The Blind Side - no, not football!

Our first day of tasting at Chateau Simms! A special thanks to Chris and Melissa for not only putting up with me, but for being so gracious and accommodating!

We started out with a Blind Chardonnay tasting, which I was expecting, but the second big tasting, I envisioned somewhat differently. The second tasting was a straight blind tasting, where we tasted all the wines and then they were revealed. I pictured this (obviously incorrectly) as more of a brown bag, where we each take turns pouring our wine and everyone would try to guess what it was...a sort of 20 questions kind of game. Either way, a fun time and a great experience!

This was a blind tasting of Chardonnay from anywhere (although all were from USA and France). I had not tasted most of the wines, so my goal was to see which ones I liked best and to see if I could properly identify which were USA and which were Burgundy. I think I did alright! No real surprises here except I was bummed the Kongsgaard was flawed. The Marcassin and Corton were my favorites!

• 2013 Marcassin Chardonnay Marcassin Vineyard 97 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  This was opened for about an hour prior to tasting.
  
  It was in a line up of Chardonnays served blind (including some Burgundies):
  
  1. 2013 Marcassin
  2. 2019 Domaine Henri Boillot Puligny-Montrachet Clos de la Mouchère
  3. 2018 Kongsgaard Chardonnay The Judge
  4. 2021 Faiveley Bâtard-Montrachet
  5. 2022 Walter Scott Chardonnay X-Novo Vineyard
  6. 2020 Henri Boillot Corton-Charlemagne
  
  2013 Marcassin - The wine was easily identified as CA Chardonnay by everyone. The wine was rich, buttery, with nice minerality (saline and chalk), citrus and pear notes and some oak and butterscotch on the finish. At 11 years old, this wine is nicely integrated and drinking quite well. Should hold up quite a bit longer, so no hurry on these! Solid 97 for me, and I feel that may be conservative. This is one of my all time favorite Chardonnays from anywhere, and my favorite American Chardonnay. I wish they would get to their next release!

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• 2019 Domaine Henri Boillot Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Clos de la Mouchère 95 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru

  This was opened for about an hour prior to tasting.
  
  It was in a line up of Chardonnays served blind (including some Burgundies):
  
  1. 2013 Marcassin
  2. 2019 Henri Boillot Puligny-Montrachet Clos de la Mouchère
  3. 2018 Kongsgaard Chardonnay The Judge
  4. 2021 Faiveley Bâtard-Montrachet
  5. 2022 Walter Scott Chardonnay X-Novo Vineyard
  6. 2020 Henri Boillot Corton-Charlemagne
  
  2019 Henri Boillot Puligny-Montrachet Clos de la Mouchère - Easily identified as Burgundy with lots of minerality and acidity, specifically lemon oil, oyster shell, and saline -- very Chablis-like (even though it was a Montrachet). Still young...I would love to taste this in a few years with some age. Still, 95+ now, and some upside, IMO.

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• 2018 Kongsgaard Chardonnay The Judge Flawed

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  This was opened for about an hour prior to tasting.
  
  It was in a line up of Chardonnays served blind (including some Burgundies):
  
  1. 2013 Marcassin
  2. 2019 Henri Boillot Puligny-Montrachet Clos de la Mouchère
  3. 2018 Kongsgaard Chardonnay The Judge
  4. 2021 Faiveley Bâtard-Montrachet
  5. 2022 Walter Scott Chardonnay X-Novo Vineyard
  6. 2020 Henri Boillot Corton-Charlemagne
  
  2018 Kongsgaard The Judge - I was so looking forward to tasting this wine...alas, it was corked...too bad and so so sad!

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• 2021 Faiveley Bâtard-Montrachet 96 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru

  This was opened for about an hour prior to tasting.
  
  It was in a line up of Chardonnays served blind (including some Burgundies):
  
  1. 2013 Marcassin
  2. 2019 Henri Boillot Puligny-Montrachet Clos de la Mouchère
  3. 2018 Kongsgaard Chardonnay The Judge
  4. 2021 Faiveley Bâtard-Montrachet
  5. 2022 Walter Scott Chardonnay X-Novo Vineyard
  6. 2020 Henri Boillot Corton-Charlemagne
  
  2021 Faively Batard-Montrachet - Once again pretty easy to pick out as a Burgundy due to the higher acidity and minerality. This wine showed lots of citrus, tart green apple and some tropical fruit notes, coupled with limestone and oyster. Painfully young but still quite delicious! Would love to taste this 5 to 10 years down the road! Still, 95+ to 96 today!

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• 2022 Walter Scott Chardonnay X-Novo Vineyard 95 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills

  This was opened for about an hour prior to tasting.
  
  It was in a line up of Chardonnays served blind (including some Burgundies):
  
  1. 2013 Marcassin
  2. 2019 Henri Boillot Puligny-Montrachet Clos de la Mouchère
  3. 2018 Kongsgaard Chardonnay The Judge
  4. 2021 Faiveley Bâtard-Montrachet
  5. 2022 Walter Scott Chardonnay X-Novo Vineyard
  6. 2020 Henri Boillot Corton-Charlemagne
  
  2022 Walter Scott X-Novo - This was a pleasant surprise! Correctly identified as New World due to the roundness and fruit forwardness, although never thought Oregon! This wine showed lots of pear, apple and sea shell, with a dash of citrus. Had enough acidity to keep the fruit very lively (not surprised when revealed that it was so young). This is a wine worth seeking out (I just bought some!) and definitely the most Burgundy-like New World wine we tasted. Solid 95 for me!

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• 2020 Henri Boillot Corton-Charlemagne 97 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru

  This was opened for about an hour prior to tasting.
  
  It was in a line up of Chardonnays served blind (including some Burgundies):
  
  1. 2013 Marcassin
  2. 2019 Henri Boillot Puligny-Montrachet Clos de la Mouchère
  3. 2018 Kongsgaard Chardonnay The Judge
  4. 2021 Faiveley Bâtard-Montrachet
  5. 2022 Walter Scott Chardonnay X-Novo Vineyard
  6. 2020 Henri Boillot Corton-Charlemagne
  
  2020 Henri Boillot Corton-Charlemagne - My favorite Burgundy of the tasting! I identified correctly as Burgundy because of the rich minerality. This wine also had the high acidity, but still more rounded than the other Burgundies. Although citrus (mostly lemon zest) was the most prevalent, there was also plenty of poached pear, green and red apple and a touch of Meyers lemon and tropical fruit to go with the oyster, flint and limestone minerality. Remarkably balanced and will undoubtedly get better, but oh so good now! 96+ to 97 already.

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Nothing like getting spoiled early! The Cristal was great for livening the palate and the Latour was just great! I am already reminiscing just writing this story!

• 2008 Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Brut 98 Points

  France, Champagne

  Still going strong! Love this Champagne! Not much to say that hasn't already been said. Still a benchmark Champagne I think I will never tire of drinking! Still a solid 98!

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• 2015 Château Latour Grand Vin 97 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  This amazing bottle was a special treat provided by Cristal2000 at a recent get-together at Chateau Simms. All I can say is the bottle was amazing! This bottle would turn those who love well aged Bordeaux to the dark side...even the oldest palates would succumb to this Siren's song. With a perfumed nose proudly displaying a bouquet of red and black fruit and a palate that lures you in like the pied piper with gorgeous fruit with notes of graphite, tar and shades of earth. Love this! 97+ easily!

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This was great and definitely held a few surprises for me, especially how poorly the Sassicaia and Mag 7 performed, and at the other end of the spectrum, how well the Colgin performed. My favorites of the tasting were the Scarecrow and the Colgin.

• 2010 Abreu Thorevilos 95 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  I am guessing the wine got at least 1-2 hours of slo-O before tasting, but honestly not sure about the bottle treatment/preparation before the tasting, i.e., it could be more.
  
  This was part of a blind tasting that included the following wines:
  
  1. 2010 Abreu Thorevilos
  2. 2021 Scarecrow
  3. 2015 Colgin Tychson Hill
  4. 2019 Sassicaia
  5. 2019 Domaine Trapet Chapelle-Chambertin
  6. 2021 Bella Oaks La Genie
  7. 2014 Caymus Special Selection
  8. 2014 Vice Versa Magnificent 7
  
  2010 Abreu Thorevilos - This wine was a slight disappointment given the pedigree. I expected much more. Don't get me wrong, the wine was very good, showing lots of dark fruit, and some tertiary flavors (earth, tobacco, graphite and new leather) but it lacked that "wow" factor I expect from Abreu. This also may have suffered slightly from the two wines that immediately followed (which I liked better. i.e., Scarecrow and Colgin). A solid 95, which is a great score, but I always expect Abreu to be closer to perfection....yeah, I know, it's a high bar!

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• 2021 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon 97 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  I am guessing the wine got at least 1-2 hours of slo-O before tasting, but honestly not sure about the bottle treatment/preparation before the tasting, i.e., it could be more.
  
  This was part of a blind tasting that included the following wines:
  
  1. 2010 Abreu Thorevilos
  2. 2021 Scarecrow
  3. 2015 Colgin Tychson Hill
  4. 2019 Sassicaia
  5. 2019 Domaine Trapet Chapelle-Chambertin
  6. 2021 Bella Oaks La Genie
  7. 2014 Caymus Special Selection
  8. 2014 Vice Versa Magnificent 7
  
  2021 Scarecrow - The elegance of this wine was amazing! Layers of brooding dark fruit (mostly blackberry and cassis) with plush tannins and some forest floor, sweet tobacco, cocoa, and sweet oak. The purity of fruit, balance and structure were close to perfection! I loved this wine! 96+ to 97 and will undoubtedly reach perfection down the road!
  
  As a side note, I was surprised after the reveal because I would have thought this wine would be extremely tight! I rarely drink wines this young, but I understand people who open up some of these wines immediately upon release...I guess there is a window there!

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• 2015 Colgin Cabernet Sauvignon Tychson Hill Vineyard 96 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  I am guessing the wine got at least 1-2 hours of slo-O before tasting, but honestly not sure about the bottle treatment/preparation before the tasting, i.e., it could be more.
  
  This was part of a blind tasting that included the following wines:
  
  1. 2010 Abreu Thorevilos
  2. 2021 Scarecrow
  3. 2015 Colgin Tychson Hill
  4. 2019 Sassicaia
  5. 2019 Domaine Trapet Chapelle-Chambertin
  6. 2021 Bella Oaks La Genie
  7. 2014 Caymus Special Selection
  8. 2014 Vice Versa Magnificent 7
  
  2015 Colgin Tychson Hill - I am not a huge fan of Colgin. They make good wines, but I feel a bit overpriced for what they are. However, (and this is why I like blinds sometimes) this bottle showed remarkably well. Nicely integrated red and dark fruit (mostly red and dark cherries) with dark chocolate and a nice creaminess I like. Add some earthiness, tobacco and sweet oak, and you have a fine that fits squarely in my wheelhouse! Some thought this was slightly boozy or hot, but I didn't taste any alcohol. I thought this was better than the Abreu and a hair behind the Scarecrow that preceded this wine. 96+
  
  As previously stated, I was surprised on the reveal! I never held Colgin in such high regard, but this made me think that I may need to rethink!

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• 2019 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia 93 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Sassicaia

  I am guessing the wine got at least 1-2 hours of slo-O before tasting, but honestly not sure about the bottle treatment/preparation before the tasting, i.e., it could be more.
  
  This was part of a blind tasting that included the following wines:
  
  1. 2010 Abreu Thorevilos
  2. 2021 Scarecrow
  3. 2015 Colgin Tychson Hill
  4. 2019 Sassicaia
  5. 2019 Domaine Trapet Chapelle-Chambertin
  6. 2021 Bella Oaks La Genie
  7. 2014 Caymus Special Selection
  8. 2014 Vice Versa Magnificent 7
  
  2019 Sassicaia - I was disappointed when this was revealed. I typically enjoy Sassicaia. I can think of three factors that may have contributed to my disappointment. First, the wines that preceded this one (the wines listed above are in tasting order). Second, it is very young....I had not tasted a young Sassicaia, but I think this wine needed a ton more air, or preferably a ton more age. Third, due to a higher acidity level, this wine probably needed some food to go with it.
  
  Anyway...the wine: Tons of red fruit, mostly tart cherry. Some tar and anise, but really lacks complexity at this point. I am confident that more age will significantly elevate this wine. I recommend refraining from opening a bottle for another decade. But if you must, give it as much air as possible (even 24 hours would be good!) 93 today, but lots of potential!

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• 2019 Domaine Trapet Chapelle-Chambertin 95 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chapelle-Chambertin Grand Cru

  I am guessing the wine got at least 1-2 hours of slo-O before tasting, but honestly not sure about the bottle treatment/preparation before the tasting, i.e., it could be more.
  
  This was part of a blind tasting that included the following wines:
  
  1. 2010 Abreu Thorevilos
  2. 2021 Scarecrow
  3. 2015 Colgin Tychson Hill
  4. 2019 Sassicaia
  5. 2019 Domaine Trapet Chapelle-Chambertin
  6. 2021 Bella Oaks La Genie
  7. 2014 Caymus Special Selection
  8. 2014 Vice Versa Magnificent 7
  
  2019 Domaine Trapet Chapelle-Chambertin - I probably enjoyed this wine more than most of the group! It reeked Burgundy even blind! It had a barnyard funk (in a good way) to go along with some florals, fruit and spice. The palate was chalked full of cherry and red fruit with some iron and mountain pepper berry. Still quite young, but definitely has the acidity and tannins to age quite well! Will be even better in another 5 years! 94+ to 95 today.

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• 2021 Bella Oaks Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Le Génie 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  I am guessing the wine got at least 1-2 hours of slo-O before tasting, but honestly not sure about the bottle treatment/preparation before the tasting, i.e., it could be more.
  
  This was part of a blind tasting that included the following wines:
  
  1. 2010 Abreu Thorevilos
  2. 2021 Scarecrow
  3. 2015 Colgin Tychson Hill
  4. 2019 Sassicaia
  5. 2019 Domaine Trapet Chapelle-Chambertin
  6. 2021 Bella Oaks La Genie
  7. 2014 Caymus Special Selection
  8. 2014 Vice Versa Magnificent 7
  
  2021 Bella Oaks La Genie - Blind, my notes said a nice wine but nothing special, filled with dark and red fruit, a little olive, a little oak and a little spice. I agree with Chris (csimm) that this wine could use some time to further integrate and develop. Will never be confused with its big brother, but certainly will be a nice everyday wine or restaurant wine. However, the price point may be a little offsetting. 92 to 93 points today. I was not at all surprised on the reveal.

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• 2014 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection 96 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  I am guessing the wine got at least 1-2 hours of slo-O before tasting, but honestly not sure about the bottle treatment/preparation before the tasting, i.e., it could be more.
  
  This was part of a blind tasting that included the following wines:
  
  1. 2010 Abreu Thorevilos
  2. 2021 Scarecrow
  3. 2015 Colgin Tychson Hill
  4. 2019 Sassicaia
  5. 2019 Domaine Trapet Chapelle-Chambertin
  6. 2021 Bella Oaks La Genie
  7. 2014 Caymus Special Selection
  8. 2014 Vice Versa Magnificent 7
  
  2014 Caymus Special Selection - Unlike all the nay-sayers in the group, I loved this wine! I did not find it overly sweet nor manipulated. In fact, I found it quite balanced and nicely integrated with good structure. Yes, it is sweeter than some wines (reminiscent of a Mike Smith or Bevan wine) but certainly not overly sweet. Oaky? Not really, although you can tell it uses American oak rather than French or Austrian. However, the oak is nicely integrated lending to nice sweetened vanilla flavor on the finish. The wine can be characterized by rich dark fruit (with some red fruit), earthiness and old leather with some tobacco and milk chocolate and sweet oak. What I really love about this wine is the plush mouthfeel it provides. A definite crowd pleaser (with most groups)! Solid 96 for me....I love it!
  
  Note - The Special Selection is much better than their regular bottling and with 10 years of age, this is drinking quite well! No hurry, but definitely okay to open now!

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• 2014 Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon The Magnificent Seven 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  I am guessing the wine got at least 1-2 hours of slo-O before tasting, but honestly not sure about the bottle treatment/preparation before the tasting, i.e., it could be more.
  
  This was part of a blind tasting that included the following wines:
  
  1. 2010 Abreu Thorevilos
  2. 2021 Scarecrow
  3. 2015 Colgin Tychson Hill
  4. 2019 Sassicaia
  5. 2019 Domaine Trapet Chapelle-Chambertin
  6. 2021 Bella Oaks La Genie
  7. 2014 Caymus Special Selection
  8. 2014 Vice Versa Magnificent 7
  
  2014 VV Mag 7 - Yes, 94 is a very good score, but I admit I was disappointed on the reveal because I was expecting better! I believe this was the very first vintage of Mag 7.
  
  I like this wine, and blind I wrote: "Very smooth wine with nice fruit and some tertiary character, but definitely leaning on the fruit side of the spectrum. Dark black, red and blue fruits with some forest floor, graphite, licorice and chocolate, with a hint of vanilla. This wine is in my wheelhouse." I gave it a 94 (and still give it a 94), but for the money and age, I expected perfection (or very close to it) and this wine did not deliver. It didn't seem like anything was wrong with the bottle, and 2014's, in general, are hitting their stride right now, so I am not sure why this didn't show better. Of course, I had not had the 2014 Mag 7 before, so maybe it just wasn't up to subsequent vintages. Like I said...a very good and very well made wine, but it didn't meet my other-worldly expectations of this wine!

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The flight title says it all! A perfect way to end the day!

• 1984 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Bella Oaks 96 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  I believe PnP, but not 100%
  
  This wine was singing! I loved it and it was squarely in my wheelhouse! A gorgeous bottle! This Heitz Bella showed an awesome balance of fruit and tertiary flavors (leaning slightly on the tertiary side) with dark black, purple and red fruit still fairly bright (amazingly bright considering its age and the vintage (although unlike Brian, I feel 1984 was a great, but perhaps underrated vintage) with layers of tertiary goodness, including mushroom, old leather, graphite, tobacco, and dried herbs. Absolutely delicious! Thanks for bringing this Brian! 96 to 96+ and I doubt it will get better!

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• 2021 Bella Oaks Vineyard Proprietary Red 96 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  This was a nice contrast to the 1984 Bella Oaks. Same score for me, but for different reasons. This wine shows great structure, amazing fruit and a nice finesse that makes wish I was younger to drink this wine with 25 or 30 years of age on it. I think it will outshine the 1984 Heitz Bella Oaks by quite a bit. The purity and layers of fruit already makes this wine compelling, with some tertiary flavors already beginning to bud, namely olives and herbs. The floral nose is also already a knockout. They are definitely making world class wines at Bella Oaks! 96 to 96+ Kudos!

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• 2019 Château Margaux 97 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  This was one of my contributions....originally, I was going to slip into the 2019 blind tasting, but then thought it deserved to stand on its own and be appreciated for what it is. Also, I had forgotten what young Bordeaux (especially Margaux) tastes like and I thought it would be a fun wine to follow throughout the years.
  
  Needless to say this wine did not disappoint! This is why I love Bordeaux and Margaux! The wine shows classic Ch. Margaux aromatics with a perfumed bouquet of purple and white flowers, sweet red and purple fruit and a slight hint of vanilla and spice. The palate is filled with silky dark cherry, plum and currant notes coupled with notes of black soil, tobacco, coffee and sweet toasted oak. The wine is pure silk going down and the finish is quite long. This wine will definitely flirt with perfection and is so darn good now! Love it! 97 points today.

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A successful first day that set the stage with a very high bar! I love going out to California for these tastings, but I would love it more if I could host one! In any event, how could anyone not love the opportunity to taste the wines we tasted? A privileged life indeed, and I am so grateful for it! As always, I hope you enjoyed this story and were able to get some vicarious pleasure from it (or at least a tad bit of useful information! Until next time.....Cheers!