Covid-19 Intro/Retro

Chez Hughes
Tasted Friday, March 13, 2020 by Nanda with 198 views

Flight 1 - Welcome White (1 Note)

Flight 2 - Blind Reds 1 (4 Notes)

  • 1997 Penfolds Shiraz RWT Flawed

    Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

    Blind. Oxidized and tired. Another bottle non-blind from the same cellar was a-ok.

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  • 2001 d'Arenberg Shiraz The Dead Arm 92 Points

    Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale

    Blind. Big plummy nose with loads of mint and American Oak dill that is quite attractive. Delicious and fresh black fruit with plenty of spice and nice mint in the finish. Well balanced. Clearly Shiraz. My #2, Group #1.

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  • 2001 Jasper Hill Shiraz Georgia's Paddock 91 Points

    Australia, Victoria, Central Victoria, Heathcote

    Blind. An exotic nose of smoky black fruit and spice (just bordering on cough syrup, but not quite). The palate is richly fruited with loads of herb, spice and light camphor notes. Still fresh and balanced. Clearly a mature classic Shiraz. My #3, Group #3.

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  • 1997 Penfolds Grange 94 Points

    Australia, South Australia

    Blind. Youthful nose that initially shows plenty of American Oak toast but then settles in with smoky black fruit, spice and toasted herbs. The palate really sings here. Terrific concentration of classic Shiraz black fruit with so much layering and nuance. Plenty of structure and fine tannin provide grip. Still has upside. My #1, Group #2. Really group?!

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Flight 3 - Blind Reds 2 (4 Notes)

  • 2004 Alban Vineyards Grenache Alban Estate Vineyard

    USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley

    Blind. Quite clearly California Rhone with huge amounts of (over)ripe black fruit with serious asphalt and notions of black pepper. Very ripe, cloying and alcoholic on the palate. Called this as Alban. Not my jam. Low 80s if I had to score. Group #4, My #4.

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  • 2006 Lillian Winery Syrah 90 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

    The nose has sweet, creamy black fruit aromas with some toast and spice accents. The palate is plum and juicy with plenty of sweet black fruit. Sufficiently fresh with nice black pepper in the finish. Clearly California. Was guessing Pax. My #2, Group #3.

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  • 2006 Alban Vineyards Syrah Lorraine

    USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley

    Blind. Sweet (over)ripe black fruit that has some dirty earthy notes. Rich, sweet and full throttle fruit. I get the decadence but it's just too cloying and heavy for me. Guessed Saxum. My #3, Group #2.

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  • 2007 Sine Qua Non Syrah Labels 93 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast

    Blind. Very attractive aromas of sweet black and red fruit that has spice and toasted herb nuance. Yum, there is so much sweet, spice-filled red and black fruit here with a brightness and energy that provides harmony. Some bacon and black pepper accents in the finish. I immediately guessed SQN as theres only one producer that can pack this much punch with balance. My #1, Group #1.

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Flight 4 - Blind Reds 3 (4 Notes)

  • 2004 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage 92 Points

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

    Blind. Clearly N. Rhone with the moderate (relative to the preceding CA and OZ flights) black fruit loaded with pepper, smoke and meat with just a kiss of funk. Bright and lively on the palate with pepper, smoke and leather accenting the mid-weight black fruit. Long finish. My #2, Group #1. Regrettably, missed this as Chave and guessed LaLa.

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  • 1994 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Landonne 93 Points

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

    Blind. The nose has profuse amounts of black and white pepper and lighter, mature meaty black fruit. Really delicious and layered in a mid-weight frame. Bacon and pepper throughout. Fully mature. My #1, Group #2.

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  • 2003 Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée 91 Points

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

    Blind. Sweet and candied black cherry nose. The palate has sweet, polished cherry fruit with a kick of leather and herb in the moderately long finish. Guessing a classic CdP all the way. Surprised to see '03 - shows well for the vintage. My #3, Group #3.

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  • 2001 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape Flawed

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

    Oxidized.

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Flight 5 - Bonus Wines (4 Notes)

  • 1997 Penfolds Shiraz RWT 91 Points

    Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

    Second bottle served non-blind. Attractive raspberry, cherry and plum in the nose with good herb and spice. Fruit is rich and still fresh/bright. Not as complex or profound as the Grange (which you'd expect) but quite nice. Fully mature.

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  • 1988 Château Climens 92 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Barsac

    Blind. The color was bright and suggested a 15-20 year old Sauternes. The aromas could only be Sauternes with honeyed apple/pear and botrytis. Palate is juicy and lusciously sweet. Very fresh. Moderate concentration and a slightly clipped finish.

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  • 2005 Beaux Frères Pinot Noir Beaux Frères Vineyard 93 Points

    USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Ribbon Ridge

    Blind. A dead ringer for Burgundy with whole cluster. Forward, attractive, intense nose of stemmy, spice black cherry with earth and clay notes. The palate has moderately concentrated red and black cherry with a serious stem signature. Most were in the old world. Lots of guesses for Gevrey or Dujac. Strong showing.

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  • 2005 Louis Jadot Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos St. Jacques Domaine Louis Jadot

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru

    Blind. Pop n Pour and this never quite came around. Bold aromas of non-delineated black cherry. Vigorous swirling brought about some spice. The palate was rich, dense and seriously concentrated. Firm, grippy structure. Not close to ready. Hold another 10 years.

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