Re-enactment of the Judgement of Paris (at Tamerlane)

The Judgement of Paris (1976) a blind tasting of French and Californian wines, sent shockwaves through the global wine industry.  At this time, France was widely regarded as producing the best wines in the world.  In both the red and white categories, Californian wines won the top prize.

Red wines: California Cabernet Sauvignon vs. Bordeaux (average original grades: out of 20 points)

Rank	Grade	Wine	Vintage	Origin
1.	14.14	Stag's Leap Wine Cellars	1973	USA
2.	14.09	Château Mouton-Rothschild	1970	France
3.	13.64	Château Montrose	1970	France
4.	13.23	Château Haut-Brion	1970	France
5.	12.14	Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello	1971	USA
6.	11.18	Château Leoville Las Cases	1971	France
7.	10.36	Heitz Wine Cellars Martha's Vineyard	1970	USA
8.	10.14	Clos Du Val Winery	1972	USA
9.	9.95	Mayacamas Vineyards	1971	USA
10.	9.45	Freemark Abbey Winery	1969	USA

30 years later:  Re-tasting
In 2006, a re-tasting of the same vintage wines was conducted, including some of the original tasters.  It was thought that the French wines might have aged better than their American counterpoints.  In the end, the Californian wines clearly stood their ground.

1.  USA – Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello 1971
2.  USA – Stag's Leap Wine Cellars 1973
3.  USA – Mayacamas Vineyards 1971 (tie)
4.  USA – Heitz Wine Cellars 'Martha's Vineyard' 1970 (tie)
5.  USA – Clos Du Val Winery 1972
6.  France – Château Mouton-Rothschild 1970
7.  France – Château Montrose 1970
8.  France – Château Haut-Brion 1970
9.  France – Château Leoville Las Cases 1971
10.  USA – Freemark Abbey Winery 1969

Tanya and Erik thought that on the 35th anniversary of the Judgement of Paris, it might be fun to try a similar blind tasting.  They chose 3 California Cabs and 3 French Bordeaux that were within our price range (ruled out the 1970 vintages!).   Since the tasting was so close to Halloween, we dressed the part as either French chic or California boho.

Wines were ranked by each wino individually, then our scores were grouped to get an overall ranking.  We also tried to guess which of the wines were either French or Californian. 

Exciting news!  As a group, we gave the Californian wines the top 3 spots, and several OOIers were able to pick out the country of origin for all 6 wines.

THE JUDGEMENT OF TAMERLANE

35^TH ANNIVERSARY RE-ENACTMENT OF THE JUDGEMENT OF PARIS

(TAKING A FEW LIBERTIES WITH THE WINES AND VINTAGES OF COURSE!)

1) CALIFORNIA : 2008 Robert Mondavi Napa Valley 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 2% Syrah, & 1% Petit Verdot  (15%) $34.95

Tasting Notes: True to the varietal and the region, this powerful, concentrated Cabernet Sauvignon opens with aromas of juicy black cherries and Italian plums, seamlessly transitioning to flavors of ripe dark fruit. Its rich, fleshy texture, lengthy finish, and impeccable balance impart a regal maturity to this wine that belies its true age.

2) CALIFORNIA : 2006 Stag’s Leap Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (14.1%) $49.95

Tasting Notes: Vivid aromas of red and black fruit characteristically introduce the wine. The palate emphasizes balance, with firm, round tannins and a complex finish that features a variety of notes from leather, espresso and chocolate. A vibrant, rich ruby color segways into aromas of freshly picked strawberries, followed by hints of ripe blackberries and blueberries. Well-integrated aromatic notes of shortbread, vanilla, clove, white pepper and fresh herbs, particularly anise, provide layers of complexity and intrigue. Supple and silky tannins lead to a lingering juicy berry finish.
LCBO Tasting Notes: Full-bodied and subtly complex, with a core of plum, cassis and chocolate against a backdrop of earth and mineral, finishing with sweet, chalky tannins. Decant it if you can and try with steak, or cellar for up to 12 years. , Score - 90. (Beppi Crosariol, The Globe and Mail, Dec. 1, 2010)

3) CALIFORNIA : 2006 Ridge Vineyards Santa Cruz Moutains Estate Napa Valley 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot (13.7%). $44.95

LCBO Tasting Notes: The 2006 Santa Cruz Mountains Estate exhibits a similar deep ruby/purple color as well as less complex aromatics, an attractive, round, rich, full-bodied mouthfeel, sweet tannin, and a long finish. This successful 2006 should drink well for 15 years. Score - 91. (Robert Parker Jr., erobertparker.com, Feb. 2010)

4) FRANCE : 2008 Château Meyney Saint Estephe Gironde 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc (13.5%) $47.95

Tasting notes: 2008 Chateau Meyney is deep ruby in color, Black fruit, cassis, gravel and green aromatics lead into this medium bodied wine. Rough textures and drying tannins are a drawback. The wine ends wine with short cassis flavors.
LCBO Tasting Note: Elegant wine with aromas of blackberry, oak, spice and plum. Dry with a ripe fruit core. Moderate tannins and refined acidity embrace the fruit on the mid-palate. The structure is truly lovely. Cellar this wine for 4+ years. A great cellar starter. (VINTAGES panel, Jan. 2011)

5) FRANCE : 2005 Château Valrose cuvee alienor Saint Estephe (14%) $38.95

Winemaker's Notes: Deep plum, dark chocolate and currant aromas follow through to a full body, with soft, velvety tannins. This is long and beautiful, with loads of fruit and texture. A very pretty wine. Best after 2011. Score: 92 JS
LCBO Tasting Notes: Deep plum, dark chocolate and currant aromas follow through to a full body, with soft, velvety tannins. This is long and beautiful, with loads of fruit and texture. A very pretty wine. Best after 2011. Score - 92. (James Suckling, winespectator.com, Mar 31, 2008)

6) FRANCE : 2006 Château Caronne Ste Gemme Haut-Medoc 60% Cabernet Sauvigon, 35% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot (13%) $25.95

Tasting notes: Dark and glossy right out to the pink rim, and a nose of dark, sweet, slightly high-toned and perfumed fruit. Still some honeyed oak present. Lots of flesh on the palate, covering the ripe but very firm and upright structure very well. The tannins do peak out from beneath the substance near the finish, but there is breadth and sweetness, and nice gentle acidity too. An impressive wine with an intriguing nose full of potential and yet to close down, clearly very young on the palate but with a textured finish, and a grippy length. A good future here.
LCBO Tasting Notes: Winemaking on this site dates back to 1648, and the château has been owned and run by the Borie family since 1900. Their 2006 offers resplendent aromas of bright red cherry, vanilla, cedar and cassis. The palate is dry and full-flavoured, with ripe fruit, a crisp acidity and a lovely tannic hold. Great length to the layered finish. Enjoy with a rare steak with sautéed wild mushrooms. (VINTAGES panel, Oct. 2010)

As usual, the yummy additions to the wine tasting were fabulous... a wonderful evening of fine wines, foods and friends!