Judgement de Li Hwan (2005 Bordeaux v New World Cabernet)

It so happens that we were meeting up for some poker and BBQ last week and so happens I had just taken delivery of some 2005 bordeaux...it so happens too that Gary and Gao each brought a bottle of new world cabernet! So happens too that I had a few bottles of new world cabernet blends I had been waiting so long to taste. One thing led to another and Walaa!... we unofficially had a new world vs old world cabernet taste-off.
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The first 4 wines had been bottle decanted for about 6 hours for the taste-off but I had tasted the wines and written the notes as per tasted fresh out from the bottle.

• 2005 Château d'Issan Blason d'Issan 81 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  Deep purple. This has obvious cat's pee at the start but blows off after a while to reveal cherries, some indian spice backed by some dark coffee powder / dark bitter choc. Good riipe currants and plums framed with velvety thick and chewy texture from the tannins. At first, I thought it too thick for the fruits and acidity to balance off. But it was a little better balanced after the bottle decanting.

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• 2005 Voyager Estate Cabernet Merlot Girt by Sea 79 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  Dark purple. Earthy and oaked..it feels like being in a furniture workshop. Also, some dirtiness on the nose and some interesting choking chilli / curry smells. Good blackberries provide the body ending with some powdery tannins. Finishes rather short.

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• 2005 Château La Fleur de Boüard 85 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Lalande de Pomerol

  Dense purple with a reddish hue. Sharper intense unripe cherries. Hints of green. Very dense on the mouthfeel with black cherry tart lined with liquorice. This is good drinking even now, good balance with no alcohol heat and smooth sweet tannins. It's like a girl with just the right amount of makeup. Elegant. Noted some dark mushrooms notes on the finish. At the start, the nose seems in contradiction to the palate but after bottle decanting, the nose got jammier.

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• 2004 Balnaves of Coonawarra Cabernet Merlot 84 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Coonawarra

  Sharp metalic nose, cherry and some pepper. Good cherry currants with plums. Sharp tannins that brings you just on the edge.

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• 2005 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 79 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Strong on oak & alcohol when first tasted, this is just choking all the other fruit flavours. However, I had re-tasted the leftover the next day and held out beautifully well. Typical new world approach with intense plums & hints of blackberries and mint. Not many layers of flavours but this is like a big-bosomed gal that doesn't need to take much reading into....simple eye candy.

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• 1999 Pepper Tree Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Reserve 85 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Coonawarra

  This is a grand ole dame with new world decadence aura. This is what aussie wines can do when good and aged. Still intense but with some elegance ...full mouthfeel with good dark fruits with a dash of eucalyptus mint and some dark choc. Medium to long finish that is satisfying.

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