SOBER at Mike's place last night, and a very pleasant evening it was. Started with an excellent glass of Bernard Bremont "Cuvee Prestige" Brut, and then we sat for the blind wines.
Wine #1 (solo, Mike said this one doesn't really count) Lemon, apple, Mark says Chardonnay immediately and that seems right. There's actually a little lemon pledge edge I don't care for, others don't get. Once I get past that pretty good, good length. It's the 2006 Leroy Bourgogne (unsure if domaine or negoce). B-
After that, 4 flights of 3, each with a food pairing (and a bread pairing, as Franco said "everyone should do a different bread with each course)
First flight, with fish (halibut?) and broccoli
Wine #2- Tropical, rich, mature but balanced, easily my favorite of flight. 1990 Latour Corton-Charlemagne. B+
Wine #3- the smelll of this was weird. Some called it oxidized, I'm sticking with weird. Nose of plastic and coconut. Quite unpleasant. Palate is a touch better, raising score to C. 2000 Latour Corton-Charlemagne, C
Wine #4- Full, woody, needs time. 2007 Latour Corton-Charlemagne. B-
Second flight with a great cold carrot soup, and cornbread (Mike did well with pairings oveall , but this stood out) Mark and Andy said Gewurz immediately, I agreed on first 2 but thought last (#7) was dessert Riesling.
Wine #5- just a hint of sugar, lychee, musk, good depth, length, my favorite of flight. 1992 Zind-Humbrecht "Hengst" Gewurztraminer. B+
Wine #6- jGauva, lychee, a big bitter streak (Craig also thought #5 had the bitter streak, I didn't). Edging hot. 1993 Zind-Humbrecht "Herrenweg de Turckheim" Gewurztraminer. B-
Wine #7- Darker color, quite sweet (guesses were SGN), rich, peaches and petrol. Not really my style of sweet, others liked more. 1995 Zind-Humbrecht "Herrenweg de Turckheim" Gewurztraminer VT, B/B-
Third Flight I think someone made an errant guess of Piedmont,then several got Tuscany. I was thinking bolder Chianti, but someone quickly got Brunello vertical.I gave up guessing, as I don't know Brunello producers well. Terrific lasagna.
Wine #8-big fruit, slight pruney edge but not unpleasant. low to medium acids, good length. 1997 Altesino "Montosoli" Brunello di Montalcino. B
Wine #9- a hint of animal/brett that bothered some others more than me, full, dynamic. 2001 Altesino "Montosoli" Brunello di Montalcino B+
Wine #10 A bit of a lifted edge to nose, but palate is deep and rich. Big but balanced. 2004 Altesino "Montosoli" Brunello di Montalcino. B+
Flight Four with a great cheese plate- Comte, a cheddar, an excellent domestic goat cheese, and Hayley Bazen blue
I think Bordeaux was pretty apparent, but I was surprised it was a horizontal, as some seemed younger.
Wine #11- some funk, ripe, mature, good. 1996 Clos du Marquis B+
Wine #12- sweet cassis, a little forest floor, young fruit, complex, excellent length. 1996 Pontet-Canet B+/A-
Wine #13- very herby/minty, I was thinking RB with significant CF, but I was wrong. Hard to get a fix on, fruit profile seems fairly mature, but drying tannins. 1996 Cos D'Estournel B/B-
Really fun night, interesting wines, great food, excellent pairing..
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.