Blind home wine tasting with MOT Scoring sheet

Wines decanted between 1 and 5 hours - in order of flights 1 through 5)

• 1995 Helderberg Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 87 Points

  South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch

  Again this wine held up beautifully and delivered a soft smooth experience. Clean chalky nose and dark red with a hint of brown brick throughout. Finish was a little short and the body is thinning but given I though it was dead already - not too bad!

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• 2000 Massanera Chianti Classico 82 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  A hint of chocolate on the nose with light tobacco. Copper and brown with a light and quick finish. Classic old sangiovese.

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• 2001 Château Montet 83 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Bordeaux Supérieur

  Light fruit on the nose and classic dry, flat French merlot for me. An unusual hint of lavender on the palate?

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• 2009 Joseph Phelps Syrah Larry Hyde and Sons Vineyard 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

  This was far better than I expected and was very enjoyable. The nose is very similar (although a little softer) to the Mollydooker Velvet Glove. Caramel - dark purple and very tannic but rich and tasty. Long finish and I imagine the acidity will soften over the next 2 or 3 years. If it does this is an even better wine than it is now. Great Wow factor and not sure what WS and WA did not see in this one?

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• 2009 Stark-Condé Cabernet Sauvignon 94 Points

  South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch, Jonkershoek Valley

  Chalk, clean terroir nose that is classic South African. Dark red and a hint of berry smoothness. Smooth and light velvet on the palate.

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