ESTG does GSM

Barry & Gina hosted this GSM tasting which they limited to just 3 examples from the Rhone valley.

The organizing principle in the (blind) flights was age rather than region. It made it had to guess for sure!

Some starters non-blind as we mingled.

I absolutely loved the Palette, can't wait to linger on some 2020 which I have in my cellar.

• 2022 JC BRAVO Palomino Fino

  Mexico, Baja California, Valle de San Antonio de las Minas

  Fairly flat, non-descript. Clean. I didn't get much off this.

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• 2021 Château Simone Palette Rosé

  France, Provence, Palette

  Explosively fruity on the nose, very dark, and then super mineral on the palate. This is a cool wine!

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• 2021 Adobe Guadalupe Kerubiel

  Mexico, Baja California, Valle de Guadalupe

  Dark fruit, approachable, a bit anonymous. It made me think of Washington. Clearly a fairly warm and approachable wine.

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Great showing for the Edmunds St. John!

• 2000 Edmunds St. John Los Robles Viejos Rozet Vineyard

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  Quite pale, menthol, a touch herbal, some brett. A nice palate, pretty powerful, focused. Despite some clear age this is robust. Bob thinks CDP--old world is an interesting call. A bit of baked sweetness on the back end 14.1%

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• 2004 John Duval Wines Plexus

  Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

  Hooboy, a LOT of alcohol. Lots of blackberry and blueberry, people complaining about "Vodka jello shot" territory. Tons of black pepper and some mint. I called it as pretty obviously Australian. While not really in my wheelhouse, I actually enjoyed this.

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• 2005 Domaine Charvin Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

  A bit of VA with an odd chemical smell. Dried fig. Once revealed it was quite obvious this was flawed, likely a bit of oxidation from a bad cork.

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I do love Clos des Papes.

• 2006 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

  Mmm, I love this, loads of white pepper, clearly CDP, pretty sure it is my Clos des Papes. Correct guess. Surprisingly young.

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• 2013 Walter Dacon G.S.M (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre)

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

  Fairly pale. Seems old world. Powdered sugar and a little smoky.

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• 2017 Rôtie Cellars Homage

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

  Big fruit, dark, ponderous. Is this Cayuse? It doesn't have the reductive stink, but it is obviously Washington.

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• 2017 Ridge Syrah/Grenache/Mataro Lytton Estate

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley

  Mmm, dark, stern, resin, so juicy, great acidity. The "rule of Ridge," this was very nice!

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Some big, young wines here.

• 2015 Crous St. Martin Châteauneuf-du-Pape Hommage a L'an 1879

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

  A little VA, chemical, brown sugar, quite tannic. This did not strike me as CDP at all.

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• 2018 Liminal Winery GSM WeatherEye Vineyard

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain

  Super dark, very vitamin pill, clearly Washington, dark, smoky, quite intense, fair amount of structure, dusty, tannic, mmm, this is very enjoyable.

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• 2020 Rôtie Cellars Homage

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

  This is obviously Rocks, BAM! As textbook as it gets. Savory, a lot of structure, pine resin, a haunting pale color, struck me as Reynvaan like. I liked this MUCH more than the 2017.

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• 2021 Quench + Temper Chapter V Bás Vineyard

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles Adelaida District

  Mmm, graphite, smoky, big and juicy, actually surprisingly balanced for 15.7% alcohol.

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• NV Sandeman Porto 20 Year Old Tawny

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  Touch of sherry. Golden brown.

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Wonderful leg of lamb!