Fun lunch where I picked wines specifically for a buddy who was part of the tasting group!
Marguet Shaman 19
Rich, complex, spicy. The bubbles are a little on the weak side and this bothered some. Not me. We drank the rest with a Brillat-Savarin before dessert and it worked real well. Very ripe and layered while still no dosage.
Lopez de Heredia Gravonia 2015
Double decanted 2 hours ahead of time.
Lanolin, petrol, chamomile, ripe stone fruit and citrus. No one got this right (Chenin from Loire, Marsanne, etc). Not easy if you’ve never had this. Very good. Still needs time to show some oxidative undertones.
Clos Floridène 2005
Opened 2 hours ahead.
Ready to go! Beautiful deep golden color. Citrus, dried herbs and vanilla cream. The texture is wonderful with oiliness but a bright citrusy finish. Guesses were also all over the place. Best guess was SA Semillon.
Okro’s Wines Saperavi Budeshuri 2016
Double decanted 2 hours ahead of time.
Blind guesses starte with Bordeaux and Morgon. Ripe cherry and earthy with sligthly grippy but fine tannins. Good wine.
Kanonkop Estate Wine Pinotage 2016
Double decanted 2 hours ahead of time.
Everybody else’s WOTL (mine were the Marguet and Clos Floridène). Ripe red berries, plums, pie spices and vanilla. Nothing too overt though. Acidity is on point to carry the red and black berries on the palate. Long finish. Good.
La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza Reserva 2015
Double decanted 2 hours ahead of time.
Still tannic. The nose is que nice and integrated with ripe berries, plums, leather, coffee and sweet spices. The palate is ripe but with good mineral freshness. Good.