Oddbods - Call my bluff

New Inn Colchester
Tasted Wednesday, November 26, 2025 by moany rhoney with 47 views

Introduction

Our local tasting group held a blind tasting evening. Everyone brought a bottle, wrapped up and served blind. Three options were presented to help with the guesswork.

Flight 1 - opening sparkler (1 Note)

  • NV Louis Brochet Champagne Héritage Brut 91 Points

    France, Champagne

    Sparkling wine. Biscuity, yeasty, v.good. Classic champagne with brioche now showing. The options were this or an English sparkling I hadn’t heard of. Got to be champagne and a good one for £31 at TWS.

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Flight 2 - white wines (2 Notes)

  • 2022 Eva Fricke Lorcher Schlossberg Riesling Spätlese 91 Points

    Germany, Rheingau

    Slight petrol note, sweet with acidity balance. Nice length, apple, lemon touch of pepper. Got to be German Riesling probably spatlese or above, little too sweet but otherwise great wine. Can’t remember the options but I wasn’t lesson to anything other than German Riesling.

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  • 2021 Riverby Estate Chardonnay 95 Points

    New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough

    Deep straw coloured with matchstick and volcanic ash aroma Creamy lemon fruit, long dry finish with aniseed notes. Really enjoyed this, stunning Chardonnay. A couple of Chardonnay options are offered but got to be Riverby, a wine I know well (not less the capsule with lettering taped over).

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Flight 3 - red wines (5 Notes)

  • 2022 Venus La Universal Montsant Dido

    Spain, Catalunya, Tarragona, Montsant

    Young and pale red. Bright crimson show red berry fruit, touch of sweet oak vanilla and tannins on the finish. I’m guessing mencia, but I’m wrong. Still a good wine if too young.

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  • 2020 Dagaz Cinsault Itatino 89 Points

    Chile, Secano Interior

    Light crimson, velvety feel, sweet fruit, just a little simple in this company. Fruity.
    Options vary but it’s has to be Chilean Cinsault, basically because I think fruity and simple on everyone I’ve drunk.

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  • 2022 Schug Pinot Noir Carneros 91 Points

    USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

    Sous Bois notes, light tawny to the colour. Sweet strawberries, spicy cherry. New world probably USA. Not the most complex but very good and enjoyable in the way only Pinot does. Easy to pick and other options were not confusing. Correct guess. Would buy this.

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  • 1996 Famiglia Anselma Barolo Adasi 94 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    Dark red with aging edges. Farmyard, cigar box, undergrowth. Herbs, sage? There’s complex and balanced secondary notes too.
    I know this as it’s my wine, and it doesn’t disappoint. I offered St.Emilion and Chianti as options, always odd if you already know, but there was an even spread, 3 votes for each. To be fair it doesn’t scream Nebbiolo, more Monforte.

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  • 2016 Domaine Labruyere Moulin-à-Vent Clos du Moulin à Vent 92 Points

    France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Moulin-à-Vent

    Quite deep coloured, some tertiary notes, but tannins still. Notes of black tea, black fruit and maybe earthy beetroot. Nice and clearly classy. It can’t be Beaujolais, oh yes it is! Everyday is a school day.

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Flight 4 - dessert (2 Notes)

  • 2010 Warre Porto Vintage Quinta da Cavadinha 92 Points

    Portugal, Douro, Porto

    Dark and sweet, extracted and strong. Fortified red. I guessed Maury to start as there’s a Grenache note. All the options were port. Think again, Warres’ sweetness, chocolate notes. Got in right in the end.
    This could be a buy in 25% off deals probably better in mid term than now.

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  • 1999 Domaine Cauhapé Jurançon Noblesse du Temps 93 Points

    France, Southwest France, Jurançon

    Deep amber, sweet. Autumn apple fruit, touch of bitter orange. Long sweet with savoury edges. Floral notes, give me Jurancon. Shame it’s years since I had one, so lovely.

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Closing

A fun evening, surprising how difficult the obvious is to pick.
Thanks to all my fellow members for their generous contributions.

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