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WSET, Level 1
The Vineyard at Florence, Florence, TX
Tasted May 27, 2017 - May 28, 2017 by wmccone54 with 385 views
Introduction
The class is an introductory wine course operated under the auspices of the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) to introduce individuals, at a very basic level, to the main styles of wines available, wine storage, and service and the matching of food and wine.
Flight 1 - Day 1 (11 notes)
Covered basic varietals and wine styles
White
2014 Giocato Pinot Grigio
89 points
Not a big Pinot Grigio fan; however, I found this to be a great representation of the style. Green apple, lemon, and a touch of peach in the aroma and flavor profile. Light, and refreshing with tart acidity that supports a solid finish. Straight forward, not much complexity, but a perfect quaffer for a hot day.
White - Sparkling
N.V. Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne Brut Réserve
88 points
Blind tasting. A great representation of an entry level Champagne, albeit it a slightly simple one. White gold color. Medium effervescence in a small Chardonnay glass. Notes of brioche, lemon, and a slight touch of green apple on the nose. Tart citrus, stone fruit and taut, stony minerality on the palate with some refreshing acidity supporting a very long, pleasant finish.
Rosé
2015 Gamble Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé
87 points
Blind Tasting. Light, translucent salmon color in the glass; light to medium body texture. Slight smokiness, oakiness, and mixed red fruits on the nose. Palate shows red currant, cranberries, and some spicy raspberry flavors. Medium acidity and finish.
Red - Fortified
N.V. Taylor (Fladgate) Porto Fine Tawny
90 points
Blind tasting. Lighter, medium bodied red with very slow forming legs. Fruity, sweet nose of plums, black cherry, and baking spices. Good complexity in the mouth with sweet plums, dried raisins, baking spices, and some nuttiness. Solid acidity to off-set the sweetness, along with some structure and complexity in the profile. Long finish
White
2015 13 Celsius Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 13 Celsius
89 points
Blind tasting. A perfect representation of a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. White gold, light straw color with a lighter medium body texture. Very discernible aromas of freshly cut grass, herbaceousness, and citrus. Primarily tart tropical fruit, with hints of citrus and stone fruits, followed by asparagus and herbs in the flavor profile. High acidity, which supports a long finish. Classic New Zealand SB.
White
2014 Albertoni Chardonnay
85 points
Blind tasting. Light gold color, showing some oak influence. Medium to full body. Aromas of spicy tropical fruit with a tinge of vanilla. Palate yields caramel, baking spices, and juicy tropical fruit. Medium acidity and finish. Simple and straight forward, but balanced and not over oaked. A good representation of a solid entry level California Chardonnay
White - Off-dry
2013 Wilhelm Bergmann Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Riesling Spätlese
91 points
Blind tasting. Medium body, straw color. Classic and discernible petrol nose, along with lime and spicy apricot on the palate. Very flavorful and pleasing, something you just keep going back for. Medium sweet, but balanced with lively acidty. Very long finish. Great representation of a cool weather German Riesling.
Red
2012 Brunel de la Gardine Crozes-Hermitage
92 points
Blind tasting. This was a tricky one, I would have guessed a Cabernet Sauvignon given the tannic structure. Lighter side of full bodied, dark ruby color. Very earthy and spicy nose with some hints of smoke. Lots of upfront blackberry, spicy cherry, and spice with subtle hints of roasted meat, black pepper, and mulchy dirt. Very noticeable grippy tannins, and savory oak balanced with strong acids. Long dry finish. Enough stuffing to support long term cellaring.
Red
2013 Albertoni Merlot
88 points
Blind Tasting. Medium bodied ruby color. Aromas and flavors of raspberries, plums,sweet red berries, and chocolate, underscored with some wet earth and leaves which add some complexity. Medium acidity and finish. Nice representation of a very inexpensive, but solid California Merlot.
Red
2013 Labouré-Roi Bourgogne
88 points
Blind tasting. Very light texture and body, garnet color. Lots of upfront earthy aromas with tart cranberries, spicy raspberries, and juicy strawberries on the palate with a dose of wet earth. Noticeable acidity on the tongue supporting a medium plus finish. Very nice Bourgogne.
Red
2012 Ramey Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
86 points
Blind tasting...but what a shock when I saw the label...a brand that I'm intricately familiar with, and what a bust! Full bodied, dark ruby color. Nose of black fruits with a touch of vanilla oak. All upfront black fruits: blackberries, cassis, and dark cherry, but absolutely no complexity, depth, or character. Structure and acidity are there but there are no discernable secondary or tertiary notes . I would have guessed this to be a $15 bottle of generic California Cabernet. Save your money on this one!
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Flight 2 - Day 2 (7 notes)
Covered Regional "blends", i.e. Bordeaux, Rioja, Chianti, Rhone and food and wine pairing considerations
Red
2012 Rocca delle Macìe Chianti Classico Famiglia Zingarelli
90 points
I enjoyed this much more than what I remember back in April 2015. Medium bodied, more of a lighter ruby color. Aromas and flavors of dried red berries, sour, tart cherries, leather, and dusty earth. Still displaying some tannins and lots of acid, both support a long, dry finish. Much more complex and developed this time. This could easily cellar and develop for at least another 5+ years.
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Red
2010 Château de la Grande Gardiole Châteauneuf-du-Pape
89 points
Good representation of a Chateauneuf-du-Pape Southern Rhone, red blend. Primarily Grenache((70%), with lesser amounts of Syrah (15%), and Mourvèdre (10%). Notes of dried red fruits, spice, caramel, leather, and some dry earth. Good balance of structure, oak, and acid. Long, dry finish.
Red
2011 Cap Royal Bordeaux Supérieur
87 points
Decent representation of an entry level Bordeaux, albeit a bit simplistic. Medium to full bodied, judicious use of oak. Black cherry, spicy red berries, and some bell pepper in the profile supported by a good balance of tannin and acid. Solid finish.
Red
2004 Faustino Rioja I Gran Reserva
90 points
It never ceases to amaze me at how long lived these Gran Reserva Rioja's can last and age. Like the 2001 which I have enjoyed previously, this still shows a very youthful ruby red appearance and a full body. Nose and palate yield ripe red fruits, spicy notes, and taunt leather. Noticeable tannin and solid acidity yield to a very long finish. Great representation of a Rioja that has long term aging potential.
White
2014 Giocato Sauvignon Blanc
86 points
Classic Sauvignon Blanc profile: herbaceous, and s slightly smokey and mineral nose, lemon / lime fruit, and with dry stone below the surface. Very high, refreshing acidity, which yields to a solid finish. A good straightforward SB that won't break the bank.
White - Sweet/Dessert
2011 Château d'Armajan des Ormes
91 points
For a such a young Sauternes, I was pleasantly surprised. Displays a light golden color. An array of flavors such as fresh honey, candied apricots, and sweet orange marmalade are balanced with strong acidity. Finishes long. I think this will develop some nuance with further time in the bottle. Very good.
Red
2015 Château Saint-Jean Côtes du Rhône
87 points
Nice, inexpensive, straightforward CdR. Plum, red cherry, and dark berry profile. Oak and acidity are in balance. Not much complexity at this stage, but a solid wine.
Closing
This was a very basic introductory "Wines for Dummies" "like" course. As well as teaching basic concepts such as major grape varietals, regions, styles, climatic influences, fermentation, storage / serving, wine / food pairing, and wine evaluation, there was an opportunity to sample relevant examples which illustrated the concepts. Attendees were educated and introduced to a basic, but important systematic approach for the evaluation of wines using the appearance (look), aroma (smell), flavor (taste), and conclusion methodology. Very well done and the instructor did a wonderful job of presenting the materials and relating the "examples and samples" to the content. Probably way too basic for an experienced oenophile, but something can always be learned from the perspective and experience of others.