2nd London off-line w/out UK CT'ers
http://www.tufnellparktavern.com
Tasted Sunday, November 25, 2012 by StefanAkiko with 631 views
Introduction
Five chaps gathered at Tufnell Park Tavern in London to enjoy wine on the theme of "interesting". The proprietor is the most generous and happy bloke and really helped make this an event of proportion.
Flight 1 - There was also a great saké from the Emperor's production, junmai dai-ginjo. (11 Notes)
The quality surprise wine of the evening was the outstanding btl from Mallorca. My WOTN. Most "interesting" was without a doubt the SB barrel sample from Moravia.
Closing
Great wines were mixed with fantastic dialogue, amazing food and hearty laughter. It was a magical evening! Next time in ~March 2013. Than, maybe there will be some UK CTers among us? Would be lovely!
2011 Mikrosvín Mikulov Sauvignon Blanc 83 Points
Czech Republic, Moravia, Mikulovská, Mikulov
Barrel sample from Martin.
Non-blind. Had immediately.
Impression: Nearing Very good.
Pale yellow wine with a nose that was almost upsettingly IN YOUR FACE. Gushes of paprika, nettles, cat's pee, peaches and black currants. Almost obscene.
In the mouth it is (luckily) more calm. Peachy and slightly "fatty" non-complex Sb. M acids (lower than the genre) and a decent body.
The evening's most distinct wine. Clearly high up on the "interesting" scale.
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2009 Clos de Gat Chardonnay 91 Points
Israel, Judean Hills
Non-blind. Had immediately.
Impression: Outstanding with wow.
A yellow wine with a bashful, yeasty, young Chard aroma greeting you.
In the mouth it shows off a great structure of a non-oaked Chard that made me think of an un-oaked Meursault. Great acids, fine concentration and a "fatty" character.
This one definitely has the future in front of it.
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2000 Château Lynch-Moussas 88 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
Non-blind. Had immediately.
Impression: Just short of excellent (88p)
Dark red with a promising smoky and earthy Bordeaux-expression. Showing off some mature aromas with some width and breadth.
In the mouth this is an interesting wine from the taste aspect, but the acids are somewhat un-restrained. Sporting large quantities of blue berries and earthy sumi-ink. Oak is not yet integrated.
I liked this wine and hope to get a chance to try it again some 5 years down the road.
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2010 Bonassia L'excellence de Bonassia 84 Points
Morocco, Meknès-Fès, Beni M'Tir
Non-blind. Had immediately.
Impression: Almost very good.
Red with a shy nose. Easy drinking wine that makes a good entry but is thin and acidic on the mid-palate. The finish picks up some steam and shows off a polished red wine with tenderness. I'd say this is posing as a hearty CS/Merlot. And doing it well. No flaws.
Not my favorite style and won't buy. This is good QPR.
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2008 Jose L. Ferrer Binissalem-Mallorca Reserva 94 Points
Spain, Balearic Islands, Binissalem-Mallorca
Non-blind. Had immediately. (RO's wine.)
Impression: OMFG!
This is a black wine with a dark fruit anise seed come licorice MEGA nose. Blinded I'd have said Australian Shiraz - no doubt.
Has all the components of extracted Oz Shiraz with a great acids-tannin-fruit balance. Displays dill and some slightly unusual herbal qualities that IMHO add to the experience in the best of ways. This is a large, wide fist of hard core power and complexities from the higher realms. Fantastic! Will probably live long.
Wish I had a case...
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2001 Pian dell'Orino Brunello di Montalcino 89 Points
Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
Non-blind. Had immediately.
Impression: Almost Outstanding
Tonight's only bretty wine. What a comfort to have at least one! the acids on this BdM are nothing short of breath taking. A distinct rubbery aroma (not reduction) caress the palate in a good way. Still alive and kicking. Elegant rather than powerful.
Should have been tasted earlier in the evening.
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2006 Mr. Riggs Shiraz 93 Points
Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
Non-blind. Had immediately.
Impression: Over-achieving Outstanding.
Black wine. Christmas spice, cloves, anise seeds, licorice on MEGA-sized nose and palate. I found it a BRILLIANT wine that is such a bomb shell with multi-tasking aroma aspects. Full bodied. Full throttle. This is amazingly intense. M- acids.
Me love - 1 btl to go for ~10-15 years down the road.
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1997 René Renou Bonnezeaux Cuvée Zenith 82 Points
France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Bonnezeaux
Non-blind. Had immediately.
Impression: Better than good.
Amber wine with a fruity and oxidized nose.
The palate is (of course) also oxidized and fresh, but non-complex. Medium sweet, feeling fresh thanks to good acids.
As much as I love oxidized wines, I still demand some complexity to become aroused. A clear disappointment compared to my expectations. QPR is very low.
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2011 Château Guiraud Le G 90 Points
France, Bordeaux
Non-blind. Had immediately. (Martin's btl)
Impression: Outstanding.
Not much new to report. I just love how the minerally character of the nose whirls around the apricots... and how they brought together this un-oaked, SB-Sem with restraint and fine concentration.
Will live long and, most likely, prosper.
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2011 Umani Ronchi Pecorino Vellodoro Terre di Chieti IGT 80 Points
Italy, Abruzzi, Terre di Chieti IGT
Non-blind. Had immediately.
Impression: Good. Solid.
With the other wines around, this was not a winner. But, it is cleanly made and offers good QPR.
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2010 Marqués de Riscal Rueda Finca Montico 83 Points
Spain, Castilla y León, Rueda
Non-blind. Had immediately.
Impression: Good. Very solid.
A happy, easy drinking white wine. In the company, it was out-shone.
Good QPR for a quaffer.
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