Decanter Douro Panel Tasting

Rui · Post by **Rui** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 2:54 pm

Has anyone read the Decanter's February issue? In this issue there is a Douro reds panel tasting, and the conclusions are far from being positive. One of the members of the panel went as far as saying that he has ``never been to a tasting at Decanter with so much bad winemaking'', and I quote. What are your thoughts on this?

Frederick Blais · Post by **Frederick Blais** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 6:48 pm

I haven't receive my copy yet, maybe next week. But as any wine region, there are good wines and bad wines. I'm reading a lot on the web and in magazine on the topic and I can say I was only disapointed once from a wine coming from the Douro region. It is a wine that was made by Michel Rolland who introduced some Merlot in a vineyard... totally undrinkable.

So I'm very curious to see what was the wine selection for this tasting to see if it is a matter of taste or because there was just bad or cheap wines.

Frederick Blais · Post by **Frederick Blais** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 12:38 pm

I received my copy today. I was surprised too to see so many bad marks for products I like a lot. But I think the panel was severe on many marks. How can you explain that the 2003 Passadouro reserve get a 3 stars now and it got a five 5 stars 2 month earlier by the Decanter awards? I know it does not deserve 5 stars... but its just to show inconsistensy in Decanter marks. Again back in September I think, a writer gave a high score to Redoma 2001 now only receiving a 3 stars.

It is always a surprise to see the results of a blind tasting, I can't say that these guys don't know how to taste wine, but from my taste and preference, many of these wines deserved better rating. Just stick to the description, it is a better indication of the pleasure that the wines can deliver in this case, and as always!

I won't complain though, if it can stop the price of the Douro wine to increase

Rui · Post by **Rui** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 2:57 pm

Yes, I do agree with you on the impact of these ratings on the prices!

What I think is amiss in that article is that they did not try to separate personal taste from good or bad winemaking. It's clear the wines did not please the tasters, but why? How were the wines flawed?

It doesn't seem fair to dismiss what I consider to be very good wines, although I have tasted only a limited amount of the labels present in the panel tasting, just because their style does not fit a certain number of perceived quality characteristics... Or at least clearly state that was the reason - not bad winemaking!

Ronald Wortel · Post by **Ronald Wortel** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 2:58 pm

Is it possible to find this article online somewhere?
Decanter is very difficult to find over here, and I'd like to read it. TIA!

Frederick Blais · Post by **Frederick Blais** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 3:31 pm

Noramally Decanter publish its article on its website one month after the publication of its magazine. But I don't think it publishes its panel tasting unless sometimes the 3 stars wines an above.

I suggest to subscribe to this magazine, for me it is the best impartial magazine talking about wine.

If the Douro wines are not published next week on on Decanter, I'll scan the pages and post them on my website.

Ronald Wortel · Post by **Ronald Wortel** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 3:42 pm

Thanks very much Fred!

Frederick Blais · Post by **Frederick Blais** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 12:50 pm

I've talked with someone in Portugal today. She brought this panel tasting on the line and asked me what I thought about it. As I said here, she agreed that the marks where relatively low for the wines tasted. I think many producer are sharing this view even if you always want your wines to be the best rated possibly.

Steven Kooij · Post by **Steven Kooij** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 12:52 pm

I've looked for this issue, but haven't been able to find it. Fred, if you could post it, or send it by email (it's in my profile) I'd owe you one. TIA!

Jan-Tore Egge · Post by **Jan-Tore Egge** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 11:45 am

Couldn't somebody briefly summarize what wines got 5, 4 and 3 stars, or, if that's too much, mention a few more wines which got -- shall we say -- unexpected scores? (I must confess that after subscribing to Decanter for many years, I no longer find it worthwhile.)

Frederick Blais · Post by **Frederick Blais** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 12:14 pm

I'll scan it probably today or tomorrow. Its been like 2 years I haven't touch to my scanner, I need to find the software too

:!:

Jan-Tore Egge · Post by **Jan-Tore Egge** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 12:23 pm

For copyright reasons, it might not be a good idea to scan and copy the whole article. Some indication of what they're on about will do.

Frederick Blais · Post by **Frederick Blais** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 12:46 pm

Well, if I have complains I'll remove it. But normally when you specify the source, there is no problem. It is good ad for them anyway.

So here it is the Douro Article and Panel tasting from the February issue of Decanter. I've put high resolution pictures of the article, it is good enough quality to read it all.

http://www.frederickblais.com/Decanter/

Steven Kooij · Post by **Steven Kooij** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 1:42 pm

Thank Fred! 8)

Jan-Tore Egge · Post by **Jan-Tore Egge** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 1:59 pm

Thanks.

I can certainly see that it would be difficult to summarize. I'm surprised they didn't rate the Niepoort wines more highly, and I would have added a star or two for some of the wines I've tasted, but I guess one can't expect to agree on everything. A lot of the wines I simply haven't tasted.

Although there are some competent tasters in the panel, I must say I've never found the Decanter panel tastings much good for making buying decisions.

Jan-Tore Egge · Post by **Jan-Tore Egge** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 2:17 pm

By the way, "Roquette e Cazes Xisto" (I assume that is Jean-Marie Cazes) -- is that a wine made at Quinta do Crasto? Any story behind it?

Ronald Wortel · Post by **Ronald Wortel** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 3:13 am

thanks Fred! It's an interesting read, to say the least.

For The Love Of Port

Decanter Douro Panel Tasting

Decanter Douro Panel Tasting

What wines?