Fun: wine fest, sort of.
Not fun: PEOPLE EVERYWHERE. I’m debating whether or not I should squeeze another post dedicated to the Wine Fest 2015 because that’s what I’ve done in the past, but I feel like I’m being a late bitch.
I mean, these posts should be good enough. Right? Meh. Fun:
Decades Apart
Shiraz: Aussie Superstar
All About Syrah
Mod Oz
Not fun: falling right back into wine class right after wine fest.
Fun: Spanish wine, and definitely ignoring half the lecture to write in my journal because I’m a bad student.
Not fun: Having an odd week-long and spirit-encompassing feeling of wanting to do nothing, including sleep or eat or work. Not sad or happy or tired or angry, just a state of existing. I hate when the trigonometric wave of my life dips into this suspended quality, like someone dumped two jello powder packets into my soul and waited for all vibes and movement to halt.
Fun: Watching The Grand Budapest Hotel to attempt to boost mood.
Viña Mayor 2010 Rueda – WSET Tasting Note:
Eyes: clear, med lemon, legs
Nose: clean, med intensity, developing, nutty, stone fruit, almonds, spice, citrus, hint of pineapple, tart citrus
Mouth: clean, med body, med acid, med alcohol, med length, med intensity, hazelnut, citrus, pineapple, savoury
All in all: Good quality: though structure is in check and intensity is appropriately, the wine is a bit short and simple and lacks some freshness. Drink now: not suitable for ageing.
Identity Guess: High-priced Rioja Blanco Crianza from Spain, 5 years old.
Is really: Inexpensive Rueda from Spain, 5 years old.
Producer: Viña Mayor
Designation: N/A
Region: Spain
Sub-Region: Rueda DO
Variety: Verdejo
ABV: 12.5%
Vintage: 2010
Tasted: March 2, 2015
Price: $14
Marqués de Cáceres 2010 Rioja Crianza – WSET Tasting Note:
Eyes: clear, med ruby, legs
Nose: clean, med intensity, youthful, red fruit, black fruit, spice, dried red fruit, floral, perfume, black cherry, hint of curried spice or smokiness
Mouth: dry, med body, med acid, med+ chalky tannin, med alcohol, med intensity, med length, red fruit, black cherry
All in all: Good quality: there’s a fair bit of structure that supports the simple fruit on the palate. The nose is more intense, but flavours aren’t persistent. Drink now: not suitable for ageing.
Identity Guess: Mid-priced Rioja Joven from Spain; 3 years old.
Is really: Mid-priced Rioja Crianza from Spain; 5 years old.
Producer: Marqués de Cáceres
Designation: Crianza
Region: Spain
Sub-Region: Rioja DOC
Variety: Tempranillo (85%), Garnacha (15%)
ABV: 13.5%
Vintage: 2010
Tasted: March 2, 2015
Price: $17
Bodegas Castaño 2012 “Hecula” Jumilla – WSET Tasting Note:
Eyes: clear, deep ruby, legs
Nose: clean, med+ intensity, developing, menthol, Vicks VapoRub, baked black fruit, floral, licorice, blackberry, spice, floral, oak
Mouth: dry, med+ body, med acid, med+ chalky tannin, med+ alcohol, med intensity, baked black fruit, earth, spice, black pepper, savoury, med length, oak
All in all: Good quality: the strengths are the wine’s structure and rather brute intensity, though the power isn’t lasting and the blow is a bit simple.
Identity Guess: High-priced Jumilla from Spain; 3 years old.
Is really: Mid-priced Jumilla from Spain; 3 years old.
Producer: Bodegas Castaño
Designation: “Hecula”
Region: Spain
Sub-Region: Jumilla DO
Variety: Monastrell
ABV: 14%
Vintage: 2012
Tasted: March 2, 2015
Price: $16
Gratavinum 2008 “2πr” Priorat – WSET Tasting Note:
Eyes: clear, deep ruby, legs
Nose: clean, med+ intensity, developing, leather, soy, plum, graphite, flanders red ale, black fruit, dried red fruit, earth, spice, oak, herbal
Mouth: dry, full-bodied, med acid, pronounced fine tannin, high alcohol, med+ intensity, leather, soy, spice, black fruit, oak, dried red fruit, med+ finish
All in all: Very good quality: a perfect example had it not been for the slightly truncated length, but the wine has the complete package – structure that supports the complex favours, and the a concentration to show it off.
Identity Guess: Premium Rioja Gran Reserva from Spain; 8 years old.
Is really: Premium Priorat from Spain; 7 years old.
Producer: Gratavinum
Designation: “2πr”
Region: Spain
Sub-Region: Priorat DOQ
Variety: Grenache (60%), Carignan (20%), Cabernet Sauvignon (10%), Syrah (10%)
ABV: 14.5%
Vintage: 2008
Tasted: March 2, 2015
Price: $55
Albariño de Fefiñanes 2012 Rías Baixas – WSET Tasting Note:
Eyes: clear, med lemon, legs
Nose: clean, med intensity, youthful, stone fruit, peach, mineral, hint floral, hint of lees or cream
Mouth: dry, med- body, med+ acid, med alcohol, med+ intensity, stone fruit, peach, mineral floral, savoury, med length
All in all: Good quality: has a typical bane of lacking some complexity and length, but the wine has a fresh and finessed balance between the fruit and bit of creaminess that it has. Drink now: not suitable for ageing.
Identity Guess: High-priced Rías Baixas from Spain; 3 years old.
Is really: High-priced Rías Baixas from Spain; 3 years old.
Producer: Albariño de Fefiñanes
Designation: N/A
Region: Spain
Sub-Region: Rías Baixas DO
Variety: Albariño
ABV: 12.5%
Vintage: 2012
Tasted: March 2, 2015
Price: $32
Abel Mendoza 2013 Viura Rioja – WSET Tasting Note:
Eyes: clear, pale lemon, legs
Nose: clean, med intensity, developing, green fruit, pear, apple, hazelnut, oak
Mouth: dry, med+ body, med+ acid, med alcohol, med+ intensity, nuts, hazelnut, pear, hint butterscotch, oak, hint of stone fruit, very savoury, med+ length
All in all: Very good quality: though a bit closed on the nose, the palate is quite concentrated and complex; the acidity provides a nice counterweight to the secondary characteristics.
Identity Guess: High-priced Rioja Blanco Reserva from Spain; 4 years old.
Is really: Premium Rioja Blanco from Spain; 2 years old.
Producer: Abel Mendoza
Designation: N/A
Region: Spain
Sub-Region: Rioja DOC
Variety: Viura
ABV: 13.5%
Vintage: 2013
Tasted: March 2, 2015
Price: $43
Valduero 2007 Ribera del Duero Reserva – WSET Tasting Note:
Eyes: clear, deep ruby, legs
Nose: clean, med+ intensity, developing red fruit, earth, spice, ripe red cherries, overripe strawberries, sweet spice, leather, chocolate covered cherries
Mouth: dry, med+ body, med+ acid, med+ chalky tannin, med alcohol, med+ intensity, earth, ripe strawberries, sweet spice, earth, oak, leather, spice, med+ length
All in all: Very good (to outstanding quality): the wine is in a fantastic spot where concentrated primary fruit, oak, and leathery aged flavours are in equilibrium, supported by present tannin and acid.
Identity Guess: Premium Rioja Reserva from Spain; 5 years old.
Is really: Premium Ribera del Duero from Spain; 8 years old.
Producer: Valduero
Designation: Reserva
Region: Spain
Sub-Region: Ribera del Duero DO
Variety: Tinta Fina (Tempranillo)
ABV: 14%
Vintage: 2007
Tasted: March 2, 2015
Price: $60
Muga 2005 “Prado Enea” Rioja Gran Reserva – WSET Tasting Note:
Eyes: clear, deep ruby, legs
Nose: clean, med+ intensity, developing, red fruit, dried red fruit, spice, oak, leather, soy, earth, overripe strawberries, mushroom, hint of meat
Mouth: dry, med+ body, med+ acid, pronounced powdery tannin, med alcohol, med+ intensity, red fruit, dried red fruit, ripe strawberry, oak, leather, soy, earth, mushroom, long length
All in all: Outstanding quality: the wine has a lot of different aromas and flavours, still with lots of well-woven acid and texture despite the age. The finish is long, and the concentration impressive. Can drink now, but has potential for ageing.
Identity Guess: Premium Rioja Grand Reserva from Spain; 8 years old.
Is really: Premium Rioja Gran Reserva from Spain; 10 years old.
Producer: Muga
Designation: “Prado Enea”
Region: Spain
Sub-Region: Rioja DOC
Variety: Tempranillo (80%), Garnacha, Mazuelo, Graciano
ABV: 13.5%
Vintage: 2005
Tasted: March 2, 2015
Price: $66
Visited that Priorat winery in January – yum…
Fantastic! Did you get schist-faced? 😉