Weekly tasting group #201; A fully blind test.

We get 10 wines in 10 glasses. All wines of a different varietal or blend and from a different location. We have to tell in approx 1 hour where the wine is produced and of which varietal or traditional blend, the vintage and as many details as we can give. For big ego’s this is the ultimate way to land with both feet on the ground and become humble again ;-) ;-)!

• 2011 Luigi Pira Barbera d'Alba 87 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d'Alba

  Ruby red. Lactic red and dark berries and cherries in the bouquet. A touch of vanilla as well. On the palate the same impressions, some licorice, firm acidity and youthful, fairly round tannin with a bite. Give the wine a few years of ageing. 86 – 87

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• 2010 Bodegas Vizcarra Ramos Ribera del Duero 15 meses 88 Points

  Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero

  In the bouquet some barnyard flavors, but they disappear, creamy dark forest fruits, sweet spices and a lot of vanilla. On the palate dark and red forest fruits, a firm amount of sweetness, herbs and spices, vanilla, oak and some tar. Good acidity and slightly sticky tannin. Probably wise to wait until 2018 with this wine. I have one, so there will be a follow up. 87 - 88

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• 2004 Bernardus Winery Marinus 89 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Carmel Valley

  In the bouquet dark forest fruits, good toasted oak, chocolate and sweet spices. On the palate dark berries, chocolate, sweet spices like cinnamon, some sweetness, beautiful acidity and soft tannin. Also some sweetness in the finish. I am not such a great fan of Bernardus, but this is a very well made and harmonious wine. Ready now, no extreme hurry.

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• 2008 Château Maucaillou 85 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Moulis en Médoc

  Creamy and lactic bouquet with dark berries, leather and some sweet spices. On the palate creamy red fruits, lactic, some laurel, firm acidity, sticky and a bit green tannin and a firm amount of bitterness. Not really a friendly wine and not worthy of its appellation. Wait until 2020 to see if it becomes more pleasant, or if you need the space in your stock… drink it after you gave it lots of air and replace it for something better. This will never be a great wine. 84 – 85

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• 2011 Mullineux Syrah 89 Points

  South Africa, Coastal Region, Swartland

  Bouquet with red fruits, metal, minerals, leather, tea, herbs, spices and raisins. On the palate the same impressions, ripe fruits, some licorice, a touch of sweetness, a firm amount of acidity and slightly sticky tannin. Beautiful wine in its early maturity stage.

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• 2009 Bodega Catena Zapata Malbec Catena Alta 91 Points

  Argentina, Mendoza

  The color is almost black. In the bouquet dark forest fruits, dark cherries and espresso. On the palate a concentrated wine with ripe dark forest fruits, a lot of oak, chocolate, licorice and cinnamon. A firm amount of sweetness, but also good acidity and tannin with a soft bite. Beautiful wine with a lot of extraction and length. Early maturity now and it can easily last until 2020.

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• 2009 Vinya Carles Priorat Crianza 86 Points

  Spain, Catalunya, Priorat

  Friendly bouquet with ripe fruits and some vanilla. On the palate a sweet start, chocolate, sweet spices, sweet licorice root and vanilla. Good acidity and soft tannin. A very pleasant wine. Very good qpr!

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• 2005 Masi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Costasera 88 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

  Beautiful bouquet showing maturity and some pleasant barnyard. On the palate chocolate, coffee, tea, mocha and sweet spices. Firm acidity and mild tannin. The wine is completely ready now and if this bottle is exemplary; don't wait another 3 years.

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• 2007 Domaine de la Vieille Julienne Châteauneuf-du-Pape 92 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  Beautiful bouquet with dark forest fruits, chocolate and vanilla. On the palate beautiful dark forest fruits, sweet licorice, vanilla, sweet spices, toast, good acidity and soft, round tannin. Good length. The wine was tasted blind and I never would have guessed it was a 2007 C9duP because the wine is already beautifully mature. No reason to wait much longer, but a great pleasure now.

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• 2008 Bodegas Sierra Cantabria Rioja Colección Privada 91 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  Beautiful bouquet with ripe red fruits like raspberries and strawberries, some dark fruits and herbs and spices as well. On the palate sweet dark berries, herbs and spices, pleasant acidity and round tannin with a soft bite. Beautiful wine in the first half of its maturity stage. No problem cellaring this until 2019+.

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