TNs: Blind tasting of 8 assorted reds, generally <$50

My favorite things about blind tasting is finding hidden gems and the wildly incorrect guesses. At this tasting, only got to experience the wildly incorrect guesses, as none of the wines proved to be positive new discoveries for me. The 2016 Comtesse is an extremely nice second wine, and the 2005 Autard “Cote Ronde” is finally squarely in its prime window, after going through many years of being quite shy.



2015 Domaine Vincent and Sophie Morey Santenay 1er Cru Beaurepaire - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Santenay 1er Cru (6/12/2021)
– popped and poured –
– tasted blind over approx. 30 min. –

NOSE: light oak; bit high-toned; little bit of brett in the background; medium+ expressiveness.

BODY: medium-light bodied.

TASTE: juicy; red-fruited; tastes young; strawberry; calling CA Rhone blend. Was somewhat surprised at the reveal, although this is not the first time I’ve called a Pinot a Rhone blend when tasting blind. This is definitely on the riper side, and – as far as Pinot goes – is not what I’m looking for.

2015 Château Garraud - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Lalande de Pomerol (6/12/2021)
– decanted 2.75 hours before initial taste –
– tasted blind over approx. 30 min. –
– 93% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon –

NOSE: “dark”; molasses; dark red fruits; a green aspect, too; perhaps some age on this?

BODY: dark garnet color with slight bricking throughout; full bodied.

TASTE: pretty big; alc. is noticeable (labelled at 14.5%); very oaky; little bit of leathery funk on the back end; guessed 2004 CA Cab. Franc.

2018 Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon Post & Beam - USA, California, Napa Valley (6/12/2021)
– decanted 2.5 hours before initial taste –
– tasted blind over approx. 30 min. –

NOSE: big; young; inky; meaty.

BODY: inky, young, magenta-violet color; medium-full bodied.

TASTE: a bit spiky; red-fruited; alc. a bit spiky (labelled at 14.5%); Grenache or CA Rhone?; too big for my preferences.

2016 Réserve de la Comtesse - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac (6/12/2021)
– decanted 6 hours before initial taste –
– tasted “blind,” although this was my contribution and I was pretty sure I knew it when its turn came –

NOSE: tight; L Bank Bdx.; dark cherry; rye cracker; complex; deep.

BODY: magenta-garnet color; medium bodied.

TASTE: little bit stony; tannic; mix of dark red and light purple fruits; hint of pyrazine; liked this a lot.

2014 Château Tour de Marbuzet - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe (6/12/2021)
– decanted 3 hours before initial taste –
– tasted blind over approx. 30 min. –

NOSE: celery seed; a bit high-toned, and moderately expressive; Sangiovese?; young Brunello?

BODY: medium bodied.

TASTE: tannic; dark red fruits; good acidity; a little touch of flowers; big – alc. a little noticeable (labelled at 14%).

2005 Domaine Paul Autard Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée La Cote Ronde - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (6/12/2021)
– decanted 6.75 hours before initial taste –
– tasted “blind,” but I knew what this was when I was tasting it –

NOSE: minty; stony; light purple fruits; some tertiary elements present now.

BODY: medium bodied.

TASTE: hint of soy sauce; horehound candy; old wood furniture; good acidity; comes across as aged; in its prime window right now.

2017 Runchet Langhe Nebbiolo - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC (6/12/2021)
– decanted 6.5 hours before initial taste –
– tasted blind over approx. 30 min. –
– 100% Nebbiolo –

NOSE: cranberry jelly; hint of cinnamon.

BODY: medium bodied.

TASTE: very tannic; red-fruited; 15.5% alc…

2012 Cabot Vineyards Syrah Marier Vineyard Humboldt County - USA, California, North Coast, Humboldt County (6/12/2021)
– cork pulled about 1.5 hours before initial taste –
– tasted blind over approx. 30 min. –

NOSE: smells big; dark red fruits.

BODY: full bodied.

TASTE: lightly tannic; smoky; hint of brett; pretty big; drink Now or continue to Hold: it’s not tight or reserved at the moment, nor does it come across as being on its downslope.

Great notes. I love blind tastings. Simultaneously humbling and educational. Looks like a very fun experience.

I did a lot of blind tasting during much of the COVID shutdowns and enjoyed pretty much every experience. For whatever reason I haven’t done much blind tasting since things opened back up. I think we’re all just too happy to be back enjoying each others company to layer in an extra layer of complexity to the gatherings

Nice concise notes. I know the purpose is to report on and share your impressions of the actual wines, but I find myself also interested in hearing about your “wildly incorrect guesses”.

to that!! On occasion, my wife and I will put together a mini blind tasting for just us two at home — anywhere from two to four wines; 375s come in quite handy for this purpose.

LOL! Well, I can’t say I’m particularly proud to have called a red Burgundy a Central Coast Rhone blend. I managed to call Cab. Franc for a 2015 R bank Bdx comprised of 93% Merlot. Thought a young Napa Cab was a CA Grenache, and thought a St. Estephe was a young Brunello. So, not exactly on the mark with those.