Arnaldo-Caprai
25 Anni Sagrantino di Montefalco 2001
First wine in a blind lineup. Disqualified myself from guessing, as "someone" left the cork on the table and I immediately knew who brought this. Had I not seen the cork, I probably would have guessed Bdx like some others due to profile, power and complexity. Did pick up a slight bourbon note (not in the boozy sense) which I presume was vanilla from the oak. Still drinking young. Very enjoyable.
Hahaha busted @Steve Anderson I called myself out in my note before I saw the one you posted. Great night all around.
Exceptional.
M. Chapoutier
Les Varonniers Crozes-Hermitage Syrah 2009
I agree with @Michael Meyer that this is a quintessential BBQ wine. Some braised roasted meat, beef bouillon and iron to pair with pork shoulder. Would have performed better if it wasn't butting heads with the La Mordoree.
Soliste Cellars
Solitaire Monoclone Pinot Noir 2012
There's an old adage, "Don't bring a knife to a gunfight." Well, I brought a Pinot to a BBQ. On the darker side, particularly for Sonoma Coast, as well as young, so not totally out of place. I would like to think that I certainly would have guessed Pinot blind, but none of group did. Partly due to the profile I'm sure, but I think expectations played a role and this was the last bottle after some very dark Sagrantino, Sangiovese and Syrahs. A Pinot was not expected in that row.
A got a lot sugar off this and didn't show as PN blind. Sweet red fruit and a chalky mouthfeel.
Banfi
Riserva Castello Banfi Poggio All'Oro Brunello di Montalcino 1993
Holding on nicely and can probably go another year or two.
I was really impressed with how this was showing. Fully mature and perhaps a bit muted but a bunch of savory fig, licorice and freshly tilled soil. I haven't had any '93s from Montalcino that have shown near as well. Drink now though, the fruit is just slightly fading.
M. Chapoutier
"La Mordorée" Côte-Rôtie Syrah 2006
As Mike noted, this one stood out for its elegance. Darn tasty too. N. Rhone character came through in blind tasting, but was not thinking Cote Rotie as there was more finesse than the more muscular Roties we've had at recent tastings.
My co-champion for Red Wine of the Night. Substantial powerful tannins elegantly presented. Gobs of fruit and a long finish. Excellent.
Arnot-Roberts
Alder Springs Vineyard Syrah 2005
Easy to say Cali Rhone blind, but a little harder to pin down from there. Thought it might be a blend rather than Syrah, although all the Syrah markers were there. Savory, tapenade, some pepper. Still a wheelhouse wine for me.
A treat to sample an AR at over 10 years. My first. Mature, smoothed tannins, white pepper, roasted meats and depth.
Château Rieussec
Carmes de Rieussec Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 2012
For the Carmes cuvée and being so young, this was pretty tasty.
I did not partake and my cabeza is thanking me today. That, and the fact that I ate a ton and forgot my Dauvissat in the freezer saved me...although it's 11:30 and I'm still in bed.
Domaine La Bouïssiere
Gigondas Red Rhone Blend 1999
For a poor man's CDP I thought this performed like his we'll to do cousin. Lots of character.
Tili
Assisi Rosso Sangiovese Blend 1997
I was thinking Cab on this one, and just as surprised as others that this was a '97. Drinking very young. I've enjoyed a number of Umbrian wines, but was not familiar with this producer. Will keep an eye out for these at auction.
This was by far the most difficult wine to identify in the blind red flight. I thought it might be a Sicilian Nero D'Avola or maybe a Montepulciano or Amarone. It is an infant at age 20. A lot of classy underpinnings but still quite volatile, closed and a little sharp. Dark as night and moody AF.
Fritz Haag
Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Spätlese Riesling 2010
I meant to circle back to this after the reds and ultimately I didn't. An unmistakable backbone of slate and linear minerality. More tart green apple than the Donhoff. Made me want to chill by the Mosel river and relax for a while.
Vickie Beuerle
Vickie had this 9 years ago