DOODS, DATASETS, A DOG, AND 7 WHITES TASTED BLIND - Below the Den, AdMo (2/23/2024)
A zero notice gathering of all Doods and mostly Chardonnays served single and double blind. There was riveting talk of Salesforce datasets and multicolored charts to start and finish the evening. Otherwise it was mostly just a pork fest. Pork sausages, pork loin, mustard, oh my. Lucky for everyone and against the norm at this location, the dog was not into humping legs.
The wines were all very good. The 7th wine, which ranked #7 for me and 6th for the group, was a Chablis from Trader Joe’s. Nothing wrong with it, but rather one note with the chalky mineral bits and lack of intrigue on the palate.
- 2013 Wind Gap Wines Chardonnay Woodruff Vineyard - USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
Nutty and creamy witha bit of citrus on the nose. Moderate intensity of citrus and apple with a nice finish to it. This was less open and expressive than other bottles I’ve had, but pleasing for sure. Also a silly deal back around Christmas 2022…
My #5, group tied for #5 (90 points) - 2014 Olivier Merlin Pouilly-Vinzelles Les Longeays - France, Burgundy, Mâconnais, Pouilly-Vinzelles
A bit of reduction and butterscotch along with orange custard aromas. Dense and rich ripe apple and lemon curd, sappy and long, loads of tension and wonderfully balanced. Gourmand
My #1, group #1/7 (93 points) - 2016 Drew Family Cellars Chardonnay Valenti Ranch - USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino Ridge
Wildly different than I recall for this wine when purchased several years ago… I remember relatively lean, saline and lemon notes.
On this night, tasted blind, there was ripe orchard fruit on the nose and strong notes of ripe stone fruit on the palate, notably soft and round, and perhaps lacking the energetic finish and tension I’d prefer. Solid wine and very interesting expression.
My #4, group #2/7 (90 points) - 2018 Sandar & Hem Chardonnay Bruzzone Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains - USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
Flint, white florals, and cream on the nose. Long and sappy through the mid palate, rich citrus trending toward orange, faint floral, long and bright finish.
My #2, group #5/7 (92 points) - 2019 E. Guigal Condrieu - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Condrieu
This was fine and enjoyable amongst a lineup of Chardonnay tasted blind. I didn’t pick up the notes I necessarily expect from viogner here, but others got peaches and cream. I found a distinct bitterness on the palate that probably pushed it down the list for me.
My #6, group #7 (89 points) - 2021 Domaine de Chantemerle Chablis La Fourchaume - France, Burgundy, Chablis
Saline, mineral, chalk, and white flowers on the nose. Orange blossom and citrus palate on first tasting transitions to a surprisingly tropical mix of fruits as the bottle opens up. Nose pointed clearly to Chablis, but palate would’ve left me confused. Either way a really nice wine.
My #3, group #3 (92 points)
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