Cab Sav from Bordeaux or Rioja from Spain? Master Somm MUST choose!

Cab Sav from Bordeaux or Rioja from Spain? Master Somm MUST choose!

Author: SESSION in PROGRESS April 1, 2026 Duration: 7:53
Got Somme : Master Sommelier's Wine Podcast
ArtsFood

What happens when you hand a sommelier a mystery glass and ask them to identify a world-class red wine — completely blind?

In this episode of Got Somme, we put the palate to the ultimate test with a stunning Rioja Gran Reserva 2016 that left us speechless (and one of us with actual goosebumps).

We got ours here: https://www.platinumfinewine.com.au/product/bodegas-lan-gran-reserva/


From deep ruby colour to lingering pencil-shaving tannins, this wine delivered layer after layer of complexity — black currant, black plum, truffle, leather, clove, nutmeg, star anise, and what our co-host could only describe as fresh pasta flour. The nose alone was worth the price of admission.


Was it Bordeaux? Was it Rioja? Tune in as we break down every clue, make the call, and reveal just how well a 10-year-old wine can hide its age.


Rioja Gran Reserva 2016

  • Region: Rioja, Spain
  • Variety: Tempranillo
  • Aging: Gran Reserva (60 months total — 24 months in oak, 24 months in bottle minimum)
  • Oak: French oak (modern style — not traditional American oak)



00:00 – The blind tasting begins — what's in the glass?

00:05 – Colour analysis: deep ruby, brick rim, high viscosity

00:30 – Aromas: black fruit, truffle, mushroom, leather, pencil shavings

01:04 – Oak influence: baking spices, cloves, nutmeg, star anise

01:57 – Palate: grippy tannins, medium-plus body, dry finish

03:00 – The debate: Bordeaux or Rioja?

04:46 – Making the call — Rioja Reserva 2020 (spoiler: wrong on both counts!)

05:06 – The reveal: Rioja Gran Reserva 2016

06:24 – Why this wine doesn't show its age

06:39 – Reserva vs Gran Reserva: what's the actual difference?

07:40 – Food pairing: rump steak, chips, and fresh bread



blind wine tasting, Rioja Gran Reserva, Rioja vs Bordeaux, how to taste wine, wine tasting technique, what is Gran Reserva, Spanish wine aging rules, Reserva vs Gran Reserva, Tempranillo blind tasting, old world wine, wine education podcast, Got Somme podcast, sommelier blind tasting, French oak vs American oak Rioja, 2016 Rioja, wine tasting for beginners, wine podcast Australia


Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe on YouTube — this extended tasting content is YouTube-exclusive! Instagram gets the highlights, but YouTube gets the full blind tasting experience.

  • Watch: https://youtu.be/YVeWLAxQScg
  • Follow: https://www.instagram.com/gotsomme/




Ever felt a bit lost staring at a wine list or wondering what you're actually tasting in your glass? Got Somme is here to help, without any of the pretence. This isn't a stuffy lecture; it's a conversation between Master Sommelier Carlos Santos and his mate, radio announcer Angus O'Loughlin, who's keen to learn but starting from scratch. Each episode, Carlos guides Angus-and by extension, all of us-through the fundamentals, breaking down everything from grape varieties and regional styles to understanding why a wine tastes the way it does. The real magic happens when they're joined by some of the world's most respected winemakers, who share the stories and craft behind their bottles. You'll hear Carlos explain how to pick a good wine from a bad one, demystifying terms like tannin and terroir along the way. It's an accessible, often funny journey into wine, perfect for anyone who enjoys a glass but wants to understand the world behind it. Produced by SESSION in PROGRESS, this podcast turns curiosity into genuine knowledge, one bottle at a time.
Author: Language: en-au Episodes: 100

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