Blind tasting at Mark's

A few whites

• 2007 Château La Nerthe Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
  Tasted blind.
  Weird as it didn't show at all like the one I had 3 weeks ago. This one was flabby, creamy texture with some orange blossom notes along with some honey and mango notes. It was almost sweet in the mouth...which never happened before.
  Bottle variation is my guess...
• 2007 Terredora di Paolo Greco di Tufo Loggia della Serra - Italy, Campania, Greco di Tufo DOCG
  A touch of caramel and spices pn the nose with exotic fruits, med body, rather low acidity. Lacks finesse and shows a touch of heat.
• 2007 Miner Family Viognier Simpson Vineyard - USA, California, Central Valley, Madera
  Heat, super ripe pear, apple. oily testure, full body, heavy and Boring.
  Candied sensation on the nose.
• 2008 Zolo Torrontés - Argentina, Mendoza
  Exotic fruits on the nose (kiwi), peach and grapey.
  Dry, muscat like flavors. Not bad actually and balanced Torrontes.
• 2006 Ringenbach-Moser Pinot Blanc - France, Alsace
  Somewhat shy nose, bitter finish, touch of heat.
  Everything I dislike from a PB.

Going on with reds

• 2003 Ridge Petite Sirah Dynamite Hill York Creek Vineyards - USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District
  Super oaky, plummy and raisiny. FUll body, low acidity with suppple tannins.
  Though it was another jammy spanish monastrell...
• 2007 Felton Road Pinot Noir Central Otago - New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Central Otago
  Dark cherry core, purple rim.
  The nose was superb: floral, spices, dark cherry, hint of tomato vine.
  Full body, smooth tannins and mild acidity, it is a little heavy on the palate with too ripe fruits.
  Maybe age will tame that down but right now it is a little too much for me. (88 pts.)
• 1988 Château Beychevelle - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
  Light brickish rim, nice tobacco cedar and leather. A little thin at the beginning, got better with air.
  because of color, went for '95 or '96 Bdx.
• 2006 TorCalvano Vino Nobile di Montepulciano - Italy, Tuscany, Montepulciano, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
  Dark cherry core, almost opque. Ripe strawberry, very light earthy notes, plummy, spices and some heat.
  Definitely a modern Italian (guessed Morellino). Not my taste at all.
  14%.

Last 3 reds

• 2007 Domaine les Aphillanthes Cairanne L'Ancestrale du Puits - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Cairanne
  Didn't do it for me. Over ripe, jammy, heavy. Very fruit forward.
• 1986 Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Jimsomare - USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
  Still super dark. Shows some oak on the nose with coffe and oaky notes. Nice leather and bell pepper components. Pichon Lalande style.
  Balanced but could still use a little more years.
• 2007 Domaine Bernard Baudry Chinon Les Granges - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Chinon
  This wine was an enigma. Very fruity nose, it is a little thin on the palate but at the same time ripe.
  I went for a CdR or something similar. I was shocked to learn it was Baudry since I'm a big fan and don't recognise his style here.
  Will re-evaluate with anoter bottle.