Old World vs. New World (International Varieties)

What better to do with an early release Friday that having a wine tasting? A small group of co-workers took advantage of Summer Hours and headed to Casa de Maz for an old v new challenge. We settled upon all reds and international varieties: Pinot Noir, Syrah and Bordeaux blends. After a lunch from Postino paired with a Villa Maria Unoaked Chardonnay, we set the table and got to work. The main objective was to demonstrate the variations region/terroir/winemaking can have on a grape as it turns into wine. The selections did not disappoint as a clear distinction emerged. The old world wines were all lower in alcohol and expressed less of the pure fruit and extraction.

The notes are my own from the tasting.

• 2005 Domaine Dujac Morey-Saint-Denis 88 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Morey-Saint-Denis

  Dark plum red. Tight nose. It took a long time to open up and, even then, the aromas were very muted. Throughout the entire tasting, I struggled to find anything more than simple red fruits and a tea element. The palate was more telling. It was medium-bodied. The red fruits repeated. The wine was very gripping and dry. I think this needs time in bottle to flesh out.
  
  50+4+12+16+6

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• 2005 Sea Smoke Pinot Noir Southing 88 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

  Red turning brick at the rim. A bit of heat on the nose. A definite aroma of cardamom, plus Indian spices and dried fruits. The palate was soft and silky with a medium body. A lot of spiciness complements the dried red fruits. This was good but I wonder if it's past its prime.
  
  50+4+12+16+6

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• 2003 E. Guigal Crozes-Hermitage 90 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage

  Plum red. Aromas of olive tapenade, tobacco and leather. Medium-to-full body. The palate continues the earthy elements. While not a blockbuster, there is a good balance of earth, fruit, tannin and alcohol. It's drinking nicely at this point.
  
  50+4+13+17+6

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• 2004 Mitolo Shiraz Reiver 88 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

  Red and fading at the rim. A strong nose is fresh and shows liqueur elements mixed with dark berry and black cherry fruits. The full bodied palate shows fresh candied fruit and a clean finish. Good balance in this wine.
  
  Based on my last note for this wine, I was expecting much more. Perhaps it was the tasting lineup which included a Crozes-Hermitage and Bordeaux. Third time's a charm? We'll see.
  
  50+4+13+16+5

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• 2003 Château Talbot 89 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Julien

  Dark leather brown and brick at the rim. Not an overly complex nose, but expresses leather, dark fruits and anise. The palate is medium-to-full bodied and silky smooth. Lots of balance on the palate but not a big, brooding wine. More dark fruits. Drinking surprisingly well for its age.
  
  50+4+13+16+6

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• 2005 Owen Roe Red Wine Yakima Valley 90 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley

  Blood red. Definitely a new world nose with lots of fresh dark fruits and fresh sawn wood. Full-bodied. The tannins are not too drying but provide a nice grip. Cassis, some mint and fresh wood.
  
  50+4+12+17+7

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Based on average scores, the new world wines were more appreciated. However, the wine of the night was a Bordeaux. The final rankings (highest to lowest) were:

Talbot
Mitolo
Owen Roe
Sea Smoke
Dujac
Guigal