Maybe Im to young to know when Alsace made bad wine, but it kind of suck that its lumped with everything else in France, I do enjoy my White grape varieties, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, and even Rieslings. Its those darn Flowers. Its amazing all the different soil types in Alsace, I would love to do a tasting of just different soils for Riesling for example would be so fascinating.
South of France is great for inexpensive/rustic wines. Here are my notes
WSET LEVEL 3 WEEK 8 REST OF FRANCE - Downtown Vancouver [AI School] (5/25/2010)
Last Section of France, three Regions, Alsace, South France, and South West France
Alsace
- 2005 Pfaffenheim Pinot Gris Steinert - France, Alsace, Westhalten, Alsace Grand Cru AOC
Clear, Med Lemon Gold Core, Slight hint of Brassiness, showing significant legs.
On the Nose, Clean, Med+ Intensity, Showing Developing Chartaristics, Honey, Pear, Spice, Mineral, White Mushroom [Campbells Mushroom Soup], Touch Floral
On the Palate, Dry, Maybe a touch of Residual Sugar, Low+ Acid, Med+ Alc, Full Body, Med+ Intensity, Med+ Finish. Apple, Pear, Spice, Honey
Good Quality, showing developed characters reading to drink, opens up nicely do not serve to cold, Acidity is low and maybe hurting this now. Also could be a touch more "complex"(88 pts.) - 2005 Domaines Schlumberger Riesling Les Princes Abbés - France, Alsace, Alsace AOC
Clean, Med(-) Lemon, Tinge Green Colour,
On the Nose, Clean, Med+ Intesnity, Developing, Petrol, Earth[stem/sap], Lime Zest
On the Palate Dry, Med+ Acid, Med(-) Alc, Med (-) Body, Med Intesnity, Med+ Finish. Lime Candy, Petrol
Conclusion, A good Riesling, Ready to drink can develop further, really enjoyed this went back for another glass at the end of class(89 pts.)
South France, Basically Languedoc Area
- 2008 Les Domaines Paul Mas Cabernet-Merlot Arrogant Frog Ribet Rouge - France, Languedoc Roussillon
Clear, Deep Ruby, Tinges of Purple, Showing Legs
On the Nose, Med+ Intensity, Major Blackpepper, Coffee, Dark Fruit, Earth, Mineral, Vegetal
On the Palate, Dry Med Acid, Med+ Tannin, Med Alc, med Body, Med+ Intensity, Med Finish. Spice, Chocolate, Dark Fruit[Cherry], Vegetal
Conclusion, Rustic Tannin, Very DRY, Now bad of a wine really the nose was exciting but the palate was lacking just a touch but showing good Cab Sauv Characters for a warm climate(86 pts.) - 2008 Domaine de l'Auster Faugères - France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Faugères
Clean Deep Ruby Tinge of Purple
On the Nose, Clean, Med+ Intensity, Youhtful. Mineral[Motor Oil], Funk, Dark Red Fruit/Dark Raspberry Jam, Plum, Sweet Cinnamon
On the Palate, Dry, Med Acid, Med Tannin, High Alc, Med+ Body, Med+ Intensity, Med Finish. Dark Chocolate, Dark Ripe Fruit/Blackberry Jam/"Glycerol"
Conclusion, Drink now, this wine is hot, my note has "Fire Water" good ripe qualities tho if alc doesn't bother you(85 pts.)
South West France
- 2007 Croix du Mayne (François Pélissié) Cahors - France, Southwest France, Cahors
Since all the wine were blind, I had this Pegged as a Malbec Question Mark, something about it was malbec but not argentina for sure, we knew that the region was going to be South West France, South France, Alsace soo
Clear, Deep Purple
On the Nose, Med Intensity, Developing, Mineral [Inside Rubber Ballon], Dark Red Fruit, Umami Savoury Qualities
On the Palate, Dry, Med Acid, Med+ Tannin, med Alc, Med Body, Med Intensity, Med Finish, Red Fruit, Herbs
Conclusion, wasn't totally feeling this wine justseemed missing something, reading to drink dont think it will gain much with age(85 pts.) - 2005 Château d'Aydie Madiran - France, Southwest France, Madiran
Deep Ruby, showing Indication of bricking.
On the Nose, Med+ Intensity, Developing, Red Fruit, Mineral [Inside a Rubber Balloon], Very "Clean", Chlorine Swiming Pool
On the Palate, Dry, Med Acid, High Tannin, Med Alc, med Body, Med Intensity, Med+ Finish. Spice, Red Fruit, Chewy Tannins
Conclusion, Wondering if this 05 vintage is a good vintage like 05 bordeaux, semi close, the tannins wer high but not "OMG TANNAT IS CRAZY TANNINS" high but not very complex(86 pts.)
Posted from CellarTracker
THE 100-POINT RATING SCALE (Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate describes this in more detail.)
• Extraordinary (96-100 points)
• Outstanding (90-95)
• Very Good to Excellent (85-89)
• Good (80-84)
• Average (75-79)
• Below average (70-74)
• Avoid (50-70)
