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$60+ Blind Bordeaux Varietals Tasting

Bin 75 Alpharetta, GA

Tasted September 23, 2022 by Rezy13 with 125 views

Introduction

Rules were Bordeaux Varietals above $60 retail. Some were more literal than others, but this was a fun tasting.

Flight 1 (8 notes)

White - Sparkling
N.V. Henriot Champagne Brut Souverain France, Champagne
Toasty goodness, rich and complex and totally outperforms the price, always a good option.
3 people found this helpful Comment
Red
2011 El Enemigo Cabernet Franc Gran Enemigo Gualtallary Argentina, Mendoza, Valle de Uco, Gualtallary
Garnet core with brighter rim; pencil shavings, cocoa powder, green pepper, cherry, earth, very red fruited, European styling, have trouble going Bordeaux though, a bit like a refined and restrained domestic; in a good spot.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
1999 Taken From Granite Cabernet Sauvignon "Village" USA, California, Sierra Foothills, North Yuba
Aged, paler crimson, fine sediment, large brick rim; soy sauce, plums, aged, dusty, root vegetables, wilted flowers, totally resolved, orange oil; if this is Napa it is older than 1990.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2015 Selah Cabernet Sauvignon USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain
Opaque black core with thin purple rim; black licorice, honeyed, ripe blackberry, almost suggests smoke, a bit abrupt and almost bitter tannin in this youthful state, very volcanic minerality, intense and still very young.
2 people found this helpful Comments (6)
Red
2018 Switchback Ridge Merlot Peterson Family Vineyard USA, California, Napa Valley
Chocolate core with maroon violet rim; plush on the nose, opulent mix of red and dark fruit; velvety tannins, full bodied, nutty, lots of baking spice, lower acid, hedonistic, chocolate filled finish.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2012 Château Léoville Poyferré France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
Opaque core with garnet rim; tar, black currant, some funk, graphite, weighty, tobacco, good fruit, fun in the context of the tasting, very focused and needs more time but not bad today; called 2012 St Julien- Gruaud?
61% Cab Sauv, 27% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, and 4% Cabernet Franc
2 people found this helpful Comment
White
2018 von Winning Sauvignon Blanc 500 Germany, Pfalz
Darker yellow gold; lemongrass, kumquat, Greek basil, chervil, mint, a kiss of oak, grapefruit, deep yellow orange fruit, such breadth and depth, also a note of what seems to be mustard on the nose; really interesting, would like to see this with a few more years.
2 people found this helpful Comment
White
2017 Château Carbonnieux Blanc France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
Lighter greenish gold; green apple, pithy lime, lean and rocky on the nose, gravelly, a touch of warmth and friendliness; tasty and easier drinking and ageworthy but not as many layers to shed as the VonWinning 500.
2 people found this helpful Comment

Closing

For me the Leoville Poyferre was the best red. The Selah needs several more years before it's approachable.
The Von Winning 500 was probably the best wine of the day. There's so much power, complexity and mouthfeel that the Bordeaux felt dilute in comparison.

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