This week went by just as fast as the last, but it already feels so far away. Was it already last last Monday when we had that summer-like heat? Jesus – some friends and I tried to go to the beach last Friday. Not that it was unsuccessful, or anything, because we went, but it was cloudier than we expected and slightly cooler. Which – whatever. I go to the beach as much as I don’t drink, so this was a big deal. I just find it such a hassle to get there and back, but going to the beach more often is definitely one of my sad little goals for the next couple of months. Because making it a summer goal to go the beach more is like making a goal to throw more snowballs in winter.… read more
Day: May 17, 2013
2009 Clos de los Siete
Tasting Note:
Eyes: clear, deep ruby, legs
Nose: clean, med intensity, developing, earth, musty, pepper, spice, blackberry, black fruits, blueberry, blackcurrant, oak
Mouth: dry, med+ acid, med+ fine tannin, med+ alcohol, med+ body, med+ flavour intensity, blackberry, blueberry, earthy, gamey, savoury, bitter, med+ length
All in all: Good quality: the flavour components are intense and concentrated as is the structure, with a well-integrated acidity and a high level of smooth tannin; however, there is a bit of a bitter finish. Drink now, but has potential for ageing.
Identity guess: High-priced Shiraz from Australia; 2 years old.
Is really: Mid-priced red blend (57% Malbec, 15% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Syrah, 3% Petit Verdot) from Argentina; 4 years old.
[Tasted during WSET Diploma class – Section 1 – Week 6]
First off: the label and the name.… read more
2011 Christophe Pacalet Beaujolais-Villages
Tasting Note:
Eyes: clear, med+ ruby, purple rim
Nose: clean, med intensity, youthful, red fruit, black cherry, juicy raspberry, spice, floral, grapey
Mouth: dry, high acid, med- tannin, med alcohol, med- body, med flavour intensity, grapey, cherry, juicy, med length
All in all: Good quality: the high acidity and tongue-coating brightness is well balanced; 100 percent ambient yeast gives a lovely complexity. The finish could be longer, and the mid-palate seems a little hollow.
Identity guess: Mid-priced Beaujolais-Villages from France; 2 years old.
Is really: Mid-priced Beaujolais-Villages from France; 2 years old.
[Tasted during WSET Diploma class – Section 1 – Week 6]
YES.
Let the record show that I actually guessed this wine correctly right down to the very wine – it was the only wine during the class in which I didn’t really second guess the grape, region, or any other factor.… read more
2011 Heggies Vineyard Chardonnay
Tasting Note:
Eyes: clear, med- lemon, legs
Nose: clean, med intensity, developing, yoghurt, lees, citrus, butter, oak, vanilla, stone fruit
Mouth: dry, med+ body, med alcohol, med+ acid, med+ flavour intensity, creamy, lees, citrus, textured, savoury, cheese, med+ finish
All in all: Good quality: wonderful balance is displayed within the components on the palate and the concentration is present, but there is an (inoffensive) slight lack in complexity.
Identity guess: High-priced Pinot Gris from BC; 3 years old.
Is really: High-priced Chardonnay from Australia; 2 years old.
[Tasted during WSET Diploma class – Section 1 – Week 6]
Despite my fascination over a fresher and comparatively lighter style of Chardonnay (yet of lower quality) that we compared this to, here’s one where care has coaxed it into a balanced expression of the variety.… read more
2011 Peter Lehmann “Weighbridge” Unwooded Chardonnay
Tasting Note:
Eyes: clear, med- lemon, legs
Nose: clean, med intensity, youthful, citrus, mineral, slight creamy/yoghurt/lees
Mouth: dry, med body, med+ acid, med alcohol, med- flavour intensity, short finish, citrus, slight creaminess, mineral, pear
All in all: Acceptable quality: the wine is mostly inoffensive and done in a fresh and clean style, but the wine has a relatively short length, disjointed acidity, and a palate that comes off as slightly dilute. Drink now; not suitable for ageing.
Identity guess: Inexpensive Pinot Gris from Italy; 2 years old.
Is really: Inexpensive Chardonnay from Australia; 2 years old.
[Tasted during WSET Diploma class – Section 1 – Week 6]
If there’s one thing worse than my guess-everything-is-from-Chile thing, it’s my confusion with Pinot Gris and Chardonnay.… read more