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WSET Level 4, Unit D5: Fortified Wines Part I - Port, Madeira and VDN
Weinakademie Österreich, Rust, Austria
Tasted September 4, 2021 by PSPatrick with 574 views
Introduction
WSET Level 4, Unit D5: Fortified Wines (Part 1) - training session at Weinakademie Österreich, Rust, Austria. All wines were tasted blind.
As opposed to my usual tasting notes, I have written these tasting notes in accordance with the "WSET Level 4 Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine". The notes may hence seem technical for readers not applying the same tasting grid. Also, the WSET system has a different approach to the ageability of wines than I personally do. Consequently, while I typically age most of my wines, in the WSET system most wines are not expected to "improve" in bottle and are hence "not suitable for further aging in bottle". Also, the WSET quality classifications of poor, acceptable, good, very good, and outstanding do not fully correspond to the 100 point scale used on CT. Please bear this in mind when reading these notes.
Flight 1 (9 notes)
White - Fortified
N.V. Fonseca Porto White Port
88 points
Wine 1: The wine is deep gold in colour. The nose has pronounced intensity and mostly shows secondary and tertiary characteristics of bruised apple, dried apricot, white chocolate, honey, and walnut, but also some primary characteristics of stone fruit (ripe peach), citrus fruit (orange, ripe lemon), and green fruit (apple).
On the palate the wine is sweet, with medium acidity, low tannin, high alcohol, and a full body. The flavour intensity is pronounced, the flavours mirror the aromas on the nose: bruised apple, dried apricot, white chocolate, honey, and walnut, complemented by primary characteristics of stone fruit (apricot), citrus fruit (orange), and green fruit (ripe apple). The texture is creamy, the alcohol is warming on the palate.
This is a good quality wine since it has good complexity, very good intensity, and a creamy texture. To be considered of very good quality the wine would need better integration of the alcohol and more length. The wine will keep for another few years, but is ready to drink, and not suitable for further aging in bottle.
On the palate the wine is sweet, with medium acidity, low tannin, high alcohol, and a full body. The flavour intensity is pronounced, the flavours mirror the aromas on the nose: bruised apple, dried apricot, white chocolate, honey, and walnut, complemented by primary characteristics of stone fruit (apricot), citrus fruit (orange), and green fruit (ripe apple). The texture is creamy, the alcohol is warming on the palate.
This is a good quality wine since it has good complexity, very good intensity, and a creamy texture. To be considered of very good quality the wine would need better integration of the alcohol and more length. The wine will keep for another few years, but is ready to drink, and not suitable for further aging in bottle.
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Red - Fortified
N.V. Quinta do Noval Porto Fine Ruby
86 points
Wine 2: The wine has a deep ruby colour. The nose has medium-plus intensity and shows mostly primary characteristics of red fruit (e.g., cherry), and black fruit (e.g., black currant, dark cherry, plum), but also secondary characteristics like chocolate and lactic notes.
On the palate the wine is sweet, with medium acidity, medium(+) tannin that is a little coarse, high alcohol, and a medium(+) body. The flavours are of pronounced intensity and include primary characteristics of red fruit (e.g., cherry, ripe raspberry), and black fruit (e.g., dark cherry, blueberry, blackberry, plum), but also secondary characteristics like chocolate and lactic notes. The alcohol is lightly warming. The wine has medium length.
The wine is of good quality since it has some aromatic complexity and very good intensity on the nose and palate. To be considered of very good quality it would need finer tannin, higher complexity, and greater length. The wine is ready to drink, and not suitable for further aging in bottle.
On the palate the wine is sweet, with medium acidity, medium(+) tannin that is a little coarse, high alcohol, and a medium(+) body. The flavours are of pronounced intensity and include primary characteristics of red fruit (e.g., cherry, ripe raspberry), and black fruit (e.g., dark cherry, blueberry, blackberry, plum), but also secondary characteristics like chocolate and lactic notes. The alcohol is lightly warming. The wine has medium length.
The wine is of good quality since it has some aromatic complexity and very good intensity on the nose and palate. To be considered of very good quality it would need finer tannin, higher complexity, and greater length. The wine is ready to drink, and not suitable for further aging in bottle.
Red - Fortified
2013 Graham Porto Late Bottled Vintage
90 points
Wine 3: The wine has a deep ruby colour. The nose is of medium(+) intensity and shows primary characteristics of red fruit (e.g., cherry), and black fruit (e.g., blackberry, dark cherry, plum), as well also secondary characteristics like lactic notes and spices, and tertiary characteristics like fig and raisins.
On the palate the wine is sweet, with medium acidity, medium(+) tannin that is fine grained and well-integrated, high alcohol, and a medium(+) body. The flavours are of pronounced intensity and include primary characteristics of red fruit (e.g., cherry), and black fruit (e.g., dark cherry, blackberry, plum), as well as secondary and tertiary characteristics like lactic notes, chocolate, spices, raisins, and figs. The alcohol is lightly warming, the texture is lightly creamy.
The wine is of very good quality since it has good aromatic complexity, very good intensity on the nose and palate, and good quality tannin. To be considered of outstanding quality it would need even higher complexity, and greater length. The wine is ready to drink. Due to its concentration and high alcohol, it will keep for a few years, but it will not improve and is not suitable for further aging in bottle.
On the palate the wine is sweet, with medium acidity, medium(+) tannin that is fine grained and well-integrated, high alcohol, and a medium(+) body. The flavours are of pronounced intensity and include primary characteristics of red fruit (e.g., cherry), and black fruit (e.g., dark cherry, blackberry, plum), as well as secondary and tertiary characteristics like lactic notes, chocolate, spices, raisins, and figs. The alcohol is lightly warming, the texture is lightly creamy.
The wine is of very good quality since it has good aromatic complexity, very good intensity on the nose and palate, and good quality tannin. To be considered of outstanding quality it would need even higher complexity, and greater length. The wine is ready to drink. Due to its concentration and high alcohol, it will keep for a few years, but it will not improve and is not suitable for further aging in bottle.
Red - Fortified
2015 Niepoort Porto Vintage
93 points
Wine 4: The wine has a deep ruby colour. The nose has medium(+) intensity and seems a little reserved. It shows primary aromas of dark fruit (e.g., plum, blackberry, cassis), and red fruit (e.g., cherry), as well as secondary and tertiary characteristics like chocolate, spices, and fig.
On the palate the wine is sweet, with medium(+) acidity, high tannin, high alcohol, and a full body. The flavours are of pronounced intensity, flavours again include primary characteristics of dark fruit (e.g., plum, blackberry, dark cherry as well as secondary and tertiary characteristics like chocolate, spices, honey, fig, and black tea leaf. The texture is lightly creamy. Alcohol and tannin are integrated well. The finish is long.
This wine is of outstanding quality since it has very good complexity, very good concentration, very good intensity on the palate, and a long finish, and alcohol and tannin are integrated well. While the wine arguably is drinkable now, it is very young, and is suitable for and will benefit from aging in bottle.
On the palate the wine is sweet, with medium(+) acidity, high tannin, high alcohol, and a full body. The flavours are of pronounced intensity, flavours again include primary characteristics of dark fruit (e.g., plum, blackberry, dark cherry as well as secondary and tertiary characteristics like chocolate, spices, honey, fig, and black tea leaf. The texture is lightly creamy. Alcohol and tannin are integrated well. The finish is long.
This wine is of outstanding quality since it has very good complexity, very good concentration, very good intensity on the palate, and a long finish, and alcohol and tannin are integrated well. While the wine arguably is drinkable now, it is very young, and is suitable for and will benefit from aging in bottle.
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White - Fortified
N.V. Henriques & Henriques Madeira Verdelho 10 Years Old
87 points
Wine 5: The wine has a medium amber colour. The nose has medium intensity and shows tertiary characteristics of nuts, almond, caramel, mushroom, and coffee.
On the palate the wine is medium sweet, with medium(+) acidity, high alcohol, and medium body. The flavour intensity is medium(+) with tertiary characteristics of fig, walnut, almond, caramel, and coffee. The alcohol is warming, the finish has medium length.
This is a good quality wine since it has medium complexity concentration, and length. To be considered of outstanding quality it would require even greater complexity and greater length, and better integration of the alcohol. The wine will keep, but will not improve in bottle, and is hence not suitable for further aging in bottle.
NB: I though the wine was little lean and short, but others in our group rated the wine much higher.
On the palate the wine is medium sweet, with medium(+) acidity, high alcohol, and medium body. The flavour intensity is medium(+) with tertiary characteristics of fig, walnut, almond, caramel, and coffee. The alcohol is warming, the finish has medium length.
This is a good quality wine since it has medium complexity concentration, and length. To be considered of outstanding quality it would require even greater complexity and greater length, and better integration of the alcohol. The wine will keep, but will not improve in bottle, and is hence not suitable for further aging in bottle.
NB: I though the wine was little lean and short, but others in our group rated the wine much higher.
White - Fortified
N.V. Justino's Madeira Malvasia 10 Years Old
91 points
Wine 6: The wine is deep amber in colour. The nose is of medium(+) intensity and shows tertiary aromas of fig, coffee, nuts, and caramel.
On the palate the wine is sweet, with high acidity, high alcohol, and a full body. The flavour intensity is pronounced, the flavours are tertiary and very concentrated, and include fig, walnut, caramel, and coffee. The finish has medium(+) length.
This wine is of very good quality since it has high concentration, good balance of acidity and sweetness, and medium(+) length. To be considered being of outstanding quality it would require more complexity and even greater length. The wine will keep for many years, but will not improve, and in that sense is not suitable for further aging in bottle.
NB: Others in our group rated the wine a little lower.
On the palate the wine is sweet, with high acidity, high alcohol, and a full body. The flavour intensity is pronounced, the flavours are tertiary and very concentrated, and include fig, walnut, caramel, and coffee. The finish has medium(+) length.
This wine is of very good quality since it has high concentration, good balance of acidity and sweetness, and medium(+) length. To be considered being of outstanding quality it would require more complexity and even greater length. The wine will keep for many years, but will not improve, and in that sense is not suitable for further aging in bottle.
NB: Others in our group rated the wine a little lower.
White - Fortified
N.V. Campbells Muscat Rutherglen
91 points
Wine 7: The wine is pale brown in colour. The nose has medium(+) intensity, and while it still shows some primary characteristics like floral notes and citrus fruit (e.g., lemon), it is mostly tertiary. Tertiary aromas include raisings, dried apricot, furniture polish, nuts, honey, caramel, and coffee.
On the palate the wine is lusciously sweet, with medium(-) acidity, medium alcohol, and a full body. The flavour intensity is pronounced, flavours include some primary characteristics of citrus fruit (e.g., ripe lemon), but mostly tertiary characteristics of raisins, dried apricot, dried fig, walnut, coffee, caramel, honey, and chocolate. The texture is creamy, the finish is long.
This is a very good quality wine due to its good complexity, smooth and creamy texture, and long finish. To be considered being of outstanding quality the wine would need even better balance of sweetness and acidity, and even greater complexity. The wine will keep for years due to the concentration, sugar, and alcohol, but will not improve with further ageing in bottle.
On the palate the wine is lusciously sweet, with medium(-) acidity, medium alcohol, and a full body. The flavour intensity is pronounced, flavours include some primary characteristics of citrus fruit (e.g., ripe lemon), but mostly tertiary characteristics of raisins, dried apricot, dried fig, walnut, coffee, caramel, honey, and chocolate. The texture is creamy, the finish is long.
This is a very good quality wine due to its good complexity, smooth and creamy texture, and long finish. To be considered being of outstanding quality the wine would need even better balance of sweetness and acidity, and even greater complexity. The wine will keep for years due to the concentration, sugar, and alcohol, but will not improve with further ageing in bottle.
White - Fortified
2014 Famille Perrin / Perrin & Fils Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise
90 points
Wine 8: The wine is pale lemon in colour. The nose has medium(+) intensity and shows mostly primary characteristics of floral notes (blossom, honeysuckle), citrus fruit (ripe grapefruit, ripe lemon, ripe lime), and green fruit (green apple and pear).
On the palate the wine is medium sweet, with medium(-) acidity, low alcohol, and a medium body. The flavour intensity is medium. Flavours are mostly primary characteristics of floral notes (honeysuckle), citrus fruit (ripe grapefruit, ripe lemon), and green fruit (green apple). The texture is oily, the wine has medium(+) length.
This is a very good quality wine since it has good complexity, the alcohol is integrated well, and the finish has very good (medium-plus) length. To be considered being of outstanding quality the wine would require greater complexity and even better length. The wine will keep for a number of years, but is not expected to improve, and in that sense is not suitable for further aging in bottle.
On the palate the wine is medium sweet, with medium(-) acidity, low alcohol, and a medium body. The flavour intensity is medium. Flavours are mostly primary characteristics of floral notes (honeysuckle), citrus fruit (ripe grapefruit, ripe lemon), and green fruit (green apple). The texture is oily, the wine has medium(+) length.
This is a very good quality wine since it has good complexity, the alcohol is integrated well, and the finish has very good (medium-plus) length. To be considered being of outstanding quality the wine would require greater complexity and even better length. The wine will keep for a number of years, but is not expected to improve, and in that sense is not suitable for further aging in bottle.
Red - Fortified
2014 Mas Amiel Maury Vintage
88 points
Wine 9: The wine has a deep ruby colour. The nose is of medium(-) intensity and shows primary characteristics of red fruit (e.g., red cherry), black fruit (e.g., plum), and light herbaceous notes, as well as secondary characteristics like cream. It also has a kirsch aspect to it.
On the palate the wine is medium sweet, with medium acidity, medium tannin, medium alcohol, and medium(+) body. The tannin seems coarse at first but rounds out as the wine breathes in the glass. The flavour intensity is medium, flavours include primary characteristics of red fruit (e.g., cherry), and black fruit (e.g., plum), as well as secondary characteristics (e.g., butter, cream). The length is medium.
This wine is of good quality since it has medium complexity, medium intensity, and medium length. To be considered being of very good quality it would require greater complexity and length. The wine is ready to drink and while it will keep up for a number of years, it is not expected to improve, and in that sense is not suitable for further aging in bottle.
On the palate the wine is medium sweet, with medium acidity, medium tannin, medium alcohol, and medium(+) body. The tannin seems coarse at first but rounds out as the wine breathes in the glass. The flavour intensity is medium, flavours include primary characteristics of red fruit (e.g., cherry), and black fruit (e.g., plum), as well as secondary characteristics (e.g., butter, cream). The length is medium.
This wine is of good quality since it has medium complexity, medium intensity, and medium length. To be considered being of very good quality it would require greater complexity and length. The wine is ready to drink and while it will keep up for a number of years, it is not expected to improve, and in that sense is not suitable for further aging in bottle.