Book 5

Very interesting to try a pure McLaren Vale Grenache – particularly as it was denser, and more tannicly structured than the Barossa – just …

Another class Ridge Zin. Mid ruby-purple, with a medium rim. Sweet, fruits-of-the-forest bery fruit. Black pepper spice. Oak / wood spice, cinnamon, vanilla, and …

Until the 2014 exam (after this tasting), the Bien Nacido Syrah was the exam wine, after which, the straight 2011, ironically, was added. This …

In the Syrah / Malbec line-up, all the Northern Rhône Syrahs were from the 2011 vintage, to maximise comparability. The quality of this stood …

Another highlight of a great Cabernet line-up. Refined, albeit still a classic California Cabernet, with American oak influence. Less elegant than Quintessa, but very …

As elegant as its packaging. Napa, yes, but in harmony and refined. Retasted in October, it was the same. Deep ruby, with a narrow, …

So this precise wine also appeared on 2014’s paper 2…who knew? The wine of the Merlot / Carmenère line-up. Deep ruby-black. Deep and full …

The best Bordeaux in the Cab and Merlot line-ups, combined. Joint best Cab with the differently-styled Quintessa. A fuller, denser wine than most Domaine …

By contrast, a fairly deep purple colour, blue and blackberry fruit character to the compote fruit. Some violet and liquorice / medicinal notes emerge. …

This pair of Vajra d’Albas definitively helped me nail Q3 of the 1st Year exam, through learning the structural differences between Barbera and Dolcetto. …