BBQ Wine Tasting at friends

Zurich
Tasted Saturday, August 4, 2018 by sirpat00 with 112 views

Introduction

Friends hosted a BBQ where I and Cailles (see his reviews too for even more details) brought the wines. Unfortunately given the ongoing heat wave in Europe temperatures were quite high and it was a challange to maintain ideal drinking temperatures, but with the help of a fridge, fan and near-by cellar we managed.

Flight 1 (1 Note)

  • NV Pierre Bertrand Champagne Premier Cru 91 Points

    France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru

    Pale yellow, straw like colour. A dry Champagne with medium+ acidity and medium flavour intentisty and complexity. Citric flavours dominate (lemon, a bit of grapefruit) within a subtle toast and brioche frame. Pleasant, long and very fresh finish. Nothing to complain about.

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Flight 2 (1 Note)

  • 2014 Sadie Family Chenin Blanc Mev. Kirsten 93 Points

    South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch

    Dry with calm acidity and a precise, beautiful set of fruits consisting of peach, lemon and quince which in the blind tasting context pushed me into the Grüner Veltliner corner. Initially very round and creamy on the palate, but over time in the glass lost some balance with higher acidity striking the mouth.

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Flight 3 (1 Note)

  • 2015 Quinta do Vallado Touriga Nacional Douro 89 Points

    Portugal, Douro

    No decant. A floral, fruit-forward produce with still quite (too) high acidity and tannin levels. Time in the glass adds menthol to the cranberry / red cherry type of fruit. Gravel or graphite minerality completes the picture. Probably needs 1 or 2 more years of bottle age, but definitely worth having in the cellar for offhand consumption with guests who might not care too much about what kind of wine you serve. Also helps if you've spent time on the property as I have - absolutely stunning!

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Flight 4 (1 Note)

  • 2012 Gantenbein Pinot Noir 94 Points

    Switzerland, Eastern Switzerland, Graubünden, Fläsch

    Medium acidity, fine tannins, tight texture and an extra long, utterly delightful finish make this a great Gantenbein. The fruit is red, strawberry or raspberry, and obviously you'll find the typical forest floor, earthy aromas that make this particular wine so distinctly recognizable.

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Flight 5 (1 Note)

  • 2012 Viñedos Lacalle y Laorden Rioja Viña el Pisón 97 Points

    Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alavesa, Rioja

    Decanted for 1h which was just about right in my view. A precise, ripe fruit that carries over one-to-one on the palate where the wine excels with elegance. Acidity, tannins and alcohol are in perfect balance. A floral cloud of violets covers the ripe strawberry / raspberry fruit. But there is also dried fig and a bit of minerality (charcoal). I'm no Rioja expert, but this one is definitely a shining example that no one in our tasting group got right (not even the grape). Simply impressive and for me the wine of the night (just a nose length ahead of the 2010 Torbreck Run Rig).

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Flight 6 (1 Note)

  • 2010 Torbreck RunRig 97 Points

    Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

    Clearly medium+ acidity, alcohol and tannins provide for a great structure and backbone to lift an intense black cherry fruit with mint, menthol and Asian 5 spices as additional carry-ons. In all just a tad imbalanced and leaning towards an acidity over-weight, but I think a couple of more years of bottle age or a longer decant could resolve this easily.

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Flight 7 (1 Note)

  • 2013 K Vintners Syrah The Hidden Northridge Vineyard 94 Points

    USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wahluke Slope

    This is a medium bodied example of a Washington syrah with a very fine tannic structure but a full texture and immediate, perfect balance. Nice and juicy on the palate. Beautiful strawberry-like rod through a blackberry fruit bubble (sorry don't know how better to describe this), dried herbs (black tea?) and initially lots of charcoal, but the latter dissipates over time. Excellent alternative if you don't want to spend the bucks for a Bionic Frog but like the style.

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