Tag: Cabernet Franc

WSET Diploma

2011 Thierry Germain “Cep by Cep” Saumur-Champigny

Posted on by Josh

Tasting Note:

Eyes: clear, med purple, legs
Nose: clean, med intensity, youthful, earthy, barnyard, brettanomyces, red fruits, strawberry, raspberry, floral, white pepper, leafy, pencil shavings
Mouth: dry, med body, med broad tannin, med+ acid, med alcohol, med flavour intensity, earth, grassy, raspberry, cherry, med length
All in all: Good quality: the funky brettanomyces character adds complexity to a fresh palate; the acidity is well-integrated, but the green tannins can put off newer drinkers. Drink now, but has potential for short-term ageing.

2011 Thierry Germain "Cep by Cep" Saumur-Champigny

[Tasted during WSET Diploma class – Section 1 – Week 9]

I don’t remember the last time I’ve bought and tried a Cabernet Franc – has it really been that long? It actually may have been around two years ago.… read more

WSET Diploma

2009 Château Potensac

Posted on by Josh

Tasting Note:

Eyes: clear, deep purple
Nose: clean, med+ intensity, youthful to developing, blackcurrant, nutmeg, oak, chocolate
Mouth: dry, med+ bodied, med acid, med+ ripe tannin, med+ alcohol, med intensity, med+ finish, blackcurrant, oak
All in all: Very good quality: The wine is concentrated in its intensity, complex in its aromas, and is structurally sound; however, although the tannins are ripe, they are slightly off-balance and need time to soften. Can drink now, but has potential for ageing.

2009 Château Potensac

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

Deep, dark, and concentrated nose dominated by dark fruit and oak, while the palate was concentrated and powerful, and bordered on ripe, so it wasn’t surprising to me when others guessed that this was from the New World.… read more

WSET Advanced

2008 Chateau Grand Mayne Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé

Posted on by Josh

Tasting Notes:

Eyes: clear, deep ruby
Nose: clean, med+ intensity, developing, darker fruit, peppery, oak, soy
Mouth: dry, med+ body, med+ acidity, med tannin, med+ to long length, med+ alcohol, med+ intensity, lush
All in all: Good to very good quality; drink now, but has potential for ageing.

It’s so tough. A wine like this has all the ingredients for a wine intended for ageing: a good amount of tannin, a good amount of acidity, and the beginnings of some youthful characteristics that can develop. The problem is that this wine, for the time being, is still quite amazingly boring. You can probably find the a similar blend from Southern France with the sacrifice of not having an age-worthy wine.

Much like the wine we compared this to, I mistook it for an Aussie Shiraz (eek…might have been what I’m guessing is an uncalibrated morning palate or the power of suggestion).… read more

WSET Advanced

2010 Chateau Roc de Segur Bordeaux Supérieur

Posted on by Josh

Tasting Notes:

Eyes: clear, med+ ruby
Nose: clean, med intensity, youthful, candied red fruit, prune
Mouth: dry, high acidity, med- body, med- tannin, med- length, med- intensity, med+ alcohol
All in all: Good quality; drink now, but not intended for ageing.

A blind tasting guess of an Aussie Shiraz might give you an indication of what this was like. Jammy, candied, and probably catered to the ever-so-slightly-sweet-impression-but-still-dry palate of the New World’s consumer palate. It seems, though, that I shaved some points of for a slight lack in balance and intensity. The length and complexity were also lacking, and this is definitely not what I would call a typical Merlot-dominated Bordeaux. It would break my heart to see people think that this was a classic example.… read more