A Structured Tasting - Part Two - The Unstructured Portion Of TheEvening...

After the structured part of the evening was completed, the grill was lit, some meat was put on it and bottles of red wines appeared on the table, some blind and some open. These are my somewhat hazy notes of the wines.

2005 The Pict, Torbreck
Me and Torbreck is not a match made in heaven. I usually find the a bit top heavy and fiery. This was no exception. The nose is young, spicy, hot and inky with lots of sweet black fruit, toothpaste and balsamic vinegar.
The taste is young, fiery and seedy with notes of blackberries, mint and toothpaste. The finish is long, creamy and hot. Not my cup of tea.
72p   (tasted 2015/07)

1964 Château Les Ormes de Pez
From a magnum. The nose is mature, medium deep and open for business, with notes of earth, dry black currants, lead pencil and old leather. The fruit is somewhat faded. Good though.
The taste is mature and dry with notes of autumn leaves, dried black currants, scorched earth and some coffe. The finish is medium long and dry. Good with food.
85p   (tasted 2015/07)

2008 Trilogia, Christos Kokkalis
This was a surprise! Poured blind everyone at the table guessed Bordeaux, then California, the Italy, then...you get the picture. Greece wasn´t mentioned. And it isn´t the first time that this has happened. The nose is a poster child for a ripe Cabernet based wine with fine notes of sweet black currants, cassis, warm tiles, new leather and sugared coffee. Very, very good.
The taste is young and tight with notes of sweet red and black currants, asphalt, leather and tobacco. The finish is long and warm. This will get even better with 3+ years in the cellar.
90p   (tasted 2015/07)

2010 Langhe di Nebbiolo, Bartolo Mascarello
A fine, traditional nose with notes rosehips, fresh mushrooms, rose petals and lots of ripe cherries. Cool and elegant. Very good.
The taste is young, fresh and dry with notes of red cherries, mushrooms, rosehips and some dry balsamic notes. A long, earthy finish. Drinking really well with the food.
88p   (tasted 2015/07)

2007 Forman Cabernet Sauvignon
Aaaah, what a gorgeous nose with ripe fruit, a fine depth and balance. There are notes of sweet black currants, Valrhona chocolate, plums and tobacco. Very yummy. This is really up my Alley.
The taste is tight and focused with notes of ripe black currants, plums, cold coffe and warm gravel. Plenty of polished tannins. Very balanced. Long, long and warm. A very fine wine.
93p   (tasted 2015/07)

2007 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Terroir, Domaine La Barroche
Hot years in Châteauneuf - no thanks. The nose is big and overripe with notes of kirsch, raspberry liquorice, hot glue and dry herbs. Somewhat one dimensionel, The heat is the dominant factor.
The taste is big and fiery with notes of raspberry jam, pine sap, scorched earth and dry herbs. A long, hot finish. It works with a big slice of meat but on its own it is too much, for me anyway.
80p   (tasted 2015/07)

1995 Hardy´s Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
This turned out as a very positive surprise. The cork was dry through, so we had to filter corks parts through our teeth...but when the wine hits out taste buds, that was no longer a problem. The nose is deep, mature and complex with notes of sweet black fruits, smoke, pipe tobacco and asphalt. A very fine dried up sweetness. Handsome. A lovely maturity.
The taste is beautifully mature with notes of ripe blueberries, dark chocolate, old expensive leather, warm tiles and a tiny touch of mint. A long, warm, velvety finish. Great wine.
93p   (tasted 2015/07)

2012 Les Chamois du Paradis, Jean Francois Ganevat
To round off the evening this Chardonnay was opened. It has a young, fresh nose with notes of dried apricots, lemon cream, minerals and summer flowers. Very elegant and fine.
The taste is young and dry with notes of lemon cream, biscuits, summer flowers and some chalk. A long, fine finish. Very, very good. A very fine acidity.
91p   (tasted 2015/07)