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True or False: Would I Lie to you? Fine wines of the world tutored & panel game

Berry Bros & Rudd, London

Tasted July 20, 2011 by Papies with 672 views

Introduction

One of the nicest wine events we have been for a while. Hosted by BBR's education manager Rebecca Lamont and panelled by the amazing duo of Anne McHale (Wine education specialist) & Catherine Owen (BBR's fine wine expert)
Concept was to present a set of wines of unknown origin. Anne and Catherine would then proceed to describe the wines and give their verdict as what they thought the wines were. Then we had to decide who was right and who was wrong! Simple. not really..
First wines were offered one by one but from flight 4 onwards the wines were paired.

Flight 1 - Aperitif (1 note)

White - Sparkling
2006 Gramona Cava Argent Reserva Brut Spain, Cava
91 points
Biscuity, yeasty nose. Lots of ripe fruit to the point that we thought it was a blanc des noir champagne from cote des bar. Easy drinking beauty. Around 30£ a bottle so not cheap given its a cava but still a quality wine

Flight 2 - White 1 (1 note)

Choices given:
Anne said this was Cloudy Bay
Catherine said Pulenta

Our Vote: Pulenta as there was none of the asparagus nose we associate with CB. Well spoted by Nicol
The Correct One:

White
2010 Pulenta Estate Sauvignon Blanc La Flor Argentina, Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo
85 points
Pale in colour. zesty, grassy, lots of grapefruit. New world style as the fruit is out and fwd.

Flight 3 - White 2 (1 note)

Choices given:
Anne : Picpoul-De-Pinet
Catherine :southern rhone marsanne

Our Vote: Picpoul as we noted none of the marsanne's "bitterness" in the wine
The Correct One:

White
2010 Domaine Félines Jourdan Picpoul de Pinet France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Picpoul de Pinet
88 points
Our first experience with this grape. BBR market this as the bargain on a wine list which could well be although maybe as we say in the market they are talking their book a bit.
Spice, floral, herby wine.crisp acidity no oak for sure and some dense lanoline style creaminess on the palate. Interesting and enjoyable. and at 8£ really a good bargain.

Flight 4 - White Pairing 1 (2 notes)

Choices given:
Anne : Puligny Montrachet & Chile Chardonnay (given the pineapple notes)
Catherine : Chablis Grand Cru (Droin) & Meursault from Bouchard (hence the more exotic notes)

Our Vote: Andreas - Catherine ( thought it was meursault) / Nicol - Anne
The Correct One:

White
2007 Domaine Alain Chavy Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatières France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru
91 points
Stony nose, minerality, some oak, creamy texture. restrained and refined. very nice although atouch on the expensive side for its level
White
2008 Errazuriz Chardonnay Max Reserva Chile, Casablanca Valley
91 points
Confused it for a meursault although ripe pinaple notes should have hinted to new world. Oaky, full, rich wine. If you like meursault u will love this wine. Very well made and worth a lot more than the 15£ or so price tag. Very nice

Flight 5 - Red Pairing 1 (2 notes)

Choices given:
Anne : Young Battailley / Frogs Leap Cab Sauv
Catherine : Crozes Hermitage / Assie shiraz but not from the main big appelations like barossa

Our Vote: Andreas with Anne (tricked by the young BDX nose) / Nicol with Catherine
The Correct One:

Red
2009 Domaine du Colombier Crozes-Hermitage France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage
85 points
Deep blackcurrant, cedary. Felt a bit like tasting an en Primeur bordeaux.
Red
2007 Craiglee Shiraz Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip, Sunbury
88 points
Deep colour, purity of fruitlots of alchohol and definitely new world. Blackcurrant and spice. Oak. Mild wrt what one expects/used to an aussie shiraz. Less fruit forward and restrained. Nice style

Flight 6 - Red Pairing 2 (2 notes)

Choices given:
Anne :Ottago Pinot / Latricieres Chabertin
Catherine : Good quality beaujolais / Rioja Alta 904

Our Vote: both went with Anne as the Burgundy GC was convincing!
The Correct One:

Red
2009 Ostler Pinot Noir Caroline's Waitaki Valley New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Waitaki Valley
85 points
soft, super ripe sweet character. Cherry, black cherry notes. Silky tannins. oak and very fruit fwd.
Red
2000 Domaine Rossignol Trapet Latricières-Chambertin France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Latricières-Chambertin Grand Cru
93 points
Light colour. Earthy and secondary. Softy silky tannins, nice balance of fruit. savoury notes. Restrained, balance and simply excellent quality wine. No need to go further. Drink now 93 +

Flight 7 - Red Pairing 3 (2 notes)

Choices given:
Anne : Primitivo from Puglia / Rioja
Catherine : Rioja Alta 904 GR / Primitivo

Our Vote: Both with Catherine as the rioja was a strong conviction
The Correct One:

Red
1997 La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 904 Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
89 points
Spice. Sweet notes, full body. Big sweet core of ripe fruits across, oak and well integrated tannins. Probably at its best at the moment. not big funs of the style
Red
2007 Morella Primitivo Old Vines Italy, Puglia, Puglia IGT
85 points
Lots of sweetness here from nose to core. Silky light tannins long melted away. Liquorish. Light on the body. Difficult to rate too! will not be buying any of these.

Flight 8 - Red Pairing 4 (2 notes)

Choices given:
Anne : 1996 Gruaud Larose / Ottago Red blend
Catherines : 2005 Gruaud Larose / St Emilion St George 2006

Our Vote: Both with Anne as the 90s Bdx was clearly there and no way it would have been an 05
The Correct One:

Red
1996 Château Gruaud Larose France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
93 points
WOTN. From the first wiff of this beautifull wine you go straight to mid nineties bordeuax. Minty, herby notes on the nose along with the fruit. Mature and well rounded and no harshness and drinks very well now. Recently we have had some very good experinces with 96s (talbot for example). We will buy more. 93 drink from now but will last. Very good.
Red
2009 Esk Valley Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon/Malbec New Zealand, North Island, Hawke's Bay, Gimblett Gravels
85 points
Full bodied and very dark coloured. Like a very young st emilion. Lots of ripe tanning and a lot of fruit.

Closing

An excellent event. really enjoyable and tested our knowledge in a very nice way.
Final Scores........ Andreas 8/12 - Nicol 12/12

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