| | Wines are tasted double blind in flights, which are arranged randomly, but as much as possible from light to heavy. Each flight is discussed & unveiled before moving on to the next flight. Warm ups - 2019 Massican Sauvignon Blanc - USA, California, Napa Valley
Double blind. Aromas of mineral, citrus and lemongrass. The la.ate follows the bouquet, with nice underlying acidity. Very nice, and my favorite of the three. Guessed S. African sauv blanc.
- 2019 Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc - USA, California, North Coast
Double blind. Opens with an odd toasty funky aroma, followed by grass and citrus notes. Melon and citrus on the palate with light acidity. Seems like sauv blanc, and I went old world given the bit of funk this had. My least favorite of the three.
- 2019 Lail Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Blueprint - USA, California, Napa Valley, Yountville
Double blind. Pale color with grass, melon and citrus qualities on the nose and palate. Bright acidity. Clean and focused; very nice. Guessed domestic sauv blanc.
Reds - 2015 Hickinbotham Shiraz Brooks Road - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
Double blind. Garnet color. Aromas of currants and sandalwood with a sweet floral perfume overtone. Jammy red fruit on the palate with decent acidity. Forward and bright. Very nice. Grenache-like in some respects, but not. (M&R) (89 pts.)
- 2001 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
Double blind. Showing some age with a lot of bricking. Loads of sediment, and I was the 2nd to pour- clearly this should have been decanted in advance of the tasting. Opens with a note of bouillon followed by candied black currant fruit. Noticeable acidity on the palate, with flavors of cherry, raspberry and candied rhubarb. Develops a nice herbal note with air, and the bouillon quality disappears. Turns more red-fruited than black, and picks up a good bit of spice too, getting better as it sat. Guessed old Chateauneuf-du-Pape. (R&D) (90 pts.)
- 2010 Duca di Salaparuta Sicilia Duca Enrico - Italy, Sicily, Sicilia
Double blind. Another opening wit a bit of bouillon, along with ripe dark fruit- plum and prune- a bit stewy. Tastes better than it smells, the fruit does not taste as ripe as the nose suggests. Also much better the longer it sat in the glass. Finishes well, with good length and plenty of fruit and spice. None of us could pin this down so "cab blend" became the guess by default. (M&R) (88 pts.)
- 2011 Château Duhart-Milon - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
Blind. Aromas of iron, currant, graphite and tobacco with a nice earthy overtone. Balanced, with medium tannins and flavors of red berry fruit and spice. Has a bit of brett showing through as well.
Beginning to drink nicely, and easy to pick out as our Bordeaux in the lineup. Put some lamb on the grill and pull the cork. This had been double decanted off its sediment and hour before the flight was poured. Very enjoyable now with a short decant. (90 pts.)
- 2017 Castellare di Castellina Chianti Classico - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG
Blind. Garnet color. Aromas of candied dark fruit, cinnamon and sawdust. Medium tannin. Flavors of sweet dark fruit, berries and spice. Finishes with good length. Guessed GSM. What a surprise when this was unveiled as our sangiovese.
This had been double decanted off its sediment an hour before the flight was poured. An enjoyable, if atypical, Chianti. (89 pts.)
- 2018 Vintae Toro Matsu El Viejo - Spain, Castilla y León, Toro
Double blind. Opaque inky color with notes of black fruit and vanilla. Black fruit and sweet vanilla on the palate. Develops roasted game and brown sugar aromas with air. A big wine, but not very easy to identify. Guessed syrah. (V&M) (88 pts.)
Reds - 2018 Rockpile Winery (Mauritson) Zinfandel Jack's Cabin Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Rockpile
Double blind. Aromas of candied dark fruit, with meaty undertones. Medium-bodied with soft tannin and acid. Dark fruit and spice dominates the palate. Guessed syrah. (V&M)
- 2016 Charly Thevenet Régnié Grain & Granit - France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Régnié
Blind. Candied dark fruit, cinnamon and salami. Soft, with sweet red fruit and balancing acidity. Easy to pick out as our Beaujolais in the flight.
This had been double decanted about two hours before the flight was poured. Not the best showing for one of these, but still quite nice. (87 pts.)
- 2016 Sightglass Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Double blind. Black currant and brown sugar under an overwhelming dose of VA. Tannic. No guess. (R&S) (FLAWED)
- 2018 Tensley All Blocks - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County
Double blind. Jammy raspberry fruit and spice aromas. Medium-bodied, with abundant red and black fruit on the palate. Balanced, with good length and fruit in the finish. Ripe but not overly so, I guessed zinfandel here. (R&S) (90 pts.)
- 2013 Glaetzer Shiraz Amon-Ra Barossa Valley - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley
Double blind. Blueberry, sweet syrupy dark fruit, brown sugar and perfume aromas- this is big and ripe. Smells like it belongs served over a sundae. Flavors of red fruit and plum with noticeable alcoholic heat. Guessed syrah. (R&D) (85 pts.)
Dinner wines Nonblind, with brisket, greens and cornbread. - 2008 Veuve Clicquot Champagne Brut La Grande Dame - France, Champagne
Pale color with a short mousse. Apple, marshmallow and orchard fruit notes upon opening. With air, ginger and citrus elements emerge. Fine bead. Flavors of citrus, almond, dough and orchard fruit. Delicious and so easy to drink- it will be tough keeping my hands off of these. (95 pts.)
- 2011 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
From magnum. Red and white currant notes, along with spice and stone qualities. Medium-bodied with soft tannins and flavors of red berry fruit and spice. Good underlying acidity. (R&D) (90 pts.)
- 2016 Buena Vista Cabernet Sauvignon Chateau Buena Vista Napa Valley - USA, California, Napa Valley
Notes of cassis, plum and chocolate. Medium-bodied with slightly firm tannins and flavors of black currant, plum and macerated black berry fruit. Picks up a bit of barrel spice through the midpalate and finish. (V&M) (88 pts.)
Dessert wines In a twist, these were served double blind to the group, along with chocolate chocolate chip ice cream and caramel cake. - 2007 Château Rieussec - France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
Double blind, from half bottle. Aromas of apricot, marmalade and florals. Tropical fruit and pineapple on the finish, with terrific supporting acidity. Guessed 2013 sauternes. (M&R) (93 pts.)
- 2009 Château Suduiraut - France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
Double blind, from half bottle. Slightly deeper color than the first. Aromas of cantaloupe, stone fruit and honey. Nice acidity. Flavors of marmalade, stone fruit and pineapple. Richer texture than the first wine. Guessed '13 sauternes. (M&R) (91 pts.)
Thank you M&R for hosting a terrific tasting and dinner. |
