The Blind Drunks monthly tasting

A couple of bubblies to begin, nonblind. Mrs. Allred is a fan of the very dry styles and I picked up the Pol Roger at a tasting she wasn't able to attend. I thought would be a good chance for her to try it. As luck would have it, Sue also brought a bubbly, which just happened to be the Ultra Brut. It was interesting tasting these side by side.

• 2004 Domaine Carneros Ultra Brut 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

  Very pale color. Notes of green apple and mineral lead to a focused palate featuring a fine bead and flavors of citrus, apple and stone.

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• NV Pol Roger Champagne Pure Brut 92 Points

  France, Champagne

  Pale yellow color, still a bit darker than the Domaine Carneros. Notes of doughy biscuit and orchard fruit, mineral and citrus. Crisp and focused, bracing acidity. Flavors of brioche, apple and mineral. Very nice for this style.

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• 2005 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Télégramme 86 Points

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

  Pale yellow color. Notes of tropical fruit, wax, lanolin and acetone. Flavors of orchard fruit and almond. The acetone quality got stronger with air-- would have been fairly nice otherwise.

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• 2008 Bodegas Abanico Terra Alta Las Colinas del Ebro Garnacha Blanca 88 Points

  Spain, Catalunya, Tarragona, Terra Alta

  Pale straw color. Opened with citrus, grass and jalapeno aromas - I immediately thought Sauv Blanc. Slightly creamy texture, with grassy fruit flavors and obvious acidity. The bouquet developed a floral/handsoap quality with air. I started leaning toward Albarino before finally giving up.

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• 2007 Alta Vista Torrontés Premium 88 Points

  Argentina, Valles Calchaquíes, Salta

  Pale color. Very florally at first, turning more toward tropical fruit with a bit of swirling. Flavors of apple and melon on the palate. Seems a bit flabby. Guess: Pinot Grigio.

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• 1995 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve 87 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Dark garnet core, showing a bit of age toward the rim. Notes of blackberry and leather, with floral undertones. Blackberry and earth tones on the palate. Hollow midpalate and a bit thin on the finish. After a bit of debate, settled on '95 Haut Medoc. 87-88 pts.

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• 2004 Spencer Roloson Tempranillo Madder Lake 90 Points

  USA, California, North Coast, Clear Lake

  Inky garnet color. Aromas of raspberry liqueur, blackberry and cocoa. Firm, chalky tannins, with flavors of black cherry, blackberry, raspberry and barrel spice. Guessed Petite.

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• 2005 Bodegas Vizcarra Ramos Ribera del Duero JC Vizcarra

  Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero

  Dark ruby color. A bit reticent at first, but aromas of dark fruit, plum and cured meat eventually came forth. Thin on the attack, with flavors of cocoa and blackberry filling out on the midpalate and finish. Chalky tannins. I suggested Tempranillo, and another taster and I worked our way down to 2006 Rioja.

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• 2007 Château de Beaucastel Côtes du Rhône Coudoulet de Beaucastel 86 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône

  Dark crimson color. Vanilla, vanilla and more vanilla. That's all one can detect on the bouquet of this wine. A bit of dark fruit, spice and roasted herbs on the palate, but the finish is hot.

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• 2004 Nugan Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 89 Points

  Australia, South Eastern

  Garnet color. Aromas of roasted herbs, vanilla, dark fruit, raspberries and violets. Well-balanced, with plenty of fruit carrying through the finish. 89-90 pts.

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One last bottle opened with dinner. A bit simple, but nice.

• 2007 Domaine René Leclerc Bourgogne 88 Points

  France, Burgundy, Bourgogne

  Aromas of sour cherry and earth. Good acidity, with cherry, spice and earth tones.

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