Second Sunday Group: 2010 California Merlot
Our house
Tasted Sunday, October 12, 2014 by AllRed with 592 views
Introduction
The blind reds are served in one flight. Tasters are to identify the theme of the tasting and rank the wines. Votes are tallied and the wines revealed. We had ten tasters, cost was $30.
When we first joined the group, we were given a list of hosts/themes going back to 2001. Nowhere did I see a theme of California Merlot, so I thought it was time. In hindsight, perhaps there was a reason this theme had never been done. :)
Flight 1 - Warm ups (4 Notes)
The Jean Laurent was served nonblind as everyone arrived. One of our favorite growers, and almost always over delivers at the price point. The three Chardonnays were served double blind. Mike nailed the first as Chablis. I think just about everyone felt the Jadot was a 1er- it surprised many at the table. The Montelena fooled a couple of people who thought it too, was French.
Flight 2 - Blind reds (8 Notes)
Half of us thought these were overly ripe, the other half disagreed. A couple of tasters guessed Merlot but were shot down by others. They're not bad wines, but they were not very exciting either. I thought they showed good varietal character, but then again, I knew what we were drinking, but the tasters at our end of the table found many of the same characteristics, so I don't believe I was reaching for things. The structure definitely played a part in moving people away from Merlot I think, so I would guess there was a good bit of Sauvignon in many of these. These were certainly not as plush as I would have expected Merlot to be.
Flight 3 - Dinner & dessert wines (10 Notes)
Served nonblind with dinner and desserts- boeuf bourguignon, brown butter brownies & a fruit tart.
NV Jean Laurent Champagne Blanc de Noirs Brut 91 Points
France, Champagne
Served nonblind to the group as everyone arrived. Honey crisp apple, ginger, vanilla cream soda and biscuit notes. Fine bead with bright acidity and flavors of honeysuckle, ginger, pear, apple and brioche.
A currently available release, disgorged in April 2012.
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2003 Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos 88 Points
France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis Grand Cru
Somewhat deep color, though not quite as dark as I expected. Opens with a subtle nutty aroma, just a hint of oxidation, with apple and mineral notes underneath. The mineral and fruit becomes more apparent as the wine opens in the glass, and the nutty note almost disappears completely. Finishes with stone and saline notes. Good, but not great, although others liked this more than I, and one taster identified it as Chablis.
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2010 Louis Jadot Meursault 90 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault
Opens with a lovely flinty aroma with mineral and apple qualities as well. Bright acidity and nice balance across the palate; apple, stone, mineral and flint flavors. 90-91 pts.
Showing well- most picked this out as a white Burg but thought 1er cru. Another excellent showing for this village level wine from an oft maligned producer. No signs of decline, drink now through 2018+.
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2011 Chateau Montelena 40th Chardonnay Vintage 90 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Pale color with aromas of vanilla, apple, butter and blanched almond. Honeysuckle notes emerge with air. Orchard fruit and vanilla dominate the palate, but there's nice acid to balance things out and keep it fresh and lively. The oak shows just a bit too much right now, best to let this sit a while yet IMO.
I recall a couple of guesses for CA and a couple for Burgundy, but young.
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