Internationals vs. Hungarians - blind tasting with friends

6 international and 6 hungarian wines tasted blind in pairs.
The international wines were bought in London, the hungarians in Hungary, so we've tried to match the price ratio as 2-2.5:1 to make sure we won't compare wines which aren't even the same league.

• 2011 Domaines Schlumberger Gewurztraminer 83 Points

  France, Alsace

  Ripe, intense aroma. Medium sweetness with flowers. Not really my style, but i'm sure some people would like it.

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• 2012 Bott Frigyes Tramini Flawed

  Slovakia

  Tainted cork.

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• 2012 Sauska Sauvignon Blanc 83 Points

  Hungary, Tokaji

  Something unpleasant in the aroma besides the barrel, but i can't really tell what it is.
  Acidic, as a sauvignon blanc should be, but otherwise it's nothing special for me.

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• 2012 Dog Point Vineyard Section 94 91 Points

  New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough

  Nice complex, floral aroma with spices, it's unique for me. Well balanced taste, the acidity wasn't too high.
  This wasn't even in the same league as the other Sauvignon Blanc, clearly a favourite for everyone.

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• 2011 Takler Syrah Reserve 92 Points

  Hungary, Dél-Pannónia, Szekszárdi

  Young and vibrant with fruits and spices in the aroma. I've missed some of this on the previous tasting, hence the +1.
  Complex with a medium body and a long finish, still one of my favorites.

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• 1999 Jim Barry Shiraz The McRae Wood 90 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley

  Visible tartrate crystals, it was obvious that this wine wasn't new.
  Sweet, sherry-like aroma. Complex and really well balanced taste with an exceptionally long finish.

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• 2008 Takler Szekszárdi Primarius 90 Points

  Hungary, Dél-Pannónia, Szekszárdi

  Sweet, jammy aroma. Highly tannic, full-bodied. I've expected more fruits from the taste compared to the aroma, but it's still really good. Long finish!

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• 2008 Poliziano Merlot Cortona in Violas 89 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Cortona

  A bit sweetness with spices in the aroma. Not nearly as tannic as the previous one, with a shorter - but still OK - finish.

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• 2010 Château d'Armailhac 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Spicy aroma, with a bit of alcohol. Lots of fruits (blackberry), complex.

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• 2011 Tringa Borpince Mirage 90 Points

  Hungary, Dél-Pannónia, Szekszárdi

  Spicy aromas, ripe blackberry in the flavor, really tannic.
  This was definitely the biggest surprise at the tasting, nobody expected this $12 wine to beat a $78 from Pauillac...but it did, almost unanimously.

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• 2011 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown Napa Valley 87 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Vanilla in the aroma. Highly tannic, but not really complex.

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• 2012 Luka Pincészet Soproni Soproni Cabernet Sauvignon 85 Points

  Hungary, Észak-Dunántúl, Soproni

  Almost black color, fainter aroma.
  Really tannic, as a cabernet sauvignon should be.
  At this price tag ($19) i've expected more complexity, especially since the previous batch from 2011 was way better.

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There were some surprising results, but overall we've called it a draw.