WSET specifications for all levels focus only on the conventional wines. Sure, you may get an organic or a biodynamic wine from a respecter producer to taste. But you will never get a wine that is a bit weird, a bit funky. It’s almost as if these wines did not exist. Fortunately, they fo exist and more and more people are drinking them.
So to help us learn more about these funky wines, let’s write a tasting note for Memento Mori Etcetera Etcetera 2018 – tasting note. Memento Mori is a small Australian winery that makes natural wines from their own and from good growers. No addition, no subtraction, just nature doing its things at its best. Etcetera Etcetera is a field blend of 14 varieties, both white and red (including Shiraz, Fiano, Lagrein, Greco di Tufo, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir).
Colour: Pale ruby
Nose: Medium intensity of primary aromas of red fruit (unripe raspberries, rhubarb, sour cherry), herbal (dried oregano, dried thyme), floral (rose), citrus fruit (grapefruit), stone fruit (unripe white peach), green fruit (bruised apple, bruised pear); secondary aromas of yeast (acetaldehyde, cheese)
Palate:
Dry, with medium intensity of primary flavours of red fruit (unripe raspberries, rhubarb, sour cherry), herbal (dried oregano, dried thyme), floral (rose), citrus fruit (grapefruit, lime), stone fruit (unripe white peach), green fruit (bruised apple, bruised pear); secondary flavours of yeast (acetaldehyde, cheese)
high acidity; medium alcohol; medium body; medium+ finish.
Conclusion: Good – the wine presents a complex, albeit unusual, range of aromas and flavours, combining fresh and bruised fruit, florals, herbs and yeast-influenced ones. The high and zingy acidity emphasises the raw nature of this wine, however, it seems overpowering the flavours on the mid-palate. The finish is full of fruit (mainly citrus) adding to the quality of this wine. All of this, together with the medium intensity, bring this wine to good quality.
Bottle ageing: Not suitable for bottle ageing – the wine was made in a style not suitable for ageing. Its character is based on the freshness of the aromas and flavours. Even though the acidity could support 2-3 years of ageing, the medium intensity and medium+ finish would not allow this wine to age for much longer.
Bought at: Clay
Price: 48 NZD