Master Po: You think I can not see?
Caine: Of all things, to live in darkness must be worst.
Master Po: Fear is the only darkness.
Blind tasting-- It injects FEAR into the hearts of many tasters. Those that overcome their fear, must overcome DOUBT, and only those that truly overcome doubt can then face their skills (in el Thunderdome!)
On Tuesday night, the 2009 East Lake Tasting Table got together for their second session of blind tasting. Formed and hosted by by the team of Matt Olson (from finalanalysis wine blog) and Cayce Callaway, the group is made up of a collection of many of Atlanta's top wine professionals. (How I snuck in, I haven't a clue...)
(The Wines Unveiled)
The blind tasting is academic in approach- some participants are practicing for wine exams, others to hone their skills, and everyone wanting to use their wits to try and best determine what is in each bag.
11 bottles were lined up and bagged-- 5 White, 6 Red, and the group worked through all the bottles at their own pace. About an hour later, the bags were unveiled. There were some cries of victory, some disappointing groans, but everyone having a feeling that doing this is worthwhile activity for any wine professional or wine lover.
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The wines with some of my notes.
(Disclaimer: My notes do not reflect the opinions or consensus of any other participants)
WHITES
1. 1992 Domaine Aux Moines Savennières
(France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Savennières Roche aux Moines) Chenin Blanc variety.
A huge, salty, shell-like nose that could only be Savennières. The metallic yellow / orange says age. I put in my vote as a 1997. Killer-Killer Juice! (Huge props to Vajra for bringing this!)
2. 2007 Araldica Piemontesi Gavi La Luciana
(Italy, Piedmont, Gavi) Cortese variety.
I picked up a ton of floral notes w/ some melon. A little nutty, and my best guess was young Viognier.
3. 2004 Domaine Alain Patriarche Bourgogne Blanc La Monatine
(France, Burgundy, Côte d'Or, Meursault, La Monatine) Chardonnay variety.
Burnt, scorched wood / match stick. Screams 2004 White Burgundy.
4. 2006 Jean-Philippe Fichet Bourgogne-Aligoté
(France, Burgundy) Aligoté variety.
Grassy nose, medium bodied, open & closed on the palate. Aligoté. I had the unfair advantage on this- I brought this one and was semi-familiar with it. (though someone also brought it to the previous meeting)
5. 2007 M. Chapoutier Crozes-Hermitage Petite Ruche
(France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage) Marsanne Variety.
Floral, rock, and peach. Unfair advantage 2- I brought this one too and pegged it. For what it is worth, I LOVE this wine....
REDS
1. 2002 Château Léoville Poyferré
(France, Bordeaux, Medoc, St, Julien) Red Bordeaux Blend.
Dried cherry, leather, , oak, and then some oak. Juicy, mouthwatering acids, big tannins. I thought a 2002 Sangiovese.
2. 2003 Salentein Reserve Malbec
(Argentina, Mendoza, Valle de Uco) Malbec Variety
I was convinced this was a new world, Paso robles Syrah from 05. Deep purple, intense fruit, heavy on the palate....wrong.
3. 2002 Château Angélus
(France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru) Red Bordeaux Blend
Cherry, Currants, graphite- screams Bordeaux blend. On the palate, more fruit than I expected from BDX, I threw my vote in for 2002 Napa Cab / Merlot blend. Right grapes, right vintage, wrong place (Should have kept 1st guess).
4. 2007 Bodegas Borsao Garnacha Campo de Borja Tres Picos
(Spain, Aragón, Campo de Borja) Grenache Variety.
New world, 2006, central coast Pinot Noir- 100% certain! Cherry explosion, spice, tightly knit, extracted, Zin like Alc. I even started listing vineyards... Nope. I even had this 2 weeks ago.
5. 2006 Foley Estates Pinot Noir Rancho Santa Rosa
(USA, CA, Central Coast, Santa Rita Hills) Pinot Noir Variety.
2006 OR Pinot 75% sure. Backup guess- Russian River Pinot Noir. Medium Cherry, some earthy tones, low tannins... (In hindsight, this changed a lot, and became way fruitier, and CA as the night went on). Right vintage, right grape.
6. 2003 Storybook Mountain Vineyards Zinfandel Mayacamas Range
(USA, CA, Napa Valley) Zinfandel Variety.
An initial nose of cold, canned vegetable soup, dried, candied orange rinds, and birthday cake. 97 Amarone or 2001(ish) Ripassa. I was certain it was Italian and was made with raisinated fruit. This was another wine that continually changed over the night. The Veg. soup blowing off, and pure fruit starting to shine through. This one was a trip.
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In the end, I find Blind Tasting is like golf. It is always you against yourself (or against that know-it-all Master Po!)
This was an awesome event with a great crew of some of the Atlanta's most passionate wine professionals. Huge thanks to Cayce and Matt for hosting the event! Also- Check out Matt's wine blog-- finalanalysis. It is a cool view from inside the industry.
