May 3, 2013 – @sommeligay

WSET Diploma – Section 1 – Week 4

May 3, 2013November 16, 2015 by Josh

First: happy birthday, blog! An excuse to open wine is all that’s good for. Moving on.

I think I’m beginning to get into a real groove of studying for this course. Weirdly, I’m using some studying techniques from high school which take a long time to actually do, but I think that the information sticks to my brain like Australian Shiraz sticks to the glass.

I’m just a touch behind on my study schedule, since I aimed to have studied and read all of the first element of the WSET study guide (viticulture) by today. But all is well, since I studied everything I needed to study for today’s lecture, which was essentially a consolidating class – i.e. one of those classes where I would silently complete the sentences of the instructor and subsequently feel both awesome and awkward, but mostly awkward for being that guy.… read more

WSET Diploma

2009 Stella Bella Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot

May 3, 2013November 16, 2015 by Josh

Tasting Note:

Eyes: clear, deep ruby, legs
Nose: clean, med+ intensity, developing, soy, leather, dark cherry, stewed red fruits, black fruits, oak, mint, green pepper (capiscum), eucalyptus, meat, vanilla, hints of cola
Mouth: dry, med acid, med fine tannin, med+ alcohol, med+ body, med flavour intensity, med+ finish, savoury, leather, green bell pepper, dark cherry, cedar
All in all: Good quality: the flavour characteristics in the wine definitely showed grape character and a sense of place (despite the fact that I got it wrong) along with a relatively long finish. On the nose, I feel that there should be a little bit more fruit to tame the secondary characteristics, along with balance – the slightly lower acid on the palate makes the ripeness a little bit more evident although by no means does this ruin or distract the balance too negatively.… read more

WSET Diploma

2009 Baron Philippe de Rothschild “Baron Nathaniel” Pauillac

May 3, 2013November 16, 2015 by Josh

Tasting Note:

Eyes: clear, deep ruby, legs
Nose: clean, med+ intensity, youthful, blackberry, plum, spice, oak, cola, earth, mint, eucalyptus
Mouth: dry, med+ acid, med+ coarse tannin, med+ alcohol, med body, med flavour intensity, long finish, savoury, black cherry, black fruits
All in all: Good quality (apparently on the higher end of such): a long finish is complemented by a balanced structure. Age can both add character to the average complexity and soften the slightly rough tannin. Can drink now, but has potential for ageing.
Identity guess: High-priced Merlot from Chile; 2 years old. (although I was TRICKED, I TELL YOU)
Is really: High-priced left bank Bordeaux from France; 4 years old.

[Tasted during WSET Diploma class – Section 1 – Week 4]

Hi.… read more