Classic Reds

Question 1

Cabernet Sauvignon - Médoc/Graves

Answer 1

Color- dark purple/purple color, moderate concentration
Aromas/Flavors - black fruits(blackcurrant/cassis, blackberry, black cherry) slight red fruit, plum
Floral- purple flowers, violets
Herbal/green- sage, green bell pepper, mint, tobacco, dried savory herbs
Spice- green peppercorns, anise, cloves, exotic spice
Other- leather, pencil shavings, cedar, iodine, medicinal, game, cigar box
Earth-moderate plus to high minerality, graphite, gravel, iron, damp soil, mushroom
Oak- moderate plus to high use of new French oak, baking spice, cloves, smoke coffee, vanilla, roasted nut, cedar
Structure - dry, moderate to moderate plus body, elevated tannins, moderate to elevated acidity, moderate to elevated alcohol

Question 2

Cabernet Sauvignon- Napa

Answer 2

Visual: Dark Purple Color, High Concentration
Aromas/Flavors:
Fruit: Ripe/Lush Black Fruit (Blackcurrant/Cassis, Blackberry, Black Cherry), Lush Red Fruit (Sweet Cherry, Raspberry), Boysenberry/BlueberrybPossible Volatile Acidity
Floral: Purple Flowers, Violets
Herbal/Green (in cooler vintages): Sage, Mint, Green Bell Pepper, Tobacco, Eucalyptus
Spice (Sweet): Anise, Cocoa, Cinnamon, Clove, Allspice, Nutmeg
Other: Cedar, Pencil Shavings, Sweet Leather, Cigar Box
Earth: Low to Moderate Plus Minerality, Volcanic/Ashen, Gravel, Loamy
Oak: Moderate Plus to High Use of New French Oak (Allspice, Nutmeg, Clove, Smoke, Toast, Coffee, Vanilla, Roasted Nut, Cocoa, Cedar)
Structure: Dry (with Ripe Attack), Full Body, Elevated to High Tannin, Moderate Acidity, Elevated to High Alcohol

Question 3

Cabernet- Coonawarra, Australia

Answer 3

Visual: Dark Ruby to Purple Color
Aromas/Flavors:
Fruit: Ripe/Lush Black Fruit (Cassis/Blackcurrant, Blackberry, Black Cherry), Ripe/Lush Red Fruit (Red Cherry, Red Plum), Prune
Floral: Purple Flowers, Violets
Herbal/Green: Intense Green Character, Eucalyptus, Mint, Green Bell Pepper, Sage
Spice (Sweet): Licorice/Anise, Cocoa, Cinnamon, Clove, Allspice, Nutmeg
Other: Cedar, Pencil Shavings, Leather, Cigar Box
Earth: Moderate to Moderate Plus Minerality, Terra Rossa/Red Soils, Loamy/Clay
Oak: Moderate to Moderate Plus Use of New French or American Oak (Baking Spices, Clove, Smoke, Coffee, Vanilla, Roasted Nut, Cedar)
Structure: Dry (with Ripe Attack), Moderate Plus Body, Elevated Tannin, Moderate to Elevated Acidity, Elevated Alcohol

Question 4

Cabernet Sauvignon- Chilean

Answer 4

Visual: Dark Ruby/Purple Color
Aromas/Flavors: Moderate Plus Intensity
Fruit: Ripe/Lush Black Fruits (Blackcurrant/Cassis, Blackberry, Black Cherry), Ripe/Lush Red Fruits (Red Plum, Raspberry)
Floral: Purple Flowers, Violets
Herbal/Green: Green Bell Pepper/Capsicum, Green/Black Olive, Mint, Tobacco
Spice (Sweet): Anise, Cocoa, Cinnamon, Clove, Allspice, Nutmeg
Other: Cedar, Pencil Shavings, Leather, Cigar Box
Earth: Moderate to Moderate Plus Minerality, Damp Earth, Mushroom/Compost, Iron, Graphite
Oak: Moderate Use of New French Oak (Baking Spices, Clove, Smoke, Coffee, Vanilla, Roasted Nut, Cedar)
Structure: Dry (with Ripe Attack), Moderate Plus Body, Elevated Tannin, Moderate to Elevated Acidity, Moderate to Elevated Alcohol

Question 5

Cabernet Franc - Loire valley

Answer 5

Color - red to deep ruby
Hue/ rim variation-garner, purple
Stain-light to medium
Tears- med to med+
Fruit-red- raspberry, currents, cranberry all tart to ripe.  Black-blackberry, current 
Floral- red and purple flowers 
Herbal- tobacco, green herbs, grass, tea
Spice- light pepper
Other- leather, chocolate, coffee 
Oak-old barrels or no wood 
Organic earth- soil, compost, dust
Inorganic earth- Sony, pencil lead, graphite 
Structure- dry, tannins med to med+,
Acid med+ to high
Alc- med to med+
Finish- medium to long 
Complexity- moderate to complex

Question 6

Gamay- Beaujolais

Answer 6

Color- light to deep ruby
Hue- purple pink
Stain- non to slight
Tears- med