Blind Tasting with Susan Lin, Master of Wine

[@SusanRLin]

Thank you, Bob, for this wonderful opportunity to learn and to be humbled by a wonderful blind tasting adventure with you! That was great fun and you were amazing!

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Kind words. I still can’t get over your story about having a cold during the MW exam. It’s time to have your statue commissioned! 😂

[@SusanRLin]

@@bobpaulinskimasterofwine 🥰 You're making me blush! Thank you🥰

[@doublewides]

It was impressive to watch you both. It shows just how much knowledge you have to build to play at the MW level.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

@@doublewides Thank you. 🍷

[@Jimmypolemica]

I just can't get enough of blind tasting videos, especially if it's knowledgeable people such as you guys doing them. The amount of informations going through your process of dissecting the glass in front of you is invaluable. The reasoning behind picking one grape variety or one country rather than another is the step we all need to hear after sp many 'wine 1o1' videos on YT. Thank you for the precious time and for the quality content, as always.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Your comment is very much appreciated. My intent was for this to be a video that provided transparency from the starting point to the final decision for each wine. It’s all about funneling, which is really just deductive reasoning.

[@SusanRLin]

Thank you for your thoughtful comment and for sharing your perspectives! I’m thrilled you enjoyed this video - Bob leads such a great discussion!

[@juanmanuelmunozhernandez7032]

I totally agree. Blind tastings are the most instructive and fun to watch, although I imagine the player will be handling anxiety all the time!

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

@@juanmanuelmunozhernandez7032 There’s anxiety, but also a lot of fun. More blind tastings to come. 🍷

[@HALLOJUMBOw]

really interesting to see the decision process

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Thanks for commenting. 🍷

[@12Trappor]

What a great video! It was great "tasting along" with you guys as you shared your thought process and funneling in a way that made it easy to follow and try to guess the wines. And I think you're selling yourself short in the intro Bob. By the way, the video thumbnail contains spoilers. 🍷

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Thanks for commenting. It was fun teaming up with Susan. It’s a long video, but people seem to enjoy it. More blind tasting videos to come.

[@SusanRLin]

I'm so glad you tasted along with us (despite any thumbnail spoilers 🤣) - thank you! Also, I absolutely agree that Bob is amazing.

[@eugenebae]

It is fascinating to watch the pros going back and forth, constantly second guessing themselves. Thank you!!

[@SusanRLin]

The second guessing and learning never ends, and I believe that’s a good thing! Thank you for watching!

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Hi Susan, that’s part of the fun. Teaming up with you was a wonderful experience.🍷

[@bucal53]

Bob , I love this format , and she is a delightful co-partner for you . Very informative

[@SusanRLin]

I’m so glad you liked this! It is always a pleasure to taste and discuss wines with Bob.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Hi Jack, I’m glad to read your comment. Susan is a gem, very happy to create this video with her.

[@SimoneBattaglia94]

Very interesting tasting, thanks for the video.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

I’m glad you enjoyed it. Challenging blind tasting.

[@SusanRLin]

Thank you so much for watching! I hope it was interesting for you.

[@SimoneBattaglia94]

@@SusanRLin It absolutely was.

[@qwosters]

Susan is awesome! You two are really fun together. Great video!

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Yes she is. This was a fun video to create. 🍷

[@SusanRLin]

You’re so kind! I’m glad you enjoyed the conversation. Bob is awesome!

[@troysheets324]

Howdy blast from the past. Looks like you have been keeping yourself busy over the years. Hope you are well wild-man of the smashed grapes.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Troy Sheets! Wow! That is a blast from the past! I hope you’re well. All is well here.

[@SusanRLin]

Thank you for watching, and for a new way for me to address Bob: "Wild-man of the smashed grapes"!

[@lauraslay8496]

You two are great together! Thanks for doing this.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Thanks for the kind comment. 🍷

[@SusanRLin]

Thank you for watching and for your kind words! I’m so glad Bob invited me to do this blind with him.

[@DavidRaccah]

This was awesome! MAster Susan was a bit quiet at the start but she really became assertive as it went along. Master Bob this was a wonderful journey around the world! WOW! I got the Spainsih red! YAY! Bravo to you both, thank you for taking us into your world and letting us share in that moment! Be well and more blind tastings we all learn so much! The funneling is incredible from two Masters!

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Hi David, thank you for this wonderful message. This was a fun video to create. Susan is a gem. Cheers! 🍷

[@SusanRLin]

Thank you for watching and for your kind words! This was so much fun. I always learn from these challenges and with Bob, the insights were even greater!

[@blurds]

Yessss, great content and you could even see how the relationship developed throughout the wines. Fully understand and still appreciate the costco content, but stuff like this is invaluable. Menetou Salon rouge for me tonight, Cheers

[@SusanRLin]

I really appreciate your watching our tasting process! I’m so glad Bob invited me to do the blind with him.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Susan and I have judged together at wine competitions, but this was a first in this sort of blind tasting video format. As tue tasting played out, it was good to see that we were mostly aligned. You’re drinking Loire tonight, very nice!

[@davidhalldurham]

This was a lot of fun. It was interesting hearing wine pros' thought processes and learning even they can make errors.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Blind tasting is difficult, even on good days. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🍷

[@SusanRLin]

Errors are part and parcel of the learning process! The learning continues. Thanks to Bob for the great challenge!

[@carlcadregari7768]

Fantastic video….. love blind tasting, always humbling…..I’m always happy if I can get 4 out of 6 right…..and love the bankers…..hate white blends….in tastings. Great chemistry. Cheers. 🤩🤩.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Thank you Carl. This was a fun video to create.

[@carlcadregari7768]

@@bobpaulinskimasterofwineand by 4 out of 6 I mean there’d need to be a 2010 phaltz Riesling, a 2023 Alsace gewurtztraminer a 2024 Marlboro Sauvignon Blanc and 2019 Barolo. 😂😂. Cheers.

[@SusanRLin]

You’re right, blind tasting is always humbling and informative! I’m constantly learning. Thank you for watching and for your kind words!

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

@@carlcadregari7768 I hope we get a chance to taste wine together some day.

[@carlcadregari7768]

@@bobpaulinskimasterofwine Bob, that'd be awesome! 🙂

[@stevenholt4936]

Really enjoyed this. Terrific analysis. Susan was more interested in learning and Bob wanted to win! I got to Vino Nobile di Montepulciano on the last one just from your eloquent descriptions. But, Bob, 'Make-on?' Really! More of these if you can, Bob. Thanks.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Thanks Steven. This was a fun video to create. A few months back, I was on a wine competition tasting panel with Susan. I suggested that we have a blind tasting session for my KZbin channel.

[@SusanRLin]

Thank you! I’m thrilled you enjoyed this! Bob presented me a great challenge.

[@erichorning662]

Please more of these blind tastings! So much fun to watch.

[@SusanRLin]

I’m so glad you enjoyed this! It’s a joy to blind taste with Bob. Thank you!

[@erichorning662]

@@SusanRLin I hope to see you on Bob’s channel again in the future !

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Thanks for commenting. This was fun.

[@Simon77714]

Fun with long format blind tasting with a guest! Susan was great too!

[@SusanRLin]

I really appreciate your kind words! Bob is such an expert. Thank you very much for watching!

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Hi Simon, Susan is wonderful to partner with. I try to bring a guest from time to time.

[@mondarinvino107]

So that was a pretty geeky, long and advanced level vid. Not sure if that would get the general KZbin audience engaged. However I am a big wine geek and I enjoyed it. Fun to hear the thought processes play out. Love it Bob that you always include elements on estimated price points and target consumers. Have to say that it was great to see the energy and enthusiasm of Susan come thru, she is obviously an expert MW but the love of the juice shone thru as well. Cheers

[@SusanRLin]

All hail wine geeks! Thank you for watching and for sharing your perspective. I’m honored by your kind words - the love carries you through!

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Geek rules! I try to include elements that others often avoid. I’m glad to see you noticed. Cheers.!

[@teonatokhadze1255]

Thank you, great video, very informative.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🍷

[@SusanRLin]

Thank you for watching, and I’m so glad you got something from it!

[@stbu900]

Thank you! Again, super educational. Love the transparency and the honesty! Great!

[@SusanRLin]

Thank you for watching and for your kind words! There’s no pretending in blind tasting 😆

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

I’m glad you enjoyed it. A challenging tasting. Cheers!

[@rickkan4870]

loved this video, please make more in the future. There aren't many of these MW style blind tasting videos out there. I run across more, "sommelier" style(not sure if this is the correct way to describe them), where blind tasters go directly to variety/varieties, region, vintage but very little on wine making and certainly not anything regarding market position. thanks for putting this video out

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Thanks for the good word in the video. The intent was to be more detailed than other videos. I’m glad you recognized it. And yes, more videos like this will come. Cheers. 🍷

[@SusanRLin]

It’s great to hear that you enjoyed this style of discussion! It was a pleasure to go through the wines with Bob; he’s always so articulate and perceptive.

[@rickkan4870]

@@SusanRLin looking forward for more videos from you guys as these types of videos are almost non-existent(btw, I am interested in the MW program)

[@fabienwagnon5403]

great video, please more like it ! so instructive, thank you

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Hi Fabien, thank you and yes, more blind tasting videos to come. 🍷

[@SusanRLin]

I’m glad you found this video instructive! Thank you for watching. I’m sure Bob has great videos coming!

[@gerardgreen3441]

Great stuff. Fascinating. Thanks

[@SusanRLin]

I’m glad you enjoyed this! Thanks again to Bob for inviting me to taste with him!

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

I’m glad to see you enjoyed. I’m glad Susan was there to pull me over the finish line. 😂

[@alexgrabovetsky4849]

Very enjoyable video. As you start describing each wine we as viewers can run through our own knowledge experiences, arriving to our own concussion. It's closest video I have seen about wine tastings you can do without actually trying the wine. Very engaging! Hope you will do more of similar videos. Thank you for making this one.

[@SusanRLin]

I’m so glad to hear you say this! The goal is to describe what is in the glass so that anyone can get an idea of what we are experiencing. Thank you for joining us as we worked through the wines!

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Hi Alex, sorry for the slow response, just getting off a long haul flight. A lot of information can be derived from the just appearance and aroma. More videos like this will come. Thanks for commenting. 🍷

[@baileyklink1416]

Sick video m, love watching the blind tasting

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Glad to see your note. Thanks for watching.

[@SusanRLin]

Thank you for checking it out and for following along with us!

[@aagguujjaa]

Subscribing… I really liked your style.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

I like it. You made my day! 🍷

[@SusanRLin]

Bob's style is wonderful, isn't it? It's always a pleasure to taste and discuss wines with him.

[@Matt_Bykowski]

This was really interesting. Thanks for sharing it. Seeing the amount of thought and effort you put into this was fascinating. I should add, well done! I'd be lucky to get red or white figured out.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Hi Matthew, this was a fun exercise. I’ve been blind tasting for more than thirty years, it forces one to focus on what’s in the wine glass, there is nothing to sway one’s opinion. It was fun hanging out with Susan as well.

[@SusanRLin]

Thank you! The process is well honed and yet each wine presents a new adventure. With his expertise and forthright approach, Bob is an amazing partner for the journey!

[@Matt_Bykowski]

​@@bobpaulinskimasterofwine Yeah, really interesting and it did look like you were having a good time. Thanks again for sharing it.

[@Matt_Bykowski]

@@SusanRLin Cool seeing you pair up. thanks for sharing.

[@davidd708]

I really appreciate you sharing the "misses" as well as the direct hits, but rest assured this casual wine drinker is still very impressed by y'all's blind tasting performance here.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Hi David, thanks for commenting. I’ve blind tasted on a regular basis for more than 25 years. There are good days and some bad days, along with some really bad days! 🍷

[@mickeylee2624]

Really liked this long-format of thinking aloud featuring a mix of well-known and lesser-known varietals!

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Hi Mickey, I’ll mix in an occasional extended length video. Very long videos tend to target a smaller audience, but the level of engagement is high. This was a fun one to make. 🍷

[@mickeylee2624]

@@bobpaulinskimasterofwine 🙏🙏

[@SusanRLin]

@@mickeylee2624 thank you for watching, I’m so glad you found our discussion interesting!

[@mickeylee2624]

@@SusanRLin 👏👏

[@williamprice7111]

Great video Bob, found it absolutely fascinating! Complete novice but found myself guessing on places based on your observations. Thanks from the other side of the pond.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Thank you. It was a challenging tasting, I’m glad Susan was there to provide input. 🍷

[@notoverlyacerbic9574]

It seems 1 + 1 might equal 2 and 1/2 in this case. It seems there is a lot of value in being able to bounce an idea off of a knowledgeable colleague.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

This was a team effort. Thank you Susan!

[@SusanRLin]

You're so kind, thank you for following along with us! Bob is an incredible expert and a delight to team up with.

[@NatashaBelyishak]

Thank you for sharing the video. It’s truly an extraordinary piece. It’s such an honor to witness two masters engaging in the process of exploring wine together. I am deeply grateful.

[@SusanRLin]

Your kind words are truly appreciated! Thank you for watching and for sharing your thoughts. I'm so happy you enjoyed this video and found the experience rewarding! Bob is such a fantastic host and wine expert.

[@NatashaBelyishak]

​@@SusanRLin I vividly remember the moment when you correctly identified the second white wine and expressed genuine joy. It was incredibly impressive. You're absolutely right, Bob is indeed a fantastic person. And Susan, you are equally remarkable! 😊

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Blind tasting is always a good learning experience. Some hits, some misses. This was a lot of fun. 🍷

[@duncansalmon5718]

Do this again! Lots of fun.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

There’s good chance of this happening again. Cheers.🍷

[@SusanRLin]

Thank you for your enthusiasm! I’m so happy you enjoyed this. Bob is an absolute delight!

[@georgek.1498]

Another question - I’ve never tasted a +100$ (retail) wine of any kind; do you think anyone in that situation could evaluate or more appreciate a $120 bottle of Cal Cab or Bordeaux, since there is no memory reference for that kind of wine? You and Lin clearly keep referring to the funnel as you winnow down through your memory of wines. Your funnel clearly casts a wider net than mine could ever have.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Both Susan and I have tasted far and wide at a range of price points. It’s something you have to experience in order to pick up the signs in a blind tasting.

[@SusanRLin]

Just a thought: If you have any friends you can convince to pitch in for a tasting experience, you can “spread the pain” of the cost of higher end bottles. You can then discuss the wines together and learn from each other!

[@georgek.1498]

@@SusanRLin great idea

[@juanmanuelmunozhernandez7032]

Gee, when you disclaimed that the tasting didn't go as well as you'd wanted, I expected something else 😂 I'm not sure you're aware of the ultra-high standards you're used to. From a viewer perspective, the tasting feels like a very respectable success. It was great to see you guys working it out shoulder by shoulder. Cheers!

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Haha! I’m glad you saw it that way. The worse miss was the Napa Cab. Fun, but challenging blind tasting. Standing in line at the airport in Kuala Lumpur, heading home. Ready for some bad airline wine!

[@juanmanuelmunozhernandez7032]

@@bobpaulinskimasterofwine I'd be ready to pass 🤣 I tried the newest vintage of a Provence Pinot two days ago. It had been one good experience, one bad, and this last try was also good. It's still the uglier version of Pinot, but same points as you made in the video: the grape is identifiable, there's some structure and flavour through the mid palate, and the wine is clean. It's not fair to ask for more at 8 euros!

[@SusanRLin]

You’re so kind, and I’m happy you enjoyed the tasting video! Bob rightly has high standards 😁

[@georgek.1498]

Thoroughly enjoyed the tasting and dialog. I just wonder what deductions you would have come to independently. Thanks

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

I’m glad you enjoyed it. Solo would’ve been tougher, but generally we were aligned.

[@SusanRLin]

Thank you! I agree with Bob that we were fairly aligned. Tasting with such a great partner definitely makes a blind that much more fun!

[@benjamintippin]

I know this isn't the point of this video, which is fantastic btw! I recently discovered Spanish monastrell after a decade of being madly in love with Rhône and Bandol. I'm looking everywhere for the Bullas wine you guys tasted because, let's face it, it sounds like everything I love. Where did your preparator pick that up?! I don't see anywhere stateside, much less California, and even more less local to me in Southern California, that carry that maker--or much in the way of Bullas for that matter.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Hello Benjamin, the backstory is the wine was a part of samples sent by an importer. I’m sorry, but I don’t know if it’s being sold in the US.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Did you check wine searcher?

[@benjamintippin]

I live on Wine-Searcher 😂

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

@@benjamintippin 🤣😆

[@SusanRLin]

Thank you for watching, and I'm so glad you're inspired by Spanish Monastrell! Keep exploring any producers you can find!

[@johns2262]

A question if I may. When you were trying to guess the assyrtiko Susan mentioned honeysuckle and the high acidity, but neither of you considered riesling as a possibility. Obviously you were both right to do so, but I am just curious as to what was so definitive about it that it wasn't even worth a mention. Also, could you score the wines also?

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

I can’t speak for Susan, but I didn’t consider Riesling due to the aromatic profile. Riesling would typically show more of a floral, apple or lemon/lime note depending on the place of origin. Also, the wine displayed elements of lees contact. It’s possible with Riesling, but not highly common. In this video, our intent was to cover elements that are typical in wine exams, specifically the MW exam, scoring is not part of it. That said, I’ve recently added scoring to many of my videos. I hope that answers your question.

[@johns2262]

@@bobpaulinskimasterofwine Amazing response. Thanks! Re the scoring, it wasn't because I want to rush out and buy the wines or anything, but I am curious as to how a Master of Wine arrives at a score and how this relates with how easy it is to place a wine. Because you went into so much detail on the wine it would have been super interesting to then see a score as well.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

@@johns2262 Ahh, I now see what you mean. I’ll keep that in mind with future blind tasting videos.

[@SusanRLin]

Thank you for asking about the Assyrtiko! Similar to Bob, I did not consider Riesling due to a combination of reasons: the aromatic profile, the level of acidity vis-a-vis the body, and considerable less contact as Bob also mentions. In addition, the more overt, phenolic quality without an orchard fruit character tends to point away from Riesling, even in regions where there may be more phenolic texture from riper skin contact. Cheers!

[@Allan-cl8ie]

As usual I took your advice Bob and visited Trader Joe's for their wines. I was pleasantly surprised, some very nice wines for cheap money. Back in my ancestral homeland they used to say "Mussolini is always right." I just hope you don't end up like him, so many of us need you to sick around for a while.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Hi Allan, I’m glad you liked the wines. I really hope to not end up like Mussolini as well! It’s good to be needed, I plan to stick around. Cheers. 😂

[@erichorning662]

Bob there was mention of leaving the Napa Cab for a day or so and potentially leaving it in the fridge. If you are planning to leave a wine over night to open up, would you do so in the fridge or not? Would you leave it in the bottle, cork in or off? I know it will depending on the individual scenario but any words of thought in approaching that decision?

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Sorry for the slow reply, I’m catching up after a long haul flight. With very youthful reds made for cellaring, I recommend leaving the bottle open on a countertop, in a decanter is better option. The exposure to air is needed. Susan mentioned placing it in the fridge. That will slow the oxygen uptake. It really does depend on the wine, each situation is different.

[@Matt_Bykowski]

I was wondering the same thing. Great to see the response.

[@stephensheer6781]

JUST GREAT CHEERS

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Thank you! Please share the video with your circle of wine people. Cheers! 🍷

[@SusanRLin]

Thank you for watching, and cheers to you!

[@GorskiNunavut]

No 1 wine rule for me is to avoid Chile, than S.Africa and finally NZ.It's me and my taste buds.Great show !

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Thanks for commenting and the good word. Cheers!

[@eddiefalcon8316]

Another wonderful video. Thanks.

[@SusanRLin]

How fascinating! Thank you for sharing, and I’m so glad you enjoyed this!

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

@@eddiefalcon8316 Eddie, thanks for the good word on the video.

[@e.r.v.9612]

Not the most elegant habit blowing air inside the glass and mist-steam it up....sniffing and exhale outside the glass..

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

Thank you for commenting.

[@fredlampher8154]

There is only one characteristic that makes a wine good or not. It all boils down to whether you like it or not, it's that simple. All this pretentious over antilizing is a bunch of crap.

[@bobpaulinskimasterofwine]

I agree, personal preference is all that matters, like most things. In this video, it was more about identifying a wine based on characteristics detected in the wine glass. Both Susan and I were fans of the cheapest wine in the tasting. Thanks for commenting. Cheers!

[@SusanRLin]

Absolutely, what you like is the most important! Some people like to hear about the discussion of a wine, but I agree that it's not for everyone. Bob is a wonderful expert to tune into, in case the discussion is desired. Cheers 🍷