Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/504216
82 / the tasting panel / may 2015 DISCOVERIES RED BLEND FLIGHT The lineup (in order tasted): Bota Box 2013 Red Blend, California, USA ; Vin Vault NV Red Blend, California, USA; Black Box 2013 Red Blend, California, USA. By this final flight, conversation was full-tilt on bottle price. A compliment to the lineup, several tasters felt convinced they were sampling wines in the $40–50 price range. "My customers would love it at that price point," said Grant, referring to his third blind wine (which was Black Box). At this point, Stephanie posed a rhetorical question by saying that her grandfather, Ernest Gallo used to ask at the dinner table, "What would you pay for it?" The room felt silently contemplative as we moved on to the big reveal . . . The results: Vin Vault received six votes for the win. Black Box came in second with three votes. Buyers' Blind Tasting Notes on Vin Vault: "Sweet purple dark fruit, sweet vanilla from oak, interesting tannin structure, rich, and more Bordeaux in style."—Christie Brunick "Fruit and structure—incredibly balanced, great tannins and a great value."—Matthew Gonzalez "Herbal notes, licorice, black fruit and exotic spice." —Etty Lewensztain PINOT NOIR FLIGHT The lineup (in order tasted): Black Box 2013 Pinot Noir, California, USA; Bota Box 2013 Pinot Noir, Chile; Vin Vault NV Pinot Noir, California, USA. This flight sparked lots of conversa- tion. Nearly everyone agreed that the grape was Pinot Noir, while half found their noses leading them to Oregon and others to South America—definitely on the right continents. Grant Wheeler argued for Santa Barbara: "I get a lot less of that Oregon funk," he said, add- ing, "I want the wines to be $17.99, and I'll love it if it's $15 or $17 per 750 ml." Also, with reference to Vin Vault over Black Box and Bota Box, there was a collective agreement that the last wine in the lineup (Vin Vault) had more "polish" and "sheen." The results: Bota Box received five votes for the buyers' "top favorite" overall pick. Vin Vault came in second with four votes. Buyers' Blind Tasting Notes on Vin Vault: "There's a sweetness and fruitier core that makes it a more inviting option for the average consumer." —William Templin "I think number three [Vin Vault] is the most feminine in the lineup and will appeal to a female palate." —Spreti Valente "Aromas of cherry cola, more ripe red cherry and candied fruit seem indicative of Santa Barbara; very friendly style."—Christie Brunick "The wine has more prominent fruit intensity—sweet overripe fruits dominate such as strawberry and blackberry. Nuance is key to this wine." —Matthew Gonzalez CABERNET SAUVIGNON FLIGHT The lineup (in order tasted): Vin Vault NV Cabernet Sauvignon, California, USA; Bandit NV Cabernet Sauvignon , California, USA; Black Box 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile; Bota Box 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile. The Cab lineup sparked discus- sion of Carménère, which several were convinced was the grape in this blind lineup. Talk led to "greenness" in wines, and William Templin and Matthew Gonzalez admitted that greenness doesn't translate well to sales for them at Total Wine & More. More sniffing, however, led others away from Carménère, who thought they sensed fewer green notes but could agree that at least all wines in this lineup had to be from South America. Either way, collectively the group valued these wines at $15 per bottle. The results: Black Box received six votes for the buyers' "top favorite" overall pick. Vin Vault came in second with four votes. Buyers' Blind Tasting Notes on Vin Vault: "Cassis on the noise, a juicy core, medium plus tannins, dark blackberry fruit, black pepper on the finish."—Spreti Valente "Jam, spice, heat, alcohol at first, full-bodied palate, tons of fruit, solid minerality with finish." —Perry Koon "Darker in color, purple in glass with violet outer rim, intense purple fruit, more extraction, with cassis and ripe black fruit undertones. Not tannic, but not hollow—very drinkable."—Christie Brunick. "Deep ruby color, blueberry, blackberry and green bell pepper, medium tannins, medium acidity, black current and cassis notes." —Raul Garcia