Another eleven students, this time from 8 different countries, turned up for our second MW exam blind tasting weekend at the end of January. The group, which included a big Scandinavian contingent and a fairly even split between first and second years, stepped up to the challenge Juliet and I had prepared for the weekend. The wines as usual contained a mixture of classic styles, well known and a few lesser known varieties and a few “curved balls” to test everyone’s knowledge and reasoning. In detail the wines were as follows :
Paper 1
1. Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay 2007, Margaret River, Australia
2. Temporada Chardonnay 2009, Mendoza, Argentina
3. Talmard Macon- Chardonnay, Mallory et Benjamin 2009, Macon, France
4. Carillon Puligny Montrachet 2007, Burgundy, France
5. Château de Fesles Anjou Sec 2008, Anjou, France
6. Grosset Springvale Watervale Riesling 2009, Clare Valley, Australia
7. Millton Te Aria Vineyard Chenin Blanc 2007, Gisborne, New Zealand
8. Villiera Chenin Blanc 2010, Stellenbosch, South Africa
9. Condrieu Chéry, Perret 2009, Condrieu, France
10. Clay Station Viognier 2009, Lodi, California
11. Vina Real Rioja, CVNE 2006, Rioja, Spain
12. Picpoul de Pinet, Cave de Pomerols 2009, Languedoc, France
Paper 2
1. Nicolas Catena Zapata 2006, Mendoza, Argentina
2. Yalumba “The Menzies” Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Coonawarra, Australia
3. Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste 2006, Pauillac, France
4. Ridge Montebello 2007, Santa Cruz, California
5. Clos Mogador 2006, Priorat, Spain
6. Laderas de El Seque 2009, Alicante, Spain
7. La Rioja Alta, Vina Arana, Reserva 2001, Rioja, Spain
8. Bohorquez Ribera del Duero 2004, Ribera del Duero, Spain
9. Castello di Brolio Chianti Classico, Barone Ricasoli 2007, Tuscany, Italy
10. Gerard Bertrand Merlot IGP Pays d’Oc 2009, Languedoc, France
11. Quinta da Rigodeira Bairrada 2005, Bairrada, Portugal
12. The Den Pinotage, Painted Wolf 2009, Coastal Region, South Africa
Paper 3
1. Graham’s Vintage Port 1980, Douro, Portugal
2. The Wine Society’s LBV (Symington) 2005, Douro, Portugal
3. Dow’s Colheita 1996, Douro, Portugal
4. Château Sociando-Mallet 2005, Haut-Medoc, Bordeaux
5. La Demoiselle de Sociando-Mallet 2008, Haut-Medoc, Bordeaux
6. The Wine Society’s Chilean Pinot Noir 2009, Leyda, Chile
7. Leyda Lot 21 Pinot Noir 2008, Leyda, Chile
8. Côte Rôtie, Les Bécasses, Chapoutier 2006, Rhône, France
9. St Joseph, Deschants, Chapoutier 2007, Rhône, France
10. De Bortoli Noble One Botrytis Semillon 2007, Riverina, Australia
11. Samos Anthemis Muscat 2004, Samos, Greece
12. Jurançon Moelleux La Megendia de Lapeyre, Clos Lapeyre 2006, Jurançon, France