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Society of Wine Educators Mini Conference, Singapore
Holiday Inn
Tasted June 5, 2014 by Derek Darth Taster with 612 views
Introduction
For the first time, the Society of Wine Educators hosted their first mini-conference, outside of United States, in Singapore.
The half-day conference was hosted by the President of the Society of Wine Educators, Professor Edward M Korry CHE, CSS, CWE.
Joining Professor Korry was the Vice President of the Society of Wine Educators, Barry C. Wiss, CSS, CWE. He is also Vice President of Trade Relations at Trinchero Napa Valley.
The mini-conference included a comprehensive look into one of the world’s most prestigious wine regions – Napa Valley.
The following seminar will dive into the world of Pinot Noir featuring guest Sommeliers discussing Burgundy and beyond.
The final session introduced the SWE’s newest accreditation, the Certified Specialist of Spirits, and included a Whisky Tasting.
Flight 1 - Mini Napa Valley Intensive Workshop (3 notes)
White
2013 Trinchero Sauvignon Blanc Mary's Vineyard
Appearance is clear, pale intensity, lemon colour. Legs.
Nose is clean, medium+ intensity, with aromas of grass, green apples, gooseberries. Youthful.
On the palate, dry, high acidity, medium+ alcohol, medium- body. Pronounced flavor intensity, with flavours of grass, green apples, gooseberries, and also some tropical fruit notes - pineapples. No oak influence.
Good quality. Drink now and in next 1-2 years while fresh.
Nose is clean, medium+ intensity, with aromas of grass, green apples, gooseberries. Youthful.
On the palate, dry, high acidity, medium+ alcohol, medium- body. Pronounced flavor intensity, with flavours of grass, green apples, gooseberries, and also some tropical fruit notes - pineapples. No oak influence.
Good quality. Drink now and in next 1-2 years while fresh.
Red
2010 Trinchero Cabernet Sauvignon Haystack Vineyard
Appearance is clear, deep intensity, dark ruby colour. Long legs.
Nose is clean, pronounced intensity, with aromas of vanilla oak, ripe blackcurrant, dark plums. Developing.
On the palate, dry, medium+ acidity, high alcohol, high tannins, full body. Pronounced flavor intensity, with flavours of vanilla oak, ripe blackcurrant, dark plums, blueberry, and spice towards the finish. Long finish.
Very good quality. In my opinion, too young to drink now. Will improve with further ageing. Try again in another 6+ years.
Compared with the Cab Sauv Mario's Vineyard from the same vintage, this had a lot more intense concentration, probably due to the Haystack Vineyard being located high up in Atlas Peak, Napa Valley’s highest appellation that sits 1,500 feet above sea level in the Vaca Mountains. From producer's website: The craggy, extremely rocky site stresses the vines, resulting in small, intensely concentrated berries.
Nose is clean, pronounced intensity, with aromas of vanilla oak, ripe blackcurrant, dark plums. Developing.
On the palate, dry, medium+ acidity, high alcohol, high tannins, full body. Pronounced flavor intensity, with flavours of vanilla oak, ripe blackcurrant, dark plums, blueberry, and spice towards the finish. Long finish.
Very good quality. In my opinion, too young to drink now. Will improve with further ageing. Try again in another 6+ years.
Compared with the Cab Sauv Mario's Vineyard from the same vintage, this had a lot more intense concentration, probably due to the Haystack Vineyard being located high up in Atlas Peak, Napa Valley’s highest appellation that sits 1,500 feet above sea level in the Vaca Mountains. From producer's website: The craggy, extremely rocky site stresses the vines, resulting in small, intensely concentrated berries.
Red
2010 Trinchero Cabernet Sauvignon Mario's
Appearance is clear, deep intensity, dark ruby colour. Long legs.
Nose is clean, medium+ intensity, with aromas of toasted oak, vanilla, blackcurrant. Developing.
On the palate, dry, medium+ acidity, high alcohol, high but velvety tannins, full body. Medium+ flavor intensity, with flavours of toasted oak and mild vanilla, blackcurrant, dark cherries, and spice towards the finish. Long finish.
Very good quality. In my opinion, too young to drink now. Will improve with further ageing. Try again in another 4-5 years.
Compared with the Cab Sauv Haystack Vineyard from the same vintage, this had more velvety tannins, but less concentration of the fruit. Will be approachable earlier.
Nose is clean, medium+ intensity, with aromas of toasted oak, vanilla, blackcurrant. Developing.
On the palate, dry, medium+ acidity, high alcohol, high but velvety tannins, full body. Medium+ flavor intensity, with flavours of toasted oak and mild vanilla, blackcurrant, dark cherries, and spice towards the finish. Long finish.
Very good quality. In my opinion, too young to drink now. Will improve with further ageing. Try again in another 4-5 years.
Compared with the Cab Sauv Haystack Vineyard from the same vintage, this had more velvety tannins, but less concentration of the fruit. Will be approachable earlier.
Flight 2 - Burgundy and Pinot Noir Seminar (6 notes)
Red
2011 Domaine Rossignol Trapet Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes
Appearance is clear, pale intensity, ruby colour. Legs.
Nose is clean, medium- intensity, with aromas of red fruits - cherry, raspberry, and light oak. Developing.
On the palate, dry, medium+ acidity, low alcohol, medium tannins, light body for a Gevrey-Chambertin, and a Vieilles Vignes at that. Medium+ flavor intensity, with rather fruit-forward cherry, raspberry, and cranberry flavours. A bit straightforward I felt. Medium finish.
Good quality. Approachable, to drink now.
Nose is clean, medium- intensity, with aromas of red fruits - cherry, raspberry, and light oak. Developing.
On the palate, dry, medium+ acidity, low alcohol, medium tannins, light body for a Gevrey-Chambertin, and a Vieilles Vignes at that. Medium+ flavor intensity, with rather fruit-forward cherry, raspberry, and cranberry flavours. A bit straightforward I felt. Medium finish.
Good quality. Approachable, to drink now.
Red
2011 Thibault Liger-Belair Nuits St. Georges La Charmotte
Appearance is clear, pale intensity, ruby colour. Legs.
Nose is clean, medium+ intensity, with aromas of sweet earth, smoky oak, red cherries and a hint of mushrooms. I really like the nose of this.
On the palate, dry, high acidity, low alcohol, medium silky tannins, medium body. Medium+ flavor intensity, with flavours of sweet earth, smoky oak, cherry, raspberry. Balanced, with good structure and concentration. Long finish.
Very good quality. Enjoyable now, and will continue to improve over the next few years.
Nose is clean, medium+ intensity, with aromas of sweet earth, smoky oak, red cherries and a hint of mushrooms. I really like the nose of this.
On the palate, dry, high acidity, low alcohol, medium silky tannins, medium body. Medium+ flavor intensity, with flavours of sweet earth, smoky oak, cherry, raspberry. Balanced, with good structure and concentration. Long finish.
Very good quality. Enjoyable now, and will continue to improve over the next few years.
Red
2011 Domaine François Mikulski Volnay 1er Cru Santenots-Du-Milieu
Appearance is clear, pale intensity, ruby colour. Legs.
Nose is clean, medium- intensity, with aromas of red cherry, light oak, bit of earth, and some floral scents. Developing.
On the palate, high acidity, low alcohol, medium smooth tannins, medium body. Medium flavor intensity, with flavours of fruity red cherries, raspberries, cranberries, and slight spice towards the finish. Long finish. Very good balance and elegance.
Very good quality Volnay. Enjoyable now, will continue to improve over the next 4-5 years.
Nose is clean, medium- intensity, with aromas of red cherry, light oak, bit of earth, and some floral scents. Developing.
On the palate, high acidity, low alcohol, medium smooth tannins, medium body. Medium flavor intensity, with flavours of fruity red cherries, raspberries, cranberries, and slight spice towards the finish. Long finish. Very good balance and elegance.
Very good quality Volnay. Enjoyable now, will continue to improve over the next 4-5 years.
Red
2011 Domaine Maillard Père & Fils Corton-Renardes
Appearance is clear, pale intensity, ruby colour. Legs.
Nose is clean, medium + intensity, with aromas of smoky toasted oak, earth, cherries, spice. Developing.
On the palate, medium+ acidity, low alcohol, medium tannins, medium body. Medium+ flavor intensity, with flavours of smoke, earth, cherries, redcurrant. Good depth and concentration. Long finish.
Very good quality Corton Grand Cru. Can drink now, but will be better in a few years' time, maybe another 4-5 years.
Nose is clean, medium + intensity, with aromas of smoky toasted oak, earth, cherries, spice. Developing.
On the palate, medium+ acidity, low alcohol, medium tannins, medium body. Medium+ flavor intensity, with flavours of smoke, earth, cherries, redcurrant. Good depth and concentration. Long finish.
Very good quality Corton Grand Cru. Can drink now, but will be better in a few years' time, maybe another 4-5 years.
Red
2012 Folie à Deux Pinot Noir
Appearance is clear, medium intensity, purple colour.
Nose is clean, medium intensity, with aromas of red cherries, raspberries, cranberries. Youthful.
On the palate, dry, high acidity, high alcohol, medium tannins, medium body. Pronounced flavor intensity, with very fruit-forward flavours of red cherries, raspberries, cranberries, strawberries, redcurrant. Pure red fruits and nothing much else. Medium+ finish.
Acceptable quality Pinot Noir from Sonoma Coast. Good expression of bright youthful red fruit, but I found this a bit too one-dimensional. Drink up while fresh, not suitable for ageing.
Nose is clean, medium intensity, with aromas of red cherries, raspberries, cranberries. Youthful.
On the palate, dry, high acidity, high alcohol, medium tannins, medium body. Pronounced flavor intensity, with very fruit-forward flavours of red cherries, raspberries, cranberries, strawberries, redcurrant. Pure red fruits and nothing much else. Medium+ finish.
Acceptable quality Pinot Noir from Sonoma Coast. Good expression of bright youthful red fruit, but I found this a bit too one-dimensional. Drink up while fresh, not suitable for ageing.
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Red
2012 Napa Cellars Pinot Noir
Appearance is clear, medium intensity, purplish-ruby colour. Legs.
Nose is clean, medium intensity, with aromas of red cherries, raspberries, and slight earth. Developing.
On the palate, high acidity, high alcohol, medium tannins, medium body. Medium+ flavor intensity, with flavours of cherries, raspberries, cranberries, strawberries, and mild earthiness. Medium+ finish.
Good quality Pinot Noir from Carneros. Can drink now, and hopefully will improve over the next 5 years. High alcohol a bit distracting though.
Nose is clean, medium intensity, with aromas of red cherries, raspberries, and slight earth. Developing.
On the palate, high acidity, high alcohol, medium tannins, medium body. Medium+ flavor intensity, with flavours of cherries, raspberries, cranberries, strawberries, and mild earthiness. Medium+ finish.
Good quality Pinot Noir from Carneros. Can drink now, and hopefully will improve over the next 5 years. High alcohol a bit distracting though.
Flight 3 - Post-conference Reception (4 notes)
Red
2009 Silverado Vineyards Merlot Mount George Vineyard
97% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Appearance is clear, deep intensity, ruby colour. Long legs.
Nose is clean, medium+ intensity, with aromas of ripe dark cherries, blackberries, plums, mint, and spice. Developing.
On the palate, medium+ acidity, high alcohol, smooth soft medium+ tannins, medium+ body. Medium+ flavor intensity, with flavours of ripe dark cherries, blackberries, plums, mint, and spice.
Good quality. Drinking well now, will continue to improve with further ageing, maybe in another 3-4 years.
Appearance is clear, deep intensity, ruby colour. Long legs.
Nose is clean, medium+ intensity, with aromas of ripe dark cherries, blackberries, plums, mint, and spice. Developing.
On the palate, medium+ acidity, high alcohol, smooth soft medium+ tannins, medium+ body. Medium+ flavor intensity, with flavours of ripe dark cherries, blackberries, plums, mint, and spice.
Good quality. Drinking well now, will continue to improve with further ageing, maybe in another 3-4 years.
White
2011 Silverado Vineyards Chardonnay Carneros
Appearance is clear, pale intensity, lemon colour. Legs.
Nose is clean, medium + intensity, with aromas of toasted oak, lemon-lime, apricots and rockmelon/cantaloupe. Youthful.
On the palate, dry, medium+ acidity, medium+ alcohol, full body. Medium+ flavor intensity, with flavours of toasted oak, bit of butter cream, and cool-climate grapefruit and lemon-lime mixed with richer warm climate fruits - ripe apricots and cantaloupe.
Good quality. Drink now. Probably not for long term ageing.
Nose is clean, medium + intensity, with aromas of toasted oak, lemon-lime, apricots and rockmelon/cantaloupe. Youthful.
On the palate, dry, medium+ acidity, medium+ alcohol, full body. Medium+ flavor intensity, with flavours of toasted oak, bit of butter cream, and cool-climate grapefruit and lemon-lime mixed with richer warm climate fruits - ripe apricots and cantaloupe.
Good quality. Drink now. Probably not for long term ageing.
White
2012 Domaine William Fèvre Chablis
Appearance is clear, pale intensity, lemon colour. Legs.
Nose is clean, medium- intensity, with aromas of lemon-lime, ripe apricots and some surprising tropical pineapple. Hints of minerality. Youthful.
On the palate, dry, medium+ acidity, medium- alcohol, medium- body. Medium flavor intensity, with flavours of lemon-lime, ripe apricots and tropical pineapple, with some minerality. Medium- finish.
Acceptable quality Chablis. Nice in a ripe kind of way, but not enough acidity and minerality to be a good classical Chablis.
Nose is clean, medium- intensity, with aromas of lemon-lime, ripe apricots and some surprising tropical pineapple. Hints of minerality. Youthful.
On the palate, dry, medium+ acidity, medium- alcohol, medium- body. Medium flavor intensity, with flavours of lemon-lime, ripe apricots and tropical pineapple, with some minerality. Medium- finish.
Acceptable quality Chablis. Nice in a ripe kind of way, but not enough acidity and minerality to be a good classical Chablis.
Red
2010 Villa Ponciago Fleurie La Réserve
Appearance is clear, medium intensity, ruby colour. Thin legs.
Nose is clean. medium intensity, with aromas of raspberries, red cherries, redcurrant. Subtle florality. Less flowery than I expected for a Fleurie. Youthful.
On the palate, dry, high acidity, low alcohol, medium- tannins, light body. Medium- flavor intensity, with flavours of raspberries, red cherries, and redcurrant. Medium+ finish.
Acceptable quality Fleurie. Drink within next 2-3 years.
Nose is clean. medium intensity, with aromas of raspberries, red cherries, redcurrant. Subtle florality. Less flowery than I expected for a Fleurie. Youthful.
On the palate, dry, high acidity, low alcohol, medium- tannins, light body. Medium- flavor intensity, with flavours of raspberries, red cherries, and redcurrant. Medium+ finish.
Acceptable quality Fleurie. Drink within next 2-3 years.
Closing
A truly memorable, enjoyable, and educational day.
Good wine tastes like a grape; Great wine tastes like a place.