Because I skipped Workshop #3 for drunk studying.
Like I know I’m supposed to be pseudo-sentimental right now because it’s the last class of WSET ever, but all I can think of is how much material I have to learn until the exam in June. Holy shit. I really need to make a study plan. That I won’t end up sticking to. Ugh.
Life has been on the rise in a vague way. A good (wine) friend has moved to the other end of the country which really sucks, but it was a good sendoff.
2005 Coulée de Serrant = amazing. 2006 Elderton Botrytis Semillon = amazing. Everything in between = amazing. Taxi rides home, hugs in between. Background violin – no, cello – solo. Credits roll, or something. Sigh.
Attended a friend’s shindig last Friday which gently opened up like a young Bordeaux; my night mostly consisted of Deschutes Fresh Squeezed IPA, bits of cider, a blind wine (California Pinot), some sort of Californian GSM, and bits of what I imprecisely remember was Rosso di Montalcino. And Jura crémant rosé. I woke up the next day almost feel rather okay. Still drunk? Maybe.
Chapel Hill 2013 “Winemaker’s Collection” Pinot Grigio – WSET Tasting Note:
Eyes: clear, pale lemon, legs
Nose: clean, med intensity, youthful, green fruit, green apple, pear, nectarine, peach, mineral, floral, a bit herbaceous
Mouth: dry, med body, med+ acid, med- alcohol, short finish, med- intensity, green fruit, apple, pear, mineral
All in all: Acceptable quality: the wine is clean and well made, but it’s uninteresting and simple, and lacks complexity and any sort of lasting finish. Drink now: not suitable for ageing.
Identity Guess: Inexpensive Picpoul de Pinet from Languedoc, France; 3 years old.
Is really: Inexpensive Pinot Grigio from Hungary; 2 years old.
Producer: Chapel Hill
Designation: “Winemaker’s Collection”
Region: Hungary
Sub-Region: N/A
Variety: Pinot Grigio
ABV: 11.5%
Vintage: 2013
Tasted: March 16, 2015
Price: $12
Eyes: clear, med lemon, legs
Nose: clean, med+ intensity, youthful, oak, butter, grilled pineapple, kernel, smoke, green fruit, flint, talcum
Mouth: dry, med body, med+ acid, med alcohol, med+ intensity, green fruit, apple, citrus, pear, oak, butter, spice, long finish
All in all: Very good (to outstanding) quality: the wine has lots of complexity through the overt yet balanced oak usage and can perhaps get more complex with time; the intensity of the wine is cleansed by the bright and well-placed acid. Can drink now, but has potential for ageing.
Identity Guess: High-priced (oaked) Sauvignon Blanc from Stellenbosch, South Africa; 5 years old.
Is really: High-priced Chardonnay from Kumeu, New Zealand; 4 years old.
Producer: Kumeu River
Designation: Hunting Hill
Region: New Zealand
Sub-Region: Kumeu
Variety: Chardonnay
ABV: 14%
Vintage: 2011
Tasted: March 16, 2015
Price: $40
Álvaro Castro 2012 Reserva Dão – WSET Tasting Note:
Eyes: clear, pale lemon, legs
Nose: clean, med intensity, youthful, mineral, hints of nectarine, apple, pear, green fruit, cream, lees
Mouth: dry, med+ body, med+ acid, med alcohol, med+ flavour intensity, mineral, citrus, pear, cream, nectarine, lees, med to med+ finish
All in all: Good (to very good) quality: it’s a bit simple and with just above average length, but the battonage adds lots of leesy complexity along with the minerality. The structure is well-rounded and complements the flavours. Drink now: not suitable for ageing.
Identity Guess: Mid-priced Pinot Blanc/Weissburgunder from Nahe, Germany; 3 years old.
Is really: High-priced Encruzado blend from Dão, Portugal; 3 years old.
Producer: Álvaro Castro
Designation: Reserva
Region: Portugal
Sub-Region: Dão DOP
Variety: Encruzado, Cercial
ABV: 13%
Vintage: 2012
Tasted: March 16, 2015
Price: $35
Boutari 2008 “Grande Reserve” Naoussa – WSET Tasting Note:
Eyes: clear, pale garnet, legs
Nose: clean, med+ intensity, developing, cigar box, herbaceous, dried red fruit, tobacco, cherry, spice, earth, pepper, hints of tomato leaf, floral
Mouth: dry, med- body, high acid, pronounced chalky tannin, med alcohol, med+ intensity, cigar box, tobacco, herbaceous, dried red fruit, earth, spice, black pepper, med+ finish.
All in all: Very good quality: the wine has pronounced structure but it’s balanced and it frames the evolving complexity quite well. The intensity and concentration are there, but the wine lacks a bit of finesse from the slightly harsh tannins, especially on the finish. Can drink now, but has potential for short-term ageing.
Identity Guess: High-priced Xinomavro from Naoussa, Greece; 7 years old.
Is really: Mid-priced Xinomavro from Naoussa, Greece; 7 years old.
Producer: Boutari
Designation: “Grande Reserve”
Region: Greece
Sub-Region: Naoussa PDO
Variety: Xinomavro
ABV: 13.5%
Vintage: 2008
Tasted: March 16, 2015
Price: $23
CJ Pask “Gimblett Road” Hawkes Bay Cabernet Merlot Malbec – WSET Tasting Note:
Eyes: clear, medium ruby, legs
Nose: clean, med+ intensity, youthful, plum, blueberry, earth, dried flowers, ripe black fruit, spice, cassis, hints of stemmy herbaceousness, sweet oak
Mouth: dry, med body, high acid, med+ alcohol, med chalky tannin, med+ intensity, plums, dried flowers, spice, herbaceousness, medium finish
All in all: Good quality: though the wine is intense on both the nose and palate, it lacks a bit of concentration to match the intense structure and greenness; it is moderately complex. Drink now: not suitable for ageing.
Identity Guess: Cabernet Sauvignon; 2 years old.
Is really: High-priced Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot blend from Hawkes Bay, New Zealand; 5 years old.
Producer: CJ Pask
Designation: “Gimblett Road”
Region: New Zealand
Sub-Region: Hawkes Bay
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec
ABV: 13.5%
Vintage: 2010
Tasted: March 16, 2015
Price: $35
Campolargo 2010 Bairrada – WSET Tasting Note:
Eyes: clear, deep ruby, legs
Nose: clean, med intensity, developing, earth, perfume, hint of menthol, black fruit, spice, hints of meat, bacon, black pepper, bramble, leather, medicinal, hint tomato
Mouth: dry, med+ body, med+ powdery tannin, high acid, med alcohol, med+ intensity, plum, graphite, earth, black fruit, spice, pepper, med+ length
All in all: Good (to very good) quality: though quite complex and persistent, the wine has a very present structure that perhaps could use more balance and frame further complexity with age. Can drink now, but has potential for ageing.
Identity Guess: High-priced Syrah from Hawkes Bay; 4 years old.
Is really: High-priced Baga from Bairrada, Portugal; 5 years old.
Producer: Campolargo
Designation: Tinto
Region: Portugal
Sub-Region: Bairrada
Variety: Baga
ABV: 13%
Vintage: 2010
Tasted: March 16, 2015
Price: $30