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Blind tasting 24 Nov 2009 (or a day in paradise)

Its even darker now in Norway now, even more wet and windy. Time too heat up on some serious wines. Here is the results of the latest blindtasting...

Wine#1
Deep dark red wine with purple rim, discrete seductive smell of blackberries, medium length with some fruitiness but a surprising dominant acidity which dragged the grade down. Panel went immediately to the "cooler" Shiraz of South africa and was in fact right:
Middelvlei Shiraz 2006, Stellenbosch Score  15.1
www.middelvlei.co.za

Wine#2
Deep dark red again with a more delicate and long lasting bouquet of dark fruits, mint and the same "cool" fruit. On the palate longer and more balanced with nice fruity reasonably lengthy aftertaste. No apparent Australian sweetness, so the the panel again went for Shiraz but was divided on the origin (dwindling between South Africa and Australia) and they were right again:
Shaw Smith 2007 shiraz from Adelaide Hills (cooler region in South Australia) Score 16,7
Shaw + Smith Wines

Wine#3
Medium red on the colour with red rim, a very floral wine with a certain sweetness to it both on the nose and palate. Lovely bouquet according to 67% of the panel and a seductive feminine taste that again 67% of the panel found attractive. Panel agreed on Pinot Noir not from burgundy, but was again debating the origin of the wine leaning towards California or New Zealand and they were nearly spot on again;
William Downie Pinot Noir 2008 from Yarra Valley >40€ Score 17,9 (overpriced I believe)
The Wines | William Downie Pinot Noir

Wine#4
Another Pinot Noir according to the panel. Medium red colour and same nice delicate floral smell but somewhat less sweet. The taste slightly cooler and less sweet, long velvety taste with nice fruit and well balanced acidity. The panel in no doubt about PN, but missed the county which this time was;
Cloudy Bay 2007 Pinot Noir Marlborough New Zealand around 40€ Score 18,4
Mainpage | Cloudy Bay - Marlborough New Zealand (see picture below)

Wine#5
For curiosity a Ch Chauvin 1980 from St. Emilion was tasted and it was definitely over the hill. According to the producer herself this wine should be drunk within 12 years and I believe her....


A fantastic day for the panel, practically spot on 4 times! Congratulations....!

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