Old World vs New World – Blind Tasting (Part-4):  Up to this point we have spent a little over 90 minutes tasting 6 different wines from various regions across the globe.  Now, it all leads up to this – two more reds in what’s being called the “mystery grape.”  This time, we are left to smell, taste and decide for ourselves what the grape varietal is.  I’m a far cry from being the perfect wine critic, that much I know.  But for some reason I’m feeling pretty good about this.

I mean, I’ve been able to pick out the difference between a French and New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, I successfully identified the subtle nuances between a French and a California Pinot Noir, and I accurately labeled Old and New world Syrahs from France and Australia.  That being said, I’m feeling pretty good about my chances.  As the wines are poured, the first thing that strikes me is the dark almost black ink-color of these wines.  There’s also a thickness about these wines as well.  My mind is already leaning towards Cabernet Sauvignon, but I’m also allowing flexibility for a Merlot or big, bold Zinfandel as well – time to move on to the other senses…

Wine-7:  Nose – licorice and spice mixed with raspberries and a bold alcohol-like vapor;  Flavor – anise, leather and a barnyard like terrior earthiness mixed with a chalky feeling on the tongue.

Wine-8:  Nose – Fruit-forward with strong hints of oak and vanilla;  Flavor – Mineral and earth flavors mixed with dark cherry and blackberry in the background.   Seems to be less an alcohol content here than with wine-7.

Comparison:  The more I smell and taste these wines, the more I feel confident in them being Cabernet Sauvignon.  These are big, bold and complex wines that seem to be missing the heavy jam-like or strong velvety fruit of a bold Zinfandel.  When comparing these wines against a possible Merlot, again there’s just too much complexity going on here to be considered a Merlot.  So with my mind made up, I stand firm in my conviction that these two wines being of the varietal Cabernet Sauvignon.

Unveiling of Wine Type:  Merlot!  (and I can’t believe it)  It’s as if everything I thought I knew about Merlot has just been tossed out the window.  Seems I’m not the only one shaking my head, a number of other students in the class are also taken aback at the finding.  So with that, on to the wine details…

Wine-7 – Old World, from Bordeaux France.  (Chateau de Sales Pomeral 2010 – $39.99)

• Appellation – Pomerol
• Country – France
• Region – Bordeaux
• Type – Red Wine
• Varietal – Bordeaux Blend

Wine-8 – New World, from California.  (Martin Ray Diamond Mountain Merlot 2009 – $34.99)

• Appellation – Diamond Mountain
• Country – USA (California)
• Region – Napa Valley
• Type – Red Wine
• Varietal – Merlot

Leaf and Grape Over-All Score: (thru Part 3)
Old World – 1
New World – 3

FINAL THOUGHTS:
Today’s class was very good in a number of ways.  For one, it opened my eyes to thinking about Old World versus New World wine styles – something I’d never really thought of before.  In addition, I realized I prefer Old World whites and New World reds.  Looking back at the Leaf and Grape Over-All Score, I see the only Old World victory was the French Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Sancerre region.  All of the reds found me leaning towards bigger, bolder New World flavors.

As for our fearless leader and teacher, Ryan Gilbert – I’ll go on record as saying the man definitely knows wines as well as the climate, soil and weather conditions that make up each of the world’s great wine-growing regions.  I found Gilbert’s teaching style to be thorough and easy to follow.  He’s fun and intelligent without being pretentious.

If you get the chance to attend one of the wine tasting classes offered by Total Wine and More, I highly recommend it.  This was my first experience taking one of these classes.  One thing is for certain – I’ll be back for another class soon.  Until then – cheers!

Four-Part series links located below:
Intro:  Blind Tasting (Introduction)
Part 1:  Blind Tasting (Wines 1 and 2)
Part 2:  Blind Tasting (Wines 3 and 4)
Part 3:  Blind Tasting (Wines 5 and 6)
Part 4:  Blind Tasting (Wines 7 and 8)