u/Inevitable-Ad-5906

Today was a fun night.

1. 2024 Borgogne, Chardonnay

My call : 2023 Borgogne Chardonnay

Very decently made Chardonnay. Very high and crisp acidity. It showed some reductive flavors like flint at first, but calmed down towards the end. The body was nothing more than medium. I caught some generic flavors like citrus and it also had a bit of nutty flavors. The length was a bit short though which made me realize it was probably a very well crafted regional or a village level white. I went with regional.

2. 2017 Brunello di Montalcino

My answer : 2017 Sangiovese based Super Tuscan blend

I probably should have went with my first guess which was bdm but desided to go with Super Tuscan with Cab and Merlot blended in. I don't know why but I thought I smelled a bit of peppery notes and thought there might be some Bordeaux varieties blended here. Also, I thought the acidity was a bit low and maybe a bit of merlot was blended in.

3. 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape, Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault

My answer : 2022 Napa, Cabernet Sauvignon

I thought this one was delicious. Incredibly ripe red fruit flavors like raspberry. Actually, it was like a sweet raspberry cake. I thought it was California. The 3 choices I had in mind was Napa Cab, Santa Barbara Syrah and GSM from southern rhone(which i thought the least likely) due to its sheer ripeness and lower acidity. The tannins being very soft did not help as well. I made the leap of faith and went Napa and got it wrong. I enjoyed it blind, but after the reveal, thought it might have been too ripe even for CDP.

Overall, a really enjoyable exercise.

Comment down what you guys think!

[effacé]

The 1st and last bottles I did not taste blind.

Wine 1 : 2024 Vinho Verde Alvarinho, Treixadura

My answer : 2024 Sancerre SB

This one was brutal. I immediately knew this was an aromatic variety and first thought of SB, Riesling, Albarino. I ruled out Riesling because it had no petrol notes. I decided to go with SB due to its greeness. I was wrong though. Should have focused more on the structure. While the acidity was very crisp, the body was significantly lacking compared to Sancerre and the alcohol felt quite low.

Wine 2 : 2024 Borgogne Blanc

My answer : 2023 Macon Chardonnay

I was almost spot on with this one since the grapes are actually from Maconnais. The smell of white flowers and fairly aromatic fruit notes of lemon were screaming Macon. Also, the acidity was crisp and the body felt fairly low which showed this was an easy drinking wine. I was quite happy to get this correct.

Wine 3 : 2023 Rully PN

My answer : 2022 Volnay 1er PN

At least I got Burgundy correct. The nose was so good with notes of raspberry, sour cherry and dark rose. The acidity was quite rpund and the texture was so velvety. I guess I overestimated the structure and though it was a silky Volnay 1er. Not ashamed with this one though.

Wine 4 : 2018 Rioja Reserva Tempranillo, Graciano

My answer : 2020 Rivera del Duero Tempranillo reserva

I got notes of coconut vanilla which is a telltale of American oak. In addition with the red fruit notes and high tannins, it wasnt hard to guess Tempranillo from Spain. The confusing part was that the wine had really fresh herbal notes which lead me to cross out Rioja. I shouldnt have.

Wine 5 : 2023 Morgon Gamay

My answer : 2024 Beaujolais Village.

Getting the variety and region was so easy beacause I got so much aromas of candied fruit and the palate and color confirmed this was Gamay. The part I got wrong was the quality. I personally thought the wine was underwhelming for a cru Beaujolais although it was quite nice overall.

Wine 6 : 2019 Moldovan Saperavi, Feteasca Negra

My answer : 2019 Barossa Shiraz

Lol, I would have been surprised myself if I got this one correct. Thick red color, concentrated, quite wierd. I really just had to make a broad guess.

Wine 7 : 2019 Santa Barbara Sta rita hills Syrah

My answer : 2020 Saint-joseph Syrah

Wow! I was so surprised this was Cali. I got typical cool climate syrah notes of black pepper and oriental spices, but the structure to me was completely like Rhone. What a pleasant surprise.

Overall, this was one of my best tries over the last couple of months.

What do you guys think?

1. Answer : 2025 Puglia Negro Amaro Bianco

My answer : 2025 Vihno Verde Alvarinho

Yeah, no way I was getting this one correct. Low alcohol and aromatic. Minty as hell.

2. Answer : 2023 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

My answer: 2023 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

Nailed this one. Serious reductive notes. Obvious gooseberry and bell pepper notes.

3. Answer : 2023 Givry Chardonnay

My answer : 2022 Mercury Chardonnay

Not too far off. Honestly, I just guessed a random region in the Chalonnaise. Buttery, green apple, lemon curd, peach.

4. Answer : 2024 Rheinhessen Chardonnay Weissburgunder blend

My answer: 2025 Stellenbosch Chenin Blanc

The incredibly high acidity got me on this one. It did smell like PB after the reveal though. Green apple, pear etc.

5. Answer : 2022 Pommard Pinot Noir

My answer : 2023 Gevrey Chambertin Pinot Noir

Lots of dark fruit. Thats why I chose GV. I should have focused more on the structure.

6. Answer : 2023 Pfalz Pinot Noir

My answer : 2024 Marlborough Pinot Noir

I was so sure this was NZ PN after smelling tomato leaf. Well, I was wrong. I should have focused more on the acidity and almost medicinal like herbal flavors related to Germany.

What do you guys think? Leave a comment.