Important Update From the Founder
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WSET Level 3
WSET School, London
Tasted January 13, 2014 - January 17, 2014 by PT insurgent with 912 views
Flight 1 - Introduction & Tasting Technique (6 notes)
White
2012 Château de la Templerie Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine sur lie
Fresh green apple, citrus, grapefruit.
Drink up.
Drink up.
White
2011 Domaine Bruno Sorg Gewurztraminer
Bursting with honeyed pineapple and apricot. Oily character, floral.
Super pronounced palate, sweet spices, ultra ripe stone fruit, apricot, peach.
Very good.
Super pronounced palate, sweet spices, ultra ripe stone fruit, apricot, peach.
Very good.
White - Sweet/Dessert
2005 Oremus Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos
Massive nose of marmalade, raisins, apricot, almond.
Sweet balanced with raging acidity. Pronounced flavors of dried stone fruit and honey.
Beautiful.
Sweet balanced with raging acidity. Pronounced flavors of dried stone fruit and honey.
Beautiful.
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Red
2012 Georges Dubœuf Beaujolais-Villages
Candied cherries and banana.
Low tannins, but the palate is leafy and under ripe.
Low tannins, but the palate is leafy and under ripe.
Red
2009 L'Ecole No. 41 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley
Pronounced nose of oak: vanilla, smoke, leather, sweet spice. Blackberry, blackcurrant, minty notes.
Well balanced, with pronounced notes of mint, spice, cedar, cinnamon.
Long finish.
Super wine for the price.
Well balanced, with pronounced notes of mint, spice, cedar, cinnamon.
Long finish.
Super wine for the price.
Red
2004 C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) Rioja Imperial Gran Reserva
Vegtal tinged nose with vanilla, plum, ripe strawberry.
Soft tannins, with strong earthy (mushroom, umami) notes. Licorice, vanilla.
Soft tannins, with strong earthy (mushroom, umami) notes. Licorice, vanilla.
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Flight 2 - Wine Making (4 notes)
White
2012 Glenelly Estate Chardonnay Glass Collection Unoaked Chardonnay
Light nose, stone fruit, pineapple.
Medium intensity, medium acid. Lemon, green apple, pear
Medium intensity, medium acid. Lemon, green apple, pear
White
2011 Glenelly Estate Chardonnay Grand Vin
Medium intensity nose, oak treatment noticeable: vanilla, toast. Honeyed orange peel, sweet spice.
Good balance, med+ acid/body/intensity. Toasty oak, lemon, creamy finish.
Good balance, med+ acid/body/intensity. Toasty oak, lemon, creamy finish.
Red
2010 Domaine du Murinais Crozes-Hermitage Cuvée les Amandiers
Good nose of blueberry, blackberry, pepper, licorice, mint.
Medium tannin, med+ acid. Earthy, tar, pepper.
Medium tannin, med+ acid. Earthy, tar, pepper.
Red
2009 St Hallett Shiraz Blackwell
Pronounced nose of licorice, jammy, ripe fruit, mint, cedar, fig, prune.
More savory on the palate. Cedar, mint, smokey.
High tannin, med+ acid.
More savory on the palate. Cedar, mint, smokey.
High tannin, med+ acid.
Flight 3 - Burgundy & Alsace (6 notes)
White
2009 Domaine Billaud-Simon Chablis 1er Cru Mont de Milieu
Medium intensity nose of Lemon, nectarine, floral, blossom, steely.
High acid. Tad oily/smoky on the finish, fresh fruit of nectarine, citrus. Good minerality.
High acid. Tad oily/smoky on the finish, fresh fruit of nectarine, citrus. Good minerality.
White
2008 Jean Noel Gagnard Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Chaumées
Pronounced nose, smoke, floral, pineapple, sweet spice, almond. Developing
High acid, full body.
Outstanding wine.
High acid, full body.
Outstanding wine.
Red
2011 Trénel Fils Juliénas L'Esprit Marius Sangouard
Youthful nose of bubble gum, candy strawberry, cinnamon.
Sour cherry and raspberry on the palate, med- tan, med+ acid.
Sour cherry and raspberry on the palate, med- tan, med+ acid.
Red
2007 Faiveley Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Les Damodes
Pronounced developing nose, jam, cherry, forest floor, strawberry, cloves.
High acid, med- tannin, pronounced savory notes. long finish.
High acid, med- tannin, pronounced savory notes. long finish.
White
2007 Trimbach Riesling Cuvée Frédéric Emile
Pronounced developing nose of petrol, floral, citrus, peach, melon.
Dry palate, wonderfully high acid, lemon, lime, citrus. Long finish.
Very good wine.
Dry palate, wonderfully high acid, lemon, lime, citrus. Long finish.
Very good wine.
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White
2007 Domaines Schlumberger Pinot Gris Kitterlé
Pronounced developing nose of honey, floral, melon.
Medium-sweet, full body, pronounced flavors, long finish.
Honey, ripe stone fruit, peach, oily texture, honey suckle.
Medium-sweet, full body, pronounced flavors, long finish.
Honey, ripe stone fruit, peach, oily texture, honey suckle.
Flight 4 - Bordeaux & South West France (6 notes)
White
2011 Château Saint-Jean-Des-Graves Blanc
Youthful nose of fresh citrus, grass, floral
Dry on the palate, high acid, med- body. Lemon, green apples, herbaceous, floral. Nice refreshing acidity.
Dry on the palate, high acid, med- body. Lemon, green apples, herbaceous, floral. Nice refreshing acidity.
Red
N.V. The Wine Society Claret
Simple nose of generic red fruit, quite green/leafy.
Harsh tannins. Leafy, sour cherry on the palate.
Just barely drinkable.
Harsh tannins. Leafy, sour cherry on the palate.
Just barely drinkable.
Red
2006 Château de Fonbel
Nice developing nose of cooked red fruits, leather, mushroom. Oak noticeable, cedar, vanilla.
Palate is meaty, vegetal, mushroom.
Very good.
Palate is meaty, vegetal, mushroom.
Very good.
Red
2006 Château Talbot
Pronounced nose of blackcurrant, rose, cedar, chocolate.
High acid, High tannins, pronounced palate of cedar, floral, blackcurrant, chocolate, prune, ripe fruit.
Delicious wine.
High acid, High tannins, pronounced palate of cedar, floral, blackcurrant, chocolate, prune, ripe fruit.
Delicious wine.
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Flight 5 - Loire, Rhone & Southern France (6 notes)
White
2011 Domaine Châtelain Pouilly-Fumé Harmonie
Nice nose of melon, peach, lemon, grass, apple.
Similar on the palate.
Nice typicity.
Similar on the palate.
Nice typicity.
White - Off-dry
2005 Domaine Huet Vouvray Demi-Sec Le Haut-Lieu
Super wet wool on the nose, good minerality.
On the palate, high acidity, fresh apricot, honey, herbal, biscuit.
Very good wine.
On the palate, high acidity, fresh apricot, honey, herbal, biscuit.
Very good wine.
Red
2010 Pierre Gaillard St. Joseph Clos de Cuminaille
Pronounced nose of cloves, black pepper, smoke, mint, raspberry.
High acid, high soft tannins. On the palate: pepper, cloves, mint, cedar, vanilla, raspberry, cherry
Outstanding wine.
High acid, high soft tannins. On the palate: pepper, cloves, mint, cedar, vanilla, raspberry, cherry
Outstanding wine.
Red
2010 Domaine du Grand Arc Corbières Reserve Grand Arc
Licorice, prune, cassis, strawberry nose, very ripe
Flight 6 - Germany, Austria, Hungary & Greece (6 notes)
White
2008 Alzinger Riesling Federspiel Dürnsteiner
Developing nose of lemon, lime, peach.
Dry, high acid, medium body. Lemon, lime, mineral, steely, melon.
Dry, high acid, medium body. Lemon, lime, mineral, steely, melon.
White
2008 Alzinger Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Mühlpoint
Wonderful nose of stone fruit, peach, honey, nectarine, ginger.
Dry, high acid with notes of stone fruit, peach, lemon, white pepper.
Dry, high acid with notes of stone fruit, peach, lemon, white pepper.
White
2012 Kendermann Riesling Special Edition
Youthful nose of floral, pineapple, mango, peach, perfumed.
Dry, medium+ acid w/ peach, lemon, lemon.
Relatively simple and straightforward.
Dry, medium+ acid w/ peach, lemon, lemon.
Relatively simple and straightforward.
White
2012 Dr. Loosen Bernkasteler Lay Riesling Kabinett
Youthful nose of rubber, orange, peach, slight petrol.
Medium-dry sweetness, high acid. Orange blossom, lemon sherbet, green apple, pineapple.
Long finish.
Delicious wine.
Medium-dry sweetness, high acid. Orange blossom, lemon sherbet, green apple, pineapple.
Long finish.
Delicious wine.
White - Off-dry
2010 Weingut Josef Leitz Rüdesheimer Magdalenenkreuz Riesling Spätlese
Nice nose of petrol, rubber, oil, honey, flinty, smoke, floral.
Medium-Sweet, high acid, very pronounced intensity: apple, honey, pineapple, orange blossom, perfume.
Medium-Sweet, high acid, very pronounced intensity: apple, honey, pineapple, orange blossom, perfume.
White - Off-dry
2009 Schloss Lieser Niederberg Helden Riesling Auslese
Pronounced nose of petrol, rubber, smoke, peach, guava, tropical fruits.
Sweet, high acid, pronounced very concentrated palate of exotic fruit, mango, floral, honey, lemon, lime, tad oily.
Outstanding wine.
Sweet, high acid, pronounced very concentrated palate of exotic fruit, mango, floral, honey, lemon, lime, tad oily.
Outstanding wine.
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Flight 7 - Spirits (0 notes)
No tasting notes.
The following spirits were tasted:
Chivas Regal 12 years
Jack Daniel's Old No. 7
Gordon's Special Dry London Gin
Bombay Sapphire London Dry Gin
Martel VS
Remy MArtin VSOP
Flight 8 - Italy (6 notes)
Red
2009 Massolino Barolo
Garnet in color. Medium+ developing nose of red cherry, red plum, fig, earth, mushroom, leather, forest floor.
High acid, high tannin, red cherry, red plum, meaty.
High acid, high tannin, red cherry, red plum, meaty.
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Red
2011 Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella Corte Giara
Med-, youthful nose, red cherry, red plum.
Simple palate or red cherry, sour cranberry.
Simple palate or red cherry, sour cranberry.
Red
2008 Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
Beautiful nose of dark cherry, cinnamon, dark chocolate, candied cherry, "mon cheri candy", very ripe and smoky.
High acid, medium tannin, warming alcohol. Spice, dark chocolate, candied cherry.
Outstanding wine.
High acid, medium tannin, warming alcohol. Spice, dark chocolate, candied cherry.
Outstanding wine.
Red
2006 Il Molino di Grace Chianti Classico Riserva
Developing nose of meat, game, leather, dried cherry.
Med+ acid, high tannins, pronounced flavors of dried cherry, sweet cherry, chocolate, toast.
Very good wine.
Med+ acid, high tannins, pronounced flavors of dried cherry, sweet cherry, chocolate, toast.
Very good wine.
Red
2010 Vigneti del Vulture Aglianico del Vulture Pipoli
Pronounced nose of ripe black cherry, fig, cinnamon, prune.
High acid, high tannin, palate of ripe black fruit, cherry, plum
High acid, high tannin, palate of ripe black fruit, cherry, plum
Flight 9 - Spain & Portugal (6 notes)
Red
2009 Ramos Pinto Douro Duas Quintas Reserva
Pronounced perfumed nose of raspberry, spice, cinnamon, clove, mint.
High acid, Med+ tannin, pronounced floral notes, raspberry, perfume.
Very good wine.
High acid, Med+ tannin, pronounced floral notes, raspberry, perfume.
Very good wine.
White
2012 Terras Gauda Rías Baixas Abadia de San Campio
Youthful nose, lemon, peach, floral.
High acid, Med+ intensity, Lemon, floral, zesty, sherbet, apple.
High acid, Med+ intensity, Lemon, floral, zesty, sherbet, apple.
White
2012 Cillar de Silos Verdejo Rueda El Quintanal
Medium intensity, pineapple, melon, floral, lemon.
Med+ acid, Medium intensity, lemon, lime, pear, floral.
Med+ acid, Medium intensity, lemon, lime, pear, floral.
Red
2004 La Rioja Alta Rioja Viña Ardanza Reserva
Pronounced nose of prune, stewed strawberry, strawberry jam, vanilla.
Medium acid, medium tannin, strawberry jam, chocolate, vanilla, pepper.
Long finish.
Very good wine.
Medium acid, medium tannin, strawberry jam, chocolate, vanilla, pepper.
Long finish.
Very good wine.
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Red
2004 Aster Ribera del Duero Reserva
Developing nose of cedar, chocolate, cherry, meaty, minty.
Med+ acid, Med+ tannin. Pronounced notes of ripe fruit, jammy fruit, cherry, plum.
Med+ acid, Med+ tannin. Pronounced notes of ripe fruit, jammy fruit, cherry, plum.
Red
Flight 10 - USA & Canada (6 notes)
The first two wines were served blind.
Second wine is french wine to contrast with the first.
White
2012 Mission Bell Winery Chardonnay Echo Falls
Pretty basic Calif chard. Lemon, apple, peach, grapefruit.
White
2010 Cuvaison Chardonnay Carneros
Good nose of stone fruit, lemon, nut, toasty, butter notes.
High acid, med+ body, pronounced flavors of toast, butter, lemon, green apple.
Long finish
Very good.
High acid, med+ body, pronounced flavors of toast, butter, lemon, green apple.
Long finish
Very good.
Red
2010 Frog's Leap Cabernet Sauvignon
Pronounced nose of blackcurrant, cherry, raspberry, floral, vanilla.
Intense palate, high acid, med+ tannin: pepper, cherry, cedar, blackcurrant, chocolate.
Very good wine.
Intense palate, high acid, med+ tannin: pepper, cherry, cedar, blackcurrant, chocolate.
Very good wine.
Red
2011 Ridge Geyserville
Pronounced nose of dark cherry, chocolate, spice, cinnamon.
High acid, Med+ tannin, full body, pronounced palate of raisin, ripe cherry, spice, cinnamon, clove. Love it.
Very good wine.
High acid, Med+ tannin, full body, pronounced palate of raisin, ripe cherry, spice, cinnamon, clove. Love it.
Very good wine.
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Red
2011 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir
Medium+ nose of strawberry, red plum, meat.
High acid, Med+ tannin, cinnamon, strawberry, raspberry, pepper.
Very good wine.
High acid, Med+ tannin, cinnamon, strawberry, raspberry, pepper.
Very good wine.
Flight 11 - Chile, Argentina & South Africa (6 notes)
Red
2007 Miguel Torres Cabernet Sauvignon Manso de Velasco Viejas Vinas Curico Valley
Pronounced nose of ripe black fruit, black currant, black cherry, black berry.
High acid, Med+ tannin, full body. Chocolate, fresh ripe fruit. spice.
Very good wine.
High acid, Med+ tannin, full body. Chocolate, fresh ripe fruit. spice.
Very good wine.
Red
2011 Tabalí Carménère Reserva
Pronounced nose, black fruit, spice, leafy, green.
High acid, Medium tannin, pronounced on the palate: black fruit, smoky, cherry, toast, bell pepper, green, unripe. Long finish.
Very good wine.
High acid, Medium tannin, pronounced on the palate: black fruit, smoky, cherry, toast, bell pepper, green, unripe. Long finish.
Very good wine.
White
2013 Bodega Colomé Torrontés
Pronounced nose of pear, orange blossom, tropical fruit, perfume, mango butter.
Med+ acid, medium intensity, lemon, tropical fruit, orange blossom, peach, floral.
Med+ acid, medium intensity, lemon, tropical fruit, orange blossom, peach, floral.
Red
2010 Terrazas de Los Andes Malbec Reserva
Nice nose of cherry, toast, floral, vanilla, cinnamon.
High acid, High tannin, full body, pronounced notes of cherry, toast, vanilla, spice, cinnamon, clove.
Very good wine.
High acid, High tannin, full body, pronounced notes of cherry, toast, vanilla, spice, cinnamon, clove.
Very good wine.
White
2011 Raats Chenin Blanc Old Vine
Med+ nose of pear, butterscotch, honey, butter, lemon.
Med+ acid, med body, med+ intensity, butterscotch, vanilla, nut, butter.
Very good wine.
Med+ acid, med body, med+ intensity, butterscotch, vanilla, nut, butter.
Very good wine.
Red
2010 Kanonkop Kadette
Complex nose of leather, jam, forest, spice, vanilla, smoke.
High acid, high tannin, jam, leather, vanilla, blackcurrant.
Very Good wine.
High acid, high tannin, jam, leather, vanilla, blackcurrant.
Very Good wine.
Flight 12 - Australia & New Zealand (6 notes)
White
2012 Skillogalee Riesling Hand Picked
Nose of lime, slight rubber/petrol/kerosene, white blossom, mineral.
High acid, lime, citrus, grapefruit, astringent.
High acid, lime, citrus, grapefruit, astringent.
Red
2008 Plantagenet Cabernet Sauvignon
Pronounced nose of blackcurrant, mint, cedar, cigar box, black olive, vanilla, meat, tobacco.
High acid, Med+ ripe tannins, very pronounced notes of black olive, blackcurrant, cherry, mint, vanilla, leather.
Very good wine.
High acid, Med+ ripe tannins, very pronounced notes of black olive, blackcurrant, cherry, mint, vanilla, leather.
Very good wine.
Red
2009 Wild Earth Pinot Noir
Medium+ intensity of cooked red fruit, vanilla, ripe fruit, stewed strawberry, plum.
High acid, medium- tannin, cooked fruit, plum, chocolate, jam.
Very good wine, if a bit ripe.
High acid, medium- tannin, cooked fruit, plum, chocolate, jam.
Very good wine, if a bit ripe.
Red
2008 Katnook Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Pronounced nose of red berry, red cherry, plum, strawberry, chocolate, blackcurrant, vanilla, toast.
High tannin, high acid with notes of dark chocolate, jam, toast, cedar.
Very good wine.
High tannin, high acid with notes of dark chocolate, jam, toast, cedar.
Very good wine.
Red
2009 Alpha Domus The Navigator
Pronounced nose of floral, violet, perfume, red fruit.
Med+ acid, Med+ tannin, spice, cloves, cinnamon. Very hot finish.
Med+ acid, Med+ tannin, spice, cloves, cinnamon. Very hot finish.
White
2006 Tyrrell's Sémillon Vat 1
Developing nose of rubber, citrus, lemon.
Off dry, medium- acid, lemon, lemon preserve, toast, butter, nut
Off dry, medium- acid, lemon, lemon preserve, toast, butter, nut
Flight 13 - Sparkling Wines (6 notes)
White - Sparkling
N.V. Cloudy Bay Pelorus (Brut)
Good nose of yeast, dough, melon, ripe fruits.
Dry, high acid, delicate mousse. Lemon, citrus, apple, toast.
Dry, high acid, delicate mousse. Lemon, citrus, apple, toast.
White - Sparkling
N.V. Pol Roger Champagne Brut Réserve
Nice nose of biscuit, lemon, raspberry, pastry, bread.
High acid, delicate creamy mousse, lemon, green apple, nutty, toasted white bread.
High acid, delicate creamy mousse, lemon, green apple, nutty, toasted white bread.
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White - Sparkling
2004 Pol Roger Champagne Vintage Brut
Medium+ nose of toast, nut, fino, yeasty, floral.
High acid with notes of lemon, toast, grapefruit, bread, pear, honey.
Delicious wine.
High acid with notes of lemon, toast, grapefruit, bread, pear, honey.
Delicious wine.
Flight 14 - Fortified Wines (6 notes)
White - Fortified
N.V. Gonzalez-Byass Palomino Fino Jerez-Xérès-Sherry Tío Pepe (Muy Seco-Extra Dry)
yeasty, bread, salt, nut.
Your basic fino.
Your basic fino.
White - Fortified
White - Fortified
N.V. Emilio Lustau Jerez-Xérès-Sherry Don Nuño Dry Oloroso
Great nose of roasted nut, prune, caramel.
Red - Fortified
2007 Taylor (Fladgate) Porto Late Bottled Vintage
A bit spirity on the nose.
Plums, jam, fig on the palate.
I always found the alcohol lacking integration on most LBVs, this included.
Plums, jam, fig on the palate.
I always found the alcohol lacking integration on most LBVs, this included.
Red - Fortified
1985 Taylor (Fladgate) Porto Vintage
Pronounced nose of raisins, ripe cherries, dried fruits, dried cherries, sweet fruit, spiced cake.
Super supple and mellow tannins, with notes of caramel, ripe cherry, raisins, cooked fruits, spiced cake.
Delicious, outstanding wine.
Super supple and mellow tannins, with notes of caramel, ripe cherry, raisins, cooked fruits, spiced cake.
Delicious, outstanding wine.
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Red - Fortified
N.V. Berry Bros. & Rudd Porto "William Pickering", 20 Year Old Tawny
Pronounced nose of coffee, orange oils, orange skin, nut.
Supple in the mouth with notes of toast, caramel, chocolate, cherry, honey, toffee.
Outstanding.
Supple in the mouth with notes of toast, caramel, chocolate, cherry, honey, toffee.
Outstanding.