Tasting Oak in Red Wines?

[kingrex]

I have no difficulty detecting the presence or absence of oak-aging in white wines, but I'm struggling a bit with reds. In some cases (and I suspect it's new American oak), I can taste it on the roof of my mouth, but I'm unclear on the general effect of oak, in particular French oak, on the palate and on the overall taste of the wine.

Can anyone shed some light on this subject?

Thanks,
rex

[olasek]

If this is an inexpensive red wine that saw barrel aging only very briefly you will be hard pressed to detect any oak.

It is sometimes easier to detect the opposite - signs of 'no oak' - wine is acidic and/or flat.

[jasmurph]

It's usually that vanilla that coats your tongue after you swallow.