Cabernet Franc Tasting

Today we started class by sniffing red wines with added aromas such as raspberry, bell pepper, green beans, mushrooms, etc. Then we tested our sniffing abilities on unknown wines (not labeled but one of the added aromas). Most people were successful in identifying the correct aroma. I think our training is starting to pay off. After that we tasted six wines blind (wrapped in aluminum foil), 5 were Cabernet Franc and one was a ringer (a different variety). The wines were exceptionally good, especially the 2009 wines with deep dark colors, great aromas and tannins that lingered on the long finish. The winner was the Drought-Stressed Cabernet Franc (2009). Nobody detected the ringer, which was quite a surprise. It was the 2009 Well-Watered Pinot Meunier and amazingly it fit in well with the Cabernet Francs. Next week we will do some aroma analysis in white wines after which we will taste our Pinot Gris. Hope to see you there!