012
Talley Vineyards, “Estate Pinot Noir”, Arroyo Grande 2011
Au Bon Climat, Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara 2011
Au Bon Climat, “La Bauge au-Dessus” Pinot Noir, Santa Mari 2009
Thanks again to Silvia, Chuck, Bob and the rest of the team at The Andersons Sawmill Wine Shop!
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