Modest Wines - Black and Blue

Tasting Summary:

It's been years since I took formal, WSET Level 3 Tasting Notes. So, take these notes with a grain of salt. I need to recalibrate my sensory machinery.

This wine was spicy (black pepper, baking spices), herbaceous (liqorice) and full of dark fruit (black plums, black cherries). I found the tannins and acid in the higher range, but there is also a bit of "sweetness" to balance things out. I'd still call it dry, although they did call it off-dry in the store. This is begging for a charcuterie plate.

I'd buy it again, but I'd serve it a bit chilled.

Basics:

Origin: Similkameen Valley, British Columbia
Vintage: 2022
Grape(s): Blaufränkisch (25% Lembderger - 25% Kékfrankos - 25% Blue Franc - 25% Franconia Nero)
Alcohol Content: 13.8%
Paid: $26 CND at BC Liquor Store

Appearance

Clarity:

• clear
• hazy

Intensity:

• pale
• medium
• deep

Colour:

Red

• purple
• ruby
• garnet
• tawny
• brown

Nose

Condition:

• clean
• unclean

Intensity:

• light
• medium minus
• medium
• medium plus
• pronounced

Aroma Characteristics (e.g. primary, secondary, tertiary):

black plums, black cherry, baking spice, black pepper, dried thyme, liquorice

Palate

Sweetness:

• dry
• off-dry
• medium-dry
• medium-sweet
• sweet
• luscious

Acidity:

• low
• medium minus
• medium
• medium plus
• high

Tannin:

• low
• medium
• high

Body:

• light
• medium minus
• medium
• medium plus
• full

Flavour Intensity:

• light
• medium minus
• medium
• medium plus
• full

Flavour Characteristics (e.g. primary, secondary, tertiary):

cranberry, black pepper, baking spices, liquorice, vanilla

Finish:

• short
• medium minus
• medium
• medium plus
• long

Conclusions

Quality Level:

• faulty
• poor
• acceptable
• good
• very good
• outstanding

Level of readiness for drinking / potential for aging:

• too young
• can drink now, but has potential for ageing
• drink now: not suitable for ageing or further ageing
• too old