There are wine lovers and then there are wine lovers. John Pankauski, a West Palm Beach lawyer and managing member of Pankauski Law Firm PLLC, certainly falls in that latter category. The longtime aficionado and collector hosts his second annual “Pankauski Pour” this Friday from 5:30 to 7:30 p,m, in downtown West Palm Beach.

The event will close down South Olive Avenue between Clematis Street and Datura Street and feature a selection of wines from Southern Wine & Spirits, Virginia Philip Wine Shop & Academy and Pankauski’s personal collection, along with tasty bites from The Capital Grille. All proceeds benefit the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County. Last year, the event raised more than $7,000 in ticket sales and matching grants.

“The Legal Aid Society does great work and helps people who really need it,” he says, “The event is basically just one guy sharing the wine I tried and liked over the last year and giving it all to charity.”

Pankauski’s personal wine selections are what makes this event so special. We stopped into his West Palm Beach law firm for a pre-tasting a few weeks ago and we were blown away by the quality of wine he’ll pour. So much so, that we’ve decided to join in the fun and pour some of our favorites from his collection. Here’s what we’ll be pouring. Come by and say hi!

2011 Gérard Bertrand Picpoul de Pinet - Languedoc-Roussillon, France

The pale-colored wine is made from picpoul grapes, near the town of Pinet in southern France. It has a light fragrance of green apple and faint grassy notes. On taste, it’s ripe and crisp with flavors of green apple, and a hint of peach and pear. It has a clean finish and matches perfectly with seafood and lighter fare.

2010 Big Ranch Vineyard Chardonnay - Napa Valley

On the opposite end of the white spectrum, this golden-colored chardonnay is big, round and buttery with warm aromas of caramel, golden delicious apple, ripe pear and vanilla. It’s a big, warm wine with a creamy, smooth mouthfeel. Delicious!

2010 Michel-Schlumberger Pinot Noir – Russian River Valley

This pinot is certainly sigh-worthy! A super aromatic nose of very ripe and juicy red cherry, raspberry strawberry and rhubarb with hints of toast and rose petals. On palate, the wine has a great balance of fruit and earth and a very silky, smooth mouthfeel. Beautifully balanced, this is one to look out for!

2011 Bedrock Wine Company Syrah – North Coast, Calif.

This is a big, bold wine from a tiny operation in Northern California. The wine packs a strong blackberry, pepper punch on the nose, but is much softer than expected on the palate. It’s the definition of luscious with juicy dark fruit and a warm, round mouthfeel with integrated tannins.

2009 Coho Headwaters Red Blend – Napa Valley

How could we not choose the wine Pankauski calls his “Wine of the Pour?” This blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and petit verdot is a fresh, ripe blend of red and black cherries and red flowers with hints of vanilla, licorice, baking spices and dusty earth. It’s got a full mouthfeel and a great balance of acidity and tannin.

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IF YOU GO: The 2nd annual Pankauski Pour will be held on Friday, February 22, 2013 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at 123 South Olive Avenue, between Clematis Street and Datura Street. Call the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County to make ticket reservations, 561-655-8944 ext. 365. Tickets cost $30 per person with a prior reservation or $35 per person on site.