Test your evaluative skills – marking key

Wine 1

1. What is the quality of this wine?

Very good.
2. What reasons would you give to support your choice of quality?
There is evident sweetness with ample acidity to suggest a balanced wine. The finish is quite
long with some complexity, although it could be longer and more complex. Similarly, the
wine has some generous and well-defined concentrated aromas which follow-through to the
palate, but a better wine would have more intensity and specificity. There is some complexity
as shown by the diversity of primary aromas and flavours expressed on the nose and palate.
There is sufficient concentration of primary fruit, together with higher levels of acidity and
sweetness to suggest that this wine could develop some additional tertiary complexity in the
bottle.
3. What is the grape variety for the above wine?
Riesling
4. What reasons would you give to support your choice of grape variety?
The apparent sweetness, higher acidity and lower alcohol are all consistent with this variety.
The wine shows intense and diverse primary aromas as well as some capacity for further
development. There is also a lack of any clear winemaking influence (oak, MLC or lees).
Finally the perceived quality level and suitability for ageing is suggestive of this variety.
Wine 2

1. What is the quality of this wine?

Outstanding
2. What reasons would you give to support your choice of quality?
There are many dominant structural characteristics in this wine, however, it would seem that
there is enough acidity and concentration of flavour to balance the tannins and alcohol to
give a harmonious wine. The finish is long, complex and evolving. Similarly, the wine has
abundant, well-defined concentrated aromas which follow-through to the palate. There is an
enormous amount of complexity as shown by the range of primary, secondary and tertiary
aromas and flavours expressed on the nose and palate. The evident secondary winemaking
influence is well integrated and marries well with the flavours offered by the fruit. There is
sufficient concentration of primary fruit, together with higher levels of acidity and tannins to
suggest that this wine could develop further additional tertiary complexity in the bottle.
3. Where does this wine come from?
Pauillac, Bordeaux
4. What reasons would you give to support your choice of country and region?
The black fruit, herbaceous character, higher acidity and tannins are suggestive of Cabernet
Sauvignon as the dominant variety as is common in Left-bank Bordeaux. The ripe, but not
extra-ripe fruit character, firmer/grippier tannins and fresher acidity suggest a more moderate
climate or one with extensive moderating influences. The heavy use of well-integrated oak is
consistent with a no-expense spared Bordeaux approach. The premium quality and style
intended for long-term maturation is indicative of a smaller commune within the larger
Bordeaux appellation – such as Pauillac.