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Decanter Douro Panel Tasting
Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2006 2:54 pm
by Rui
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?
Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2006 6:48 pm
by Frederick Blais
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.
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 12:38 pm
by Frederick Blais
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

Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 2:57 pm
by Rui
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!
Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 2:58 pm
by Ronald Wortel
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!
Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 3:31 pm
by Frederick Blais
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.
Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 3:42 pm
by Ronald Wortel
Thanks very much Fred!
Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 12:50 pm
by Frederick Blais
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.
Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 12:52 pm
by Steven Kooij
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!
What wines?
Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 11:45 am
by Jan-Tore Egge
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.)
Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 12:14 pm
by Frederick Blais
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

:!:
Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 12:23 pm
by Jan-Tore Egge
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.
Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 12:46 pm
by Frederick Blais
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/
Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 1:42 pm
by Steven Kooij
Thank Fred! 8)
Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 1:59 pm
by Jan-Tore Egge
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.
Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 2:17 pm
by Jan-Tore Egge
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?
Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 3:13 am
by Ronald Wortel
thanks Fred! It's an interesting read, to say the least.