Notes from a blind tasting lunch.
2013 Conceito Blanco – this was a wine I had picked up for my wife to present. It is made in the Douro by a perfectionist winery and is a field mix of ten different native varietals, fermented and kept in oak. Showing some colour and a very attractive nose with faint oxidative and petrol notes, and a medium body with balanced medium long finish. Pricey but good. Heaviest bottle of the day.
2014 Jean Bourdy Chardonnay Côtes du Jura – another interesting one. Initially a candied grapefruit nose but with a hint of oxidation, fair bit of colour, ending clean and crisp.
2013 Aubert Chardonnay CIX Estate Vineyard – lots of vanilla in the nose but not excessive. Some melon as well and a ton of acidity but all put together in a mix that worked and melded many things that I don’t like about American chards into a wine that I definitely did like. Well made!
2017 Bernard Baudry Chinon – this cab franc was submitted by the Jura fan. It showed the usual green capsicum notes plus some nice spiciness, and had fairly full body and good length. Ready now.
2000 Domaine Robert Chevillon Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Les Cailles – mid red with clear edges, an excellent Pinot nose that gave spiced red berries and earth and a delicious medium long finish with good acidity. Very nice.
2011 Massaya Gold Reserve – a Bekaa Valley wine from Lebanon made with cab sauv plus syrah and mourvedre, this was quite dark and had a primarily cab nose with hints of rubber and red fruit. Good quality.
1998 Tardieu-Laurent Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes – my wine. Lighter colour after the Lebanese entry, more like a dark Burgundy, and a nose of cherry with hints of cinnamon with barnyard hints but not overdone. Smooth and long it was very pleasant drinking, completely ready to go. Good.
2004 Tenuta Col d’Orcia Olmaia Cabernet Col D’orcia – dark with a fairly ripe nose with vanilla and plum. Smooth tannin, mellow and soft now and medium length. Quite good.
1991 Delaforce Porto Vintage Quinta Da Corte – still fairly dark, with a sweet ripe figgy cherry and leather, on palate more raisiny, medium bodied, finishing with some heat. Good choice for a luncheon weight Port. Was surprised that it wasn’t further along in development.