Red Grape Testable Tasting Notes Flashcards by Nathan C

Structure

Dry
Moderate Minus to Moderate Body
Diminished to Moderate Tannin
Elevated Acidity
Moderate Alcohol

Gamay (Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc)

Structure

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Visual:
- Bright ruby with purple tones
- Low to Moderate plus
( Low to Medium Minus in basic village wines, with higher concentration in some Cru wines)
- Possible residual gas from Carbonic Maceration)

Gamay ( Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc)

Visual

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Aromas / Flavors
- Moderate Plus to High Intensity

Fruit:
- Tart Red Fruit (Strawberry, Red Cherry, Raspberry, Cranberry, Red Currant) , Watermelon

Carbonic Maceration Notes:
- Pear Drop, Bubblegum, Cotton Candy, Lifted Red Fruit / Floral Aromatics

Floral:
- Violeta, Lilacs, Peonies

Other:
- Slight Black Pepper, Dry Savory Herbs

Earth:
- Moderate to High Minerality, Wet Granite, Stony, Crushed Rock

Oak:
- None or Neutral Cask

Gamay ( Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc)

Aromas / Flavors

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Visual:

Dark Ruby / Purple Color
Moderate plus Concentration

Cabernet Sauvignon - Bordeaux (Graves and Medoc) / Australian / Chile

Visual

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Aromas / Flavors:
- moderate plus intensity

Fruit:
Black fruit ( Blackcurrant / Cassis, Blackberry, Black Cherry)
Slight Red Fruit and Plum

Floral:
- Purple Flowers, Violets

Herbal / Green:
- Sage, Green Bell Pepper, Mint, Tobacco, Dried Savoury Herbs

Spice (Savory):
- Green Peppercorn, Anise, Clove, Exotic Spices

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 Spices, Clove, Smoke, Coffee, Vanilla, Roasted Nut, Cedar)

Cabernet Sauvignon - Bordeaux (Graves and Medoc)

Aromas / Flavors

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Structure

Dry
Moderate to Moderate plus Body
Elevated Tannin
Moderate to Elevated Acidity
Moderate to Elevated Alcohol

Cabernet Sauvignon - Bordeaux (Graves and Medoc)

Structure

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Aromas / Flavours:

Fruit:
ripe / lush black fruit (cassis / black currant, blackberry, black cherry)
ripe / lush red fruit (red cherry and red plum)
prune

Floral:
purple flowers
Violets

Herbal / Green:
- Intense Green Character, Eucalyptus, Mint, Green Bell Pepper, Sage

Spice (Sweet)
- Liquorice / Anise, Coca, 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)

Cabernet Sauvignon - Australian

Aromas / Flavours

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Structure:

Dry ( Ripe Attack)
Moderate Plus Body
Elevated Tannin
Moderate to Elevated Acidity
Moderate to Elevated Alcohol

Cabernet Sauvignon - Australian / Chile

Structure

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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)

Cabernet Sauvignon - Chile

Aromas / Flavors

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Visual: Ruby Colour, Slight Orange Rim (even in youth), Moderate Concentration

Visual
Grenache (Grenache Noir)

Country: France
Region: Rhone Valley
AOC: Châteauneuf - du - Pape & Gigondas

AND

Country : Australia
GI: South Australia

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Aromas / Flavors: Moderate Plus Intensity

Fruit: Cooked to Dried Red Fruits (strawberry, cherry, raspberry), roasted red plum, blackberry, raisin / fig

Possible Volatile Acidity, Oxidation

Floral: Red Flowers, Dried Lavender

Herbal: Herbs de Provence, Garrigue / Wild Brush, Rosemary, Brewed Black Tea, Savory Herbs

Spices: Curing Spices, Black Pepper, Juniper, Clove, Liquorice, Lavender

Other: Powdered Sugar, Dried Orange / Grapefruit Peel, Old Leather / Brettanomyces

Earth: Moderate Plus to High Minerality, Stone, Gravelly, Baked Earth

Oak: Large Neutral Casks (foudres) or Concrete Vats, although some modern special cuvée styles may incorporate smaller barrels and new oak

Grenache (Grenache Noir)

Country: France

Region: Rhone Valley

AOC: Châteauneuf - du - Pape & Gigondas

Aromas / Flavors

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Structure

Dry,
Moderate Plus to Full Body,
Moderate to Elevated Tannin,
Diminished to Moderate Acidity,
Elevated to High Alcohol

Structure
Grenache (Grenache Noir)

Country: France

Region: Rhone Valley

AOC: Châteauneuf - du - Pape & Gigondas

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Aromas / Flavors: Moderate Plus Intensity

Fruit: Cooked / Stewed Strawberry, Maraschino Cherry, Prune, Fig, Raisin, Plum Pie

Possible Volatile Acidity, Oxidation

Floral: Red Flowers

Herbal: Mint, Menthol, Eucalyptus, Black Tea Leaf, Dried Savory Herbs

Spice: Curing Spices, Black Pepper, Liquorice

Other: Powdered Sugar, Possible Old Leather / Brettanomyces

Earth: Moderate Minerality, Crushed Vitamin

Oak: Neutral to Moderate Use of New French of American Oak

Grenache (Grenache Noir)

Country : Australia
GI: South Australia

Aromas / Flavors

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Structure:

Dry (with a Ripe, Sappy Attack),
Moderate Plus to Full Body,
Moderate Tannin,
Moderate Acidity,
Elevated to High Alcohol

Grenache (Grenache Noir)

Country : Australia
GI: South Australia

Structure

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Visual:
Ruby Color with Garnet Tones, Moderate Plus Concentration

Visual
Merlot

Country: France

Region: Bordeaux (Right Bank)

AOC: Saint Emillon or Pomerol

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Aromas / Flavors: Moderate Plus Intensity

Fruit:
Blue Fruit (Plum, Blueberry)
Red Fruit: (Strawberry, Raspberry, Red Cherry)
Black Fruit: (Blackberry, Black Cherry), Fig / Fruitcake

Floral:
Purple Flowers, Violets

Herbal:
Mint, Bay Leaf, Fern, Tobacco

Spice:
Licorice / Anise, Christmas Spice

Earth:
Moderate Plus to High Minerality, Clay, Mushroom / Truffle

Oak:
Moderate Plus to High Use of New French Oak, Chocolate, Coffee, Cinnamon, Vanilla

Merlot

Country: France

Region: Bordeaux (Right Bank)

AOC: Saint Emillon or Pomerol

Aromas / Flavors

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Structure:
Dry,
Moderate to Moderate Plus Body, Moderate to Elevated Tannin,
Moderate Acidity,
Elevated Alcohol

Merlot

Country: France

Region: Bordeaux (Right Bank)

AOC: Saint Emillon or Pomerol

Structure

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Visual:
Ruby Color with Blue Tones, Moderate Plus Concentration

Merlot

Country: United States

AVA: Napa Valley or Sonoma

Visual

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Aromas / Flavors

Fruit
Stewed Fruit Character
Ripe Lush Blue Fruit ( Plum, Blueberry)
Ripe Lush Black Fruit ( Blackcurrant)
Lush Red Fruit (Red Cherry, Raspberry), Fig, Prune

Floral:
Purple Flowers, Violets

Herbal:
Fern, Bay Leaf, Sage

Spice:
Christmas Spice, Licorice / Anise

Earth:
Low to Moderate Minerality

Oak:
Moderate to High Use of New French Oak or Mixed Origin Oak, Chocolate, Coffee, Mocha, Sweet Baking Spices, Vanilla

Merlot

Country: United States

AVA: Napa Valley or Sonoma

Aromas / Flavors

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Structure:
Dry (with Ripe Attack),
Moderate Plus to Full Body,
Moderate Tannin,
Diminished to Moderate Acidity,
Elevated to High Alcohol

Merlot

Country: United States

AVA: Napa Valley or Sonoma

Structure

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Visual:
Ruby / Garnet Colour, Significant Garnet, Orange Rim Variation,
Moderate Concentration

Nebbiolo

Country: Italy

Region: Piedmonte

DOCG: Barolo or Barbaresco

Visual

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Aromas / Flavours: High Intensity

Fruit:
Tart Red Fruit: ( Sour Cherry, Red Plum), Blackberry, Mulberry, Dried Plum / Prune and Dried Cherry

Significant Volatile Acidity, Oxidation

Floral:
Heady Floral Character, Roses, Violets

Herbal:
Tea Leaf, Tobacco, Bitter Root, Tree Bark

Spice:
Liquorice, Anise, Resin, Slight Clove / Cinnamon Spice

Other:
Tar, Leather

Earth:
High Minerality, Truffle, Mushroom, Dust, Organic Earth

Oak:
Neutral Large Cask ( Slavonian Oak and Chestnut Botti are considered traditional casks for Barolo)

Nebbiolo

Country: Italy

Region: Piedmonte

DOCG: Barolo or Barbaresco

Aromas / Flavours

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Structure:
Dry,
Medium to Full Body,
High Tannin,
Elevated to High Acidity,
Elevated to High Alcohol

Nebbiolo

Country: Italy

Region: Piedmonte

DOCG: Barolo or Barbaresco

Structure

Visual:
Ruby / Purple Color,
Moderate Plus to High Concentration

Syrah - Northern Rhône ( France)

Visual

Aromas / Flavors: Moderate Plus Intensity Fruit: Tart / Ripe Black Fruit (Blackberry, Black Cherry, Black Plum) Blue Fruit: Blueberry , Boysenberry Red Fruit: Raspberry Possible Carbonic Maceration and / or Stem Inclusion Floral: Purple and Red Flowers, Lavender, Violets Herbal / Green: Black / Green Olives, Green Peppercorn, Herbes de Provence, Rosemary Spice: White / Black Pepper, Curing Spices, Juniper Other: Tar, Hung / Cured Meat, Smoke, Bacon Fat, Band - Aid (Brettanomyces) Earth: moderate plus to High Minerality, Granite, Crushed Rock Oak: Neutral Barrel / Cask or Low to Moderate use of New French Oak

Syrah - Northern Rhône ( France) Aromas / Flavors

Structure: Bone Dry to Dry Moderate Plus Body Moderate to Elevated Tannin Elevated to High Acidity Moderate to Elevated Alcohol

Syrah - Northern Rhône ( France) Structure

Visual: Opaque, Dark Purple Color, High Concentration, Deep Stained Tears

Shiraz - South Australia, Western Australia, Victoria (Australia) Visual

Aromas / Flavors: High Intensity Fruit: Ripe / Lush Black Fruit: Blackberry, Cassis Blue Fruit: Blueberry, Plum Dried Fruit: Fig, Raisin, Date, Raspberry Liqueur, Mulberry Floral: Purple and Red Flowers, Lavender (less prominent, than in Northern Rhône examples) Herbal / Green: Eucalyptus, Mint / Methol, Herbes de Provence, Rosemary Spice: Blackpepper, Dried Savory Spices, Licorice, Christmas Spices / Fruitcake Other: Bitter Chocolate, Smoke, Grilled Meat Earth: Low to Moderate Minerality Oak: Low to High Use of New American or French Oak, Vanilla, Coconut, Dill, Chocolate, Mocha, Baking Spices, Cumin, Curry / Febugreek, Maple

Shiraz - South Australia, Western Australia, Victoria (Australia) Aromas / Flavors

Structure: Dry Full Body Moderate to Elevated Tannin Moderate to Elevated Acidity Elevated to High Alcohol

Shiraz - South Australia, Western Australia, Victoria (Australia) Structure

Visual: Dark Ruby / Purple Color with Blue Tones Moderate Plus to High Concentration Electric Pink Rim

Malbec - Mendoza - Argentina Visual

Aromas / Flavors: Moderate Plus to High Intensity Fruit: Ripe / Lush - Black Fruit: Black Raspberry, Black Cherry, Blackberry Blue fruit: Concord grape jam, blueberry, plum Red Fruit: Raspberry Liqueur, Fig, Raisin, Prune Floral: Purple and Red Flowers, Violets, Damson Flowers (floral aromatics are especially expressive in higher altitude wines) Herbal / Green: Malbec may have slight green notes Earth:Moderate Minus to Moderate Minerality, Clay / Mud Oak: Low to High Use of New French and or American Oak, Vanilla, Baking Spices, Chocolate, Cinnamon

Malbec - Mendoza - Argentina Aromas / Flavors

Structure: Dry (with Ripe Attack) Full Body Elevated Tannin Diminished to Moderate Acidity Elevated to High Alcohol

Malbec - Mendoza - Argentina Structure

Visual: Light Ruby / Ruby Color Moderate Minus to Moderate Concentration

Pinot Noir - Côte d’Or - France Visual

Aromas / Flavors: Moderate Plus Intensity Fruit: Tart to Just Ripe Red Fruit: Cherry, Raspberry, Cranberry, Wild Strawberry Black Fruit: Possible Black Cherry, Beet / Beetroot, Tomato Possible Stem Inclusion Floral: Purple and Red Flowers, Violets, Lilac, Potpourri Herbal / Vegetable: Tea Leaf, Dried Herbs, Fennel, Rhubarb, Sweet Squash Spice: Red Licorice, Anise, Clove Other: Game, Leather Earth: Moderate to High Minerality, Flouride, Limestone, Mushroom / Forest Floor, Damp Leaves Oak: Neutral to High Use of French Oak, Toast, Vanilla Bean, Smoke, Baking Spices, Cinnamon, Roasted Nut, Caramel (Côte de Nuits producers use higher percentage of new oak than their counterparts in the Côte de Beaune)

Pinot Noir - Côte d’Or - France Aromas / Flavors

Structure: Dry Moderate to Moderate Plus Body Diminished to Elevated Tannin Elevated Acidity Moderate to Elevated Alcohol

Pinot Noir - Côte d’Or - France Structure

Visual: High Clarity Bright Ruby Color Moderate Concentration

Pinot Noir - Russian River Valley - California Visual

Aromas / Flavors: Moderate Plus Intensity Fruit: Ripe / Lush Red Fruit: Strawberry Jam, Cherry, Raspberry Black Fruit: Blackcherry, Plum, Prune Floral: Purple and Red Flowers, Potpourri Herbal: Tea Leaf, Citrus Zest / Peel Spice: Red Licorice, Clove, Cinnamon Other: Cola, Cola Nut Earth: Moderate Minerality Oak: Moderate Plus to High Use of New French Oak (1/3 or more new barrels), Toast, Vanilla Bean, Smoke, Baking Spices, Clove, Cinnamon, Roasted Nut, Caramel

Pinot Noir - Russian River Valley - California Aromas / Flavors

Structure: Dry (with ripe attack) Moderate plus body Moderate Tannin Moderate to Elevated Acidity Elevated Alcohol

Pinot Noir - Russian River Valley - California Structure

Visual: Ruby Moderate Concentration

Pinot Noir - Williamette Valley - Oregon Visual

Aromas / Flavors: Moderate Plus Intensity Fruit: Ripe / Lush Red Fruit: Strawberry, Cherry, Raspberry Black Fruit: Black Cherry Blue Fruit: Blueberry Floral: Purple and Red Flowers, Potpourri Herbal: Tea Leaf, Citrus Zest / Peel, Tomato Leaf Spice: Red Licorice, Oak Spices Other: Cola, Cola Nut Earth: Moderate Plus Minerality, Wet Leaves, Compost, Mushroom, Forest Floor Oak: Moderate to High Use of French Oak, Vanilla, Baking Spices, Coffee, Chocolate, Caramel

Pinot Noir - Williamette Valley - Oregon Aromas / Flavors

Structure: Dry (with ripe attack) Moderate Plus Body Diminished to Moderate Tannin Moderate to Elevated Acidity Moderate to Elevated Alcohol

Pinot Noir - Williamette Valley - Oregon Structure

Visual light Ruby with slightly garnet tones Moderate Minus to Moderate Concentration (concentration and color may be darker if the wine is a blend)

Sangiovese - Tuscany - Chianti Classico - Italy Visual

Aroma / Flavors: Fruit: Tart / Dried Red Fruit: Sour Cherry, Raspberry, Cranberry, Red Currant, Red Apple, Tomato Black Fruit: Black Cherry, Mulberry Floral: Dried Flowers, Potpourri Herbal / Green: Fennel, Roasted Savory Herbs, Thyme, Rosemary, Marjoram, Camphor, Bitter Root Spice: Clove, Smoke (Brettanomyces Indictators), Coffee / Oak Spices Other: Sanguine / Blood, Balsamic, Animal, Leather, Tar Earth: Moderate to High Minerality, Clay, Crushed Rock, Baked Earth Oak: - none or large neutral cask with possible mixed use of French oak barriques ( classic examples do not see any significant new wood)

Sangiovese - Tuscany - Chianti Classico - Italy Aroma / Flavors

Structure: Bone Dry to Dry Moderate to moderate plus body Elevated to high tannin Elevated to high acidity Moderate to elevated alcohol

Sangiovese - Tuscany - Chianti Classico - Italy Structure

Visual Dark Ruby with slightly garnet rim variation Moderate Plus Concentration

Sangiovese - Tuscany - Brunello di Montalcino - Italy Visual

Aroma / Flavors: Fruit: Tart / Dried Red Fruit: Sour Cherry, Raspberry, Cranberry, Red Currant, Red Apple, Tomato Black Fruit: Black Cherry, Mulberry Floral: Dried Flowers, Potpourri Herbal / Green: Fennel, Roasted Savory Herbs, Thyme, Rosemary, Marjoram, Camphor, Bitter Root Spice: Clove, Smoke (Brettanomyces Indicators), Coffee / Oak Spices Other: Sanguine / Blood, Balsamic, Animal, Leather, Tar Earth: Moderate to High Minerality, Clay, Crushed Rock, Baked Earth Oak: large neutral cask with possible mixes use of French Oak Barriques

Sangiovese - Tuscany - Brunello di Montalcino - Italy Aroma / Flavors

Structure: Bone Dry to Dry Full Body Elevated to high tannin Elevated to high acidity Elevated alcohol

Sangiovese - Tuscany - Brunello di Montalcino - Italy Structure

Visual: Ruby Moderate Minus to Moderate Concentration

Tempranillo - Rioja - Spain Visual

Aroma / Flavors: Moderate Plus Intensity Fruit: Tart / Dried Red Fruit: Cherry, Strawberry, Red Currant, Sour Asian Plum, Dried Plum Significant Oxidation and Brettanomyces for Gran Reserva Styles Floral: Red and Dried Flowers Herbal: Tobacco , Dill Other: Sweet and Sour Sauce, Iodine, Leather, Spice Earth: Moderate to High Minerality, Baked Earth, Clay, Compost Oak: Low to Moderate Use of New American or Mixed American / French Barrels ( Long Aging in Oak for Reserva and Gran Reserva Styles), vanilla, coconut, dill, cumin, curry, fenugreek, sandalwood

Tempranillo - Rioja - Spain Aroma / Flavors

Structure: Dry Moderate Plus Body Elevated Tannin Moderate to Elevated Acidity Moderate to Elevated Alcohol

Tempranillo - Rioja - Spain Structure

Visual Ruby / Dark Ruby Moderate to Moderate Plus Concentration (color and concentration are highly affected by blending other varieties)

Zinfandel - California Visual

Aromas / Flavors: Moderate Plus to High Intensity of Aromas Fruit: Ripe / Jammy Red Fruit: Raspberry, Cranberry Jam, Raisin, Fig, Cherry Compote, apricot, peach yogurt Black Cherry: Blackberry, Cassis Blue Fruit: Blueberry Non - Fruit: Black pepper, Briar, Slight Potting Soil / Turned Earth Oak: Neutral to Moderate Use of New American Oak, French Oak, of Mixed Barrels: Vanilla, Sawdust, Coconut, Chocolate, Mocha, Coffee, Caramel, Dillwood, Cinnamon

Zinfandel - California Aromas / Flavors:

Structure: Dry (often with perceptible RS) Full Body Moderate Tannin Moderate to Elevated Acidity Elevated to High Alcohol

Zinfandel - California Structure

Visual: dark purple color, high concentration

Cabernet Sauvignon - Napa Valley Visual

Aromas / Flavors: Moderate plus intensity Fruit: Ripe Red Fruit: sweet cherry, raspberry Black Fruit: black currant , cassis, blackberry, black cherry Blue Fruit: boysenberry , blueberry Possible 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)

Cabernet Sauvignon - Napa Valley Aromas / Flavors

Structure Dry (with ripe attack) Full body Elevated to high tannins Moderate Acidity Elevated to High Alcohol

Cabernet Sauvignon - Napa Valley Structure