Notes from a double-blind Pinot Noir tasting at Old Manila. Cava to start and Sauternes to end. As usual we vote for our top 3.
Freixenet Primer Cuvee Brut Nature Cava NV - Impressive bead. Very dry and clean. Lemon rind. Not much of a finish, though.
The Pinots:
Wine A - Nice color with just a little age showing. A bit sweaty with cherry/strawberry fruit underneath. Very juicy. Sweet fruit but dry finish. Slightly spritzy. Fresh and vibrant. Very good. Beaux Freres Pinot Noir Beaux Freres Vineyard 2004. My wine. Group #2. My #2
Wine B - Quite dark. Sweet nose. Light but obvious oak. New Worldy. Sweet fruit, soy sauce. Acid on the finish sticks out. Navarro Pinot Noir 2005. Group #3. My #3.
Wine C - Badly corked. Bass Philip Premium Pinot Noir 2005.
Wine D - Very nice. Silky but firms up on finish. Sweet fruit. Lovely wine. Excellent. WesMar Olivet Lane Vineyard 2005. Group #1. My #1.
Wine E - Dry, leafy, over the hill. A little bacon. Definitely Burgundy but in decline. Louis Jadot Morey St. Denis Clos des Ormes 1er Cru 1998. Group #4. No points from me.
Wine F - Decayed and leathery. Definitely old and it didn't age gracefully. Henri de Villamont Gevrey Chambertin Les Cazetiers 1er Cru 1980. No votes from anyone. Last place.
As half of the wines were effectively kaput, Jojo had a wine brought over from the wine shop across the street so we were treated to:
Chateau Haut Brion 1993 - Impressive dark color. Classic graphite nose. Cigar. Still young, tannic. Sweet fruit on the attack but generally very dry. Not a profound Haut Brion but certainly very good.
For dessert:
Chateau Romer 2005 - From Sauternes. Lemon yellow. Good nose. Light style. Honey, mango and candied pineapple. Very pleasant and easy.