Chateau Pennywood Double Blind Tasting

Lisle, IL
Tasted Saturday, January 26, 2008 by Jazzman with 859 views

Introduction

This was a group of friends getting together. Everyone brought a wine or two, bagged. We proceeded to taste them as a group one by one, revealing the wines after each taste. No formal tasting notes nor analysis were made on the wines.

Flight 1 (12 Notes)

  • 2003 Bodegas Muga Rioja Torre Muga 93 Points

    Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

    This was the first of twelve bottles tasted at our little soirée.

    Decanted for two plus hours.

    Didn't take proper notes at this tasting, but for me this was definitely the wine of the night. Wonderful nose, mouth feel, taste and finish. Just a wonderful wine that was enjoyed by all of the tasters.

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  • 2004 Rocca di Montemassi Monteregio di Massa Marittima Sassabruna 90 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Monteregio di Massa Marittima

    Wine 2 of 12 at the Chateau Pennywood event. I did not take proper notes.

    This was tasted blind, and I could not even hazard a guess as to what this wine was.

    I haven't had many super Tuscans, but really enjoyed this wine. Great wine from nose to finish. Wonderful.

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  • 2004 Mike Ditka Cabernet Sauvignon 86 Points

    USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County

    Wine 3 of 12 at our soirée. This was decanted for about 30 minutes prior to tasting. Tasting was double blind.

    I knew this was at least mostly cabernet. Decent nose, but not outstanding. Decent balance, good mouth feel and finish.

    I was surprised when this was revealed as a Mike Ditka wine. I was impressed. It's not a label I would have tried outside his restaurant. Not bad at all.

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  • 2005 Sobon Estate Zinfandel Rezerve 87 Points

    USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador County

    Wine 4 of 12 at our tasting soirree. Tasting was double blind.

    Decanted about 30 minutes.

    Obvious zinfandel nose of big red fruits and spice. Taste was classic zin: jammy spicy fruit.

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  • 2004 Franciscan Estate Magnificat 91 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Wine 5 of 12 at our double blind tasting soirée.

    Decanted about 30 minutes prior to tasting.

    Obvious cab blend with great nose and medium tannins. This drinks quite nicely now. Very, very enjoyable.

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  • 2004 Geyser Peak Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 90 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley

    Wine 6 of 12 at our double blind tasting soirée.

    Obvious cab or cab blend. Drank quite nicely. Nice fruit and moderate tannins. Drank quite well. Definitely 90+

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  • 2002 Zaca Mesa Syrah Eight Barrel 87 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley

    Wine 7 of 12 at our double blind tasting soirée.

    This wine fooled me a bit. Too light for a zin, and seemed too light for a syrah, I wondered if this was one of those California Pinot Noir/Syrah bombs. Not bad at all.

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  • 2004 Bodega Norton Malbec Reserva 81 Points

    Argentina, Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo

    Wine 8 of 12 at our double blind tasting soirée.

    It was very tannic, sour and bitter. Add the relatively high alcohol content and I dumped half of my pour. This was decanted for about 30 minutes prior to tasting. Based on the tannins, this should be decanted for at least two hours prior to tasting to let the fruit come out.

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  • 2001 Château Filhot 90 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

    This was wine 9 of 12 in our double blind tasting soirée. This was not tasted blind, but was used as a bit of a palate cleaner. The tannins in the eight wine, a Malbec, killed a few palates. We popped this to bring some life back.

    Nice. Nose and taste of tropical fruits and honey. Very, very nice. Enjoyed by all.

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  • 2005 Olson Ogden Syrah Unti Vineyard 86 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley

    Wine 10 of 12 at our double blind tasting soirée.

    Since this was the last wine tasted blind and all others had been revealed, I knew what this was before tasting. It was lighter than I expected. Nice nose, but nothing spectacular. Very nicely balanced wine, not overpowering. I expected it to be better, so was a bit disappointed. Of course being at the tail end of this tasting, perhaps my palate was indeed shot. Or perhaps it was decanted too long and had actually deteriorated a bit.

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  • 2005 Ridge Carignane Buchignani Ranch 90 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County

    Popped and poured. Dark, opaque color. Wonderful fruity nose of sour cherries and spice, hint of vanilla. Full bodied, alcohol present but well integrated. Sour cherries, spice, nice oak and some vanilla.

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  • 2005 Rosenblum Cellars Zinfandel Rockpile Road Vineyard

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Rockpile

    Bottle 12 of 12. Pop and pour. No real notes taken.....again.

    Smooth, decent balance and structure. Big fruit. Being the 12th bottle, my palate was pretty much dead. The wine was enjoyed by all.

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Closing

A great time. Always fun to enjoy friends and enjoy wine together. Cheers.

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