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WSET Intermediate Course, Session 4 Tastings

Washington Wine Academy, Arlington, VA

Tasted February 15, 2011 by jsimmons with 490 views

Introduction

Tasting notes from fourth session of WSET Intermediate Course at Washington Wine Academy (Sparkling Wine and the New World). Notes taken using WSET Systematic Approach to Tasting, with some additional commentary of my own.

Flight 1 - Sparkling Wines (2 notes)

Only set of sparkling wines, tasted sequentially.

White - Sparkling
N.V. Gruet Winery Brut USA, New Mexico
85 points
Appearance: clear, pale-medium intensity, lemon. Nose: clean, light-medium intensity, green apple, yeasty (almost overripe), biscuit. Palate: dry, medium acidity, light body, green apple, lime, cloves, toast, biscuit, yeast, medium length/finish. Conclusion: acceptable-good (a basic, inoffensive, methode champenoise dry sparkling wine).
White - Sparkling
2010 Saracco Moscato d'Asti Italy, Piedmont, Asti, Moscato d'Asti
86 points
Appearance: clear, pale intensity, lemon. Nose: clean, medium-plus intensity, grapefruit, peach, apricot, orange blossom. Palate: medium sweetness, low acidity, medium body, orange, peach, melon (all seemed very candied-fruit-like), orange blossom, short length/finish (mostly just a lingering, nondescript sweetness). Conclusion: acceptable-good (a basic, inoffensive Moscato).

Flight 2 - New World Wines I (2 notes)

First set of New World wines - one wine each from South Africa and Australia, tasted separately.

Red
2008 Wildekrans Estate Pinotage South Africa, Cape South Coast, Walker Bay, Bot River
85 points
Appearance: clear, pale-medium intensity, ruby. Nose: clean, light-medium intensity, cherry, strawberry, oak (primary aspect), rose, black pepper, rubber, very meaty. Palate: dry, medium acidity, low-medium tannin, medium-full body (primarily heat from alcohol), plum, black pepper (substantial), animal fat, bacon, and a thyme or eucalyptus herbaceousness, short length/finish (just a lingering spiciness). Conclusion: acceptable (for its style; I'm not personally a huge fan).
Red
2007 Mandu Shiraz Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River
82 points
Appearance: clear, medium intensity, ruby. Nose: clean, medium-plus intensity, dried blackcurrant, blueberry, nutmeg, mint, coffee/mocha, charred oak, vanilla. Palate: dry, low-medium acidity, medium-high tannin, medium-plus body, cassis, black cherry, some secondary characteristics but they're all muddled together, short length/finish. Conclusion: acceptable (not particularly interesting, but probably needed some decanting).

Flight 3 - New World Wines II (2 notes)

Second set of New World wines - one wine each from New Zealand and America, tasted separately.

Red
2007 Palliser Estate Pinot Noir New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa, Martinborough
84 points
Appearance: clear, medium intensity, ruby. Nose: clean, light-medium intensity, very smoky. Palate: dry, medium-high acidity, light-medium tannin, medium body, cherry (somewhat muted), general red fruit, a burnt, bitter woodiness, toast. Conclusion: acceptable (a typical New Zealand Pinot, with the typical New Zealand burnt flavors).
White
2009 Adelsheim Pinot Gris Willamette Valley USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
84 points
Appearance: clear, pale, lemon. Nose: clean, medium intensity, lemon, lime, pear, stony minerality. Palate: dry, medium-high acidity, light-medium body, pear, nuttiness (very slight from the mild oak treatment), a bit or minerality, short-medium finish. Conclusion: good (a little flabby, but with decent minerality).

Flight 4 - New World Wines III (3 notes)

Final set of New World wines - one wine from Chile and two from Argentina, tasted sequentially.

White
2009 Doña Paula Torrontés Estate Argentina, Valles Calchaquíes, Salta, Cafayate
77 points
Appearance: clear, pale-medium intensity, lemon. Nose: clean, medium intensity, peach, lemon, heavy oak - vanilla and smoke. Palate: dry, medium acidity, light-medium body, lemon, lime, sweet peaches, more heavy oak - woodiness, smoke, some petrol and salinity, medium length/finish (primarily salinity). Conclusion: poor-acceptable (not really sure why they decided to put Torrontes in oak, but it didn't really work out for me).
Red
2008 Hacienda Araucano (Lurton) Carménère Chile, Rapel Valley, Colchagua Valley
85 points
Appearance: clear, medium intensity, ruby. Nose: clean, medium intensity, concentrated dried fruits - raisin, dates, plum, red pepper/capsicum, bell pepper, well-integrated oak, smoke, beef jerky. Palate: dry, medium acidity, full body, medium-high tannin, red fruits: plum, sour cherry, prune, pepper, smoke, very meaty, beefy aspect, short length/finish (and a little slick). Conclusion: good (the finish was really the only disappointing part).
Red
2009 Andeluna Cellars (Familia Reina) Malbec Argentina, Mendoza
85 points
Appearance: clear, medium intensity, ruby. Nose: clean, medium intensity, bright black fruit, vanilla. Palate: dry, medium acidity, medium tannin, full body (very slick-feeling), very juicy fruit - sour cherry, blackberry, sweet vanilla, medium length/finish. Conclusion: acceptable (a slightly-better-than-average, decently-balanced Argentina Malbec).
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