An easy afternoon with close friends

In general the formula here is that the host sets a theme and every participant brings a wine of the theme. The host puts a few extra on the table. We taste all wines blind, knowing our own wines. We first taste a little bit in a random order. Then we decide together in which order the wines will be tasted again and after that revealed. In this group we do not use spittoons, so the number of bottles is limited. We don’t empty the bottles, but leave the leftovers for the host to taste again the next day, or take home the bottle we brought. In fact this easy setting where we taste the wines several times over 4 – 6 hours is the ultimate way to get a good impression of a wine.

• 2014 Bodegas AAlto Ribera del Duero AAlto 92 Points

  Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero

  Complex bouquet with dark berries, tobacco, vanilla, chocolate and smoke. On the palate sweet and ripe dark berries, laurel and chocolate, juicy acidity and round tannin with a pleasant bite. Beautiful already, but this will definitely be a great pleasure over the next 5+ years. Happy to have a few more.

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• 2006 Château Rauzan-Gassies 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  In the bouquet vanilla, some smoke, green herbs and slightly unripe impressions. On the palate red and dark berries, firm and good acidity and some rustic impressions. Some iron, oak and relatively mild tannin. Full bodied and also elegant.

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• 2008 Château Saint-Pierre Flawed

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  Day one a lot of vanilla and green herbs, vanilla, dark and red berries, firm tannin, but overall a bit special and not really expressive. Day two it became more clear. The wine was slightly corked; so no score.

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• 2011 Château Malescot St. Exupéry 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  Beautiful bouquet with dark berries, vanilla and pleasant rustic flavors. On the palate juicy dark berries, chocolate, laurel, licorice, some metal, good acidity and tannin with a good bite. Beautiful wine with a good future of at least another 5 - 7+ years. 91 - 92

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• 2005 Château Beauregard 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  Beautiful bouquet with dark berries, vanilla and some pleasant barnyard impressions. On the palate round and soft, juicy and ripe dark berries, red berries as well, fresh acidity and round tannin. Some chocolate as well. Ready now and also enough bite for some more years. Beautiful wine. 91 – 92

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• 2006 Clos l'Église (Pomerol) 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  Beautiful bouquet with vanilla and red and dark berries. On the palate juicy acidity, sweet spices, chocolate and a good length. Beautiful red berries, acidity and tannin. Complex and elegant wine. 92+

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• 2002 Château Margaux 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  Beautiful and mature bouquet with vanilla and sweet spices. On the palate sweet spices and chocolate. Good red and dark berries. Some other tasters thought this wine was too old, but imho it is beautifully mature now. The leftover day 2 gave the same impression. Not for the long run. 91 - 92

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