| | Notes from the organizer:
Toujours Bordeaux! There are a total of six different varietals that may legally be blended in the wines of Bordeaux, France. This "recipe" has been imitated throughout the world as the model for great red wine. In order to understand the character of these unique grapes, we will first be sampling each as a single varietal and then tasting a range of blends from around the world. First Flight: Dramatis Personae 
- 2007 Sempre Vive Petit Verdot - USA, California, Napa Valley
Sweet, peppery nose. Somewhat soft palate. (88 pts.)
- 2005 Bodega Weinert Malbec - Argentina, Mendoza
Outstanding nose with a nice barnyard profile. Average palate. (90 pts.)
- 2008 Clos Ouvert Carménère Lonco Milla - Chile, Maule Valley
Very strong olive profile on the nose. Soso taste. (86 pts.)
- 2009 Ridge Merlot Estate - USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
Gorgeous nose with spices and dark fruits. Vanilla. A little bit of heat. Very tasty! (92 pts.)
- 2005 York Creek Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District
Slightly sweet nose at first. Some heat. Still tannic. (88 pts.)
- 2006 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley
Dark fruits. Soft palate. (88 pts.)
Second Flight: "... greater than the sum of its parts..." 
- 2008 Château Gruaud Larose - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
Wow, what an amazing nose with coffee, leather, cedar aromas. Beefy palate with cherries, coffee and some spices. Outstanding! (93 pts.)
- 2009 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Le Serre Nuove - Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri
Good nose, but less than impressive palate. Soft, but still tannic. Feels young. (87 pts.)
- 2004 Jean León Cabernet Sauvignon Penedès Reserva - Spain, Catalunya, Penedès
Soft, maybe a little bit too soft. (85 pts.)
- 2007 Rustenberg John X Merriman - South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch
Nice nose. Some coffee. Fruity. A little bit sweet. Well integrated palate, but exceptional. (87 pts.)
- 2009 Te Mata Estate Cabernets / Merlot Awatea - New Zealand, North Island, Hawke's Bay
Smooth. Plums, Cherries. Still tannic. Young. (89 pts.)
- 2006 Mount Veeder Winery Reserve - USA, California, Napa Valley
Not very complex. Cherries, plums. Still a little tight. (87 pts.)
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