Knapp wine question

[brappy]

OK

Called the guys to find out the theme for the evening. Unfortunately it was cabernet sauvignon; fortunately I thought the Knapp merlot would do fine against this.

Brought a Cab blend from australia: Elderton "Ode to Lorain". The other cabs in the line-up were: Honig cab '03, Axios '00, and Axios '01. I was definately nervous and wanted the Knapp merlot tasted first. I want to let everyone know a word of importance: All wines except the Knapp merlot were known. The merlot was kept in the same bottle but wrapped in tin-foil. So totally blind....

No one picked the grape which is interesting because I believe the grape isn't hard to tell. So I told everyone the grape and asked where it was from. I heard alot of things but NO NY. The final guess on the grape was grenache and the final guess on the place was South America.

Nothing but WOWS when I lifted the tin-foil. Surprised everyone. I have to admit not one person was real experienced with New york wines, but that may be better. Finally I got a couple of "Thank You"s from the guys knowing they would have had a thought one way or the other if they would have known.

The group basically put the wines in this order:
1. Axios '01
2. Knapp Merlot '02
3. Axios '00
4. Elderton "Ode to Lorain" '02
5. Honig Cab '03
The best part of this and any tasting is the true result which is what bottle empties first. KNAPP MERLOT. No shit.......
And maybe the Knapp finished first because it was such an anomaly. But I don't think so.... The wine is that good..... period!

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