CT Tasting Group

The monthly group met at Steve's house for a double-blind tasting.

No formal notes as I was late for the first wine (a cava) and only had a quick sip and I doubt the second wine is in CT:

1959 Rudesheimer Bischofsberg Cabinett, Staatsweinguter
Very interesting! Most everyone there mistook this for an oxidized Loire Chenin Blanc, myself included. Nose showed charred wood, burnt cedar and mesquite with a hint of burnt sugar. The palate was smokey, showing similar wood tones, barbeque, honey and lemon curd. Very smooth on the palate with an extended finish, still giving up hints of sweetness.

Everyone was very surprised to learn this was a 55 year old Cabinett (sic) from state-owned vineyards but could then place the tones and flavors more acutely.

Both wines showed well, the '01 being ready to drink and the '02 needing more time.

• 2001 Château Léoville Poyferré

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  Tasted Blind - Beautiful nose, full with tart cherries and some spice. Slightly sharp on the attack with minor heat, this becomes very smooth on the mid-palate and into the finish. Flavors were equal amounts traditional and modern. Nicely balanced with some grip on the finish.
  
  Very good - This is approaching its drinking window.

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• 2002 Château Léoville Poyferré

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  Tasted Blind - Bretty nose with some red currant, sandalwood and funk that showed itself towards the end of the nose. Lighter bodied than the 2001 and showing much more acid. Palate shows a little heat and spice. Medium finish.
  
  Good to Very good - Hold

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The '01 won WOTN and is in a very approachable state. Matured but certainly not over the hill or necessarily finished developing. The '02 appears to be in need of more time and was a bit tighter.

• 2001 Château Lascombes

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  Tasted Blind - Group's WOTN / My WOTN - Dark maroon in the glass showing earthy tones and a distinctive nose of smoked meat. Surprisingly sweet on the attack, went on the show a dark / earthy component and blue fruit on the finish. Full bodied and very smooth. The finish was complimented by a small amount of powdery tannins, which were the only ones to be found. Almost rhone-like (CdR) is some contexts.
  
  Very good - Drink now or hold.

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• 2002 Château Lascombes

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  Tasted Blind - Sweet candied cherry and strawberry nose with a fair amount of dust and earth trailing off. More modern on the palate, showing black raspberries, espresso and a hint of VA early on. Very fruit forward and showing more tannin than the '01 it was consumed next to.
  
  Very good - Hold

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The '03 CdP was showed surprisingly next to an '08 Leoville Barton. Strange flavors and texture on the CdP. The Barton was closed.

• 2003 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

  Tasted Blind - Funky nose of pickled fruit and tart cherry. Light bodied, palate shows interesting notes of dried orchard fruits, kirsch, cinnamon, brown sugar and apples.
  
  Very Good - Drinking fine now

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• 2008 Château Léoville Barton

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  Tasted Blind - Seemed largely shut down to me, still quite tannic and structured. Very full nose of black raspberry and graphite. Full bodied showing black currant and earth with some spice.
  
  Very good to Excellent - Hold

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Delicious as always.

• 2001 Château La Tour Blanche Sauternes

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  Tasted Blind - Still bright gold and youthful looking. Rich, creamy and smooth showing vanilla, egg whites, lemon curd and a vibrant acidic base to stand up to the richness of the body. Hint of wood on the finish clears out the sweetness nicely. Delicious.
  
  Excellent - Drink or hold

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• 2002 Château La Tour Blanche Sauternes

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  Tasted Blind - Classic Sauternes, full and rich. The sugars are very pronounced here and are evident from start through the finish. Slight trace of orange rind on the tail-end.
  
  Very good - Drink or Hold

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Thanks to Steve and his family for a terrific tasting and being gracious hosts. Once again the blind tasting can simultaneously humble and distort.