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
|
|
1973
|
USA
|
2.
|
14.09
|
|
1970
|
France
|
3.
|
13.64
|
|
1970
|
France
|
4.
|
13.23
|
|
1970
|
France
|
5.
|
12.14
|
|
1971
|
USA
|
6.
|
11.18
|
|
1971
|
France
|
7.
|
10.36
|
|
1970
|
USA
|
8.
|
10.14
|
|
1972
|
USA
|
9.
|
9.95
|
|
1971
|
USA
|
10.
|
9.45
|
|
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.
-
USA – Ridge
Vineyards Monte Bello 1971
-
USA – Stag's Leap Wine Cellars 1973
-
USA – Mayacamas Vineyards 1971 (tie)
-
USA – Heitz Wine Cellars 'Martha's Vineyard' 1970
(tie)
-
USA – Clos
Du Val Winery 1972
-
France
– Château Mouton-Rothschild 1970
-
France
– Château Montrose 1970
-
France
– Château Haut-Brion 1970
-
France – Château Leoville Las Cases 1971
-
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
35TH
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!
