Portugal & Eastern Europe, WSET Lvl 3 Part 2 Week 3

Poor Austria, getting lumped in with Eastern Europe I bet they wouldn't like that too much lol. That being said the wines this week, well Tokaji Amazing, Acid! Yes More Please. But Oh Grüner Veltliner, when compared to Riesling; Was at a Loimer Tasting with Rieslings and Gruner, the Riesling wins better balance, more acid. Gruner is interesting but I think the lack of acid for me personally just doesnt win me over all the way, the wines are good that for sure.

Here are this Weeks Notes

WSET LEVEL 3 PART 2 WEEK 3 PORTUGAL + EASTERN EUROPE - Downtown Vancouver [AI School] (7/20/2010)

• N.V. Borges Vinho Verde Gatão - Portugal, Minho, Vinho Verde
  Clear, Pale- Lemon Green, some Petillance
  
  A: Clean, Med- Intensity, Youthful
  Mineral, Green Apple, Citrus
  
  T: Dry, High+ Acid, low alc, med- body, med- finish, med intensity
  Frizzante, green apple, grapey
  
  Conc: Simple, Inexpensive, does its job (83 pts.)
• 2007 Quinta do Crasto Douro Reserva Old Vines - Portugal, Douro
  Clear, Med+ Purple, showing prominent legs
  
  A: Clean, Pronounced Nose, Developing
  Oak[Vanilla/Coffee Grounds], Dark fruit, Meaty/Spice, Chcolate, Lots of Mineral
  
  T: Dry, Med+ Acid, Med+ Tannin, Full Body, Med+ Intensity, Long Finish, Med+ Alc
  Oak, Coffee, Dark Fruit [Cherry] Dark Chocolate
  
  Conc: Very Good, Needs time to develop, even just tasting it about 1.5hr later in Class it started to open and soften (89 pts.)
• 2008 Erich Salomon/Undhof Grüner Veltliner - Austria, Niederösterreich, Kremstal
  Clear, Pale Lemon green, going to water rim, mod legs
  
  A: Clean, Med Intensity
  Mineral, Spicey Raddish, Citrus, Pear, Lime Zest, Savoury
  
  T: Dry, Med Acid, med+ alc, med+ body, med intensity, med finish
  'oily', lime, lots of pear juice like fruit cocktail
  
  Conc: the nose was better then the taste. Good Drink Now (86 pts.)
• 2003 Chateau Dereszla Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos - Hungary, Hegyalja, Tokaji
  Clean, Med Lemon
  A: Clean, Med+ Intensity
  Marmalade, Botrytis notes of Spice, Lanolin, Dried Papaya, Dried Mango
  
  T: Sweet, High Acid, med- alc, full body, med+ intensity, long finish
  Marmalade, Luscious, Tropical, Citrusy Lemon Candy, Orange Crush
  
  Conc: Exceptional, crazy high acid (91 pts.)
• 2007 Boutari Naoussa - Greece, Macedonia, Naoussa
  Clear, Med+ Garnet
  
  A: Med Intensity
  Savoury, Clean mineral, Cedar/Graphite, Sweet Spice
  
  T: Dry, med+ acid, high tannin, med body, med+ intensity, med finish
  Dark Chocolate (80% Cocoa), Cherry/Cranberry/Strawberry Mix
  
  Conc: Not to shabby (84 pts.)
• N.V. Tsantali Retsína - Greece, Attica
  First time having Retsina was scared of all the horror stories
  
  Med Lemon Pee Yellow
  A: Pronounced nose
  Lemon, Pine Neddles, Pine-sol
  T: Dry, Low- Acid, Med- body, Med- Alc, Short Finish[A Good Thing], Med- Intensity
  Lemon, Rosemarry
  
  Conc: Overall not as bad as I was expecting on the palate the pine is not crazy overpowering but it is there (82 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)

Spain, WSET Lvl 3 Part 2 Week 2

Off to Spain, and Yes I want to go there for Vacation, one because of the awesome canaadian dollar, and spain has been hurt a bit in the whole euro mess, with bad employment numbers so that should make it cheaper, but the most important reason is the wine! maybe the sun? Music? Gaudy artwork? ahh soo many reasons.

Well here are some from around the country, the Priorat was a disappointment I have had better even from the same vintage. The Jumilla is well I dont want to say this but Oaky Deliciousness, it is plain and simple not a food wine really a party wine yeah I mean it is 15% Alc.  but the R. Lopez de Heredia is amazing, Just so Elegant and Development just beautiful, to think that "modern" winemaking IE Oaky Fruit bombs took over the region such a shame.

WSET LEVEL 3 PART 2 WEEK 2 SPAIN - Downtown Vancouver [AI School] (7/13/2010)
Spain this week, no Bubbles, that will have its own week, same with Sherry

• 2008 Martín Códax Albariño Rías Baixas Burgáns - Spain, Galicia, Rías Baixas
  Clear, Pale+ Lemon moving to a watery Rim, with moderate legs
  
  A: Clean, Med+ Intensity, Youthful
  Green Fruit[Apple], Opening to Peach, Floral, Citrus, Savoury/Mineral
  
  T: Dry, Med+ Acid, Med Body, med Alc, Med+ Intensity, Med+ Finish
  Lemon, Apple, 'Creamy Peaches', Floral, Kiwi
  
  Conclusion: Very good wine, mid priced, ready to drink can keep for a couple years (89 pts.)
• 2008 Marqués de Cáceres Rioja Blanco - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
  Clear, Med Lemon, Going out to a pale watery rim, showing significant legs
  A: Clean, Med to Med+ Intensity, develping
  Mineral[very clean], savoury, light apple, little animal/lanolin, "floral" more dried tho
  
  T: Dry, Med Acid, Med+ Body, Med+ Alc, Med Intensity, Long Finish
  Apple/Pear, Citrus/lime, Mineral
  
  Conc: I enjoyed this a lot, teacher not as much drinking well now (88 pts.)

• 2007 Miguel Torres Priorat Salmos - Spain, Catalunya, Priorat
  Clear, Med+ Ruby, Showing Signicant Legs [15% Alc]
  A: Clean, Med+ Intensity, develping
  Savoury/Mineral. Cherry[Dark], Spice [Sarsaparilla], Tar
  
  T: Dry, Med Acid, Med Tannin, Med to Full Body, Med Intensity, Med Finish, HIgh Alc
  Creamy Oak, Cherry[Dark], Spice
  
  Conc: Awkward finish, might do better with age potential is there but for tonight there were better that's for sure (86 pts.)
• 2007 Bodegas Juan Gil Monastrell Jumilla (Silver Label) - Spain, Murcia, Jumilla
  Clear, Deep Ruby, Going to a Med Ruby Rim, showing med+ legs
  A: Clean, Med+ Intensity, Starting to develop
  Mineral, Oak/Sweet Vanilla, Blackberry, Cherry, Cinnamon Spice, Coffee/Mocha
  
  T: Dry, Med- Acid, Med Tannin, Full Body, High Alc, Med Intensity, Med+ Finish
  Cherry, Blackberry, Cola, COLA!, Spice[Sweetness], Woody/Tobacco, Plum
  
  Conc: This is the "the bottle of the night party wine" so big and massive and ripe and so darn delicious that it will win you over. (88 pts.)
• 2006 Bodegas Alejandro Fernández Ribera del Duero Tinto Pesquera Crianza - Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
  Clear, Deep Purple going to a med Ruby Rim, showing legs
  A: Clean, Med+ Intensity starting to develop
  Cedar, Twigs, BLackberry, Mineral, Grain/cereal, opening up in the glass with Cucumbers/watermelon
  
  T: Dry, Med+ Acid, Med+ Tannin, Med+ Body, Med+ Alc, Med Intensity, Med Finish
  Red fruit, Tart, Sour Cherry/Dusty Tannin, Cukes/Watermelon
  
  Conc: good wine, simple on the palate, nose shows promise (88 pts.)
• 2001 R. López de Heredia Rioja Reserva Viña Tondonia - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
  Clear, Med Garnet moving to a wide rim
  
  A: Clean, Med+ Intensity, Developed
  Spice Box, Warm/Candy, Dried Sour Cherry, Savoury, Tar, Whole Wheat grain/toast, Licorice
  
  T: Dry, Med+ Acid, Med Tannin, Med Body, med Alc, Med+ Intensity, Long Finish
  Sour Cherry, Savoury/mineral, Licorice, Dried Flowers
  
  Conc: Absolutely Gorgeous, this is where its at
  
  Side Note: Teacher picked up a lot of oak notes not me tho (93 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)

Germany, WSET Lvl 3 Part 2 Week 1

Oh Germany, Oh Rieslings, the one wine I was about to say I do not have in my cellar, then realized I bought a bottle from Trisaetum Vineyard in Oregon last week, but other then that nope none. I enjoy riesling but for me its a momemt thing, I like Auslese ripness myself as long as it has good acidity.

Tasting wines from Germany is what makes me go and this is why I like, and why I do not like them, on one side we have what gave it a bad name in the first place, uninteresting wines, high yield etc etc.  Then comes the Riesling and sometimes almost to much Residual Sugar, then the Dry Riesling which I think works better in Alsace or Austria then in Germany.

WSET LEVEL 3 PART 2 WEEK 1 GERMANY - Downtown Vancouver [AI School] (7/6/2010)

• 2009 St. Ursula Niersteiner Gutes Domtal Kabinett 'Golden Oktober' - Germany, Rheinhessen
  Clear, Pale Lemon/Bronze
  A: Clean, Med Intensity, Youthful
  Green Fruit/Apples, Mineral/Savoury, Hazelnut Shells/Skin
  
  T: med dry sweet, low+ acid, low alc, med body, med intensity, med finish. Apples [Juice/Red/Ripe/Mushy], Hazelnut Skins again
  
  Conc: Acceptable, Drink Now, Mushy No Balance (79 pts.)
• 2007 Selbach-Oster Weissburgunder - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
  Clear, Pale Gold, going to a watery rim
  A: Clean, Med Intensity, youthful
  Mineral, Citrus, Tropical/Mango
  
  T: Dry, Med Acid, Med+ alc, med- body, med intensity, med+ finish
  Chinese Dessert Style Creamy Mango Puddy [milk]
  
  Conc: Good, Enjoyable drink now, (83 pts.)
• 2007 Bischöfliche Weingüter Trier Ayler Kupp Riesling Spätlese - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
  Clear, Med- Lemon/Green, mod legs evident
  
  A: Clean, Med Intensity, Develping
  Petrol, Citrus/Lime, Green Apples
  
  T: Med Sweet, Med+ acid, low+ alc, med- body, med intensity, long finish. Tropical/Mango, Green Apple/Lime that old juice drink, peach/petrol/papaya
  
  Conc: Very Good, Ready to drink but can develop further with age 2-5 easily (90 pts.)
• 2007 Domdechant Werner Hochheimer Domdechaney Riesling Spätlese - Germany, Rheingau
  Clear, Med Lemon, going to a watery rim
  
  A: Clean, Med Intensity, youthful
  A Sprite play, syrupy lemon/lime, mineral
  
  T: med- sweet, high acid, med alc, med+ body, med intensity, med+ length. Lime, Ripe Green Apples, Richness/Peach
  
  Conc: Very good, ready to drink can develop further, good balance of fruit/acid/sweetness (89 pts.)
• 2008 Schloss Reinhartshausen Riesling trocken - Germany, Rheingau
  Clear, Pale Lemon showing significante legs
  
  A: Clean, Med+ Intensity, Developing
  Citrus[almost powdery vitamin/redbull], mineral, lanolin qual.
  
  T: Dry, Med+ Alc, Med Alc, Med- body, med intensity, med+ finish. Citrus, Lemon Juice Fresh Squeezed, not as harsh tho. Green Apple Finish/Chalky
  
  Conc: Acceptable, I did not enjoy this others did in the class, found it a touch out of balance. Drink now IMO (81 pts.)
• 2008 Black Tower Dornfelder Pinot Noir - Germany, Pfalz
  Clear, Med- Ruby, to a med pale ruby rim
  
  A: Clean, Med Intensity, Developing
  Vanilla/oak, stewed cherry, mineral, meaty, spice
  
  T: Dry, Med Acid, Low Tannin, Med Alc, Med Intensity, Med- Body, Cherry/Rhubarb stewed
  
  Conc: on the nose reminds me of a Valpolicella. Good Drink Now for sure (85 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)

Idea for Upcoming Dinner

Format Informal [Free For All].  My brother is a finishing carpenter aka makes finished products, kitchens, table, you know the fancy stuff that you can see.  Well he has a "collection" of wood. I asked him for some wood for smoking, he says you want Bubinga Wood. I said yes, even before knowing how it would turn out, I mean one its a hard wood so thats good, but since I showed my brother smoking with a BBQ on the island last year he has tried it with salmon and bubinga his quote "yes it tastes awesome with salmon its a real sweet smelling wood." Done! with fatty spring salmon it should hold the smoke nicely too

Duck

Cherry/Turnip Compote [Bay Leaf, Anise, Vinegar, Soy sauce]

Lamb

Curry Stew [Garlic, Tomatoes, Zucc]

Spring Salmon

Lightly Smoked [Bubinga Wood] while being slowly Grilled/BBQ

Green Salad

Lemon/Tarragon Vingrette, Beets, Ash Goat Cheese

Veg

mixed veg [No Idea Yet ]

Potato

S/V Potato Salad, Yogurt, Mustard Seed Vinegrette, Chives, Dill, Shallots

Quinoa

Sausage?, Mushrooms, Fresh Herbs

Almond [Mocha Cake?]

Cayuse Vineyard Visit/Tour

June 29th, the day we visited Cayuse Vineyards for a tour.

We, being a group of Canadians plus one American on a Bio Dynamic Workshop setup by John of Marquis Wine Cellars and Brad Cooper who works for Township 7 and has his own label now Black Cloud, a Pinot Noir label. Philippe Armenier led the workshop which started a day before at Hedges Vineyard, but that is a post for another day.

The first thing that stands out is the Terrior,"galets roules", and here is a direct quote from the website "Experts on the terroir of Cayuse vineyards describe vine roots snaking through an accumulation of cobblestones of varying sizes, a layer hundreds of feet thick in places. This soil, called “Freewater very cobbly loam,” sits atop 10,000 feet or more of pure basalt"  And the wines, they do show power, and with the wine making skill finese. I remember scoffing at the Grenache based wine that he made, thinking Grenache in Walla Walla, then you enter Walla Walla its like the Okanagan but warmer less water to cool it, and then his vineyard with the stones of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, then you taste the wine, God Only Knows, and you connect it instantly.

I will talk a about Biodynamic farming methods later from what I gathered from the trip, but to answer one question, my mom asked me when I came back, did the wines taste different.  I sat there for a bit thinking on it, did they taste different? Well they were amazingly good, was it Biodynmaic or the care to detail in everything, the use of no pesticides, the low yields? Also what about his Terrior its unreal maybe the explains it but for me Biodynmaic must be working, I mean if the Christophe notices the difference in the health of his vines then yes it is working!

Without further ado here are some vineyard pictures and tasting notes



CAYUSE VINEYARDS, BIODYNMAIC WORKSHOP - Cayuse Vineyards, Walla Walla (6/29/2010)
This was the 2nd Day of the work shop with Philippe Armenier, we visited Christophe at Cayuse for a tour, tasting and lunch. Must say the wines were amazing defintly worth the wait list. No Accident why it sells out, just good juice

• 2007 Cayuse Grenache God Only Knows - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
  C: Med Intensity
  A: Med+ Intensity
  Fruit Ripe, Red Fruit [Twizzler]
  
  T: Dry, Med Acid, Med- Tannin, Red Fruit, Spice, Creamy Texture
  
  Fantastic Wine I think of the 6 this was my Favourite.
  As Christophe said this is as close as he is going to get to making a Pinot (93 pts.)
• 2008 Cayuse Syrah Cailloux Vineyard - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
  Had the 07 for Dinner the night before this was even better!
  
  A: Med+ Intensity
  Meat, Spice, Fat
  T: Sweet Tannins, still young and tight but oh so good
  
  Would love to see this in a couple of years at least! (92 pts.)
• 2008 Cayuse Tempranillo Impulsivo En Chamberlin Vineyard - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
  C: Opaque Purple/Ruby/Black
  
  A: Dark Blackberry, had been open for 24hrs
  T: Opened nicely have "awesome" down for notes. A Very Dark Wine, Dense still a baby (91 pts.)
• 2008 Cayuse Flying Pig - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
  2nd Fav wine of the Day
  
  Spice, Meat, Fat, Good Cab Franc Qualities, Stems/Graphite. Red fruit on the palate. Gorgeous Texture (92 pts.)
• 2008 Cayuse Syrah Bionic Frog - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
  Med Intensity
  Clean Precise, Pure Beautiful Fruit
  
  Still a baby but the Focus and Purity on this is amazing (92 pts.)
• 2008 Cayuse Cabernet Sauvignon Widowmaker En Chamberlin Vineyard - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
  my least fav of the 6 which isn't to say it was bad
  
  med+ ruby
  Good clean fruit, a nice sweet cassis, body was more med, and good acid. Did not dig this as much as the others but it still was good (90 pts.)

Biodynamic for the win
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)

6days 2139km Later

Was on a 6 Day Wine Vacation, well it what I told the Canadian Border guard coming back and he didnt get me to pay the extra duty on the extra 3 bottles I brought back [only allowed 2 bottles, after that its about 117% Tax on the rest]

2136km [ 1327mi] in 6 Days
Vancouver > Seattle > Issaquah > Yakima > Kenniwick[aka TriCities] > Walla Walla > Portland > Mcminnville[Willamette Valley Wine Country] > Oregon Coast > Eugene > Home

BioDynamic workshop
wine dinner in Eugene
now on to transcribing all my notes, and going through over 700 pictures argh so many