High-end Bordeaux Blind Tasting with Friends at WineBank in Frankfurt (February 2024)

At the invitation of Spyros Andre and organized by Christine Scharrer 6 of us met at the WineBank Frankfurt for a Sunday afternoon blind tasting of Bordeaux grands vins and other wines from our cellars.

As I realized through the tasting only, the main purpose of this event was to see how 3 Ridge Vineyards wines, which Spyros had smuggled into the tasting, would do in comparison with Bordeaux grands vins. The US wines retail for around Euro 300 per bottle. 

Each of the three California wines were identified as non-Bordeaux by between 3 and all 6 of us. 

My favorites of the tasting were the1986 Château Brane-Cantenac and the 2010 Château Pontet-Canet. 

Interestingly, all the Bordeaux grands vins brought from our cellars were left bank wines. In particular, non of the Bordeaux grands vins in the tasting could be considered as "Parker-driven" new-world style Bordeaux grand vin. If I had know the purpose of the tasting I would have brought a young Figeac or a Tertre Roteboeuf which I have in my cellar. 

We finished up the event with a PetNat from Andreas Weigand - Franken. 

A very special, highly-entertaining, memorable tasting. Thanks again Spyros. 

Attended by: Annette Schiller, Panos Kakaviatos, Christine Scharrer, Spyros Andre, Michael Dawes, Christian Schiller

Michael Dawes: The hidden, but very good, intentions from Spyros, indeed, but I was extremely impressed by all three of the Ridge wines. The pace of the tasting was driven so well by Panos, I felt this pace helped to stimulate such a focussed and high quality discussion . I was so happy to have been there.

Many many thanks to all...

Panos Kakaviatos:  Regarding the 1964 Beychevelle, it proved yet again the old axiom that after a certain age it’s less about good wine and more about good bottles (corks). I had opened another Beychevelle 1964 the week before that was far better. The one that we had was disappointing. But it was great to have other excellent wines!

Spyros Andre: Thanks everyone for coming and for making this as entertaining as it was educational!Extra special thanks to Christine for the venue. 

Blind Tasting

The Wines

PetNat

Bye-bye

WineBank Frankfurt

Bordeaux Tours by ombiasy (Annette Schiller)

The next Bordeaux Tour by ombiasy WineTours is scheduled for 2025.  See: ombiasy WineTours.

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