2nd Annual Best of Bordeaux vs Kings of Kalifornia
PRIMA, Walnut Creek
Tasted September 30, 2010 by soyhead with 804 views
Introduction
After much palaver, 2nd annual Kings of Kalifornia vs Best of Bordeaux convened with a quorum of eight: Duane, Mario, Steve, Loretta, Kevin, Peggy, Jeff and Errol. There were some very noteable absences, but I can no longer remember whom.
To paraphrase Duane, for those of you could couldn’t make it we were happy to drink wine for you. Again California swept, and the crown passed from Mario to Duane, who did a minor victory lap in the restauarant when the wines were revealed, against the rules of better decorum, and gleefully exclaimed ‘So now will you guys leave me alone?’ Duane, sorry buddy, even a stopped clock tells the right time twice
a day.
Eight wines were served, blind – half California, half Bordeaux. All eight were decanted, and we each had eight glasses in front of us. Gwyn and Sid took care of all our vinous needs. It was yet another reminder of how PRIMA is a really classy place. A spit bucket went largely unused. Some of us hazarded a guess as to the geographic location of each wine, some us were so bold to actually predict an appelation, and some of us just kicked back and enjoyed the wines.
An interesting observation was that I was able guess 3 of the 4 Bordeauxs correctly based on the perceived aroma of celery. I pointed it out to the table, though I'm not sure anybody really agreed with me on that. As usual, all notes are my personal opinions, and scores are somewhat arbitary.
Flight 1 (1 note)
mouth - fruit punch, red cherry, sweet red fruit, and lots and lots of caramel. Per steve has 'unctuousness'. Initially I found it delicious, and as the night wore on i thought it to be candied.
Flight 2 (1 note)
Flight 3 (1 note)
Mouth - tutti frutti, red fruit, undeniably delicious, and probably in the prime of its drinking window. Extremely smooth with a great texture, rich midpalate, and long finish. As Duane put it 'this wine has something that none of the others got'. Group winner, and tied for my 2nd favorite of the night. This is the kind of wine that you want to serve when you are trying to show off. I incorrectly guessed Bordeaux.
Flight 4 (1 note)
mouth - somewhat closed though opened with time. dark fruit, Jeff found it 'plumy and pruney'. A big wine with solid tannins and potential, I guessed it to be young needing time, jeff guessed it be old. In retrospect i think we were both right.
Flight 5 (1 note)
mouth - 'not budging' per jeff. a young and tannic wine. I misjudged it to be Californian. Points largely on potential.
Flight 6 (1 note)
mouth - cherry syrup meets chocolate. Also young, very tannic. Yummy, but at this stage lacks finesse. Groups second place for WOTN.
Flight 7 (1 note)
mouth - my initial notes simply state 'drinking amazing'. very suave, velvety, dark cherry, cocoa, with good minerality. A big wine, though with a feminine twist, and much more approachable I think than the 2000 Gruaud Larose.
Flight 8 (1 note)
mouth - sweet cocoa, caramel, chocolate, a desert in a glass, and all slightly overwhelming. Perhaps my palate was sacked by this point, but I had a hard time appreciating the fruit. Slightly bitter finish.
Closing
Thanks to everyone for their generosity and a great evening.
For photos, check out:
http://picasaweb.google.com/errolcraig/KingsOfKaliforniaVBestOfBordeauxII?authkey=Gv1sRgCNjS58nxiuSCLQ#