Alas, I didn’t make it to the finals this year but managed what I consider an entirely respectable 4th place with 245 points. Jay Hack was in 5th (unless I tied with someone) at 240 points.
Unfortunately they didn’t let us keep our booklets this year so I had to go by memory for my guesses and I didn’t recall most of the vintages.
Tasting conditions were not ideal as it was a warm, very humid day and the venue had no air conditioning. Instead doors were open to the street letting in the humidity and the street noise.
Wine 1
Always go with your first guess. First wine and I was convinced it was Burgundy, probably Chambolle. But then I got to wine #4 and was even more certain that one was Burgundy so I changed my guess. This and Wine #4 were far and away my favorites. Bright,complex, red fruited.
My guess: 1990 Felsina Fontalloro
The wine: 2002 Daniel Rion, Echezeaux
Wine 2
Boring, sort of bleh-ish wine. As always when I have no idea and I don’t like it I guessed Chateauneuf de Pape. Not overripe so I went with
My guess: Clos des Papes Chateauneuf de Pape
The wine: 1990 Chapoutier Hermitage Sizeranne
This makes sense. Is there a more boring producer in the N. Rhone than Chapoutier? I don’t think so.
Wine 3
Ripe, fleshy, did not care for this one either as you can see from my guess.
My guess: Flowers Pinot Noir
The wine: 1997 Marcarini Barolo Brunate
Wine 4
This one was obviously Burgundy and reminded me very strongly of a Lafarge I had opened a few weeks previous.
My guess: Lafarge Volnay Chateau de Clos des Ducs
The wine: 1978 Pichon Lalande
Lovely, lovely, wine.
Wine 5
Struck me as a good, albeit a bit four square Bordeaux.
My guess: Beychevelle
The wine: 1995 Chateau Certan de May
Wine 6
I liked this one as well. Spicy with berry fruit so
My guess: Ridge Geyserville
The wine: 1997 Groth Cabernet Sauvignon
Wine 7
Very nice layered aged cabernet. Reminded me of some older Dunns I’ve had.
My guess: Dunn Howell Mountain
The wine: 1980 Dunn Cabernet, Napa
Wine 8
This wine had a slight spritz and smelled overwhelmingly of sulphur. Obviously some young white Burgundy which was oversulphered out of fear of premox.
My guess: Coche Dury
The wine: 2004 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne
Huh? I’ve had the 2004 at least a half dozen times and this seemed really atypical to me. On the other hand other people (including Jay H) correctly guessed Comtes. So what do I know?
Anyway, loads of fun as usual and nice to say hi to a number of familiar NYC wine geek faces.