DALLAS TUESDAY NIGHT DOUBLE BLIND - Daniele Osteria, Dallas, TX (6/30/2009)
Last night 9 Dallas locals that post on Wine Spectator, Wine Berserkers, eBob or not at all gathered together to do a double blind tasting. There were no restrictions placed on which wines to bring. The only guidance given was “bring a good wine in a brown bag”. Each wine was tasted individually in order and each participant ventured their guesses as to vintage, wine, etc… before the bag was removed. Most wines were tasted and discuss in under 5 minutes each before proceeding to the next allowing time for a revisit later in the evening after the bags were removed. All of my notes including scores and guesses as to the wine were written down before the bags were removed except where indicated.
Now on to the show…
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N.V. Elisabeth Goutorbe Champagne Cuvée Éclatante - France, Champagne, Aÿ, Champagne
WIML91
Tasted at an offline.
Light yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout with fine, steady beading. Noe of brioche, baked apples, yellow pears and a dash of cherry. Flavors of crisp yellow apples, yellow pears, lemon zest and a dash of cherry on the medium finish. Bright acidity, medium body. Drink over the short, maybe medium term. (91 pts.)
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2004 Vincent Dauvissat (René & Vincent) Chablis 1er Cru La Forest - France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru
WIML89-90?
Tasted double blind at an offline.
Light yellow to yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Light nose of ash, apricot and a bit of florals. Light flavors of apricot core with a dash of lime on the clipped finish. Medium to bright acidity, light to medium body. Drink over the short term.
My guess was this is a 2006 or 2007 Italian white from the south of Italy. (89 pts.)
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1999 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Cuvée Roussanne Vieilles Vignes - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
WIMLNR
Tasted double blind at an offline.
Dark yellow to gold color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of honeysuckle, peach and pear. Flavors of spiced pears over a bed of minerals. Light to medium acidity, medium body. Drink over the short term. Slightly oxidized (not to the point I didn’t enjoy it myself) so no rating as a result.
No guess on this wine since somebody pulled the bag before I could write down my guess but I was heading this direction. Day late, dollar short.
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2006 Pierre-Jacques Druet Bourgueil - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Bourgueil
WIML90
Tasted double blind at an offline.
Dark rose color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of black currants, boysenberry and a bit of anise. Flavors of black beries and cherries. Medium to bright acidity, light to medium body. Drink over the short term.
My guess is this is a 2007 Rose from the Loire. (90 pts.)
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2004 Fattoria La Valentina Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Spelt - Italy, Abruzzi, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
WIML88-89
Taste double blind at an offline.
Dark purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Tight nose of licorice and berries. Flavors of berries, plums and a bit of an earthy finish. Light to medium acidity, medium tannins, light to medium body. Drink over the short term, maybe the medium term.
My guess was this is a 2007 Spanish Jumilla. (88 pts.)
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2006 Fattoria Selvapiana Chianti Rufina Bucerchiale - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Rufina
WIML90-91
Tasted double blind at an offline.
Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of berries, a dash of “barrique”, soapstone and rose petals. Flavors of black licorice, black currants, black cherries and a hint of bitters on the medium finish. Bright acidity, firm tannins, full bodied. Hold.
My guess was this is an 2006 Tuscan IGT. (91 pts.)
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2001 Fattoria del Cerro Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva - Italy, Tuscany, Montepulciano, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
WIML90
Tasted double blind at an offline.
Purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of licorice, berries and florals. Flavors of black berries and black cherries. Bright acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium to full bodied. Drink over the medium term. Probably needs a decant.
My guess was this is a lighter style 2001 Italian Syrah from the south, likely Sicilia. (90 pts.)
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2001 Il Poggione (Proprietá Franceschi) Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
WIML92
Tasted double blind at an offline.
Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of perfume, berries, a bit of fertilizer and some notes of thistle. Rick flavors of black cherries and black berries. Bright acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium to full bodied.
My guess was this is a 2002 Ribera del Duero (ACK!). (92 pts.)
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1990 Clos du Mont-Olivet Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Cuvée du Papet - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
WIMLNR
Tasted double blind at an offline.
Dark garnet to purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose was a bit vegetal with added notes of berries. Flavors of berries on the palate with some bitters on the finish. Medium acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium body. Drink or hold (if a good bottle obviously). Bottle seemed to under perform on the nose so no rating as a result.
My guess was this is a 1990 or 1994 Southern Rhone wine.
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2003 Michel & Stéphane Ogier Côte-Rôtie Cuvée la Belle Hélène - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie
WIML91+
Tasted double blind at an offline.
Dark garnet to purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose light blueberry notes with bacon fat, black berries and dark plums. Flavors of black berries, a dash of cocoa powder and black cherries. Medium to bright acidity., medium tannins, medium body. Drink with a decant or hold.
My guess was this is a 2005 Northern Rhone wine. (91 pts.)
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2005 Alvaro Palacios Priorat Les Terrasses - Spain, Catalunya, Priorat
WIML92
Tasted double blind at an offline.
Dark garnet to purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose with light notes of perfume, anise, plum and berries. Flavors of berries and cherries. Bright acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium to full body. Hold.
My guess was this is a young Super Tuscan. Also debated back and forth between that an a Gaja Sperss. I was closer with the young Super Tuscan although still missed the mark. (92 pts.)
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2004 Vestini Campagnano Pallagrello Nero Terre del Volturno IGT - Italy, Campania, Terre del Volturno IGT
WIML91-92?
Tasted double blind at an offline.
Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of chalk, perfume, plums and berries. Flavors of plums and berries. Bright acidity, firm tannins, medium to full body. Hold.
My guess was this is a 2005 IGT from Italy. (91 pts.)
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2007 Tenute Cisa Asinari dei Marchesi di Gresy Langhe Nebbiolo Martinenga - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC
WIML88-89?
Tasted double blind at an offline.
Garnet to dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of anise, black cherries and a dash of menthol. Flavors of licorice and black cherries. Medium to bright acidity, medium tannins and body. Drink over the medium term.
My guess was this is a 2007 Aglianico from Italy. (88 pts.)
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1999 Sportoletti Villa Fidelia Umbria IGT - Italy, Umbria, Umbria IGT
WIML92
Tasted double blind June 30, 2009 at an offline.
Dark garnet color in the glass, slightly cloudy looking. Nose of fertilizer up front that blew off with about 2 hours of air to reveal aromas of currants, thistle and a mix of dark fruits. Flavors of tart cherries and berries but again with air gave way to added notes of rich currants and juicy red berries. Bright acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium to full bodied. Drink over the medium term with a decant.
My guess was the 1999 Sportoletti Villa Fidelia Umbria IGT but that’s not really fair because I brought the wine and knew it was in the lineup. (92 pts.)
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2004 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir 4 Barrel - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
WIML91
Tasted double blind at an offline.
Garnet to dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of currants, black cheries, black berries and a bit of perfume. Flavors of red currants, red licorice and rich red berries. Medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink over the medium term.
My guess was this is the 2004 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir 4 Barrel but that’s not fair because I brought the bottle and knew it was in the lineup. (91 pts.)