Tastings - Red Wine

Question 1

Pinot Noir

Answer 1

Aroma
* FRUIT: Strawberry, Red Cherry, Cranberry
* FLOWERS &/or SPICES: Dried flowers
* OTHER: Wet Dirt, Barnyard, Mushroom, Leather, Smoke
* OAK: Yes

Palate / Structure
* SWEETNESS: Dry
* ACIDITY: Medium (+)
* TANNIN: Medium
* ALCOHOL: Medium
* BODY: Medium to Full

Question 2

Gamay

Answer 2

• FRUIT: Black Currant, Raspberry, Plum, Banana
• OTHER: Violet, Potting Soil
• OAK:
• TANNIN: Low
• ACIDITY: Medium (+)

Question 3

Grenache

Answer 3

Aroma
* FRUIT: Ripe Strawberry, Plum, Blood Orange
* FLOWERS &/or SPICES: Savory Spices
* OTHER: Leather, Dried Herbs
* OAK: Yes.

Palate / Structure
* SWEETNESS: Medium
* ACIDITY: Medium
* TANNIN: Medium
* ALCOHOL: Medium
* BODY: Full
* FINISH: Medium

Example
* 2021 Las Martas San Gregorio Garnacha, Calatayud, D.O., Spain

Question 4

Sangiovese

Answer 4

Aroma
* FRUIT: Sour Cherry, Orange Peel, Red Plum, Strawberry, Fig
* OTHER: Roasted Pepper, Tomato, Leather, Clay, Brick, Tobacco, Smoke, Oregano, Thyme, Dried Roses, Potpourri
* OAK: Yes. Usually light oak aging in neutral oak barrels.

Palate / Structure
* SWEETNESS: Dry
* ACIDITY: High
* TANNIN: Medium (+)
* ALCOHOL: Medium (+)
* BODY: Medium (+)

Question 5

Cabernet Sauvignon

Answer 5

Aroma
* FRUIT: Blackcurrant, Blackberry, Black Cherry
* FLOWERS &/or SPICES: Black Peppercorn, Vanilla, Tobacco,
* OTHER: Cedar, Graphite, Green Bell Pepper, Eucalyptus
* OAK: Yes

Palate / Structure
* SWEETNESS: Dry
* ACIDITY: Medium (+)
* TANNIN: Medium (+)
* ALCOHOL: Medium
* BODY: Full
* FINISH:

Question 6

Syrah (Shiraz)

Answer 6

Aroma
* FRUIT:
* FLOWERS &/or SPICES:
* OTHER:
* OAK:

Palate / Structure
* SWEETNESS:
* ACIDITY:
* TANNIN:
* ALCOHOL:
* BODY:
* FINISH:

Example
* 2019 Ramey, Syrah, Sonoma Coast AVA, California

Question 7

Tempranillo

Answer 7

Aroma
* FRUIT: Cherry, Plum, and Dried Fig
* FLOWERS &/or SPICES:
* OTHER: Tomato, Cedar, Leather, Tobacco, Vanilla, Dill, & Clove
* OAK: Yes, typically aged 6-18 months in American or French Oak

Palate / Structure
* SWEETNESS: Dry
* ACIDITY: Medium (+)
* TANNIN: Medium (+)
* ALCOHOL: Medium
* BODY: Medium-Full

Example
* 2016 Reserve Bodegas Muriel Fincas de la Villa, Tempranillo, Rioja DOC, Spain

Question 8

Zinfandel

Answer 8

Aroma
* FRUIT: Blackberry, Strawberry, Raspberry, Jam
* FLOWERS &/or SPICES: Cinnamon
* OTHER: Sweet Tobacco, Smoke
* OAK: Yes

Palate / Structure
* SWEETNESS: Dry
* ACIDITY: Medium (-)
* TANNIN: Medium (+)
* ALCOHOL: High
* BODY: Medium-Full with “jammy” character

Example
* 2014 Seven Deadly Zins Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi AVA, California

Question 9

Merlot

Answer 9

Aroma
* FRUIT: Black Cherry, Plum
* FLOWERS &/or SPICES:
* OTHER: Chocolate
* OAK: Yes, notes of Vanilla, Cedar, or Cloves

Palate / Structure
* SWEETNESS: Bone Dry
* ACIDITY: Medium
* TANNIN: Medium (+)
* ALCOHOL: Medium
* BODY: Medium-Full with velvety smoothness

Example
* 2018 St. Francis Merlot, Sonoma Valley AVA, California