Blindtasting 25 August 2009

Back in Norway and expensive wines at the Vinmonopolet, it's always a pleasure to participate to the "1855 wineclub". 4 bottles on the agenda last night;

Bottle 1

Medium deep dark red colour with a typical Bordeaux nose, very silky smooth taste with no tannins and some additional acidity. The panel was confused by the Bordeaux nose and the Barbera d'Alba taste, but landed on a foreign (outside France) Cabernet Sauvignon.

Over all score 16,6: Ch Changyu Castel 1995 from China! Cabernet

If your target is to confuse the panel then this is the wine for you!

Bottle 2

Slightly deeper dark red colour with a red rim. Comments related to Margaux in Medoc was given immediately due to a very delicate and elegant "Bordeaux nose"wood, leather,coffee, long solid taste with smooth firm tannins and very good balance. A very nice bottle of wine with the panel agonising close as Lascases is from St .Julien (a few km´s away)

Score of 17,7: Ch.Leoville Lascases 1997

Unfortunately this was the last bottle in the host wine cellar, but luckily we still got 6.

Bottle 3

Same dark red colour as 2, but with a very red brown rim indicated old age. Nose of wet wool, cedar, coffee, forrest, cassis etc again leading the panel to Medoc. The taste even smoother than the previous one with no tannins just a silky long taste. Oldest guess was 1989.

Score 18,85 ; Ch. Leoville Las Cases 1978!!

This just shows the potential of this chateau, 31 years old! Imagine!

Bottle 4

Very dark deep red colour. Big nose of mint,dried fruit, minerals, big mouthful with too much alcohol. Panel out of Bordeaux and seeking strong Cabernet from other parts of the world although the acidity and alcohol content should have advised them otherwise.

Score 17,35: Amorone della Valpolicella 2001 Cecilia Beretta

All in all a very good tasting indeed by our host from mid Norway. Next event is set for 28 September.

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