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Double Blind 1993s From Around the World
Hughes House - Chicago IL
Tasted November 25, 2013 by Burgundy Al with 530 views
Introduction
The Chicago Wine Flock was hosted to a mystery themed double blind tasted by our friend the Winefool, who fooled us with a fascinating flight of 1993s. Ten wines tasted double blind, I thought there was a twenty year vintage range, perhaps 1982-2002 (!). Oops. Great job with the wines and dinner, thanks, Chris!
Flight 1 - "Welcome" White Wines (2 notes)
White
2003 Didier Dagueneau Pur Sang
flawed
I thought this was slightly corked with a cardboard aromatic note and muted, musty fruit with a slightly bitter finish. Others just thought this old and tired.
White
2011 Demetervin Tokaji Furmint
Tasted double blind. Seemed very Chardonnay like to me with some baby fat, ripe fruit and sweet spice, just a little simple. Easy to enjoy.
Flight 2 - 1993 Reds (10 notes)
Red
1993 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
89 points
Tasted double blind in what turned out to be a flight of 1993s from around the world. Pale-medium color. Earthy aromas with mature red fruit. Moderate intensity with good mushroom flavors with good spice. Moderate length or finesse, perhaps a few years past its peak, but very clean and pleasurable tonight.
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Red
1993 Georges Lignier et Fils Clos de la Roche
86 points
Tasted double blind in what turned out to be a flight of 1993s. Didn't come across as Pinot Noir to me. Large black fruit with woodsy spice aromas. Firm on palate as well with structural elements in the forefront, detracting from the wine's overall balance. Shocked to see this Grand Cru Burgundy.
Red
1993 Penfolds Grange
90 points
Tasted double blind in what turned out to be a flight of 1993s. Dense black fruit, huge spice, lots of dill and eucalyptus. Sweet tannins with dense black fruit. Seemed much younger than a '93, so lots of upside from here.
Red
1993 Penfolds Cabernet Sauvignon Bin 707
89 points
Tasted double blind in what turned out to be a flight of 1993s. Fresh fruit aromas, almost plummy but attractive and balanced with subtle spice. Intense, sweet fruit to start with moderate density and length. Seemed like a younger modern styled California Cabernet to me. Others liked this more than I did, it was the group's 2nd favorite wine tonight, my 5th.
Red
1993 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain
94 points
Tasted double blind in what turned out to be a flight of 1993s. Modest start, this really opened and expanded with air (even having already been open 2+ hours and double decanted). Serious power and density emerged with concentrated black fruit and very well balanced structural support. I thought this left bank Bordeaux. My WOTN, group's WOTN.
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Red
1993 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage
93 points
Tasted double blind in what turned out to be a flight of 1993s. Started with earth and mushroom aromas with intense mature ripe, seemingly not very ripe. Very good spice. Elegant flavors, moderate intensity, good finesse, just slightly less exciting than the nose. My 2nd favorite wine tonight, group's 6th.
Red
1993 Château Latour Grand Vin
Tasted double blind in what turned out to be a flight of 1993s. Red and black fruit with a musty, earthy start. Some thought corked. Mature fruit with moderate intensity and a slight bitter hint on finish. 87 points for me tonight, but was it flawed or just suffering from a mediocre Bordeaux vintage?
Red
1993 Yarra Yering Shiraz Underhill
85 points
Tasted double blind in what turned out to be a flight of 1993s. Ultra ripe all-black fruit, fun but top heavy. Not my cup of tea. Surprised to hear this is a cool climate Syrah.
Red
1993 Dominique Laurent Beaune Vieilles Vignes
87 points
Tasted double blind in what turned out to be a flight of 1993s. Large scaled black fruit on nose and palate. Firm and dense but good enough fruit that was starting to show interesting mature notes. I had no idea what varietal this was. Group's least favorite wine of the night, I liked it slightly more than that.
Red
1993 Dominique Laurent Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Lavaux St. Jacques
89 points
Tasted double blind in what turned out to be a flight of 1993s. All black fruit with lots of new oak spice in the forefront. Forward fruit on palate with oak better integrated than it was aromatically. Tannins and acid are a bit too prominent right now.
Flight 3 - Some 1993 Whites with Dessert (2 notes)
White
1993 Domaine Weinbach Gewurztraminer Furstentum Cuvée Laurence
Tasted double blind. Clearly identified as Gewurztraminer with its floral, nutty combination. Some candied fruit without being sweet. Pleasant.
White - Sweet/Dessert
1993 Château d'Yquem
88 points
Tasted double blind from 375ml bottle. Clearly identifiable as Sauternes with good layers of botrytis. Somewhat simple and one dimensional with modest fruit that is showing older than I'd expect from 20 yo d'Yquem, even from an average vintage.
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