Monthly tasting club LTC 2016-02; French or not French?

All wines came from my cellar and I knew the line-up. The participants did not.
In every flight was a French wine beside a not French wine. The participants had to tell which wine was the French one, tell where the other wine came from and of which vintages the wines were. French or not French was not too hard, but the rest was quite a task. ;-)

• 2013 Viña Cono Sur Carménère Los Gansos Reserva 85 Points

  Chile, Rapel Valley, Cachapoal Valley

  In the bouquet red berry fruits like raspberries, rose hips, sweet spices, sweet licorice, eucalyptus and vanilla. On the palate the same red berries and cherries, some bell pepper, sweetness, vanilla, ok acidity and mild tannin. Not really a great wine, but certainly very ok and well above average. Early maturity now.

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• 2010 Bruno Peyre Coteaux du Salagou Clos de Clapisses 85 Points

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Coteaux du Salagou

  Bouquet with red berries, red cherries, garrigue and freshness. On the palate cherries and red berries, herbs and spices, a touch of sweetness, fresh acidity, mild tannin and some bitterness in the finish. Not really special, but a very correct wine. To drink now or the next two year.

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• 2013 Woodbridge Zinfandel 82 Points

  USA, California

  In the bouquet red berries, some metal, green herbs and vanilla as well as sweetness. On the palate very ripe red and black berries, some metal, vanilla, sweetness, mild acidity and very round tannin. It is all a bit too smooth and easy and completely uninteresting, although there is nothing wrong with the wine.

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• 2009 Château Bolaire 87 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Bordeaux Supérieur

  As part of a tasting I made new notes. Beautiful dark forest fruits and some vanilla. On the palate dark forest fruits, some herbs and spices, vanilla, a touch of bell pepper, a touch of sweetness, good acidity, round tannin and a touch of bitterness in the finish. Certainly a lovely wine, but I was a little less impressed this time; 87.

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• 2005 Château de Beaucastel Côtes du Rhône Coudoulet de Beaucastel 88 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône

  The bouquet shows cherries and red berries, garrigue and spiciness and minty flavors. On the palate juicy dark (blackberries) and red berries, olives, herbs, vanilla, good acidity and round tannin with still a pleasant bite. The second half of the bottle, stored at approx 45°F/7°C showed lovage and cinnamon and the tannin was completely melted. In fact the wine had became a bit too old, while other wines kept under the same conditions were still as good or even better. The conclusion must be that this wine is at its peak now and will probably stay on this level for some time, but is not for the long haul. I have a few more, so there will be a follow up. My score is for day 1: 88

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• 2004 d'Arenberg Mourvèdre The Twentyeight Road 90 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale

  Beautiful bouquet with dark berries, cherries, rose hips, coffee and eucalyptus. On the palate a concentrated wine with dark forest fruits, sweet spices, sweet licorice, herbs, some menthol, beautiful acidity and mild tannin. Stored the bottle really cool for some days and the second evening the wine showed even better. So there is absolutely no hurry drinking this.

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• 2010 Torrae del Sale Chianti Riserva 83 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti

  In the bouquet cherry yoghurt, some herbs and with more air time also some earth. On the palate cherries, raspberries, green herbs and candy flavors. firm acidity and easy tannin. Clean wine.

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• 2013 Domaine Font Sarade Vacqueyras 86 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Vacqueyras

  A lot of herbs and spices in the bouquet as well as the taste. Red and dark berries, cherries, some licorice, a touch of sweetness, good fresh acidity and round tannin. Ok wine, early maturity now and can last for a few years. 2018...?

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• 2011 Bodegas Luis Cañas Rioja Crianza 85 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, Rioja

  In the bouquet red berries, vanilla and some white pepper. On the palate blackberries and cherries, vanilla, coconut, herbs and sweet licorice. A touch of sweetness, but also firm acidity. Round tannin and a touch of bitterness in the finish. Early maturity now, but the oak can use some more time to integrate.

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• 1998 Château Siran 89 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  Beautiful and mature bouquet with dark forest fruits, graphite, vanilla, coffee and some pleasant rustic barnyard impressions. On the palate mainly dark, but also some red berries, chocolate, sweet spices, some licorice, beautiful acidity and soft tannin with still a pleasant bite. The wine is fully mature now, but no hurry; it will stay on this level for another year or two.

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• 2012 Rust en Vrede Merlot 87 Points

  South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch

  Creamy bouquet with red and dark berries and cherries. Also some spices like clove. On the palate juicy dark cherries, some sweet spices, vanilla, good acidity and round tannin. Not really complex, but certainly a very well balanced wine. Early maturity now.

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• 2004 Clos de l'Oratoire 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

  In the bouquet creamy red fruits and sweet spiciness. On the palate soft and creamy as well, chocolate and mocha, juicy fruits, sweet licorice, mild acidity and tannin. The wine is fully mature and really drinking lovely now. No real hurry though.

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• 2006 Wine & Soul Douro Pintas 92 Points

  Portugal, Douro

  Beautiful and luxurious bouquet with concentrated dark forest fruits like blueberries and blackberries, cedar, tobacco, coffee, menthol and a pleasant touch of barnyard. On the palate a concentrated and luxurious wine as well with dark berries, licorice, beautifully dosed oak, mild acidity and round tannin with still a good bite. The wine has reached its maturity stage now and will drink lovely over the next few years.

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• 2007 Château Bouscassé Madiran Vieilles Vignes 88 Points

  France, Southwest France, Madiran

  Very dark red color. In the bouquet cherries, dark berries, dark chocolate and coffee. On the palate mainly dark cherries, minerals, some bell pepper, a lot of acidity and a firm amount of tannin. In this stage there is not much refinement and the wine is clearly still much too young. For this evening 88, but there might be potential for 90 some years from now. Keep until 2020 at least.

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