True or False: Would I Lie to you? Fine wines of the world tutored & panel game

Berry Bros & Rudd, London
Tasted Wednesday, July 20, 2011 by Papies with 669 views

Introduction

One of the nicest wine events we have been for a while. Hosted by BBR's education manager Rebecca Lamont and panelled by the amazing duo of Anne McHale (Wine education specialist) & Catherine Owen (BBR's fine wine expert)
Concept was to present a set of wines of unknown origin. Anne and Catherine would then proceed to describe the wines and give their verdict as what they thought the wines were. Then we had to decide who was right and who was wrong! Simple. not really..
First wines were offered one by one but from flight 4 onwards the wines were paired.

Flight 1 - Aperitif (1 Note)

  • 2006 Gramona Cava Argent Reserva Brut 91 Points

    Spain, Cava

    Biscuity, yeasty nose. Lots of ripe fruit to the point that we thought it was a blanc des noir champagne from cote des bar. Easy drinking beauty. Around 30£ a bottle so not cheap given its a cava but still a quality wine

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Flight 2 - White 1 (1 Note)

Choices given:
Anne said this was Cloudy Bay
Catherine said Pulenta

Our Vote: Pulenta as there was none of the asparagus nose we associate with CB. Well spoted by Nicol
The Correct One:

Flight 3 - White 2 (1 Note)

Choices given:
Anne : Picpoul-De-Pinet
Catherine :southern rhone marsanne

Our Vote: Picpoul as we noted none of the marsanne's "bitterness" in the wine
The Correct One:

  • 2010 Domaine Félines Jourdan Picpoul de Pinet 88 Points

    France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Picpoul de Pinet

    Our first experience with this grape. BBR market this as the bargain on a wine list which could well be although maybe as we say in the market they are talking their book a bit.
    Spice, floral, herby wine.crisp acidity no oak for sure and some dense lanoline style creaminess on the palate. Interesting and enjoyable. and at 8£ really a good bargain.

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Flight 4 - White Pairing 1 (2 Notes)

Choices given:
Anne : Puligny Montrachet & Chile Chardonnay (given the pineapple notes)
Catherine : Chablis Grand Cru (Droin) & Meursault from Bouchard (hence the more exotic notes)

Our Vote: Andreas - Catherine ( thought it was meursault) / Nicol - Anne
The Correct One:

Flight 5 - Red Pairing 1 (2 Notes)

Choices given:
Anne : Young Battailley / Frogs Leap Cab Sauv
Catherine : Crozes Hermitage / Assie shiraz but not from the main big appelations like barossa

Our Vote: Andreas with Anne (tricked by the young BDX nose) / Nicol with Catherine
The Correct One:

Flight 6 - Red Pairing 2 (2 Notes)

Choices given:
Anne :Ottago Pinot / Latricieres Chabertin
Catherine : Good quality beaujolais / Rioja Alta 904

Our Vote: both went with Anne as the Burgundy GC was convincing!
The Correct One:

Flight 7 - Red Pairing 3 (2 Notes)

Choices given:
Anne : Primitivo from Puglia / Rioja
Catherine : Rioja Alta 904 GR / Primitivo

Our Vote: Both with Catherine as the rioja was a strong conviction
The Correct One:

Flight 8 - Red Pairing 4 (2 Notes)

Choices given:
Anne : 1996 Gruaud Larose / Ottago Red blend
Catherines : 2005 Gruaud Larose / St Emilion St George 2006

Our Vote: Both with Anne as the 90s Bdx was clearly there and no way it would have been an 05
The Correct One:

  • 1996 Château Gruaud Larose 93 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

    WOTN. From the first wiff of this beautifull wine you go straight to mid nineties bordeuax. Minty, herby notes on the nose along with the fruit. Mature and well rounded and no harshness and drinks very well now. Recently we have had some very good experinces with 96s (talbot for example). We will buy more. 93 drink from now but will last. Very good.

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  • 2009 Esk Valley Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon/Malbec 85 Points

    New Zealand, North Island, Hawke's Bay, Gimblett Gravels

    Full bodied and very dark coloured. Like a very young st emilion. Lots of ripe tanning and a lot of fruit.

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Closing

An excellent event. really enjoyable and tested our knowledge in a very nice way.
Final Scores........ Andreas 8/12 - Nicol 12/12

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