ST. INNOCENT Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Villages Cuvée 2011 ★★★★

酒名：ST. INNOCENT Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Villages Cuvée 2011
產地：美國奧勒岡州威廉米特河谷
品種：黑皮諾
購於：溫哥華Chambar Restaurant (CAD $92)
開瓶：2013-06-30溫哥華Chambar Restaurant
評分：WS 90

視覺：清澈，中下紅寶石色，薄淚滴
嗅覺：純淨，中上的覆盆子，草莓，皮革，肉乾與蘑菇氣味，陳年中
味覺：不甜，中上酸性，中下單寧與中酒精濃度，中下酒體。中上的覆盆子，草莓，皮革，肉乾，檜木，香草與蘑菇口味。中上餘韻

結論：★★★★這瓶市價30美金的黑皮諾有令人驚喜的風味。雖然年輕，但已有些許陳年風味。已可適飲，但應沒有繼續貯存的潛力。

ST. INNOCENT Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Villages Cuvée 2011
Bought and tasted at Chambar Restaurant on 2012-06-30 (CAD $92)
WS 90

Appearance: Clear, medium minus ruby, thin legs
Nose: Clean, medium plus raspberry, strawberry, leather, meaty and mushroom aromas at developing stage.
Palate: Dry with medium plus acidity, medium minus tannin and medium alcohol.  Medium minus bodied with medium plus raspberry, strawberry, leather, meaty, cedar, vanilla and mushroom flavors.  Medium plus finish.

Conclusion: ★★★★At a $30 price tag this Pinot Noir is awesome.  Already showed tertiary aromas even very young.  Drink now and may not benefit for further ageing.

PENFOLDS Riesling Eden Valley Bin 51 2011 ★★

酒名：PENFOLDS Riesling Eden Valley Bin 51 2011
產地：澳洲南澳伊頓河谷
品種：麗絲玲
購於：BC Liquor Store (CAD $27)
開瓶：2013-06-27於溫哥華自宅
評分：RP 87

視覺：清澈，淡檸檬，透明杯緣
嗅覺：純淨，中度清新的檸檬，桃子，礦物與汽油氣味
味覺：不甜，中度的酸性與酒精濃度，中上酒體。中度的葡萄柚，礦物，草本與香草口味。中上餘韻

結論：★★伊頓河谷麗絲玲在WSET課程中得到極高的推崇，老實說第一次試飲有些失望。這瓶酒介於好與普通之間，就像面試到一個應徵者，所有的特質都有一些，但沒有一項特別突出，感覺這些特質也沒有加總。已可適飲，但應沒有繼續貯存的潛力。

PENFOLDS Riesling Eden Valley Bin 51 2011
Bought at BC Liquor Store (CAD $27)
Tasted at Vancouver home on 2013-06-27
RP 87

Appearance:
Clear, pale lemon, watery rim
Nose: Clean, medium lemon, peach, mineral and petrol aromas at youthful stage.
Palate: Dry, medium acidity and alcohol.  medium+ bodied with medium grapefruit, mineral, herbaceous and vanilla flavors.  Medium+ finish.

Conclusion: ★★Since Eden Valley Riesling is highly praised by WSET course I was a little disappointed in my first trial.  This wine is between fair to good like interviewing a candidate with a little bit of everything but none of which is special  nor add up together.  Drink now and not benefit for further ageing.

MAJELLA Cabernet Sauvignon Coonawarra 2008 ★★★

酒名：MAJELLA Cabernet Sauvignon Coonawarra 2008
產地：澳洲南澳庫納瓦拉
品種：卡本內蘇維儂
購於：BC Liquor Store (CAD $30)
開瓶：2013-06-25於溫哥華自宅
評分：RP 91

視覺：清澈，深紅寶石色，厚淚滴
嗅覺：純淨，中上的桑葚，香草，花香，甘草與薄荷氣味，陳年中
味覺：不甜，高酸性，高單寧與高酒精濃度。豐富酒體，中上的桑葚，咖啡，檜木，薄荷與皮革口味。中上餘韻

結論：★★★平常不大試飲中低價位的葡萄酒來浪費我已經不怎麼健康的肝細胞，但接下來會開瓶的幾瓶酒是買來練習WSET第3級的盲飲測驗。這瓶30元的卡本內相當具有庫納瓦拉風格，有不錯的風味。已可適飲，但應沒有繼續貯存的潛力。

MAJELLA Cabernet Sauvignon Coonawarra 2008
Bought at BC Liquor Store (CAD $30)
Tasted at Vancouver home on 2013-06-25
RP 91

Appearance:
Clear, dark ruby, thick legs
Nose: Clean, medium plus blackberry, vanilla, floral, liquorice and menthol aromas at developing stage.
Palate: Dry with high acidity, tannin and alcohol.  Full-bodied with medium plus blackberry, coffee, cedar, menthol and leather flavors.  Medium plus finish.

Conclusion: ★★★This wine is a start of a series medium-priced wine tasting for my WSET exam preparation - a symbolically good cab with a $30 price tag.  Drink now and not benefit for further ageing.

MONTE DEL FRÀ Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Tenuta Lena di Mezzo 2007 ★★★★

酒名：MONTE DEL FRÀ Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Tenuta Lena di Mezzo 2007
產地：義大利威尼托區瓦爾波利切拉
品種：80% Corvina20% Rondinella
購於：BC Liquor Store (CAD $80)
開瓶：2013-06-22於溫哥華自宅
評分：WS 93

視覺：清澈，中上紅寶石色，厚淚滴
嗅覺：純淨，中上的紅肉李，草莓，皮革，與濕葉子氣味，陳年中
味覺：不甜，中上酸性，中單寧，高酒精濃度，豐富酒體，濃郁的紅肉李，草莓，皮革，菸草，巧克力與甘草口味。長餘韻

結論：★★★★這瓶Amarone有豐富的質感，剛開瓶時已經順口，醒酒後所有的風味會更加強烈。已可適飲，亦有潛力繼續貯存。

MONTE DEL FRÀ Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Tenuta Lena di Mezzo 2007
Bought at BC Liquor Store (CAD $80)
Tasted at Vancouver home on 2013-06-22
WS 93

Appearance:
Clear, medium+ ruby, thick legs
Nose: Clean, medium plus plum, strawberry, leather and wet leave aromas at developing stage.
Palate: Dry and medium+ acidity, medium tannin, high alcohol and full-bodied. With pronounced plum, strawberry, leather, tobacco, chocolate and liquorice flavors. Long Finish.

Conclusion: ★★★★Richly textured Amarone.  Tasty when opened but further intense after decanting.  Drink now and have potential for further ageing.

WSET第3級第14週品酒筆記

WSET第3級第14週品酒筆記

每次上到烈酒時，就表示課程即將結束。個人對烈酒的興趣不高，加上下週的考試壓力，本週就不寫品酒心得了。但是還是可以跟大家推薦2瓶酒：12年的Glen Garioch單一麥芽威士忌與有趣的Cointreau法國君度橙皮酒。Cointreau喝時最好加點冰水稀釋，如有氣泡水與檸檬片更好，在清澈的酒加水便混濁後，香氣會更加濃郁!

The WSET class is close to the end whenever there is spirit tasting.  Since I am not a fan of spirits and currently under pressure for the exam next week, there is no tasting note this week.  However I would still like to recommend my picks of the week: 12 year Single Malt Glen Garioch and Cointreau.  Make sure you mix the Cointreau with sparking water and lime - its orange flavor will concentrate once it turns opaque!

WSET第3級第13週品酒筆記

WSET第3級第13週品酒筆記

本週是精彩的一週! 試了很多第一次喝到的加烈葡萄酒，如法國的Banyuls VDN與非洲西北角葡萄牙屬地的Madeira，其實味道都很不錯，但只能挑2瓶來推薦，只好挑03年的Quinta Do Vale Meao Vintage Port與Campbell's Classic Rutherglen Muscat NV

酒名：QUINTA DO VALE MEÃO Vintage Port 2003
產地：葡萄牙斗羅
品種：波特紅葡萄混釀
開瓶：2013-06-12 於WSET第3級課程 (CAD $90)
評分：WS 92-94
視覺：清澈，深紅寶石色。
嗅覺：純淨，中上的花香，香草與黑櫻桃氣味，陳年中。
味覺：甜，高酸性與高丹寧，加烈成高酒精濃度 (19.5%)，豐富酒體。濃郁的黑櫻桃，黑棗乾，皮革，土壤與肉桂口味。中上餘韻。
結論：非常好的年份波特酒，未達適飲期，需繼續貯存至少5年以上。


酒名：CAMPBELLS Classic Rutherglen Muscat NV
產地：澳洲維多利亞省Rutherglen
品種：Muscat蜜思嘉
開瓶：2013-06-12 於WSET第3級課程 (CAD $64)
評分：RP 92
視覺：清澈，中咖啡色。
嗅覺：純淨，濃郁的黑棗乾，蜂蜜與香草氣味，陳年中。
味覺：極甜，低酸性，加烈成中酒精濃度 (17.5%)，豐富酒體。濃郁的黑棗乾，葡萄乾，香草，烤杏仁與焦糖口味。中上餘韻。
結論：務必試試這瓶醇厚甜美的澳洲Rutherglen甜酒，它的兄弟酒Merchant Prince Rare Rutherglen Muscat雖無年份但拿到WS100分的評分。已可適飲，但有潛力繼續長期貯存。




WSET Level 3 Wine Tasting Week 13

Fantastic week to try a few fortified wines for the first time - such as Banyuls VDN and Madeira - both appealing.
Picks of the week:  09 VIÑA COBOS Malbec and 09 CRISTOM Pinot Noir

QUINTA DO VALE MEÃO Vintage Port 2003

Tasted on 2013-06-12 at WSET Level 3 Class (CAD $90)
WS 92-94
Appearance: Clear, dark ruby
Nose: Clean, medium+ floral, vanilla, black cherry aromas at developing stage
Palate: Sweet, high acidity and tanning, fortified to high alcohol (19.5%) and full body.  Pronounced black cheery, dry prune, leather, earthy and cinnamon flavors with medium+ length.
Conclusion: Very good vintage port.  Too young to Drink now and need to age for at least another 5 years

CAMPBELLS Classic Rutherglen Muscat NV

Tasted on 2013-06-12 at WSET Level 3 Class (CAD $64)
RP 92
Appearance: Clear, medium brown
Nose: Clean, pronounced dry prune, honey, and vanilla aromas at developing stage
Palate: Sweet, low acidity, fortified to medium alcohol (17.5%) and full body.  Pronounced dry prune, raisin, vanilla, roasted almond and caramel flavors.  Medium+ finish.
Conclusion: Must try this rich and luscious Australian Rutherglen.  Its brother Merchant Prince Rare Rutherglen Muscat is WS 100!  Drink now and have potential for further ageing.

JEAN-MICHEL STEPHAN Côte-Rôtie 2009 ★★★★

酒名：JEAN-MICHEL STEPHAN Côte-Rôtie 2009
產地：法國北隆河羅第丘
品種：90% Syrah希哈與10% Viognier維歐尼耶
購於：Liberty Wine Merchants (CAD $72)
開瓶：2013-06-08於溫哥華自宅
評分：WS 94, Wine Spectactor 2011年百大葡萄酒第90名

視覺：清澈，中紅寶石色，厚淚滴
嗅覺：純淨，濃郁的酸櫻桃，草莓糖果，香草，皮革，肉乾與土壤氣味，陳年中
味覺：不甜，高酸性，中下單寧，中酒精濃度，中酒體，中上濃度的覆盆子，草莓，濕葉子，土壤，香草，菸草與生薑口味。長餘韻

結論：★★★★這瓶與白葡萄共同釀造的的希哈有與眾不同的清新風味。雖然還很年輕，但酒中已略有成熟的風韻與層次。在較長時間的醒酒之後原有的土壤氣味會滑潤的淡出。已可適飲，亦有潛力繼續貯存

JEAN-MICHEL STEPHAN Côte-Rôtie 2009
Bought at Liberty Wine Merchants (CAD $72)
Tasted at Vancouver home on 2013-06-08
WS 94, #90 of 2011 Top 100 

Appearance: Clear, medium ruby, thick legs
Nose: Clean, pronounced sour cherry, strawberry candy, vanilla, leather, meaty, and earthy aromas at developing stage.

Palate: Dry and high acidity, medium- tannin, medium alcohol and medium bodied. With medium+ raspberry, strawberry, wet leave, earthy, vanilla, tobacco and ginger flavors. Long Finish.

Conclusion: ★★★★Very refreshing experience to taste this white grape co-fermented Syrah. Though young the wine has tasted a little bit matured layers and the earthiness will smooth out after longer decanting.  Drink now and have potential for further ageing. 

WSET第3級第12週品酒筆記

WSET第3級第12週品酒筆記
本週的首選：04年的Pierre Gimonnet與La Dilettante NV

酒名：PIERRE GIMONNET & FILS Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne Fleuron 2004
產地：法國香檳區
品種：Chardonnay夏多內
開瓶：2013-06-05於WSET第3級課程 (CAD $105)
評分：WS 92 / RP 91
視覺：清澈，淡檸檬色。
嗅覺：純淨，濃郁的檸檬，餅乾，蜂蜜與礦物氣味，陳年中。
味覺：不甜，綿密泡沫，高酸性，中酒精濃度，中下酒體。濃郁的葡萄柚，青蘋果，餅乾，香草，與奶油口味。長回味長度。
結論：高質素的年份純夏多內香檳，已達適飲期，亦有繼續貯存潛力。

酒名：CATHERINE & PIERRE BRETON Brut Vouvray La Dilettante NV
產地：法國羅亞爾河梧雷
品種：Chenin Blanc白梢楠
開瓶：2013-06-05於WSET第3級課程 (CAD $40)
評分：WS 88
視覺：清澈，淡檸檬色。
嗅覺：純淨，中上的蘋果與麵包氣味，陳年中。
味覺：不甜，細緻泡沫，高酸性，中酒精濃度與中下酒體。中上的桃子，檸檬，餅乾，礦物，生薑與麵包口味。中上餘韻。
結論：有意思的來自羅亞爾河由白梢楠製作的氣泡酒，已可適飲。

WSET Level 3 Wine Tasting Week 12

Picks of the week:  04 Pierre Gimonnet and La Dilettante NV

PIERRE GIMONNET & FILS Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne Fleuron 2004

Tasted on 2013-06-05 at WSET Level 3 Class (CAD $105)

WS 92 / RP 91

Appearance: Clear, pale lemon

Nose: Clean, pronounced lemon, biscuit, honey and mineral aromas at developing stage

Palate: Dry, creamy mousse, high acidity, medium alcohol and medium- body.  Pronounced grapefruit, green apple, biscuit, vanilla, and buttery flavors with long length.

Conclusion: Excellent champagne.  Drink now and have potential for further ageing

CATHERINE & PIERRE BRETON Brut Vouvray La Dilettante NV

Tasted on 2013-06-05 at WSET Level 3 Class (CAD $40)

WS 88

Appearance: Clear, pale lemon

Nose: Clean, medium+ apple and bread flavors at developing stage

Palate: Dry, delicated mousse, high acidity, medium alcohol and medium- body.  Medium+ peach, lemon, biscuit, mineral, ginger and bread flavors.  Medium+ finish.

Conclusion: Interesting sparkling wine made of Chenin Blanc from Loire.  Drink now.

ELDERTON Shiraz Barossa Command Single Vineyard 2005 ★★★★

ELDERTON Shiraz Barossa Command Single Vineyard 2005
產地：澳洲南澳巴羅莎谷
品種：Shiraz 希哈
購於：2013-05-26於Liberty Wine Merchants (CAD$ 88)
開瓶：2013-06-02於溫哥華自宅
評分：WS 94 / RP 97
視覺：清澈，中上紅寶石色，厚淚滴

嗅覺：純淨，濃郁的藍莓，椰子，薰衣草與菸草氣味，陳年中
味覺：不甜，中上酸性與單寧，高酒精濃度，中上酒體，中上的藍莓，香草，皮革，煙燻，甜薑與巧克力口味。長回味長度

結論：★★★★非常優秀的巴羅莎希哈，但價格與97的評分有些偏高。在Sowine中真空貯存24小時之後單寧變得更柔順，口味也更加平衡。可適飲亦有潛力繼續貯存。

ELDERTON Shiraz Barossa Command Single Vineyard 2005
Bought at Liberty Wine Merchants on 2013-05-26 for CAD 88
Tasted at Vancouver home on 2013-06-02
WS 94 / RP 97
Appearance: Clear, medium+ ruby, thick legs
Nose: Clean, pronounced blue berry, coconut, lavender, tobacco aromas at developing stage.
Palate: Dry and medium+ acidity and tannin, high alcohol and medium+ bodied. With medium+ blue berry, vanilla, smoke, leather, ginger, and chocolate flavors. Long Finish.

Conclusion: ★★★★Terrific Barossa Shiraz but its price and 97-score may be over. Softer tannin and more balanced texture after storing at Sowine for 24 hours. Drink now and have potential for further ageing.