Quarterly Blind Tasting - Bring Anything
My Place
Tasted Saturday, June 10, 2017 by smcilhen with 267 views
Introduction
It was time once again for the quarterly blind tasting, with the theme being no theme: bring what you want. Expected a lot of big wines and was not disappointed.
Flight 1 (7 Notes)
Flight 2 (1 Note)
Closing
Good tasting, though it would have been great had the Command not been flawed (it is one of my favorite wines).
2010 Château Ampélia 86 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux
First wine of blind, "bring anything" tasting. I guessed $20 2010 Merlot-based Bordeaux blend and hit this one spot on. Smooth with some tobacco notes and red fruit. Ready now but could easily hold another 3-5 years with some secondary development possible.
My 86 points, group 88. #6 of 7 wines on the night
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2006 Dry Stack Cellars Syrah Marie's Block 90 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley
Second wine of blind, "bring anything" tasting. I guessed $45 2009 Bordeaux blend from Washington. Giant, black, thick, motor oil of a wine had most thinking a petite sirah. Raisin notes in the background also pushed some in this direction. Needs 3-5 years to become more balanced....acidity lacking a bit. That being said, all the pieces are there for this to be very good and warrant a higher score in the future in my opinion. Hold.
My 90 points, group 90. #4 of 7 wines on the night
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2004 Elderton Shiraz Single Vineyard Command Flawed
Australia, South Australia, Barossa
Third wine of blind, "bring anything" tasting. I guessed $40 2002 Australian Cabernet off the pop and pour. When it was revealed to be the Command (which I've had many times), I was very surprised. Turns out bottle was slightly cooked which became more apparent upon revisiting it after an hour (we tasted roughly 30 minutes after popping the cork).
Flawed
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2010 Somerston Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 90 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Fourth wine of blind, "bring anything" tasting. I guessed $75 2012 Cabernet blend made in the cult winery style.....you can just tell when a wine is purposely made to score high and sell for a ton of $$$$. Giant Cabernet with loads of tannin, this was consumed about 10 years too early. Put this one away for awhile....resist the urge to try it and you will be rewarded. Huge upside but tough to drink now.
My 90+++ points, group 90+++. #2 of 7 wines on the night
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2008 Baron de Ley Rioja Gran Reserva 92 Points
Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
Fifth wine of blind, "bring anything" tasting. I guessed $40 2009 Cabernet-based Bordeaux blend from France....swing and a miss. Very surprised to see a rioja when revealed. Obviously, from my blind guess I thought this wine punched well above its weight. Very balanced and Bordeaux-like but still round in the mouth like a much bigger wine. One of the better riojas I've had. Ready now and probably good for the next 5 years.
My 92 points, group 91. #1 of 7 wines on the night
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2007 Casanova di Neri Pietradonice
Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
Sixth wine of blind, "bring anything" tasting. I did not guess because I thought this was my wine.....I was right. Boozy nose. Huge tannins. Contrary to other recent notes on this wine, I think this is 5+ years away from being approachable. That being said, once you get past the wall of tannin you are left with a pretty good Italian Cabernet...very balanced. Great upside with this when tannins resolve. Hold.
My 91+++ points, group 90+++. #4 of 7 wines on the night
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2015 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Private Selection California 83 Points
USA, California
Seventh wine of blind, "bring anything" tasting. I guessed $25 2012 Pinot made in the Meomi/Belle Glos style, as did everyone else. Not a good sign for your cabernet when everyone guesses Pinot. Strawberry jam for days with vanilla cream on top. Smooth but also no real body to the wine. This was a ringer bottle so I'd have to revoke my wino card if I failed to call out this basic, made for mass consumption wine.
If you want a cheap Cabernet, buy Columbia Crest not Mondavi.
My 83 points, group 86. #7 of 7 wines on the night
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