Blind Tasting & Dinner @ the Ballingtons'

We enjoyed a fabulous mostly-blind (see below) tasting and an utterly delicious dinner of traditional South African fare at the Ballingtons' home. Thank you, Sean and Estelle!

I contributed the 1993 Maillard Burg and knew it was to be served third, so that one was not blind to me. The other four wines were served double blind.

• 2001 Château Montrabech Corbières 87 Points

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Corbières

  tasted blind. Good clarity, deep purple color with a vibrant pink around the edges. bold and a bit chalky on both the nose and palate, masking the fruit. medium/short finish.

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• 2000 Mederaño Ribera del Duero 88 Points

  Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero

  tasted blind. immediately thought Spanish. Purple with some bricking around the edges. Faintly floral nose, very well balanced on the palate, touch of pepper on the medium finish.

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• 1993 Domaine Maillard Père & Fils Savigny-lès-Beaune 91 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Savigny-lès-Beaune

  Tasted non-blind. Consistent with prior showings, this was floral, pretty, and vibrant. Long finish. Unfortunately, it's a bit fragile - - quite beautiful soon after pouring, but an hour later all the fruit was gone. Recommend pop-and-pour on this wine and keep it away from air.

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• 2003 Thelema Merlot Reserve 92 Points

  South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch

  tasted blind. An extraordinary wine experience and everyone's WOTN. The wine had been decanted for some time prior to tasting, and when first in the glass it had a very distinct green note to it which was liked by some but off-putting to others. Once the glass was down to about 1/3 full, though, that green tinge was gone, revealing a striking, complex wine. Deep, rich, and lush, this was truly delicious. Amazingly, a second glass then produced identical results (green in the full glass but stunning once down to 1/3 glass). Recommend a lot of air for this wine - a huge winner.

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• 2005 Overgaauw Tria Corda - Centenary Vintage 88 Points

  South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch

  tasted blind. very chalky nose, medium/full body. deep (not sweet) cherry on the palate. very well balanced. highly tannic. not giving up much fruit yet, though you can tell it is there - this could use a few more years in the cellar.

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Thanks again to the Ballingtons for a great time and a wonderful wine experience!