Blind Tasting France

San Diego Wine Society’s May event explored the various regions of France, with a blind tasting of paired wines that demonstrated contrasting terroirs and winemaking styles. The star of the show? I suppose the soft, lush black cherry and chocolate notes of Chateaux Palmer’s Alter Ego must get top billing. This is Palmer’s “second” wine but many think it drinks better than their flagship.

My favorite?

I’m a sucker for Mourvedre. The meaty, spicy 2007 Domaine Tempier La Migoua, Bandol was a standout, although its hard to kick a Burgundian Premier Crus to the curb. The 2009 Vigne de L’enfant Jesus, Beaune, Burgundy, produced no revelations and fell short of offering salvation, but it was the most elegant pour of the evening.

The most interesting wine was the 2008 Domaine de Labarthe, Gaillac. Bright red fruit, baking spices, and herbs vaulted from the glass of this little known wine made from the Duras grape. A nice cassoulet would show off the virtues of this soft, fruity, rustic yet complex wine.

But the real stars of the evening were the guests whose insightful comments about the wines kept the conversation flowing.

The Hyatt’s Red Marlin Restaurant hosted the evening.

Here is the list of wines poured:

NV Domaine Laurent, Cremant Brut, Limoux, CHARDONNAY
2010 Dupeuble Pere et Fils, Beaujolais, GAMAY
2009 Vigne de L’enfant Jesus, Beaune, Burgundy, PINOT NOIR
2009 Domaine La Garrigue, Vacqueyras, GRENACHE
2007 Domaine Tempier La Migoua, Bandol, MOURVEDRE
1995 Chapoutier, Hermitage, Rhone, SYRAH
2009 Chateau Palmer, Alter Ego, Margaux, CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2010 Trinch, Bougueil, Lire, CABERNET FRANC
2008 Domaine de Labarthe, Gaillac, DURAS

The San Diego Wine Society meets about once every six weeks over dinner at a local restaurant to taste high-end, international wines. By meeting as a group, everyone gets a generous taste of these very special wines while spreading the cost among all the participants.

If you have a serious interest in wine, I urge you to sign up for this group and attend our dinners—their Meet-up page is here. There is no membership fee.

I hope to see you at a tasting in the future