Last night was the monthly meeting of the Dweebs (Dobbs Wine Evaluation & Enjoyment Brotherhood). Theme was supposed to be "Wines for Thanksgiving, under $20" (though one person just understood Wines for Thanksgiving). Dave hosted, and everyone had a good time.
There was an unblind bottle of 2008 Louis Latour Beaujolais-Villages Chameroy. A bit clunky, short, weird roasted edge to fruit. Not a fan. C+
Blind #1: OK, well not blind for me, my bottle. Decanted into a Chianti bottle, fresh, red raspberry, hint of herb, earth. Good acidity. Everyone guessed Pinot Noir, when I said no next guess was Italy, no one guessed US Gamay. I quite liked. It's the 2008 Edmunds St. John Bone Jolly Gamay Noir (Witters Vineyard, El Dorado). B+
Blind #2: Light, red fruit, a bit dilute. I guessed Pinot Noir, but was pretty sure not Burgundy, so went with South of France. Nope. 2007 Jelu Pinot Noir. B-
Blind #3. Midbodied, a little brett, dark berry fruit, a tad short. Syrah? Actually it's probably a Rhone blend. 2008 Virgile (Costieres de Nimes) B/B-
Blind #4 Red fruits, juicy, not much in way of tannins, medium acidity, tad short. Initial thought was a lighter styled Zinfandel, but it seemed brighter and with less body. Once Rob made a couple of hints I got the wine, as I had bought it and split up case. 2008 Stefano Farina Barbera d'Alba. B-
Blind #5 Within about 15 seconds of getting my pour I confidently announced Burgundy with a bit of age. Nope, damn! Black cherry, slightest hint of barnyard, earthy, leather. Mature but not faded. Turns out I've had a few times before, and last time nailed blind, but Marc threw me for a loop (one excuse is that he missed part about available for less than $20 now). 1994 Saintsbury Pinot Noir Reserve (Carneros). A-/B+
Blind #6 This one no one guessed at, because Roger has brought before, and bottle shape totally gave it away. Ripe, round, red fruit with spice/pepper. Nice wine (but not what I'd serve with Thanksgiving dinner). 2008 Mas de Gourgonnier (Baux de Provence). B
Blind #7 - Red gamay fruit, good acids, light tannins, some coffee. I was sure that it was Beaujolais, but part was social engineering- I knew Fred was gaga over 2009 Beaujolais, so not hard to guess that. I went further and went with Vissoux's basic Beaujolais, but was wrong. I'm embarassed to say I neglected to write down who it actually was, though I remember it was a Kermit Lynch import, I think he got it at Zachys, and their website shows a 2009 Domaine de la Prebende, which sounds familiar. In any case, gave the wine a B/B+
I had also carried along an open third of a bottle of the 1989 Foureau "1ere Trie" Moelleux Reserve that had been open 12 days. Yes, 12 days. Still WOTN. Amazing stuff.
Fun night with the guys.
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.