NRTN: Blind wines at La Fonda del Sol, Dale swings & misses

NOT REALLY TASTING NOTES

Last night Matt organized a good group around the theme of "the good stuff" - a fun night of lighthearted blind guessing. He even provided trophies for the 1st and 2nd place guessers (Paul won first on strength of getting the Flaccianello as a superTuscan, Nano edged Ben for second) and for 1st and 2nd place wines (89 Bonneau and 91 Richebourg

I liked La Fonda del Sol (and location is ideal for me). Nice service, good stems, good food. We shared some charcuterie and pate, as well as empanadas. Then I had a great octopus dish, and a good steelhead (menu called salmon, I usually call steelhead trout?) dish.

I unfortunately don't have my guessing sheets, but my guesses were pretty dismal.- that's ok, group's guesses were all over the place. Total doubleblind is very hard, and this format (no discussion other than whether we liked) is even harder, as opposed to what I'm more used to (more of a "What's my line" format). Wines were blind, people were allowed to re-bottle, then we used identical bags so no one could be sure of even their own wine (but you got no points for that wine)

We started with a white to give us practice on scoring. Nice wine, medium to full bodied, clean fruit. I first wrote down Sancerre, but then decided it was too soft, and I didn't get much SB grassiness, so went with white Bordeaux (we were being specific, I think I guessed 2000 La Louviere). Nope, 1999 Luneau-Papin Muscadet “L d’Or” Muscadet. Very nice wine, and I think it's funny that I dismissed a Muscadet as too round to be a Sancerre.

After that the reds. An enthusiastic helper accidentally tossed my sheets this AM, but I'll try to be accurate in my remembrances

1989 Henri Bonneau Celestins CdP -WOTN by a large margin, I think everyone had in top 3. Changed a lot in glass- started off quite high toned, full bodied, red fruited with some tar and a hint of brett. I was guessing mid80s Barolo. Then on revisit the VA was down, fruit seems blacker, I made my official vote a 78 Bordeaux. No one guessed Chateauneuf, but we all loved, and if more CdP was made like this I'd be a buyer (though not at Bonneau pricing).Thanks Josh

1991 Mongeard Mugneret Richebourg - my wine, and I was pretty sure (we had discussed point strategy based on Matt's system, getting your own wine right didn't get any points, so I guessed some other 1991 CdN in case I was wrong- I think Chevillon Cailles). I think one person was in CdN, this was quite rich which kept most away from Burgundy. Spicy, rich, nice.

1997 Fontodi  Flaccianello. Paul guessed I think '97 Solaia, which was best guess of evening. I liked, but I think I thought modern Bordeaux with some tannins remaining.

1989 Tertre Roteboeuf - I think I liked less than table, I thought edging overripeness and beginning to show age

1985 Barca Velha -pretty famous wine, I guess most famous dry Douro, but I think I can safely say no one (other than Ramon who brought) thought about Portugal at all. A bit tired and overripe, I thought 90 modernista Barolo

1995 Guigal La Ladonne
Big ripe, powerful, I liked but didn't love, I think I guessed RB Bordeaux.

OK, I'm forgetting something. Matt? Ramon?

After we tallied votes, Nano and Ben were in a tie for the 2nd place trophy. We brought out the 1986 Rieussec, Ben was closer to vintage but Nano scored a win by getting Rieussec. Generous, good acidity, nice length.

Fun and humbling night. I think my favorites were Bonneau, Mongeard-Mugneret, and Rieussec, followed by Fontodi and Luneau-Papin. But of course I'm forgetting something. Matt did a tremendous job putting together.

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. 

1989 Henri Bonneau Celestins CdP -WOTN by a large margin, I think everyone had in top 3. Changed a lot in glass- started off quite high toned, full bodied, red fruited with some tar and a hint of brett. I was guessing mid80s Barolo. Then on revisit the VA was down, fruit seems blacker, I made my official vote a 78 Bordeaux. No one guessed Chateauneuf, but we all loved, and if more CdP was made like this I'd be a buyer (though not at Bonneau pricing).Thanks Josh

I don't have my notes organized ... what with all the multiple scratched-out all over the pages. I'll just point out that 1988 is the vintage that I have on my sheet for the Bonneau Celestins.

Also, you missed the following:

1996 Ch. Haut-Brion (Pessac_Leognan)
1989 Diemersal Durbanville, South Africa
1988 Ch. Riussec, Sauternes (you brought this, remember?)

Thanks for posting your notes, Dale. I'll organize my notes and follow-up with my hits-and-misses. Given that I only scored a few singles off of the "I tried = 1 Point" giveaway, I deserved to be sent down to minors.

What were the trophies? Wine?

Thanks Ramon. Shortly after I posted I remembered the Haut Brion(which I liked, but was off on guess), but have been wracking my mind all day trying to remember the other- oh yes, the South African wine. Was the Bonneau an '88? Sorry.
I did actually remember the Rieussec, mentioned in penultimate paragraph as tiebreaker. But it was the '86- as it was mine, that one I'm sure of.
It's funny I'm pretty good at remembering wines, unless I'm writing them down!
Rahsaan, the trophies were....trophies! My 2nd place WOTN is a very cute little (4"?) trophy, with something like "2nd Place WOTN- You Wuz Robbed!" engraved. Matt was ordering trophies for kids at son's birthday party (he's the most popular dad in Brooklyn), ordered some bonus ones.

What were the trophies? Wine?

Of course they were real trophies. Matt spared no expense.

... the Oscar went to Paul.

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Nano squeaked by Ben with the Grammy's for 2nd place best guesser; Josh also took a Grammy for bringing the "Hit of the NIght" with the excellent 1988 Bonneau.

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... and the rest of us were certified.

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... everybody wins at the end.

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“The Good Stuff” Double Blind
La Fonda del Sol Restaurant, NYC
01/25/2011

Matt organized a group of 7 to taste, double-blind, reds that they think is simply good. Tasting and scoring sheets were provided, as well as trophies for Best Guesser (Paul), 2nd Best Guesser (Nano), WOTN (Josh) and 2nd Place WOTN (Dale). The rest were awarded “Try Harder” Certificates.

A great job by Matt, terrific job by all for being fun and bringing their good stuff, and a good dinner and service at la Fonda del Sol.

Wine #1
1999 Le L d’Or Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Sur Lie, Loire Valley
This was our practice wine in using our score-sheets and the various points associated with our guesses, from country of origin to vintage. Scores here will be used for any tie-breaking purpose with the red wines.
Slightly fat, but stone dry, steel and mineral. Bright acidity and drinking very nice. B+
My original guess was, drum roll, a Muscadet! Scratched it off at the last minute and put in a Chablis. From here on, everything went downhill with my guesses.

Wine #2
1988 Henri Bonneau Reserve de Celestins Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone
OK, so I got as far as getting the region correct. I guessed Rhone, but in the far north of Hermitage. I did nail the vintage.
This wine had mushroom, floral and leafy nose. Very complex with spicy specks throughout, high acidity, ripe yet still fresh fruit that was pure, seductive and elegant, but truly rustic in its wonderful structure and balance. It had a long and chewy finish. My WOTN and Group’s WOTN. A-/A

Wine #3
1997 Fontodi Flacianello della Pieve, Tuscany
My first instinct had me writing in Napa. This was international in style, I smelled a little bit of burnt rubber at the onset but which blew away with time. This 100% Sangiovese was ripe and sweet from beginning to end but showed slight rigidity in structure. At the end, I was way off when I pegged it for a Chateauneuf du Pape. B+

Wine #4
1989 Ch. Tertre Roteboeuf, Saint Emilion
Originally had written down Spain, but at some point I correctly pegged this one for a Bordeaux Right Bank, but wrong AC, as I wrote down Pomerol.
This dark ruby red wine showed well-delineated layers of red and black fruit. Spicy. This wine endeared itself to me with time on the glass. Good length. B+
My 3rd Place WOTN and Group’s 3rd Place WOTN.

Wine #5
1991 Mongeard-Mugneret Richebourg Grand Cru, Burgundy
A hint of VA and sulfur gave way to tertiary leather and cigar. This wine evolved in a very pleasing way, with time in the glass. I noted that it had a “light Burgundy color”, and a silky medium-bodied wine. Cherries and tea interplayed amidst excellent acidity. I swung for the fences on this and completely missed with the bat flying off my hands and hitting somebody in the stands, as I wrongly pegged it for my wine, the Barca Velha. A-
My 2nd Place WOTN and Groups 2nd Place WOTN.

Wine #6
1985 Ferreirinha Barca Velha Douro, Portugal
My last of a 2-bottle purchase at release back in the mid-90s. There was lean and still fresh-tasting fruit, bright acidity and some rusticity in its flavor. I liked it with my good Cochinillo suckling-pig entrée. Notes of tea and prominent fruit. Medium length on the finish, but tasty. B+
My guess was a 1995 Northern Rhone from Cote Rotie.

Wine #7
1989 Diemersdal Durvanville, South Africa
I hope will chime in and provide the full name for this wine. I sensed around the table that this was the toughest wine to guess. There was slight VA and menthol on the nose. This was sweet with notes of orange and citrus. Licorice. B
For this,I guessed a southern Italian from Campania.

Wine #8
1996 Ch. Haut-Brion, Pessac-Leognan
A big wine that was young and showed a more youth harshness that the earlier wines that we had. Full-bodied, with leafy and herby notes. Slight green. B-
My guess was another Italian and I had this as a Barolo.

Wine #9
1995 E Guigal La Landonne Cote Rotie, Rhone ValleyA lot of things going on with the highly aromatic bouquet – cigar, leather, confection and meat. A big, ripe wine with very high acidity. Young and needs plenty of time to round out. B
In a very strange ironic twist, I specifically wrote 1996 Haut Brion for this wine.

Wine #10
1986 Ch. Rieussec, Sauternes
I got the producer right, but with a 1988 vintage guess. A fine Sauternes with a nice light amber color and slight gold hue. A woody nose with notes of brown sugar, espresso and cannoli. B+

Dale,

Don't feel bad. Blind tasting is a *minefield*.

I once guessed 2 wines (appellation, estate, and vintage) at the same meal, but I'm sure I will never do anything like that ever again.

On the liability side, I have failed dismally to identify the origin of many, many wines that was as plain as the nose on your face... once you were told.

Blind tasting is great for people (like me) who need a dose of humility!

All the best,
Alex R.

"THE GOOD STUFF" 2011 -- A DOUBLE BLIND TASTING - La Fonda del Sol, NYC (1/25/2011)

We served all of these wines double blind in identical paper bags. What an interesting--and humbling--experience. We had prizes for WOTN and best guesser. I was the worst guesser and bestowed upon myself the "WTF" award.

• 1999 Luneau-Papin Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine Le L D'Or - France, Loire Valley, Pays Nantais, Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine
  Mineral, acid but somewhat round. Long finish with yeast and some oil. Very bright, nicely complex. Really nice, soft for a Muscadet. Drinking very well with no signs of overaging. This wine is a steal.
  B/B+
• 1988 Henri Bonneau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve des Célestins - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
  Bright and a bit candied. A little mellowed but still pleny of life left. In its drinking window. Long tar finish. I guessed 1981 Bosconia. This was the group's WOTN, although it wasn't in my top 3.
  B+/A-
• 1997 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT
  Big, strong and brawny. Maturing but still young. Black tannins are a bit bitter with a long dark finish. Expansive with a a lot of bright energy. Dark oak. I thought this was a 1986 Bordeaux. Liked it a lot, my #3 of the night (group's #5).
  A-
• 1989 Château Le Tertre Rôteboeuf - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
  Mellowed but still going strong. Tobacco, plum. Rich, big with a bit of sweetness. A beautiful, comlete, well aged wine. Iron and mineral and some toasted oak and coffee. Long meaty finish. I thought this was 1990 Bordeaux and guessed Leoville Las Cases. Glad the wine I brought (and have a few more of) was my blindly picked #2 WOTN (group's #3).
  A
• 1991 Mongeard-Mugneret Richebourg - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Richebourg Grand Cru
  Sweet, light, expansive. Explodes in the mouth with cherry and cola. Very extracted. Great smooth feel. Very full, richly flavored but light weight. A nice example but a bit sweet for me. I guessed Napa Pinot from the late '90's. This was the group's #2 WOTN but missed my top 3.
  B+
• 1985 Casa Ferreirinha Douro Barca Velha - Portugal, Douro
  Big, dark, round, brawny, strong, mature but still lively. Some acid but fruit is fading a bit. Some softness in the fruit and an acidic finish. Not getting any better. This was a real stumper and I took a stab at it by guessing Heitz Martha's from the '70s.
  B
• 1989 Diemersdal Cabernet Sauvignon - South Africa, Coastal Region, Paarl
  Big and extracted but soft. Seems like not a great bottle or overaged. Lots of fruit, plummy, hot. Acidic, wide. Lacks focus. I'm not sure where it's going. Lots of coffee. This completely stumped me. Just so I could stop thinking about it and move on to wine I liked I guessed it was a flawed bottle of 2003 Clos des Papes. Way off.
  B-
• 1996 Château Haut-Brion - France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
  Big, Rich, extracted, full flavored. Somewhat light weight. Bright with som tobacco and dark flavors. Clean, clear. Tar tannins. Young. I found this too young to grade, but based on it's full flavor, light weight, and dark tar I guessed mid 90s Barolo.
• 1995 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Landonne - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie
  Warm, round, friendly fruit. Young but drinking pretty well. A little hot. Smooth,silky. Bright with some dark notes. Complex. Lovely. My WOTN (groups #4). I guesed 90 Margaux.
  A
• 1986 Château Rieussec - France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
  Nice. Ready to drink.