WTN: Single blind tasting of Rhone reds at Le Souffle

We decided to do this tasting single blind as we wanted to try certain bottles against each other. Aside from the whites and dessert, all the wines were known beforehand but were served blind. I also snuck in a Corte Riva Petite Sirah 2005 just to spice things up. The Corte Riva was served double blind.

Disclosure: I am now officially ITB as the exclusive importer of Corte Riva in the Philippines and as such, I shall refrain from giving comments on Corte Riva wines.

Pre dinner whites:

Pride Viognier 2006 - Lush and sweet, with distinct bitterness on finish. Still, very good for me.

Guigal Condrieu 2004 - Soft and lush. Quite dry and bitter. Very long finish. Lacks flavor compared to the Pride. I just don't get Condrieu. Good with the salad, though.

Now to the reds:

Wine A - Obviously the Torbreck due to the distinctive lip on the bottle. Nice nose. Menthol. Rich, plums, blackberry and blueberry. Complex. Very tannic. Needs lots more time but will be excellent or even outstanding when at peak. My number 2 but only because it isn't ready. Otherwise, my number 1. Group number 3. Torbreck The Descendant Shiraz/Viognier 2002.

Wine B - Corte Riva Petite Sirah.

Wine C - Palish. Nice nose but hot. Slightly pruny. Quite dry with a medicinal finish. Light. Seems to have some age on it. Didn't like this. Only one vote for third place. Guigal Cote Rotie Brune et Blond 2001.

Wine D - Nice nose. Good flavor and balance. Dry and tannic. Needs time. Good. Only one vote for third place. Guigal Cote Rotie Chateau d'Ampuis 2001.

Wine E - Strong coffee aroma. Smells like a Starbucks. Fairly deep. Sweet and rich. Quite soft and ready to go. Very good but still didn't make anyone's top 3. Golden Mile Black Arts Syrah 2006 from Okanagan, BC.

Wine F - Nice nose. Mocha. Dark. Sweet fruit. Excellent balance.Ripe. Still some tannin but showing very well. More time will improve this further although lovely now. My number 1. Group number 1. Montes Folly Syrah 2001.

Wine G - Poopy but with a sweetness underneath. Soft, dry and showing a bit of age. Slightly pruny but still, very good. My number 3, group number 2. Obviously Chateau de Beaucastel 1995.

Most of us assumed the Guigal Ampuis would at least be in the top three so this was definitely an upset. Nothing keeps you honest like a blind tasting.

For dessert:

Cosentino Vin Doux Kay Viognier 2002 - I was pretty wined out by the time I got to this so all I noted was burnt sugar. Still, I thought it was a pretty good dessert wine.

Interesting note on the Cosentino. I've had a few California viogniers made in that style and really haven't liked any of them. If I see that one around I'll give it a shot.

Jay,

I had the 2001 Guigal Ampuis just recently and for the sake of the few that I have stashed away, I hope that more bottle aging time would smoothen out this tannic and high acidity wine.

BTW, perhaps I have not fully read up on the ITB policy here, but I thought that as long as you declare that you are a Corte Riva ITB, you should still be able to share your TNs on the wines. Of course, only if you prefer to.

RC

We decided to do this tasting single blind as we wanted to try certain bottles against each other. ...

Nothing keeps you honest like a blind tasting.

Amen, amen!

Did you tell Ronnie the results?

We decided to do this tasting single blind as we wanted to try certain bottles against each other. ...

Nothing keeps you honest like a blind tasting.

Amen, amen!

Did you tell Ronnie the results?

I believe Johnny called him about it.

Jay,

I had the 2001 Guigal Ampuis just recently and for the sake of the few that I have stashed away, I hope that more bottle aging time would smoothen out this tannic and high acidity wine.

BTW, perhaps I have not fully read up on the ITB policy here, but I thought that as long as you declare that you are a Corte Riva ITB, you should still be able to share your TNs on the wines. Of course, only if you prefer to.

RC

Hi Ramon. I'm just trying to avoid being self-serving. In any case, the notes are not much different from my other Corte Riva Petite Sirah notes.

The Ampuis not even placing was a bit of a shocker for just about everyone. Hope it gets better with time.