… so if you are reading this for the first time, before reading the "tale" below you should know that the goal of this exercise is to taste wines blind and deduce the vintage, grape, and other matters of importance.
Typically, I have different stores (familiar with my objective) send me "themes" of wines in groups of 2, 3, and 4.
So today all I knew about the below two wines (tasted blind) was that they were Pinot Noir, and one was from CA and one FR.
Now you know that Pinot Noir (PN) is also made in the Loire as well as Burgundy, and now even the Languedoc. And Pinot Noir from CA can be from many AVAs in Northern California.
Below are my tasting notes, and I am happy to say that I did identify the CA wine correctly based on its color, extraction, and "forward" rather than "subtle" nature. I have not studied Copain yet immediately saw that the winemaking technique were superior as despite its color and extraction and bold flavors, it had complexity and interest.
Now the more subtle LaFouge was obviously French, as its elegance and balance was remarkable. I immediately thought the Cote de Beaune for it seemed like a red wine produced in a region better known for white wines.
And what is especially interesting is that just last month, I visited this exact producer with Jeanne-Marie De Champs during the Hospices de Beaune weekend. You can read the story here
2008 Jean et Gilles LaFouge Auxey-Duresses 1er Cru La Chapelle
blind tasted against a CA wine (Copain Anderson Valley 2007)
color: medium purple, a transparent garnet
nose: med intensity, spice, cherry fruit, tiny ripe framboise, red current, red raspberry
palate: dry, acid is medium plus, tannin is med, body is med alc is est 12.5, finish is med plus
Style note: Extremely balanced wine with pretty red fruit and finesse, elegance, and a good structure that pairs nicely with grilled lamb now and can improve with age.
tasted blind against hte french La Chapelle 2008
2007 Copain Pinot Noir Tous Ensemble
color, dark, almost purple, very extracted looking or addition of darker skinned grape
nose: med+ intensity, pugent spice, animal, oak, licorice, fennel seeds, "mashmellow?" a herbal quality
dry, acid is med (only) tannin is med and smooth body is med alc is est 14
Style note: Deeply extracted PN showing tannins (smooth) with good acid/fruit/oak integration. Fruit is not super concentrated suggesting a lower price range, yet sophisticated winemaking.
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