Welcome back to our wine blog, fellow oenophiles! I recently had the pleasure of hosting a blind wine tasting session with 19 wine enthusiasts, and let me tell you, it was a true journey of the senses. We delved into some exquisite 2018 vintage from Bordeaux In this article, I'll share our collective thoughts on the wines, and of course, I'll reveal the standout performers that deserve a spot in your cellar.
All wines were decanted for 4 hours with the same decanter.
Flight #1: 2018 Cos d'Estournel (8 Stars)
vs. 2018 Ducru Beaucaillou (8.2 Stars)
Our evening kicked off with a showdown between two Bordeaux heavyweights. The 2018 Cos d'Estournel and the 2018 Ducru Beaucaillou were the contenders. Both received high praise, scoring 8/10 and 8.2/10, respectively. These wines exemplified the opulence of the 2018 vintage, with the Cos d'Estournel showcasing a rich, dark fruit profile and the Ducru Beaucaillou wowing us with its silky texture.
Flight #2: 2018 La Mission Haut Brion (8.2 Stars)
vs. 2018 Haut Bailly (8.4 Stars)
Next up, we explored the elegance of the 2018 La Mission Haut Brion and the 2018 Haut Bailly. Haut Bailly took center stage with an impressive 8.4/10 rating. This wine was a masterclass in balance, offering layers of dark fruit, subtle spices, and a lingering finish. La Mission Haut Brion, not to be outdone, secured an 8.2/10 rating, delivering a more restrained but equally captivating experience.
Flight #3: 2018 Leoville Las Cases (8.3 Stars) vs. 2018 Chateau Montrose (8.6 Stars)
Our journey continued with the 2018 Chateau Montrose and the 2018 Leoville Las Cases. Chateau Montrose emerged as the star of this flight, earning an impressive 8.6/10 rating. It displayed an irresistible combination of power and finesse, with bold black fruit flavors and a velvety texture. Leoville Las Cases, a close competitor, secured an 8.4/10 rating, proving its worthiness in this prestigious winery.
Flight #4: 2018 Pavie Macquin (8.1 Stars) vs. 2018 Chateau Pavie (8.9 Stars)
In the penultimate flight, we sampled the 2018 Pavie Macquin and the 2018 Chateau Pavie. Chateau Pavie claimed the throne in this duel, earning an astonishing 8.9/10 rating. This wine was a revelation, boasting intense blackberry and licorice notes, supported by a structure that promises years of aging potential. Pavie Macquin, though slightly less acclaimed, still impressed with its 8.1/10 rating.
Overall Results
#1 - 2018 Chateau Pavie - 8.9 Stars >> Click Here To Purchase
#2 - 2018 Chateau Montrose - 8.6 Stars >> Click Here To Purchase
#3 - 2018 Haut Bailly - 8.4 Stars >> Click Here To Purchase
#4 - 2018 Leoville Las Cases - 8.3 Stars >> Click Here To Purchase
#5 - 2018 Ducru Beaucaillou - 8.2 Stars >> Click Here To Purchase
#6 - 2018 La Mission Haut Brion - 8.2 Stars >> Click Here To Purchase
#7 - 2018 Pavie Macquin - 8.1 Stars >> Click Here To Purchase
#8 - 2018 Cos d'Estournel - 8 Stars >> Click Here To Purchase
Bonus Flight #5: 2019 Moulin De La Grangere St Emilion Grand Cru ($79) vs. 2019 Leoville Las Cases ($360)
In this bonus flight, every one had to guess the region and give the quailty score. It was also mentioned to everyone that both wines were from 2019 vintage and one of the wines was a repeated label from the above flights.
The results are just shocking! Watch the video here!
2019 Leoville Las Cases - 7.8 Stars
2019 Moulin De La Grangere St Emilion Grand Cru - 7.5 Stars
The 2019 Leoville Las Cases, priced at $360 and boasting an impressive 98-point rating from professional wine critics, left us with an unexpected twist during our blind tasting session. Despite its high acclaim, it only managed to secure an average score of 7.8 from our discerning group of tasters, a notable drop from its 2018 counterpart.
This discrepancy piqued our curiosity. Could it be a matter of vintage variation? Perhaps, but here's where things get fascinating. The 2019 Moulin De La Grangere St Emilion Grand Cru, priced at a mere $80, was a close contender, trailing behind by only 0.3 points in the ratings.
At first glance, both of these wines presented themselves as equals, bearing the prestigious titles of a 2nd Growth Grand Cru Classe for Leoville Las Cases and a seemingly humbler St Emilion Grand Cru for Moulin De La Grangere. This, my friends, is precisely what blind tasting is all about – stripping away preconceived notions and price tags to let the wines speak for themselves.
The question inevitably arises: Why splurge $400 on a bottle when $80 can deliver nearly identical satisfaction? It's a compelling argument for those who appreciate the value of hidden gems in the wine world. The story doesn't end there...2019 Moulin De La Grangere St Emilion Grand Cru received further validation. It clinched a Gold Award at the Tower Club Annual Wine Awards in 2022 through a blind tasting panel led by Singapore's esteemed wine advocate, Ch'ng Poh Tiong.
This revelation challenges our assumptions and reminds us that in the world of wine, price and reputation are not always synonymous with quality. The true joy of wine lies in exploration and discovery, and sometimes, a modestly priced bottle can deliver a remarkable experience that rivals its more illustrious counterparts.
So, the next time you're faced with the choice between a renowned label and an underdog, remember that the true treasure of wine may just be hidden in plain sight. Cheers to the thrill of blind tasting and the delightful surprises it brings!
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