Dinner last night with the Usual Suspects and some visiting Japanese friends and wine merchants. It's always fun when these guys show up as they always bring interesting bottles for blind tasting.
Wine #1 - Very dark. Pretty ripe on the nose. Black fruit and cedar. Based on the nose, seemed like Napa although a bit more air made me change my mind to Bordeaux. A taste showed sweet fruit, a ripe year, but rather lean mouthfeel with a good dose of acidity. Cabernet I would guess but not rich enough to be California. Firm tannins. Very nice. We were given a hint - initially rated 96 by Parker, he recently upped his score to 100. My guess was a Pauillac from 2005. At least I hit Bordeaux and got the year right. Larcis Ducasse 2005 from St. Emilion.
Wine #2 - Deep, leather, tobacco notes. Fairly deep color. A good amount of tannins. Very dry. Cabernet acidity. Bordeaux was the obvious choice but some discussion led a few of us to conclude it might be Super Tuscan. Pressed for an answer, I guessed Graves 2001. Again, got the general region but way off on the year. This was a remarkably well-preserved Chateau Latour 1974.
Many thanks to Hiro-san for these excellent wines!