Our Monday Night Blind Wine Dinner Group met once again to share in the passion and enhance our learning process for all things wine.
Five of us brought individually pre-assigned wines to provide a balanced lineup with 1 bubbly, 2 whites and 2 reds.
As usual, our MO is to taste each wine throughout the evening, share our impressions and thoughts as to varietal type, make up of the wine, any flaws detected, vintage vs. non vintage, country of origin, producer and even vineyard designates if applicable.
As we have definitely learned, wines changed over even a short period of time and our final conclusions before revealing is normally after at least an hour or so of swirling and tasting. I might add, each of us taste from our own perspectives and in this group, our perceptions go beyond simple, basic analysis and incorporate the breadth and spirit of the wine as well as to include terroir and winemaking styles.
Here’s some notes:
2008 LAURENT PERRIER BRUT- blind; for a champagne that I’ve had a lot more than all others except for one {2006 Taittinger Comtes}, I did not recognize this bottle and it was stupendous; in fact, it was the best of all bottles which is why is didn’t ID it besides it was missing the amazing yellow apple fruit that has been so dominant in all other bottles; this one was beautifully rich and full bodied with lovely citrus fruit, especially lemon and lime, which supported its very bright streak of acid running through; a touch of tasty brioche and hint of honeysuckle and a coat of honey embellished the aromatics and taste profile and the marvelous oily mouthfeel included a bit of weight and served to lengthen the finish nicely; and on top of all of these notes, it was in perfect balance; I immediately called it 2008 Comtes and therefore a BdB and I never wavered although the little voice within was trying to persuade me otherwise; I did eventually mention that it had some 2008 L-P likeness, but I’d never had one that was this complete {up until now}. A top 10 wine of 2026 for me.
2013 DOMAINE VINCENT GIRARDIN LES COMBETTES PULIGNY-MONTRACHET 1er Cru- blind; this had a light yellow color and persisted on the “light” theme with initially somewhat muted aromas that upon further search and more time revealed red and yellow apple with some minerals in the background; it was medium bodied and still somewhat minimally expressive until after at least 20 minutes when it started to give more and gain elegance, but still for me, very mild stated; I sensed it was a white Burgundy, but after a while, I moved over to Chablis guessing the vintage to be 2015.
2000 AU BON CLIMAT PASSANT des NUITS-BLANCHES au BOUGE XX ANNIVERSARY ESTATE BOTTLED CHARDONNAY- my bring served blind as the original bottle was super heavy, had dark green glass and a huge punt in the bottom, all easily telltale for ID; so, I poured it into another bottle at home; the color was pure gold and immediately the troops mentioned premox and eventually an alternative that it could be an older wine with some age on it, but when the taste profile was found to be devoid of oxidative notes like butterscotch, almonds and caramel, it gained more acceptance; in fact and especially once revealed, some adoration and admiration for the winemaker, Jim Clendenen who created his wines for longevity, balance and integrity while maintaining a solid acidic backbone which was displayed in this wine; the lovely taste profile included some mature, honeyed yellow peach and yellow apple; I invited all to just pick up the glass and without swirling and noticing the color, to just have a taste and when they did, there was a consensus of approval for a wine that was considered initially to be over the hill.
2007 BOUCHARD PERE & FILS CHAMBERTIN-CLOS de BEZE GRAND CRU- blind; this had a medium grainy red purple color and pleasant aromas of spicy red cherry and red raspberry that, along with the brainy color immediately suggested Pinot Noir to me; once tasted, it expressed class and royalty and now I’m in Burgundy; this was elegant and sophisticated, seamless and round with some depth and yet for me, it was more about its elegance and charm than it full and rich persona; I held to my Burgundy convictions amidst lots of conversation that tended to suggest otherwise although I did have it as a 1er Cru from about 2005.
2009 E. GUIGAL ERMITAGE EX VOTTO- blind; from the outset this was a wowzer wine; following its dark red purple color came amazing aromas of oak, smoke and leather laden blackberry that continued on all the way through; this wine reeked of class and royalty and lived up to its first impressions by delivering all of the goodness in a super smooth texture that extended the welcomed finish and brought everything together; I first thought this was left bank Bordeuax, then went with Nebbiolo as so many of our wines that have this type of profile have been discovered to be; then one suggested N’ Rhone and I kept look again for the pepper and spice and blueberry and never found any; regardless, it was a wonderful wine to explore and adore.
Next up, one of our members is treat gin us to a blind format with a theme that has one or more of 3 parameters, from the same producer, from the same vintage and/or from the same vineyard.
Can’t wait!
Cheers,
Blake
With 3 staff members and some eyes closed
The perfect pic