MW training session with ML (Theme: France)

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Tasted Tuesday, October 18, 2016 by Derek Darth Taster with 230 views

Flight 1 - Different region, different varietal (2 Notes)

2012 Lionel Osmin & Cie Malbec Cahors 90 Points

France, Southwest France, Cahors

Tasted blind.
Appearance is clear, deep intensity, purple colour. Legs.
Nose is clean, medium+ intensity, with aromas of blackberries, dark plums, earth, slight mint and mild vanilla oak. Developing.
On the palate, dry, high acidity, medium+ alcohol (14%), smooth medium+ tannins, full body. Medium+ flavour intensity, with flavours of black plums, black cherries, blackberries, coffee, slight oak spices. Long finish.
Very good quality. I was guessing a Merlot for this as it was rather rounded with smooth tannins. Quite commendable that the tannins are smooth and not rustic on this young Cahors. Approachable, and will continue to develop and drink well over the next 4-5 years. Probably quite a bit of malolactic fermentation on this to create the plush and smooth mouth-feel.

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2014 Vignerons de Bel Air Côte de Brouilly 88 Points

France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Côte de Brouilly

Tasted blind.
Appearance is clear, pale intensity, ruby colour. Legs.
Nose is clean, medium intensity, with aromas of earth, sweet spice, slight woodiness. Youthful.
On the palate, dry, juicy high acidity, medium alcohol (13%), medium- tannins, medium- body. Medium+ flavour intensity, with flavours of red cherries, ripe strawberries, sweet candy spice, earth. Medium+ finish.
Good quality. Was initially thinking Pinot Noir, but then the sweet candy thing kicked in, and there was no mistaking this for a Beaujolais. Good fruit on the palate so was guessing this was a Cru level. Not enough dark fruits or concentration to be a Morgon or Moulin-a-Vent. Not enough florals to be a Fleurie.
My first time trying a Côte de Brouilly. Nice easy drinking wine. Drink up soon over next 1 year. Will not improve with further ageing.

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Flight 2 - Same region, different varietal (2 Notes)

2014 Le Grand Noir Pinot Noir Black Sheep 85 Points

France, Languedoc Roussillon, Vin de Pays d'Oc

Tasted blind.
Appearance is clear, very pale intensity, ruby colour. Legs.
Nose is clean, medium+ intensity, with aromas of exotic spice, florals, earth, sarsparilla, red cherry, slight pepper. Youthful.
On the palate, dry, medium+ acidity, medium alcohol (12.5%), soft low tannins, medium- body. Medium flavour intensity, with flavours of sweet red cherries and pretty much nothing else that the nose had promised. Medium- finish.
Now this was a tricky one to guess. My gut feel was some kind of lightly extracted Grenache for simple easy drinking from the South of France.
What the heck - Pinot Noir from Minervois, Languedoc!? Yes I know Languedoc does all kinds of grapes. But seriously, the warm climate is not great for Pinot Noir. Acidity lacking and just not enough life in this.
On further research, this is actually a blend of 85% Pinot Noir, 15% Grenache! 10% matured in oak barrels. From 10 year old vines.

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2014 Thierry and Guy Shiraz Vin de Pays d'Oc Fat Bastard 88 Points

France, Languedoc Roussillon, Vin de Pays d'Oc

Tasted blind.
Appearance is clear, deep intensity, ruby colour. Legs.
Nose medium+ intensity, with aromas of animal, leather, and black fruit. Youthful.
On the palate, dry, medium acidity, medium alcohol (13%), grippy high tannins, full body. Medium+ flavour intensity, with flavours of black plums, blackberries, animal, leather, and slight pepper. Long finish.
Good quality. Quite nice initially, though acidity dipped and the animal ran away with more air, becoming less interesting with just black fruit. Pop and pour and drink up. Not for further ageing.
I was guessing this was an easy drinking low range Mouvedre from Southern France possibly Bandol.

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Flight 3 - Same region, same varietal (2 Notes)

NV Château de Montguéret Saumur Rosé 90 Points

France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur

Tasted blind.
Appearance is clear, medium intensity, salmon-pink colour. Fine beady bubbles. Legs.
Nose is clean, pronounced intensity, with aromas of brioche, toast, red apples, red cherries. Youthful.
On the palate, dry, high acidity, medium- alcohol (11.5%), medium+ body. Medium+ flavour intensity, with flavours of red apples, red cherries, rose hips, brioche, toast. Long finish.
Very good quality. Not the most complex of sparkling wines, but this packs a good punch of fruit on the nose and palate. With this degree of punchy red fruit, I was guessing that this was red varietal derived, and probably something with thicker skins. And true to my guess of Loire Valley for this flight, this had to be a Cabernet Franc. Definitely methode traditionelle.
18 months secondary fermentation in bottle.

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2013 Couly-Dutheil Bourgueil Les Barriors 87 Points

France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Bourgueil

Tasted blind.
Appearance is clear, pale intensity, ruby colour. Legs.
Nose is clean, medium+ intensity, with aromas of green herbaceousness, green chilli, red pepper, red cherries, graphite earth, slight spice. Developed.
On the palate, dry, high acidity, medium alcohol (12.5%), medium+ tannins, medium body. Medium flavour intensity, with flavours of green herbaceousness, green chilli, sour red plums, sour red cherries, cedar, graphite, earth. Medium finish.
Acceptable quality. I was very confidently guessing a Loire Cabernet Franc here. Now, this is one of the, more often than not, under-ripe examples of Loire Cab Franc. I'm still a fan of Domaine Bernard Baudry Chinons, which are clearly riper, but just as elegant as this style should be.
Drink up, not for further ageing.

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