Poker night - Mostly double blind - Rayas, Masseto, Schrader, QC and etc.

Reston, Va
Tasted Friday, July 22, 2016 by dcwino with 544 views

Introduction

Six of us got together to play poker and drink wine. We decided to do double blind and I thought everyone did well. As usual, everyone was very generous and we ended up with a lot of great bottles. I have not taken any notes and these are my brief impressions.

Flight 1 - Champagne (1 Note)

Flight 2 - Kongsgaard Viorous (1 Note)

This was a tricky one to guess.

  • 2013 Kongsgaard Viorous 94 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Double blind. Initially I am guessing Marcassin or Peter Michael because ripeness and alcohol but it doesn’t have enough acidity and the fruit profile reminds me Northern rhone. My guess is Chave hermitage but didn’t tell anyone. Justin guesses Chave hemitage. Assaf mentions the first nose is Viognier. I am now thinking it could be Georges Vernay Condrieu Coteau de Vernon but not enough acidity and freshness. Really good showing.

    Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

Flight 3 - CDP (1 Note)

This had all telltale signs of the 03, IN VERY BAD WAYS.

Flight 4 - Argentinian Pinot and Masseto (2 Notes)

  • 2006 Bodega Chacra Pinot Noir Treinta y Dos 94 Points

    Argentina, Patagonia, Río Negro

    Double blind. Noticeable stem with cool black fruit that reminds me Dujac or DRC but the fruit expression is not as complex as Burgundy. This shows a lot better than the last bottle. Generous fruit and nice balance make it really enjoyable.

    Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2009 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Masseto Toscana IGT 95 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

    Double blind. Intense cassis, chocolate and strong graphite. Excellent concentration. Initial guess by all of us is cult cab. I start to notice Bordeaux like coolness. We start to guess high end Argentinian red. Really good wine. Once the label gets revealed, we all want the second pour. Yes, we all are label whores.

    Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

Flight 5 - Rayas (1 Note)

  • 1983 Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve 97 Points

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

    Double blind. Initially some think Burgundy. I do certainly can relate to Burgundian elegance. A hint of tobacco and sweet raspberry tell me a great mature CDP. Knowing RJ's cellar, perhaps the 83 Rayas. Soft and warm, certainly not a big concentrated CDP. Seamless, harmonious, refined and beautifully balanced. Incredible expression of great mature CDP.

    Read 2 Comments / Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

Flight 6 - Lafleur and CDP (2 Notes)

  • 2004 Château Lafleur 95 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

    My wine. Initially some think Burgundy but quickly and correctly change to right bank Bordeaux. Most think the 09 and the 10. Decanted for two hours, really youthful and pretty tight nose. The palate is incredibly silky and polished. This needs minimum ten more years of cellaring. Bright future ahead. Highly recommended.

    Post a Comment / 3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 1976 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape 96 Points

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

    Perfect condition. My bottle. Initially some guess Burgundy but quickly change to CDP. Really soft and warm decadent red fruits, a hint of tobacco and garrigue. Fully integrated beautifully balance palate. Most guesses '89 or '90. Alan correctly calls the producer and misses the vintage only by a year,, i,e. he thinks '75. Bravo! Really lovely mature CDP.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

Flight 7 - Schrader (1 Note)

  • 2010 Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon RBS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard 97 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

    Double blind. Intense dark fruits, crème de cassis, liquid smoke, vanilla and mineral. Incredible concentration. Definitely a high end cult cab from a great year. The fact that the bottle is heavy and Assaf brought it, Assaf asks the vintage, my guess is 2010. Lucky guess and a bit of cheating. Quintessential expression of Schrader.

    Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

Flight 8 - QC and Torbreck (2 Notes)

  • 1995 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 93 Points

    USA, Washington

    Double blind, Incredibly youthful nose, sweet dark fruits, cab bell pepper, lead pencil and caramel. Initially my guess is classic napa cab, Dominus 94. There is Bordeaux like freshness but a bit too ripe. My guess is ten year old Napa cab.

    Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2002 Torbreck The Factor 92 Points

    Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

    Double blind. Really ripe fruit expression, blackberry jam, dry cherry, plum and earth. Slightly monolithic and very ripe. My guess is mature Turley zinfandel.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

Flight 9 - HSS (1 Note)

Flight 10 - Selosse and Fevre (2 Notes)

Closing

We also opened the 03 Montrose but I was too busy playing poker. We originally planned to play only until 10 but we were having way too much fun and the game lasted until beyond 2 am. A great time was had by all!

×
×