Oxidative polymers possess freely rotating linkages and are less compact than are nonoxidative ones, resulting in a larger perceived volume in the mouth and an aggressive hardness, a sheetlike grippiness, entirely on the top of the tongue, that causes it to stick to the roof of the palate (tanin dur, or hard tannin). Over time, as lees proteins and other side reactions coat the tannins, blocking salivary protein interactions, these hard, grippy tannins begin to melt at the back of the tongue, eventually softening completely, producing a velvety impression and a great deal of aromatic
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