WSET Intermediate Course, Session 1 Tastings

Tasting notes from first session of WSET Intermediate Course at Washington Wine Academy (Style, Quality, and Price). Notes taken using WSET Systematic Approach to Tasting, with some additional commentary of my own.

First set of white wines, tasted separately.

• 2009 Vinaceous Verdelho Divine Light 82 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Pemberton

  Appearance: clear, pale intensity (very pale), lemon color. Nose: clean, light intensity, fruit: citrus - lemon and lime pulp, and nondescript tropical fruit, vegetal: herbaceous - dry grass, other: mineral - gritty gravel, perhaps quartz. Palate: dry, medium-high acidity (but not overpowering), light body, fruit: citrus - lime pulp, short length/finish (just a vague sourness left behind). Conclusion: acceptable (refreshing, but simplistic, one-dimensional, and a disappointing finish).

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• 2009 Stefano Massone Gavi Vigneto Masera 85 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Gavi

  Appearance: clear, pale-medium intensity (discernibly darker than the Verdelho), lemon. Nose: clean, medium intensity, fruit: citrus - lemon zest, green apple, melon, floral: lush, white flower (can't put my finger on it - orange blossom perhaps?), other: mineral - stony, flinty. Palate: dry, medium acidity, medium body, fruit: ripe citrus, golden apple, other: flinty minerality (significant component), long length/finish (a very pleasant, full finish). Conclusion: good (nothing special, but a solid Italian white).

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Second set of white wines, tasted sequentially.

• 2008 Tarara Winery Viognier 84 Points

  USA, Virginia, Northern Virginia, Loudoun County

  Appearance: clear, pale intensity, lemon color. Nose: clean, medium intensity (primarily oak), fruit: apricot (limited, secondary), oak: toast, char, smoke (primary, almost only component). Palate: dry, low-medium acidity, full body (primarily from alcohol and a slickness due to low acidity), fruit: grapefruit, apricot, oak: hazelnut, smoke. Medium length/finish. Conclusion: acceptable (well-made and balanced, but over-oaked; not a style I prefer).

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• 2009 Columbia Crest Gewürztraminer Two Vines 87 Points

  USA, Washington

  Appearance: clear, pale intensity, lemon (almost identical to the Viognier). Nose: clean, medium-plus intensity, fruit: lychee (pronounced, dominant component), melon, floral: honeysuckle, spice: fresh ginger. Palate: off-dry (a perfect level of RS - discernible, but not too sweet), low acid, medium-full body, fruit: lychee (again dominant), melon, floral: honeysuckle, long length/finish. Conclusion: good-plus (a terrific specimen stylistically, definitely the most enjoyable wine of the night).

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First set of red wines, tasted sequentially. Administrators purportedly mixed up the order of tasting, so results were "thrown out."

• 2009 Altos Las Hormigas Bonarda Colonia las Liebres 83 Points

  Argentina, Mendoza

  Appearance: clear, medium intensity, ruby. Nose: clean, medium intensity, fruit: black fruits - blueberry, plum, spicy: pepper (white?), oak: smoke, char. Palate: dry, medium intensity, low-medium tannin, medium body, fruit: black fruits, plum, spicy: pepper (very peppery), oak: smoky, vanilla (just a hint), medium length/finish (but with an unpleasant residual bitterness). Conclusion: acceptable (not bad overall, but finish was poor).

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• 2008 Campos de Risca Jumilla 79 Points

  Spain, Murcia, Jumilla

  Appearance: clear, medium intensity, ruby. Nose: clean, light intensity, oak: smoke, other: rubber (or plastic - a very artificial smell, highly unpleasant). Palate: dry, medium acidity, light body, medium tannin, black fruits, smoke, short length/finish. Conclusion: poor (easily the worst wine of the night).

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Second set of red wines, tasted sequentially, but rather rushed at the end of the class.

• 2007 Sweely Estate Winery Cabernet Franc 81 Points

  USA, Virginia, Central Virginia, Madison County

  Appearance: clear, pale-medium intensity, ruby. Nose: clean, medium intensity (primarily through an unpleasant alcohol scent), fruit: dried red fruits, plum, spice - black pepper, vegetal - bell pepper, leafy (dominant), oak - smoky, some bitterness. Palate: dry, medium-high acidity, low tannin, light body (very light, but a little boozy), fruit: red fruits, raspberries, plum, other: earthy, dusty, medium length/finish (a little bitter). Conclusion: acceptable (stylistically loyal to Cab Franc, but the omnipresent boozy heat is simply unavoidable).

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• 2007 Gnekow Family Winery Old Vine Zinfandel Campus Oaks 83 Points

  USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi

  Appearance: clear, pale intensity, ruby. Nose: clean, light intensity, fruit: mixture of red and black fruits - red cherry, raspberry, blackberry, spice: red pepper, a red stewed bell pepper component (almost Sangiovese-like), vegetal: a distinct herbal component, other: earth, tannin. Palate: dry, low-medium acidity, low-medium tannin, medium body (with a bit of alcohol heat and sweetness), black fruit, chocolate, medium length/finish (which tasted very artificial). Conclusion: acceptable.

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