The Arts Club Version of the 1976 Judgement of Paris, With Steven Spurrier

The Arts Club, London
Tasted Monday, September 26, 2016 by Papies with 387 views

Introduction

Hosted by Steven Spurrier this was a take on the California vs France of 1976.
It was a lot more of an introduction and less of a serious tasting and this is shown also by the wines presented.
Wines served in Pairs and wine was disclosed. We chose to do it blind.

The line of the evening was by SS : " in 1976 France was resting on its laurels and California was not. In 2006 (using the 2000 vintage) its was the other way around. In 2016 (he has done a few of these this year) its more balanced and its really the golden age of wine"

Flight 1 - While we wait (2 Notes)

  • 2015 Herdade do Penedo Gordo Vinho Regional Alentejano 85 Points

    Portugal, Alentejano, Vinho Regional Alentejano

    By the glass at the Arts Club, London. Their house wine so must have been a freshly opened bottle.
    As our Portuguese friend said, typical, round, fat generic alentejo white and thats exactly it. Not a bad wine but in no way an interesting one either. 85

    Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2011 Benanti Etna Bianco Superiore Pietramarina

    Italy, Sicily, Etna Bianco Superiore

    By the glass at the Arts Club, London and felt like the bottle was opened for some time.
    Having tried the 2010 a few years back (Papies 92)and found it as our favorite of our Sicilian adventure in whites ( we do prefer the Sicilian reds over their whites) we looked forward to trying he 2011. But this was not as impressive and had a bit of of oxidation and we suspect the bottle has been opened for longer than the waiter admitted. Maybe next time we cross paths with a better specimen.

    Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

Flight 2 - The Sparklers (2 Notes)

Flight 3 - White Flight 1 (2 Notes)

Flight 4 - White Flight 2 (2 Notes)

Flight 5 - Red Flight 3 (2 Notes)

  • 2011 Nicolas Rossignol Beaune 1er Cru Les Reversées 89 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Beaune 1er Cru

    Tasted Blind.
    Elegant, mild, easy to spot as a burgundy, good fruit, well made and barring a touch of bitter edge on the finish and the need for a bit more depth this was a very nice wine. Solid 89-90

    Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2013 Morgan Pinot Noir Double L Vineyard 86 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

    Tasted Blind.
    Very much the new world Pinot it is and a wine style which doesn't really appeal to us. Sweet ripe core of fruit, rich but not over done, touch bitter on the finish but really that sweet spicy style of new world pinot dominates here. 86-87 but could be a lot better for people who like the style.

    Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

Flight 6 - Red Flight 4 - The Proper Judgement of Paris (2 Notes)

  • 1995 Ridge Monte Bello 93 Points

    USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

    This has definitely evolved nicely since we last crossed paths (Rated 90 in 2011) and was a truly a beautiful wine with still a lot in the tank.
    True to the classic style of the wine albeit with that kink of extra ripeness of California. Open on the nose, light herbs at times, good dark fruit. Good acidity and structure and lovely length to cap it all up. 93-94 and a solid wine.

    Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 1995 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste 91 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    After 4 corked bottles the Arts Club sommelier finally stuck a healthy one.
    Very consistent to the wine we drunk 2 years ago (Papes 91) still a bit shy but at least the tannins are now softer and definitely the time in bottle has helped .A few sharp edges still but it didn't feel like the complete wine we were expected. Still very good and definitely wasn't helped by the comparison vs the Monte Bello 1995 (Papies 93-94) we had side by side. Also having recently tried Cos 95 (Papies - 94) this feels like the didn't get all the stars aligned in 1995. 91

    Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

Flight 7 - Bonus Wines (2 Notes)

  • 1976 Pascal Vacqueyras

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Vacqueyras

    Opened by the Arts Club manager as the last wine of the tasting.
    The wine is well past its best and although not maderised it is thoroughly over for it (at least for this bottle)

    Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2012 Barboursville Vineyards Octagon 91 Points

    USA, Virginia, Central Virginia, Monticello

    Quite a surprise and would have never thought this as a new world nor from the "lesser" areas of the US like Virginia. A very good revelation.
    Restraint, elegant wine, very well made, good ripe core of fruit but in harmony with the acidity, light oak feel that complements the wine. Still on the young side and felt like it had a lot of life ahead of it. 91 for now

    Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

Flight 8 - Dinner (1 Note)

  • 2001 Château Beausejour (Duffau Lagarrosse) 90 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

    Not decanted and strictly speaking not needed. Good wine, round, good ripe fruit, soft , no way overdone. Could have used a bit more of an expressive character especially on the nose but it will not disappoint. Drink sooner than later we believe.

    Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

×
×