WINE IN SWEDEN

TN : Los Vascos Rose Cabenet Sauvignon 2010, Vina Los Vascos, Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite), Colchagua Valley, Chile

2012-01-21T08:51:00.001+01:00

This wine is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Syrah, and 5% Malbec.

Colour : Bright strawberry pink

Aroma : Strawberry, blackcurrant, herbs

Taste : Fruity, strawberry, blackcurrant, herbs

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 98 SEK (The Wine Company, Hamburg, Germany)

Mark : C+

Website : Vina Los Vascos
Website : The Wine Company

TN : Minuty Rose 2010, Chateau Minuty, Cotes de Provence, France

2012-01-15T08:16:00.001+01:00

Francois Matton is in charge of the viticulture, while Jean-Etiennce Matton is responsible for the marketing and sales. Both of them join forces for the vinification of the wines of Chateau Minuty. The vineyard is situated on the slopes of the villages of Gassin and Ramatuelle, overlooking the bay of Saint-Tropez.

This wine was imported by Ward Wines AB.

Colour : Copper

Aroma : Oranges, herbs, redcurrants

Taste : Very dry, oranges, herbs, redcurrants, pithy finish

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 99 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Chateau Minuty

TN : Anselmann Weisburgunder Spaetlese Trocken 2010, Weingut Werner Anselmann, Pfalz, Germany

2012-01-15T08:05:00.002+01:00

This wine was sealed with a screwcap.

This wine was imported by ITM-Wine AB.

Colour : Lemon

Aroma : Lemon, honey, spice, mineral

Taste : White grapes, honey, pear, lemon, spice, orange peel

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 139 SEK

Mark : B-

Website : Weingut Anselmann

TN : Montes Alpha Pinot Noir 2008, Vina Montes, Casablanca Valley, Chile

2012-01-15T07:55:00.001+01:00

This wine was aged in French oak for one year.

This wine was imported by Hjo Grosshandel AB.

Colour : Raspberry, blue hues

Aroma : Red fruits, spices, oak, coca cola

Taste : Very fruity, strawberry and raspberry, spicy finish, woodyness on finish

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 169 SEK

Mark : B-

Website : Vina Montes

TN : The Prickly Pear Viognier Marsanne 2009, d'Arenberg, McLaren Vale, Australia

2012-01-07T08:23:00.001+01:00

D'Arenberg was founded in 1912 by Joseph Osborn. Since 1984, Chester d'Arenberg Osborn has been running the winery and is also the winemaker. This wine was sealed with a screwcap.

This wine was imported by Vinovum AB.

Colour : Pale yellow

Aroma : Pear, apricot, herbs

Taste : Oily texture, apricots, pears, mango, bitter almond finish

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 99 SEK

Mark : B-

Website : d'Arenberg Wines

TN : Termes 2008, Bodega Numanthia, Toro, Spain

2012-01-01T18:52:00.001+01:00

This wine is 100% Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo). The winemaker was Manuel Louzada. Fermentation lasted eight days with two daily pump-overs. The grapes were 100% destemmed and the temperature was controlled between 26 and 28 degrees. The wine then underwent an extended maceration on skins for 21 days in total with light pump-overs.This wine spent 16 months in new French oak. The wine was racked every four months. The wine was bottled in June 2010. This wine received 91 points from Wine Spectator and 91 points from Tanzer's International Wine Cellar.

The Vineyards are situated in Valdefinjas and Toro at an average altitude of 700 metres. The average age of the vines was 30 years.

This wine was imported by Moet Hennessy Sverige AB.

Colour : Dark blackberry

Aroma : Blackberry, toast, vanilla, milk chocolate, plums, herbs

Taste : Blueberry, blackberry, milk chocolate, vanilla, toast, smooth tannins, herbs

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 179 SEK

Mark : B-

Website : Numanthia

TN : Chateau Ducluzeau 2005, Listrac-Medoc, Bordeaux, France

2011-12-31T08:25:00.002+01:00

The chateau was owned by Mr. Ducluzeau at the end of the seventeenth century. In 1870, it was sold to Mr. Astien, a wine-grower from Moulis. He then married Miss Hugon de Listrac who at her death handed down the property to her daughter, Marie-Louise, wife of André Rochette. When Marie-Louise died in 1976, the estate returned to Monique Rochette Borie, who was born and bred at Château Ducluzeau. Today, her son, Bruno-Eugène manages the estate.

Château Ducluzeau was listed in the 1932 crus bourgeois classification of the Médoc, just after
the fifth classified growths and kept the rank of cru bourgeois in the updated version of 2003.

Château Ducluzeau is located in the communal appellation of Listrac-Médoc. The ten hectares of Château Ducluzeau are divided up into several plots which are all situated on a plateau in the village of Listrac, around 400 metres above sea level. The soil and sub-soil are made up of light gravel with a clay-siliceous structure.

The average age of the vines is 45 years old. The vineyard is made up 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon at a density of 10000 plants per hectare. The vineyard is managed traditionally : Medoc, double Guyot pruning, leaf-thinning and crop-thinning in July to favour ripening and concentration.

This wine received 85 points from Wine Spectator (web 2008).

Colour : Red

Aroma : Plums, tobacco, wood

Taste : Grainy aged texture, Plummy, redcurrant, blackcurrant, tangy acid, wood

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 213 SEK

Mark : C

TN : 3 de Valandraud 2005, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Ets Thunevin, Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux, France

2011-12-29T08:30:00.000+01:00

Colour : Dark red

Aroma : Plums, chocolate, cedar, oak

Taste : Lacking concentration, oak, cedar, coffee, plummy fruit, overoaked, drying tannins on finish, tobacco, opened too early ? going through a dumb phase ? opened too late ?

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 293 SEK

Mark : C-

Website : Ets Thunevin

TN : Vieux Chateau Des Jouans 2009, Calvet, Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux, France

2011-12-29T08:19:00.000+01:00

This wine is a blend of 99% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine spent ten months in French oak barrels of which one third was new and the rest was second and third fill.

This wine was imported by Brandpartners AB.

Colour : Dark red, blue hues

Aroma : Plums, oak, blackcurrant, cedar, herbs

Taste : Cedar and oak on finish, plums, blackcurrants

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 109 SEK

Mark : C+

TN : Chateau Croizet-Bages 2005, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France

2011-12-28T08:24:00.002+01:00

This wine received 86 points from The Wine Advocate, 16.5 from Jancis Robinson, and 15.4 from Decanter.

This property lies on Pauillac's Bages plateau, between the town of Pauillac itself and Saint-Julien-Beychevelle. Château Croizet-Bages also takes its name from its original creators, the Croizet brothers. One a court clerk, the other a local lawyer, the two men bought up parcels of vines from their neighbours duirng the first half of the 18th century and created their own successful vineyard.

At the time of the Revolution, and much involved in local government, the brothers sold the estate to a family from Gascony, the Puyteracs, who in turn sold it to a Bordelais, Jean Calvé, just two years before the 1855 classification of the Médoc. The current proprietors, the Quié family, acquired Croizet-Bages in 1942 from American entrepreneur Jean-Baptiste Monnot (he bought the struggling estate at the end of the first World War). The Château is today managed by brother and sister team Jean-Philippe and Anne-Françoise Quié.This chateau was classified as one of the eighteen fifth growths in the 1855 Bordeaux classification.

Colour : Red, blackcurrant

Aroma : Blackcurrant, plums, cedar, liquorice

Taste : Simple, watery texture, blackcurrant, green cedar, liquorice, talcum powder tannins and white pepper on finish

Alcohol : 12.5%

Price : 226 SEK (bought at Systembolaget 14th November 2008)

Mark : C

TN : Argento Bonarda 2010, Mendoza, Argentina

2011-12-22T19:34:00.000+01:00

Argento was established in the wine region of Mendoza in 1998. The word Argento is Latin for silver.

This wine was sealed with a screwcap.

This wine was imported by Vinunic AB.

Colour : Raspberry, blue hues

Aroma : Blackberry, violets, raspberry, oak

Taste : Very fruity, raspberry, violets, blackberry, graphite

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 79 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Argento Wine Company

TN : Beaujolias Villages Nouveau 2011, Quinson, Beaujolais, France

2011-12-22T19:22:00.000+01:00

This wine is 100% Gamay This wine was sealed with a screwcap.

This wine was imported by Stellan Kramer AB.

Colour : Plummy red, blue hues

Aroma : Blueberry, raspberry, herbs

Taste : Blueberry, herbs, acidic finish, raspberry

Alcohol : 12.5%

Price : 69 SEK

Mark : C

TN : Chateau Poujeaux 2008, Moulis-en-Medoc, Bordeaux, France

2011-12-22T19:16:00.000+01:00

This wine received 87 points from Wine Spectator in the March 31st 2011 issue.

This wine is a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot. 25,000 cases were made.

The chateau owner is Philippe Cuvelier. The vineyard soil type is Gunzian gravel. The vines are planted to a density of 10,000 vines per hectare. The average age of the vines is thirty years. The wine spent 12 months in barrel of which 30% were new. The grapes were harvested from the 6th to the 24th October 2008.

Colour : Plummy red

Aroma : Blackcurrant, plums, cedar, herbs

Taste : Tobacco, tannic finish, blackcurrant, plums, green cedar

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 267 SEK

Mark : C-

Website : Chateau Poujeaux

TN : Los Vascos Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Vina Los Vascos, Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite), Casablanca Valley, Chile

2011-11-12T07:40:00.001+01:00

Colour : Very pale lemon

Aroma : Gooseberry, blackcurrant leaf

Taste : Crisp, blackcurrant leaf, lemon, gooseberry, passion fruit, earthy zingy acidic finish

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 109 SEK (The Wine Company, Hamburg, Germany)

Mark : B

Website : Vina Los Vascos
Website : The Wine Company

TN : Altos Las Hormingas Malbec Reserve 2008, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

2011-11-05T09:08:00.001+01:00

This wine is 100% Malbec from ancient riverbeds in the Uco Valley. 90% of the grapes are from Vista Flores and 10% are from Eugenio Bustos. The average yield was 6.3 ton per hectare. The grapes were destemmed and softly pressed into small stainless steel tanks for five days at ten degrees, for cold maceration. Alcoholic fermentation began using native yeasts whilst cap management was conducted with systematic rack-and-returns. The time between crushing and pressing was approximately 20 days. Immediately after malolactic fermentation the wine went in to tight grain French oak barrels for 18 months of ageing. The Total Acidity is 5.78 grammes per litre, the pH is 3.6, and the Residual Sugar is 2.23 grammes per litre. The winemakers were Alberto Antonini and Attilio Pagli.

This wine was imported by Arvid Nordqvist.

Colour : Dark blackberry

Aroma : Toasty oak, blueberry, herbs

Taste : Oak, tight structure, blueberry, violets, herbs, warm finish, opened up after an hour

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 199 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Altos Las Hormingas

TN : Chateau Les Roches Gaby 2009, Canon-Fronsac, Bordeaux, France

2011-11-05T08:56:00.001+01:00

Chateau du Gaby is located in Canon Fronsac, 40km north-east of Bordeaux, near the market town of Libourne. Canon Fronsac is also just 15km from St Emilion and Pomerol and is geologically a continuation of the St-Emilion cote or hillside.

Vinification was peformed in temperature-controlled epoxy-lined concrete vats. The wine was matured in 45% new casks, one year old and two 2 years old. The winemaker was Damien Landour. This wine is a blend of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc.

Colour : Dark red, blueberry hues

Aroma : Oak, blackcurrant, herbs, cedar

Taste : Oaky, coffee, blackcurrant, chocolate texture

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 139 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Chateau Du Gaby

TN : Mount Athos Vineyards Metochi Chromitsa 2006, Domain of Monastery Agios Panteleimon Evangelos Tsantalis, Chalkidiki, Greece

2011-11-03T14:44:00.002+01:00

This wine is a blend of 50% Limnio, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 20% Merlot.

Colour : Red, blue and brown hues

Aroma : Blackcurrant, plums, vanilla, spice

Taste : Spice, blackcurrant, plums, aged, talcum powder tannins

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 129 SEK (The Wine Company, Hamburg, Germany)

Mark : C

Website : The Wine Company

TN : Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Villa Maria Estate, Marlborough, New Zealand

2011-11-03T14:33:00.003+01:00

This wine was sealed with a screwcap.

This wine was imported by Fondberg.

Colour : Pale lemon

Aroma : Earthy, gooseberry, lemon, tomato leaf, pineapple

Taste : Earthy, zingy lemon, blackcurrant, nettles

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 108 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Villa Maria Estate

TN : Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Robert Mondavi Winery, Oakville, Napa Valley, USA

2011-10-30T08:32:00.001+01:00

This wine is a blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 2% Merlot, 2% Malbec, and 1% Petit Verdot. The total acidity is 0.63%, final pH was 3.64, and residual sugar is 0.5.

Napa Valley’s 2006 vintage began with a wet winter that extended into spring, delivering more than twice the average rainfall for March and nearly four times the April average. The precipitation delayed bloom, but once the skies cleared, the vines had good fruit set and progressed slowly and steadily through slightly warmer than usual June weather. In July, a brief hot spell of four consecutive days over 100°F had the effect of putting the vines “on hold” before ripening continued when mild weather returned in August. Lower temperatures extended through September and October, with some fog and cloudy days. Overall, the 2006 growing season was significantly cooler than average, and harvest began generally later. Picking began in Oakville on September 28 and finally finished on October 31 when the leaves were turning yellow. All the fruit was in the winery before light rains came in early November.

The majority of grapes, 86%, for this wine came from the To Kalon Vineyard surrounding the winery in Oakville. To Kalon’s older Cabernet vines are 25-35 years old and yield small-berried clusters; newer vines are planted in higher density for enhanced flavor intensity. The balance of the fruit, 14%, was sourced from nearby Oakville Bench vineyards. The average Brix was 26.4 with 0.70% initial acid and initial pH of 3.5.

Designated an American Viticultural Area in 1993, Oakville lies in the geographic center of Napa Valley and is distinguished by an alluvial fan extending from the base of the Mayacamas Mountains on the valley’s western border. Oakville Bench vineyards along the Mayacamas foothills have well-drained soils that allow deep rooting and development of complex flavors. To Kalon soils are thinner and rockier, producing fruit with intense concentration.

After harvest, the grapes were hand sorted in the To Kalon Fermentation Cellar, then destemmed and lightly crushed directly into 17-ton oak tanks for fermentation. The wine received an additional 36 days of extended skin contact (maceration) to soften tannins. After the free-run wine was drained, the pomace was conveyed by gravity into a gentle basket press, then followed the flow of gravity to the aging cellars. After a secondary malolactic fermentation, it aged 18 months in French oak barrels of which 70% were new. Cabernet Franc and small portions of Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot were blended with the Cabernet Sauvignon midway through aging to marry flavors and enhance the flavor profile.

This wine received 93 points from Wine and Spirits Magazine.

Colour : Dark red, blue hues

Aroma : Coffee, blackcurrant, herbs, mineral

Taste : Concentrated sweet blackcurrant and cherry, coffee, minerals, noticable tannins on long finish, this wine opened up after 30 minutes

Alcohol : 15.4%

Price : 349 SEK (The Wine Company, Hamburg, Germany)

Website : Robert Mondavi Winery
Website : The Wine Company

TN : Tormenta Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Familia Torres, Maule, Curico, Chile

2011-10-22T20:53:00.002+02:00

This wine was made from organically grown grapes.

This wine was imported by Miguel Torres Sverige AB.

Colour : Pale watery yellow

Aroma : Green apple, leafy, tropical fruits

Taste : Nettles, lemon, lime, zingy fruit, leafy finish

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 80 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Torres

TN : Motorhead Shiraz 2010, South Eastern Australia, Australia

2011-10-22T20:41:00.002+02:00

I saw this in the local Systembolaget and could not resist buying it to see what the Ace of Spades, Lemmy and his band, had cooked up.

This wine was actually produced by Brocken Back Winery.

This wine was sealed with a screwcap.

This wine was imported by Grapes Svenska AB.

Colour : Red, blue hues

Aroma : Red and black fruits, oak, vanilla

Taste : The nice black pepper finish on this was the only Shiraz varietal character to this wine, this is an easy going slurper, oak, vanilla, blueberry and blackberry pie filling, warm finish

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 119 SEK

Mark : C

TN : Gysler Weinheimer Riesling Trocken 2009, Weingut Gysler, Rheinhessen, Germany

2011-10-16T08:25:00.000+02:00

This wine is biodynamic and has been certified by Demeter.This wine was sealed with a screwcap.

This wine was imported by Brusquini da bere AB.

Colour : Pale yellow

Aroma : Honey, pear, mandarin oranges

Taste : Honey, lemon, green apples, zingy acidic finish

Alcohol : 12.5%

Price : 120 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Weingut Gysler

TN : Sideral 2005, Altair Vineyards and Winery, Rapel Valley, Chile

2011-10-16T08:16:00.001+02:00

This wine is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Carmenere.

The winemaker was Ana Marie Cumsille.

This wine was imported by Pernod Ricard Sweden AB.

Colour : Dark red, blue hues

Aroma : Blackcurrant, green pepper, milk chocolate, mint, toasty oak

Taste : Concentrated texture, blackcurrant, cedar, toasty oak, spicy finish, grippy tannins and green pepper also on finish

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 209 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Altair Vineyards and Winery

TN : Tsarine Champagne Rose Brut, Chanoine Freres, Champagne, France

2011-10-16T08:07:00.003+02:00

The Chanoine Freres began excavation of the very first Champagne cellars in Epernay in 1730 during the reign of Louis XV. Chanoine Freres created Cuvee Tsarine in honour of Tsarist Russia which was the foremost export market for the wine of Champagne during the 19th century.

This wine is a blend of 34% Chardonnay, 33% Pinot Noir, and 33% Pinot Meunier.

This wine was imported by Chris-Wine AB.

Colour : Salmon pink

Aroma : Redcurrants, biscuits, oranges

Taste : Strawberry, redcurrants, oranges, biscuits, long finish

Alcohol : 12%

Price : 295 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Champagne Chanoine Freres

2011 Chilean Wine Regions Map

2011-10-15T09:58:00.003+02:00

This was included in the bag I received when I registered at the last Wine of Chile trade tasting. I can recommend that you contact your local Wines of Chile office and asking for a copy. One side shows the whole of Chile and the locations of all wineries. The other side of the map describes all of the wine regions including climate, soil information, and grapes grown.

Wines of Chile Annual Trade Tasting, 9th September 2011, Stockholm, Sweden

2011-10-09T11:16:00.001+02:00

Friday 9th September 2011 and time for the Wines of Chile annual trade tasting held at the Sheraton hotel in central Stockholm. Twenty nine Chilean wine producers were showing their wines.

Here are my tasting notes/grades :

Amayna

Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Blackcurrant leaf, lemon, zingy, Mark : B-
Sauvignon Blanc Barrel Fermented 2007, oaky, zingy finish, leafy, Mark : C
Chardonnay 2008, Lemon, lime, very oaky, needs time to tone down, Mark : C
Pinot Noir 2009, Nice fruit, burgundian cool climate like, oaky, Mark : B-
Syrah 2009, Mark : B

Apaltagua

Gran Verano Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Mark : B
Gran Verano Carmenere 2010, Mark : B
Gran Verano Rose Carmenere 2011, Mark : B
Envero Carmenere Gran Reserva 2009, Mark : B

Casa Marin

Cartegna Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Mark : B
Cipreses Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Mark : A
Miramar Vineyard Syrah 2009, cool climate style, Mark : C

Vina El Principal

Calicanto 2010, Mark : B
Memorias 2007, Mark : B
El Principal 2007, Mark : B

Concha y Toro & Maycas del Limari

Marques de Casa Concha Syrah 2008, Mark : C
Don Melchor 2007, Mark : B+
Maycas del Limari Reserva Pinot Noir 2010, Mark : C
Maycas del Limari Reserva Syrah 2009, Mark : C

Millaman

Limited Reserve Zinfandel 2009, Mark : C
Limited Reserve Carmenere 2009, Mark ; B-
Casa Millaman 2005, Mark : C+

Perez Cruz

Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2009, Mark : C
Cot Limited Edition 2009, Mark : C-
Chaski Petit Verdot 2008, Mark : C+
Liguai 2008, Mark : A-
Quelen 2007, too oaky, Mark : B-

Vina San Pedro

Tierras Moradas Carmenere 2007, Mark : B+
Kankana del Elqui Syrah 2008, Mark : B+
Cabo de Hornos 2007, Mark : B

Santa Carolina

Cellar Rose Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, slight sweetness, super fruity, great glugger, Mark : B
Reserva de Familia Carmenere 2009, Mark : B
VSC 2008, Mark : A-

TN : Erasmo 2006, Vina La Reserva de Caliboro, Maule Valley, Chile

2011-09-29T21:38:00.001+02:00

This wine is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 30% Merlot.

This wine was imported by Carovin AB.

Colour : Dark red

Aroma : Toasty oak, plums, backcurrant, raspberry, cedar

Taste : Fruity, raspberry, blackcurrant, plums, toasty oak, woody finish

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 179 SEK

Website : Vina La Reserva de Caliboro

TN : Schiefer Eisenberg Blaufraenkisch 2008, Suedburgenland, Austria

2011-09-29T21:30:00.002+02:00

Colour : Raspberry red, blue hues

Aroma : Off funky smell, red fruits, oak

Taste : Strawberries, blueberries, oak, overly spicy with fruit in background

Alcohol : 12.5%

Price : 186 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Weinbau Schiefer

Domaine des Bossons Visit July 2011, Peissy, Geneva, Switzerland

2011-09-24T07:59:00.000+02:00

On July 18th 2011, we took the train from Geneva Cornavin to Satigny. Laure Leyvraz picked up from the station and took us to the Domaine des Bossons winery. The winery has 29 hectares of vineyard and grows 15 different grape varieties. The domaine is owned by Eric Leyvraz who we met briefly. His daughters, Laure and Valerie, are now involved in the business and will eventually take over. Eric inherited the domaine from his grandfather, Albert Desbaillets in 1971.

The domaine has the same winemaker as Cave & Domaine Les Perries, Sebastien Schwarz.

The estate was organic from 1995 to 2006 but the estate gave up from 2007 onwards due to ideological reasons.

In addition to the Sauvignon Gris 2010 and the Le Vieux Clocher Fut 2009 (see separate blogposts) , I particularly liked the Gamaret.

Website : Domaine des Bossons
Blogpost : Sauvignon Gris 2010
Blogpost : Le Vieux Clocher Fut 2009

TN : Altair 2004, Altair Vineyards & Winery, Cachapoal Valley, Chile

2011-09-19T08:04:00.000+02:00

This wine is a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Carmenere, and 7% Merlot.

Altair Vineyards and winery is a collaboration between Chilean Vinas San Pedro, Saint Emilion's Chateau La Fleur and Chateau Dassault.

Altair is a star located in the Aguile the Eagle constellation.

This wine was imported by Pernod Ricard Sweden AB.

Colour : Blackberry, red

Aroma : Blackcurrant, green peppers, plums, coffee, liqourice

Taste : Blackcurrant, graphite, green peppers, plums, coffee, liqourice on finish

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 499 SEK

Mark : A-

Website : Altair Vineyards & Winery

TN : Ruedesheimer Berg Rottland Riesling Spaetlese 1999, Kloster Eberbach, Rheingau, Germany

2011-09-19T07:39:00.001+02:00

This wine was imported by Granqvist Agentur.

Colour : Yellow

Aroma : Honey, Petrol, Green apples

Taste : Sweet, petrol, lemon, honey, oranges

Alcohol : 9%

Price : 139 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Kloster Eberbach

TN : Albia Rose 2010, IGT. Barone Ricasoli, Tuscany, Italy

2011-09-19T07:30:00.000+02:00

This wine was sealed with a screwcap. There is a sticker on the front label stating that this wine won a gold trophy at the Nordic Wine Challenge in Stockholm.

In 2010, the seasons were normal. The winter was cold and snowy, followed by a wet spring, a hot summer, and variable weather in September and October leading up toharvest. Bud break was in mid-April, while veraison, whichtook place later than in previous vintages, was uniform over all of the grape bunches. The grapes ripened evenly, and the bunches presented high sugar and anthocyanin concentrations.

This wine is a blend of Merlot and Sangiovese. The Merlot was harvested on September 2nd and the Sangiovese was harvested on September 20th. Fernmentation lasted around about 30to 40 days at a temperature of between 11 and 16 degrees. The wine was aged in stainless steel vats and bottled in February 2011.

This wine was imported by Wineworld AB.

Colour : Bright strawberry/pink

Aroma : Redcurrants, herbs, oranges

Taste : Redcurrants, strawberries, herbs, oranges

Alcohol : 12.5%

Price : 89 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Barone Ricasoli

Cave & Domaine Les Perrieres Visit July 2011, Peissy, Geneva, Switzerland

2011-09-18T22:22:00.003+02:00

We visited Cave & Domaine Les Perrieres on July 14th 2011. We took the train from Geneva to Satigny and were picked up from the station and driven to the winery in the company van. The winery and estates have been owned by the Rochaix family for nearly 200 years and present day, eight generation, owner Bernard Rochaix came out to greet us when we arrived. Today, the winery works 82 hectares of which 16 are owned by the domaine. The winemaker is Sebastien Schwarz.

We tried several wines of which we bought three (see separate blog posts). Of the others, my impressions were :

Chasselas : Fruity glugger, Mark : C
Aligote : Almonds, very dry yet fruity, Mark : C
Gamaret : Rustic, fruity, smooth tannins, Mark : B-
Muscat : Sweet, fruity, cutting acidity on a long finish

On the whole, the wines were very good and exceptional value for what seemed to be low prices.

Website : Cave & Domaine Les Perrieres
Blogpost : Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Blogpost : Viognier 2009
Blogpost : Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

TN : Ernie Els Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Stellenbosch, South Africa

2011-09-17T08:18:00.001+02:00

All of the grapes for this wine were harvested during February and March 2009 at an average pf 25.6 Brix sugar. The residual sugar is 2.6grammes per litre, the TA is 6.4grammes per litre, and the pH is 3.77. The wine was aged for 17 months in 300 litre French Oak barrels of which 20% was new. This wine was released on October 1st 2010. 4,800 six bottle cases were produced.

This wine was imported by The Wineagency AB.

Colour : Dark blackcurrant

Aroma : Blackcurrants, toasty oak, plums, green pepper

Taste : Blackcurrants, plums, green pepper, oaky finish with liquorice and tannins

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price :189 SEK

Mark : B-

Website : Ernie Els Wines

Falcon Crest

2011-09-13T15:15:00.003+02:00

Falcon Crest is the name of a soap opera from the 1980s that is based around a power struggle between two families, the Giobertis and the Channings. The two main characters are Angela Channing and Chase Gioberti though a third power, Richard Channing, enters the scene in the second series. It is centred around a winery called Falcon Crest. Currently only the first two series are available on DVD. The third series is rumored to be released in 2012.

The first series focuses on the mystery surrounding the death of Jason Gioberti who is Angela's brother and Chase's father. Chase seems to spend all his energy on getting the vineyard property he inherited going and Angela spends all her energy on trying to make Chase and his family leave the fictional Tuscany Valley. In the end, Chase finds out in court, via Emma (Angela's daughter) that it was all an accident. Chase ends up with total control of Falcon Crest but unrealistically gives 50% back to Angela.

The second series focuses on the death of Carlo Agretti and his daughter's forced marriage to Angela's grandson, Lance. Chase's son, Cole, is suspected of the murder right up to the last episode when it is revealed that Angela's daughter, Julia, killed Carlo and tried to frame Cole.

I found the series to be much better than Dallas or Dynasty in that there was a story line running through all the episodes. The actual setting for Falcon Crest was Spring Mountain Vineyards in Saint Helena.

I also bought the book thinking that the series was based upon it but it turned out to be a just a telling of the first two television series.

Website : Falcon Crest
Website : Falcon Crest Wikipedia

TN : Reichsgraf Von Kesselstatt Riesling Kabinett 2009, Mosel, Germany

2011-09-06T21:25:00.002+02:00

This wine was imported by Hjo Grosshandel AB.

This wine was sealed with a screwcap.

Colour : Pale yellow, green hues

Aroma : Honey, green apples, minerals

Taste : Honey, oranges, lemon, green apples on long finish, sweet cloying texture together with zingy citrus acidity to clean up nicely

Alcohol : 8%

Price : 110 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Reichsgraf Von Kesselstatt

TN : Chateau Cru Cantemerle Grande Reserve 2010, Bordeaux Superieur, Vignobles Mabille, Bordeaux, France

2011-09-05T20:08:00.000+02:00

This wine is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

This wine was imported by WineWorks AB.

Colour : Dark cherry, blue hues

Aroma : Plums, blackcurrants, oak, liquorice

Taste : Warm, plummy fruit, then blackcurrant and oak, cedar, drying tannins then blackcurrants and liquorice back for the finish

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 85 SEK

Mark : B-

TN : Rua Pinot Noir 2010, Akarua Winery, Central Otago, New Zealand

2011-09-04T21:54:00.000+02:00

Akarua Vineyard Estate was planted in 1996 by Sir Clifford Skeggs. It is located in Bannockburn in Central Otago. All of the grapes come from parcels planed on the Akarua Estate.

This wine was sealed with a screwcap.

This wine was imported by Domaine Wines and Spirits AB

Colour : Dark red/blue hues

Aroma : Spice, strawberry, raspberry, dark chocolate, liquorice

Taste : Spice, raspberry, strawberry, liquorice, oak, overly woody

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 159 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Akarua

TN : Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Cliffe Lede Vineyards, Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California, USA

2011-09-03T07:42:00.000+02:00

Cliff Lede Vineyards was established in 2002, it encompasses sixty acres in the Stags Leap District. The team consists of owner Cliff Lede, viticulturalist David Abreu, associate winemaker Kale Anderson, and consulting winemaker Philippe Melka.

The lack of winter rainfall resulted in low soil moisture at the start of the vintage. With a gradual transition into spring and the earliest irrigation on record, 2007 opened with cool weather and early growth. A mild April turned to a hot May and June, with grapevines blazing through bloom and the first phase of development. Late summer heat punctuated the start of harvest. Finally, rain in late October brought harvest to a close. The 2007 vintage is most noted for its dry start and small berry size.

The grapes were sourced from the estate Twin Peaks Ranch on the Yountville Cross Road, as well as the hillside terraces of our Poetry vineyard, in which yields are maintained at sparse levels, ranging from 0.8 to 3.8 tons per acre.

The fruit was picked in the early morning hours, and immediately subjected to rigorous selection by a three-tiered sorting and refinement process. The whole berries were gently delivered to tank by a crane system, minimizing disruption of berry integrity. Cold soaks lasted three to six days, and fermentations were managed via a combination of delestage and pumpovers. Extended maceration ranging from three to four weeks fine-tuned the tannin profiles. The wine was aged in 60% new French oak and 40% neutral oak for eighteen months.

The wine is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 7% Malbec, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. The wine was bottled in June 2009 and released in May 2010. 5,147 cases were produced.

This wine received 93 points from Robert Parker and 91 points from Stephen Tanzer.

This wine was imported by Vinunic.

Colour : Dark blackberry

Aroma : Blackcurrant and raspberry, coffee, mineral, oak

Taste : Concentrated texture, blackcurrant, strawberry, oak, coffee, minerals and graphite on a long drying tannic warm finish

Alcohol : 15%

Price : 475 SEK

Mark : B-

Website : Cliff Lede Vineyards

TN : Peter Lehmann Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Barossa, Australia

2011-08-26T10:50:00.005+02:00

This wine was sealed with a screwcap.

This wine was imported by Spendrups Bryggeri AB.

Colour : Dark red/blackcurrant

Aroma : Sandalwood, blackcurrant, milk chocolate, mint

Taste : Cedar, blackcurrant, milk chocolate, mint, herbs

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 124 SEK

Mark : B-

Website : Peter Lehmann Wines

TN : Clemensbusch Riesling Vom Roten Schiefer 2009, Weingut Clemens Busch, Mosel, Germany

2011-08-26T10:42:00.003+02:00

This wine was imported by Katthuset AB.

Colour : Lemon

Aroma : Lemon, lime, barley sugar, honey

Taste : Lemon, lime, honey, pear, bags of minerals on a long zingy finish

Alcohol : 12.5%

Price : 169 SEK

Mark : C+

TN : Dr L Riesling 2010, Dr Loosen, Mosel, Germany

2011-08-26T10:37:00.003+02:00

This wine was sealed with a screwcap.

This wine was imported by Vinunic AB.

Colour : Pale straw

Aroma : Honey, lemon, lime, oranges, green apples

Taste : Off dry, lemon, honey, mandarin oranges, pear

Alcohol : 10.5%

Price : 79 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Dr Loosen

TN : Mille855 2009, IGT, Barone Ricasoli, Maremma, Tuscany, Italy

2011-08-26T10:29:00.003+02:00

"Mille 855" is a tribute to Bettino Ricasoli who founded the Ricasoli company in 1855.

This wine is imported by WineWorld AB.

Colour : Dark cherry

Aroma : Herbs, cherry, milk chocolate, oak

Taste : Milk chocolate, cherries, sour acidity on finish, herbs

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 259 SEK (3 Litre Bag-In-Box)

Mark : B-

Website : Barone Ricasoli

TN : Zardoz Cabernet Sauvignon Carmenere 2008, Vina Indomita, Maipo Valley, Chile

2011-08-25T20:30:00.005+02:00

This wine is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 105 Carmenere. The wine received 91 points from Wine Enthusiast magazine - "An outstanding wine, highly recommended".

This wine was imported by Primewine Sweden AB.

Colour : Dark blackcurrant

Aroma : Green pepper, blackcurrant, burnt toast

Taste : Concentrated and fruity, green pepper, blackcurrants, oak, burnt toast, herbs

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 159 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Vina Indomita

TN : Bonterra Chardonnay 2009, Mendocino County, California, USA

2011-08-24T14:26:00.003+02:00

This wine has been made from organic grapes grown along the Russian River. The principal vineyards were Fetzer Sundial, Fetzer Ledford, Fetzer Chalfont, and Haiku Vineyards. The wine is a blend of 92% Chardonnay, 4% Muscat, and 4% Viognier. 70% of the must was fermented in oak and the remaining 30% in stainless steel. 70% of the wine was then put through malolactic fermentation. The wine was then aged for six months in oak. 24% of the oak was neutral, 16% was new oak, 20% was one year oak, 20% was two year oak, and 20% was three year oak.. The Total Acidity is 0.64 grams per 100 millilitres, the pH is 3.23, and the Residual Sugar is 0.39 grams per 100 millilitres. The winemaker was Robert Blue. This wine was sealed with a screwcap.

This wine was imported by Philipson Soderberg AB.

Colour : Light yellow

Aroma : Butter, oak, nuts, oranges, pineapple

Taste : Butter, vanilla, oak, oranges, pineapple, apples

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 135 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Bonterra Vineyards

TN : Gran Feudo Rosado 2010, Bodega Julian Chivite, Navarra, SPain

2011-08-24T14:18:00.003+02:00

Bodegas Chivite was founded in 1647. This wine is mainly made from Garnacha Tinta using the saignee method. The juice was separated using gravity. The wine was sealed with a screwcap.

This wine was imported by Arcus Sweden AB.

Colour : Raspberry pink

Aroma : Jellied raspberries and strawberries, herbs

Taste : Raspberry, strawberry, herbs, redcurrants

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 64 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Bodegas Chivite

TN : Akarua Chardonnay 2009, Bannockburn, Central Otago, New Zealand

2011-08-23T15:09:00.005+02:00

All the grapes for this wine come from the Akarua Estate vineyard. The vineyard aspect is North to North-West. The vines are planted to an East-West orientation. The vineyard soils are weakly structured light alluvial soils from schist rock on old glacial terraces. The vines are 14 years old and the trellis system used is a 2 cane VSP canopy. The Chardonnay clone planted is the Kawarau clone 6.

All of the grapes were picked on the 8th April 2009. The growing conditions were cool with 950-980 GDD with early autumn frosts (September 2008 - April 2009). There was less than 320 mililitres of rain during the growing season.

The grapes were whole bunch pressed and the temperature during alcoholic fermentation was kept below twenty degrees. The Viticulturalist was Gillian Wilson and the Winemaker was Matt Connell. The Brix at harvest was 23, the Residual Sugar is 3 grammes per litre, the Titratable Acidity is 7.6, and the pH is 3.25. The wine underwent maturing in oak of which 15% was new. The finished wine was sealed with a screwcap.

This wine was imported by Domaine Wines & Spirits

Colour : Pale yellow

Aroma : Buttered sweetcorn, pineapple, oak

Taste : Pineapple, sweetcorn, zingy lemon and lime intense citrus fruit, butter

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 159 SEK

Mark : B-

Website : Akarua

Wines on SAS flight from Geneva to Stockholm, July 20th 2011

2011-08-23T09:06:00.005+02:00

We had three different wines on a return journey from Geneva to Stockholm in Geneva. All the wines cost 60 SEK and came in the airline standard screwcapped 187ml bottle format.

I only tasted the white, the Crusan which tasted of lemon and nettles and was an ok glugger. I would give it a C.

My wife had the two reds and swears that they were ok. I didn't taste them since I find red wines served too cold on flights.

The wines we tried were :

Borsao, Garnacha 2009, Spain

This wine is a blend of 85% Grenache and 15% Tempranillo

Alcohol : 13.5%
Website : Bodegas Borsao

Crusan, Colombard Sauvignon, Cotes de Gascogne, France

Alcohol : 11.5%

Mas Josephine 2009, Syrah - Grenache, Chateau Courac,Cotes du Rhone, France

Alcohol : 14%

Book : Drilling For Wine, Robin Yapp

2011-08-18T20:48:00.005+02:00

This book is a very humourous brisk walkthrough of Robin Yapp's life from Dentist to Wine Merchant. The first partof the book covers Robin Yapp's work in hotels, balancing dentistry and selling wine, setting up his first wine real wine business, visits to the Bordeaux, Loire, and Rhone. He recounts numerous funny anectdotes involving Cyril Ray and Edmund Penning-Rowsell. I would throughly recommend this book to anybody interested, or not interested, in wine.

TN : Chateau Larmande 2001, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France

2011-08-14T21:49:00.002+02:00

This wine is a blend of 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Larmande is a place-name which can be found in archives dating from 1585. These mention a visit by the Jurade to inspect the wine there. A stone in the cellar bears the date 1640. The owner at the beginning of the 18th century was called Champagne. After he died, his widow continued production at the vineyard for a few years before it was taken over, first by the Pion de Case family, and then in about 1850 by the Saint Genis, who came from the Charente Maritime. This family kept the estate for around 50 years, leaving the management of it to Germain Meneret.

At the beginning of the 20th century, for partition and inheritance reasons, the Saint Genis offered to sell the estate to Germain Meneret. Not having a large enough fortune to buy it outright, he went into partnership with one of his friends, Amédée Capdemourlin, who also came from a very old Saint Emilion family, in order to acquire the property. In the following generation, Fernand Meneret married Alice Capdemourlin. Both of them inherited the estate just before the second world war. Their sons and grandsons then ran the estate, bringing the surface area of the vineyard to 22.5 hectares (55 acres).

At the end of 1990, Jean Meneret the President and founder of the Association des Grands Crus Classés de Saint Emilion, a well-known figure in the Bordeaux vineyard and who had taken the estate to the highest level, sold Château Larmande to the La Mondiale insurance group. From this time, the onus was put on bringing the wines of Château Larmande to the forefront of the international stage. The acquisition of a new plot of vines took the surface area of the vineyard to 25 hectares (62 acres), making this estate one of the largest in Saint Emilion. The cellars were renovated, a tasting room built in stone and glass was created, and a reception room capable of holding one hundred people was built.

The chateau is situated 1,200 metres from Saint Emilion. Château Larmande possesses a great diversity of soil types : 15% is clay-limestone, 15% is siliceous clay and 70% is made up of ancient sands. The 25 hectare estate includes 19 hectares of vines planted in one block close to the château, the rest of the plots being no more than 6 kilometres away. The average age of the vines is 30 years.

Colour : Dark red, brown

Aroma : Plums, oak, herbs, milk chocolate

Taste : Plums, raspberry, herbs, cedar, aged, milk chocolate, tobacco

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 399 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Chateau Larmande

TN : Rua Pinot Noir 2009, Akarua Ltd, Central Otaga, New Zealand

2011-08-14T21:34:00.003+02:00

The grapes for the wine were picked between the 6th and 30th April 2010. There was a cool start to the growing season followed by a warm and dry mid summer and autumn. There were 1020 Grower Degree Days (30 Sept 2009 - 30 April 2010) and 211 millilitres of rainfall. There was no whole bunch fermentation. The grapes underwent a 5 day pre-fermentation maceration. Inoculated yeast was used and the fermentation peaked at 31 degrees. Punch-downs were performed twice daily. The wine underwent a 6 day post fermentation maceration. The wine was matured in French oak barriques for ten months; 15% of the oak was new. The Viticulturist was Gillian Wilson and Winemaker was Matt Connell. The wine was bottled in February 2011. The brix at harvest was between 22 and 24. The titratable acidity is 6 grammes per litre and the pH is 3.71.

This wine was sealed with a screwcap.

This wine was imported by Domaine Wines.

Colour : Raspberry, blue hues

Aroma : Spice, plums, red fruits, toast

Taste : Liqourice, wild strawberries, toast, spice, warm and fruity, coffee on finish

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 159 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Akarua

TN : Le Vieux Clocher Fut 2009, Pinot Noir de Peissy, Domaine des Bossons, Switzerland

2011-08-12T20:53:00.004+02:00

Colour : Raspberry red

Aroma : Red fruits, oak, vanilla

Taste : Smooth tannins, raspberry, oak, vanilla, strawberry

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 14,20 CHF (Purchased direct from Domaine des Bossons)

Mark : B+

Website : Domaine des Bossons

TN : Sauvignon Gris 2010, Domaine des Bossons, Peissy, Switzerland

2011-08-12T20:48:00.005+02:00

Colour : Pale lemon

Aroma : Blackcurrant, pineapple, mango

Taste : Leafy, blackcurrant, mango, pineapple, nettles

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 15,50 CHF (Purchased direct from Domaine des Bossons)

Mark : B-

Website : Domaine des Bossons

Syrah Selection 2009, Robert Gilliard, Valais, Switzerland

2011-08-10T22:40:00.004+02:00

Colour : Dark red, blue hues

Aroma : Blueberry, spice, violets

Taste : Raspberry, spice, blueberry, pepper

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 22 CHF ( La Cave du Palais de Justice SA, Geneva)

Mark : B

TN : Chateau Camp Long Truchette Rose 2010, Cotes de Provence, France

2011-08-10T22:34:00.005+02:00

Colour : Pale salmon pink

Aroma : Redcurrants, raspberries, herbs

Taste : Redcurrants, raspberries, herbs, long fruity finish

Alcohol : 12.5%

Price : 5,86 Euro (Purchased at Carrefour Ferney Poterie)

Mark : C+

TN : Chardonnay 2010, Vin de Savoie, Ravier Pascal, France

2011-08-05T23:18:00.003+02:00

Colour : Pale yellow

Aroma : Green apples, butter, mango

Taste : Green apples, butter-like texture, pineapple, sweetcorn

Alcohol : 12%

Price : 7,39 Euro (Purchased at Carrefour Ferney Poterie)

Mark : C

TN : Roussette de Savoie Passion d'Antan, Altesse, Carrel F. et Fils, Jongieux, France

2011-08-04T23:56:00.003+02:00

Colour : Very pale lemon

Aroma : Lemon, herbs, lime

Taste : Lemon, lime, oranges, herbs

Alcohol : 12.5%

Price : 6, 53 Euro (Purchased at Carrefour Ferney Poterie)

Mark : B

TN : Sauvignon Blanc de Geneve 2010, Cave & Domaines Les Perrieres S.A., Peissy, Geneva, Switzerland

2011-08-04T23:50:00.003+02:00

Colour : Pale yellow

Aroma : Banana, mango, nettles, currants

Taste : Pineapple, mango, lively acidity, lemon, lime, grassy, currants

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 15,90 CHF (purchased direct from Cave & Domaines Les Perrieres S.A)

Mark : B

Website : Cave & Domaines Les Perrieres S.A.

TN : Viognier de Geneve 2009, Cave & Domaines Les Perrieres S.A., Peissy, Geneva, Switzerland

2011-08-04T23:45:00.003+02:00

Colour : Lemon

Aroma : Mango, apricot, almonds

Taste : Mango, apricots, pineapple, banana and bitter almond on finish

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 19 CHF (purchased direct from Cave & Domaines Les Perrieres S.A)

Mark : B

Website : Cave & Domaines Les Perrieres S.A.

TN : Cabernet Sauvignon de Geneve 2009, Cave & Domaines Les Perrieres S.A., Peissy, Geneva, Switzerland

2011-08-02T17:13:00.003+02:00

Colour : Dark red

Aroma : Red fruits, leafy, cold tea

Taste : Black cherry, blackcurrant, raspberry, smooth tannins

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 19 CHF (purchased direct from Cave & Domaines Les Perrieres S.A)

Mark : B-

Website : Cave & Domaines Les Perrieres S.A

TN : Douce Noir 2009, Domaine des Abeilles d'Or, Geneve Appellation D'Origine Controlee, Switzerland

2011-08-01T18:44:00.004+02:00

This wine is a blend of Merlot, Gamaret, Garanoir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir.

Colour : Dark red, black

Aroma : Concentrated, black fruits, oak, spice, raspberry

Taste : Blackcurrant, blackberry, raspberry, spice, vanilla, oak, pepper on finish

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 32 CHF ( La Cave du Palais de Justice SA, Geneva)

Mark : B+

Website : Domaine des Abeilles d'Or

Vinothèque du Léman, Ferney-Voltaire, France

2011-07-31T08:52:00.003+02:00

I whizzed pass this wine shop in ferney-Voltaire, France, and unfortunately did not have time to visit. I also got all of my wines from Geneva and local wines from Carrefour. However, it looked interested with its large wine bottle sign outside on which were written lots of famous names.

Website : Vinothèque du Léman

Bag-in-Box in France

2011-07-31T08:46:00.003+02:00

Whilst on holiday in France and Switzerland this summer, I visited the local Carrefour in Ferney-Voltaire in France. Trundling down the aisles, I happened to notice quite a lot of bag-in-box wines. Though not as popular as in Sweden, this trend seems to growing. My last time in a French supermarket was three years ago in Bordeaux where I visited a couple of supermarkets, including Auchan, and bag-in-box was virtually non-existant. Will bag-in-box take over the everyday wine drinking market in France in the same way it has in Sweden ?

TN : Balavaud Grand Cru Pinot Noir 2009, Appellation Vetroz Grand Cru Controlee, Jean-Rene Germanier SA, Valais, Switzerland

2011-07-31T08:32:00.004+02:00

The vines used to produce the grapes for this wine are planted on alluvial soil and shingle soil. The grapes are unclustered and the skins are left in the juice during extended fermentation. The wine are lightly pressured. The wines undergo a second fermentation and removing of carbon dioxide. Extracts and tannins are concentrated by must extraction (20%) before fermentation. The acidity is 4.4 grammes per litre.

Urbain Germanier planted his first vineyards and founded the winery in 1886. Today two young oenologists from the 3rd and 4th generations, Jean-René Germanier and Gilles Besse produce the wines.

Colour : Raspberry red, brown hues

Aroma : Raspberry, strawberry, oak, vanilla

Taste : Strawberry, raspberry, coca cola, spice, oak

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 21.90 CHF (Duty Free Paradise tax free shop Geneva airport)

Mark : B-

Website : Jean-Rene Germanier SA

TN : Julius Pinot Noir 2009, Appellation Valais Controlee, Familie Pierre-Alain Mathier, Vins et Vignobles Julius SA, Valais, Switzerland

2011-07-31T08:15:00.003+02:00

This wine was aged in oak barrels.

Colour : Raspberry red, brown hues

Aroma : Red fruits, oak, vanilla

Taste : Oak, vanilla, strawberry, raspberry, spicy

Alcohol : 13.2%

Price : 32.90 CHF (Duty Free Paradise tax free shop Geneva airport)

Mark : B

Website : Familie Pierre-Alain Mathier Vins et Vignobles Julius

TN : Casa Marin Miramar Vineyard Riesling 2008, Lo Abarca, D.O. San Antonio Valley, Chile

2011-07-29T15:55:00.003+02:00

Vina Casa Marin was founded in 2000 and is owned by Maria Luz Marin. It is locate din the San Antonio Valley close to the Pacific ocean only two miles from the coast.

This wine was sealed with a screwcap.

This wine was imported by Wineworks AB.

Colour : Pale lemon

Aroma : Petrol, honey, green apples, lemon, lime

Taste : Bone dry, honey, petrolly, lemon, mineraly, long acidic lemon and lime on finish

Alcohol : 12.5%

Price : 179 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Vina Casa Marin

TN : Domaine de Collavery Rose 2010, Coteaux d'Aix en Provence, France

2011-07-29T15:49:00.003+02:00

Domaine Collavery is located in Saint Cannat 20 kilometres west of Aix en Provence. Bernard Monnier, a retired doctor, manages the domaine.

This wine was sealed with a screwcap.

This wine was imported by Stellen Kramer AB.

Colour : Orange, salmon pink

Aroma : Redcurrant, oranges, leafy

Taste : Redcurrants, vanilla, oranges, leafy, raspberry

Alcohol : 12.5%

Price : 79 SEK

Mark : C

TN : The Chocolate Block 2009, Boekenhoutskloof, Western Cape, South Africa

2011-07-26T18:47:00.004+02:00

This wine is a blend of 67% Syrah, 14% Grenache, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cinsault, and 2% Viognier. 765 barrels of this wine were produced.

This wine was imported by Hjo Grosshandel AB.

Colour : Deep purple

Aroma : Plums, spice, blackberry, milk chocolate

Taste : Concentrated and fruity, blackcurrant, toast, plums, violets, overwhelming mulled wine spices, melting milk chocolate texture. Tastes like sucking a mulled wine spice bag.

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 259 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Boekenhoutskloof

TN : Stone Valley Rose White Zinfandel 2010, California, USA

2011-07-23T12:00:00.005+02:00

This wine was vinted and cellared by Bear Creek Winery, Lodi, California, USA.

Colour : Bright raspberry pink

Aroma : Oranges, strawberry, spicy

Taste : Raspberry, strawberry, lemon, oranges, off dry

Alcohol : 10.5 %

Price : 170 SEK (3 litre Bag-In-Box)

Mark : C

itWine

2011-06-30T22:56:00.005+02:00

My work colleague, Christer Johansson, has a vineyard and has now made his first wines, a red and a white. His brand is called itWine.

He has the following white grapes planted :

20 plants Seyval Blanc planted in 2009
20 plants Solaris planted in 2009
20 plants Orion planted in 2009
5 plants Phoenix planted in 2007

and the following red grapes planted :

20 plants Fruh Bürgunder planted in 2009
5 plants Rondo planted in 2007

This easter Christer and his children moved two rows of grapes. So now he changed to 2 metres spacing between the rows instead of 3. Thus he can now plant two extra rows. In these rows, he will plant Solaris (white) and Bolero (red), 20 plants in each row. The plants has been ordered from Germany but not yet received.

The 2010 red wine is a blend of Rondo and Früh Burgunder.

The 2010 white wine is a blend of Solaris, Seyval Blanc and Orion.

The alcohol level was around 13% for both. Christer added some sugar during the fermentation process for both wines since the sugar level was low in the grapes.

Christer's own comments on his wines are "My red wine from last year is still red. It is the white that has a little red color but not so much as rosé. The red does not taste so well almost undrinkable, but the white is rather good. I will bring bottles with me in June so you can taste."

My tasting notes are :

White Wine 2010
Colour : Pale yellow, orange hues
Aroma : Yeasty, green apples
Taste : Sour green cooking apples, acidic finish

Red Wine 2010
Colour : Bubblegum red (like a Beaujolais Nouveau)
Aroma : Plastic, red berries, chemicals, nail varnish
Taste : Plastic, nail varnish, sour red berries, chemicals, acidic

Both wines were bottles unfined and unfiltered.

Website : itWine
Website : itWine (Facebook)
Website : Christer Johansson

TN : Simonsig Chardonnay 2008, Stellenbosch, South Africa

2011-06-27T22:40:00.004+02:00

This wine was sealed with a screwcap.

This wine was imported by Tryffelsvinet AB.

Colour : Pale yellow

Aroma : Buttered toast, oranges, oak, stone fruits

Taste : Fruity, oranges, stone fruits, nuts, buttered toast

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 89 SEK

Mark : B-

Website : Simonsig

TN : Zenato Garda Merlot 2008, DOC, Italy

2011-06-27T22:34:00.003+02:00

This wine was imported by Hjo Grosshandel AB.

Colour : Deep plummy red

Aroma : Tobacco, herbs, cherries, plums

Taste : Cherries, silky concentrated texture, plums, slight tobacco and herbs

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 129 SEK

Mark : B-

Website : Zenato

Book : Gallo Be Thy Name, Jerome Tuccille

2011-06-27T22:14:00.004+02:00

This book dwells upon the dark untold story of the Gallo family. It first focuses on the Gallo brothers, Joe and Mike. Joe was the grower and Mike was the dark sheep with the underworld "connections". The mysterious deaths of Joe and his wife are then covered. The causes are still today unknown: maybe it was suicide, maybe it was mob connections, maybe some other reasons.

The lives of their sons Ernest, Julio, and Joe. The picture painted in the book is that Joe gets the deal and does not profit from the success of the company; rightly or wrongly, it is not possible to decide one or the other based upon the evidence presented in the book.

Joe's son, David, is covered. He is presented as a misfit. David also dies in mysterious circumstances; in bathtub.

The Gallos are really only presented in a positive light when discussing Gina and Matt and their Sonoma venture.

Book Details
Gallo Be Thy Name, The inside story of how one family rose to dominate the U.S. wine market, Jerome Tuccille, 2009, Phoenix Books, Inc

TN : Schloss Johannisberg Riesling Trocken 2009, Rheingau, Germany

2011-06-22T23:16:00.003+02:00

The true origins of Riesling remain a mystery. Some believe it is a varietal mentioned long ago by the Roman writer Plinius, others feel King Louis the German (843–876) was the first to have had the grape planted in the Rhine Valley. Other experts suspect that Riesling is a mutation of a wild vine of Germanic origin.

In a viticultural dictionary from 1930, Riesling is briefly defined as “Origin: Germany. Probably a seedling from the Rheingau” Trendsetter for the advance of Riesling in the Rheingau was the wine estate at Johannisberg. In 1720, some 294,000 Riesling vines were planted in the vineyards of the old Benedictine abbey. This was such a novelty that cellarmaster Odo Staab made note of it: “In the entire Rheingau, only the grape variety ‘Rüssling’ can be planted for the production of wine”.

In 1775, the benefits of a “Spätlese” (late harvest) were first recognized at the Johannisberg monastery. The year marked the beginning of a deliberately scheduled late harvest of botrytized grapes that yield the lusciously sweet Rieslings that led to the grape’s fame and image throughout Europe. They graced the tables of every royal house, from kings to emperors to czars. Together with the great white and red Pinots of Burgundy and red wines of Bordeaux, Riesling was part of the quartet of the most famous and most expensive wines at the start of the 20th century. To this day, in many wine-growing regions of the New World, the name “Johannis-berger” is synonymous with Riesling.

Colour : Pale lemon

Aroma : Lemon, lime, minerals, honey

Taste : Bone dry, sharp lemon, minerals, honey

Alcohol : 12.5%

Price : 13,50 Euro (Eurotrade Flughafen Muenchen Duty Free 2011-05-20)

Website : Schloss Johannisberg

TN : Chateau Des Jacques Moulin-A-Vent 2009, Maison Louis Jadot, Beaujolais, France

2011-06-22T23:09:00.003+02:00

The grapes for this wine were harvested on the 15th September 2009. The average yield was 38 hectolitres per hectare. Half of the wine was matured in oak for ten months and the other half rested in steel tanks. The winemakers were Jacques Lardiere and Guilaume de Castelnau.

Colour : Red, blue hues

Aroma : Blueberry, raspberry, herbs

Taste : Blueberry, raspberry, herbs, spice, acidic chalky finish

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 159 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Maison Louis Jadot

TN : Chateau Des Jacques Morgon 2009, Maison Louis Jadot, Beaujolais, France

2011-06-22T23:01:00.003+02:00

Maison Louis Jadot has been operating in Beaujolais since 1996 when it purchased Chateau des Jacques.

Colour : Red, blue hues

Aroma : Blueberry, red fruits, herbs

Taste : Blueberry, raspberry, herbs, acidic finish

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 139 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Maison Louis Jadot

TN : Doennhoff Oberhaeuser Leistenberg Riesling Kabinett 2009, Weingut Hermann Doennhoff, Nahe, Germany

2011-06-21T23:13:00.002+02:00

Colour : Pale lemon

Aroma : Honey and barley sugar, lemon, pears, this wine smells sweeter than it really is

Taste : Honey, lemon, lime, sweet balanced by the increasing zingy citrus long finish

Alcohol : 9%

Price : 185 SEK

Mark : B-

Website : Weingut Doennhoff

TN : Ros'Aura Beneventano Rosato 2010, IGT, Feudi di San Gregorio, Campania, Italy

2011-06-21T23:00:00.003+02:00

This wine is 100% Aglianico. Alcoholic fermentation was in stainless steel tanks at a temperature between 16 and 18 degrees. The wine then spent a further four months maturing in stainless steel. This wine was sealed with a screwcap.

This wine was imported by Spendrups Bryggeri AB.

Colour : Bright raspberry pink

Aroma : Raspberry, strawberry, redcurrants, herbs

Taste : Raspberry, strawberry, herbs, oranges

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 85 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Feudi di San Gregorio

TN : Moscofilero Vintage 2010, Domaine Skouras, Peloponnese, Greece

2011-06-21T22:47:00.005+02:00

The vineyards are located at an altitude of 750 metres at Mantinia. The soils are sandy. The average age of the vines is 25 years. The average yield was 45 hectolitres per hectare. The grapes were harvested at the beginning of October 2010.

The must was subjected to a skin contact for four hours at 12 degrees. This wine was fermented in stainless steel vats at 16 degress. This was followed by no malolactic fermentation and a short aging over fine lees. The TA is 5.9 grammes per litre. The pH is 3.15.

This wine was imported by Oenoforos AB.

Colour : Watery pale straw

Aroma : Elderflowers, orange, lemon, pears, almond

Taste : Lemon, pear, almond, white grapes, spice, spritzy finish

Alcohol : 12.2%

Price : 89 SEK

Mark : B-

Website : Domaine Skouras

TN : Gager Ried Fabian Blaufraenkisch 2008, Mittelburgenland, Austria

2011-06-21T22:31:00.005+02:00

This wine was sealed with a screwcap.

This wine was imported by Haugen-Gruppen Wine & Spirits AB.

Colour : Dark plummy red

Aroma : Blackcurrant, milk chocolate, plums, christmas spices, oak, burnt toast

Taste : Blackcurrant, spice, liqourice, plums

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 108 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Weingut Gager

TN : Akarua Pinot Noir 2009, Central Otago, New Zealand

2011-06-19T08:15:00.004+02:00

Akarua Estate vineyard was planted by Sir Clifford Skeggs in 1996. It is located within the Bannockburn subregion of Central Otago. The grapes come from blocks Kawarua13, 10/5, Clutha 5, and Southview. The vineyard aspect is North/West and the vine orientation is East/West. The vineyard is located at 270 metres. The vineyard soil is young alluvial, schist based sandy/silt and sandy loams. The vine age is 13 years. The trellis system used is two cane VSP. The vines were shoot thinned and crop thinned to 2 kg of fruit per vine. The grapes were block harvested between the 9th April and 15th of May 2009. 2009 was a cooler growing season than normal and there 950-980 GDD with early autumn frosts (September 2008 - April 2009). There was less than 320 mm of rain between September and April.

There was no whole-bunch fermentation. The grapes underwent a five day pre-fermentation maceration. The must was inoculated with various strains of yeast. The heat during fermentation peaked at 31 degrees and the cap was punched down twice daily. There was then a six day post-fermentation maceration. The wine spent ten months in 25% new French barriques which were subjected to a medium-plus toast. The oak was sourced from various coopers and came mostly from Alliers & Vosges forests.

The Viticulturalist was Gillian Wilson, the Winemaker was Matt Connell. The wine was bottled in February 2010. The Brix at Harvest was between 22 and 24. The Titratable Acidity is six grammes per litre. The pH is 3.51. This wine was sealed with a screwcap.

In earlier years, the Akarua Pinot Noir was referred to as the "Gullies".

This wine was imported by Domaine Wines and Spirits AB.

Colour : Red/blue hues

Aroma : Spice, strawberries, raspberries, oak, milk chocolate

Taste : Strawberries, coffee, ginger, long spicy warm finish

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 219 SEK

Mark : B+

Website : Akarua Winery

TN : Franconia Bacchus 2009 Nordheimer Voegelein Spaetlese, Divino Nordheim, Franken, Germany

2011-06-18T07:22:00.007+02:00

This bottle was sealed with a glass stopper.

Colour : Pale yellow

Aroma : Lemon, spice, honey, green apple

Taste : Lemon, spice, green apple, honey, off dry, leafy on finish

Alcohol : 12.5%

Price : 11,90 Euro (Eurotrade Flughafen Muenchen Duty Free 2011-05-20)

Mark : C+

Website : Divino Nordheim

TN : Trivento Eolo Malbec 2007, Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina

2011-06-17T22:38:00.003+02:00

The grapes for this wine come from vines planted in 1912. Trivento means Three Winds: the Polar, Zonda, and Sudestada winds blow across the sunny and arid land of Mendoza. From the back label, "Eola, Keeper of the Winds, displays his power in spellbound lands. Freeing the Polar, Zonda, and Sudestada winds in a whim, in Mendoza, the enigmatic and mystical God picked out our terrain. Rushing through the vineyards, shaping grapes Eola yields heavenly fruit for this potent symbol and seductive wine. Our finest wine is fitting tribute to the God of the Wind.

Colour : Dark blueberry/blackberry

Aroma : Toast, oak, tobacco, blackberry, violets

Taste : Oak, burnt toast, tobacco, blackberry, blueberry, opened up after an hour

Alcohol : 14.5 %

Price : 349 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Trivento Bodegas Y Vinedos

TN : Neudorf Pinot Noir Rose 2010, Kina, New Zealand

2011-06-16T22:10:00.005+02:00

The grapes for this wine come from Kina. All were hand harvested at 23.9 Brix, 3.61 pH and 6 grammes per litre TA. The fruit was destemmed and soaked overnight prior to pressing. Smaller portions of juice were bled off from other Pinot Noir ferments and fermented with the Kina juice. The fermentation was controlled to give a dry style and the wine was left on yeast lees briefly prior to stabilising. Analysis at August bottling was 3.57 pH, 6.2 grammes per litre TA, and 3.9 grammes per litre residual sugar. This wine was bottled with minimum fining or filtration. 400 cases were produced. The winemaker was John Kavanaugh. The wine was produced by Tim and Jundy Finn.

This wine was sealed with a screwcap.

This wine was imported by JPC Wines AB.

Colour : Pale red/orange

Aroma : Strawberry, raspberry, clotted cream

Taste : Dry, strawberry, raspberry, herbs

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 149 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Neudorf Vineyards

TN : Leyda Single Vineyard Pinot Noir Rose 2010, Loica Vineyard, Vina Leyda, Leyda Valley, Chile

2011-06-16T21:55:00.003+02:00

The Loica vineyard is situated in Leyda which is 12km from the Pacific ocean. The vineyard is planted with clone 777 of Pinot Noir. The vineyard soil is clay. A Loica is a Chilean bird with a red breast similar to a Robin.

The Leyda train station building depicted on the label, was once the last train stop before travelers from Santiago reached the Pacific Ocean. In 1983, the building was burnt by an accidental fire. The word Leyda has also come to mean ‘the way’ in local parlance.

Viña Leyda was founded in 1997. It has planted vineyards of a total of 245 hectares.

This wine was imported by WineWorld AB.

This wine was sealed with a screwcap.

Colour : Strawberry pink

Aroma : Raspberry, strawberry, herbs, vanilla

Taste : Lime, strawberry, herbs

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 129 SEK

Mark : B-

Website : Vina Leyda

TN : Rust En Vrede Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Stellenbosch, South Africa

2011-06-14T22:27:00.003+02:00

The proprietor of Rust En Vrede Estate is Jean Engelbrecht. The winemaker was Coenie Snyman.

This wine was imported by The WineAgency AB.

Colour : Dark red, blue hues

Aroma : Green pepper, blackcurrant, milk chocolate, toasty oak

Taste : Blackcurrant, vanilla, green pepper, burnt toast

Alcohol : 15%

Price : 199 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Rust En Vrede

TN : Belguardo Rose, 2010, Marchesi Mazzei, Maremma, Tuscany, Italy

2011-06-14T22:12:00.007+02:00

The Belguardo estate is located in the Maremma on the hills between Grosseto and Montiano, near the National Park “dell'Uccellina”, about ten kilometers from the coast. The grapes for this wine come from Montebottigli at 70-130 metres having a South-South West exposure. The vineyard soils are mainly Sandstone and Limestone. The age of the vineyards was seven years at the time of harvest. There is an average of 6,600 vines per hectare. The vine training system used is Spur cordon.

This wine is a blend of 50% Syrah and 50% Sangiovese. The total acidity is 6.30. All of the grapes used to make this wine were handharvested on the 6th September 2010. The wine was bottled in February 2011. 33,000 bottles were produced. This wine was sealed with a screwcap.

This wine was imported by Johan Lidby Vinhandel AB.

Colour : Pale strawberry

Aroma : Redcurrants, lemon, herbs

Taste : Redcurrants, strawberry, creamy, herbs, lemon, bone dry

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 89 SEK

Website : Mazzei

TN : Ghiaie della Furba 2005, Rosso di Toscana, IGT, Tenuta di Capezzana, Conte Contini Bonacossi, Carmignano, Italy

2011-06-14T21:58:00.004+02:00

The winery was created in 1979 by Ugo and Vittorio Contini Bonacossi. The first vineyard, made up of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, was situated on the pebbly, alluvial soil of the Furba stream, after which the wine is named. In 1992 the S. Alessandro vineyard (entirely Cabernet Sauvignon) became productive and the wine's blend of grape varieties was modified. In 1998, Syrah grapes were added. This wine is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 20% Syrah. The wine has spent 14 months in French oak.

This wine was imported by Vinobele AB.

Colour : Dark red, brown hues

Aroma : Spice, dried fruits, dark fruits

Taste : Spice, dried raisins and sultanas, blackcurrant, plums, nuts

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 295 SEK

Mark : B-

Website : Tenuta di Capezzana

TN : Syrah by Rudi Schultz 2007, Stellenbosch, South Africa

2011-06-14T21:48:00.004+02:00

All of the grapes were bought from Bellevue Wine Estate and vinified at Thelema Mountain Vineyards where Rudi Schultz has been the winemaker with cellar master Gyles Webb since 2000. Prior to that, Rudi Schultz worked at Jordan which is also based in Stellenbosch.

This wine was matured for 20 months in French oak.

This wine was imported by JPC Wines AB.

Colour : Dark blackcurrant

Aroma : Blackcurrant, plums, blackberry, tobacco, mint, meaty

Taste : Tobacco, blackberry, blackcurrant, mint, burnt toast, meaty notes, coffee, long finish

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 199 SEK

Mark : B-

TN : Chateau Pont Saint-Martin 2006, Pessac-Leognan, Graves, Bordeaux, France

2011-06-14T21:38:00.005+02:00

It was Bernard and Françoise Fontaine who established Chateau Pont Saint Martin in the heart of Pessac-Léognan. The vineyard soil is a combination of grave land sand, with a clay substrata. The grapes undergo a cold maceration prior to fermentation, malolactic fermentation and maturation with the lees in oak barrels, 40–50% of which are new.

Colour : Dark red

Aroma : Cedar, tobacco, blackcurrant, plums

Taste : Lots of upfront cedar, tobacco, blackcurrant, plums

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 195 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Chateau Pont Saint-Martin

TN : Domaine de Muret Viognier 2010, Pays d'Oc, Domaine de Castelnau, France

2011-06-09T22:24:00.003+02:00

This wine was imported by Spendrups Bryggeri AB.

Colour : Pale lemon

Aroma : Peach, apricot, pears

Taste : Apricot, pineapple, mandarin, peachy, oack, creamy texture

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 72 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Domaine de Castelnau

TN : Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Margaret River, Australia

2011-06-08T22:20:00.003+02:00

Vasse Felix was planted in 1967 by Dr. Tom Cully. It was the first vineyard and winery to be established in the Margaret River region. Vasse Felix is owned and operated by the Holmes a Court family. The Vasse Felix wines are crafted by Chief Winemaker Virginia Willcock.

The name ‘Vasse Felix’ was inspired by an early event in the district. Thomas Vasse was a French seaman who disappeared after his longboat overturned near the site of Busselton whilst exploring the treacherous South West Coastline of Western Australia (an expedition of Captain Hamelin’s Naturaliste and Captain Baudin’s Geographe) Felix was Hamelin’s middle name, and is the Latin word for lucky.

This wine was sealed with a screwcap.

This wine was imported by Vinunic AB.

Colour : Red, brown, blue hues

Aroma : Blackcurrant, mint, oak, vanilla, milk chocolate

Taste : Blackcurrant, cedar, mint, vanilla, silky texture

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 219 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Vasse Felix Winery

TN : Chateau Reysson Reserve du Chateau 2007, Cru Bourgeois, Dourthe, Haut-Medoc, Bordeaux, France

2011-06-08T22:05:00.003+02:00

This wine is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot.

The estate belongs to the Japanese wine and spirits company Mercian Corporation. Dourthe has been managing Chateau Reysson since 2001. The estate encompassed 40 hectares. The chateau was classified as Cru Bourgeois Superieur in 2003.

Under the vestiges of the medieval castle that was the first to bear the name Reysson, archaeologists have discovered the remains of the theatre of Noviomagus, the ancient town of the Bituriges Vivisques tribe who founded Burdigala (Bordeaux) in the 3rd century B.C.

The quality of its wines was recognised at an early date, with Château Reysson featuring in 1850 among the Crus Remarquables de Vertheuil ranked by Charles Cocks, author of the famous work “Bordeaux et ses Vins” edited by Michel Féret.

This wine was imported by Vinunic AB.

Colour : Plummy red

Aroma : Herbs, tobacco, cedar, blackcurrants, plums

Taste : Tobacco, cedar, blackcurrants, plums

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 169 SEK

Mark : B-

Website : Vins et Vignobles Dourthe

TN : Chateau de Valois 2006, Earl Vignobles Leydet, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France

2011-06-07T22:55:00.003+02:00

Colour : Red/red brick hues

Aroma : Tobacco, milk chocolate, blackcurrant, plums

Taste : Blackcurrant, plums, tobacco, minerals, milk chocolate

Price : 239 SEK

Alcohol : 13.5%

Mark : B-

TN : Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Stellenbosch, South Africa

2011-06-06T22:23:00.004+02:00

The vineyard soils were lime and clay. After crushing and three days of cold soaking, the grapes were inoculated with yeast. During fermentation, the juice was regularly punched down and pumped over for maximum colour and flavour extraction. Extended skin contact was given, before maturation took place in 100% first fill French oak barrels for 20 months. The residual sugar is 3.2 grammes per litre, the total acidity is 6.5 grammes per litre, and the pH is 3.42.

This wine won a double gold medal at the 2009 Veritas awards, a trophy at the 2009 Tri Nations Wine Challenge, a trophy at the 2009 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show, a gold medal at the 2009 Concours Mondial in Brussels, and an Investec Private Bank Winemakers' Choice award in 2009.

This wine was imported by Vinunic AB.

Colour : Deep purple/red

Aroma : Burnt toast, tobacco, blackcurrants, plums, milk chocolate

Taste : Black burnt toast, tobacco, zingy blackcurrant, cherries, plums, milk chocolate, dusty tannins and liqourice on finish

Alcohol : 15%

Price : 295 SEK

Mark : B+

Website : Kleine Zalze

TN : Anselmann Dornfelder Trocken im Barrique gereift 2009, Weingut Werner Anselmann, Edesheimer Ordensgut, Deutscher Qualitaetswein, Pfalz, Germany

2011-06-06T22:11:00.005+02:00

The vineyards and the cellars are looked after by Dipl. Ing agrar Gerd Anselmann. As of 2010, Anselmann owned 100 hectares of vineyards. The first records of Anselmann date back to 1126. The family crest nowadays used as estate logo was awarded to the family in 1541 and can be seen in the historical archives in Karlsruhe.

Colour : Dark purple

Aroma : Blackberry, cherry, vanilla, oak

Taste : Gobs of fruit smothered by oak, blackberry, cherry, oak, soft tannins, woody finish, overoaked, leave for 1-2 years to see if oak dies down and integrates

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 10,50 Euro (Eurotrade Flughafen Muenchen Duty Free 2011-05-20)

Mark : C+

Website : Weingut Anselmann

TN : Doennhoff Riesling Trocken 2009, Weingut Hermann Doennhoff, Nahe, Germany

2011-06-06T22:04:00.003+02:00

This wine was imported by Origo Wine.

Colour : Watery pale lemon

Aroma : Minerals, honey, oranges, green apples

Taste : Minerals, green apples, honey, lemon

Alcohol : 12.5%

Price : 155 SEK

Website : Weingut Doennhoff

TN : Chateau Maucaillou 2005, Moulis, Bordeaux, France

2011-06-06T21:48:00.004+02:00

This wine is a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot, and 7% Petit Verdot.

Maucaillou means “mauvais cailloux”, the French for bad stone, as the term was understood by the farmers of the middle ages. This was due to the fact that this type of gravel plot was not suitable for growing cereal, the main source of livelihood at the time. It was later discovered that such gravel outcrops constituted an ideal terroir for vines .

Chateau Maucalillou was officially classified as a Cru Bourgeois in 1932 but abandoned the Cru Bourgeois classification of 2003.

Colour : Dark plum/red

Aroma : Cigar box, blackcurrant, plums, spice

Taste : Blackcurrant, plummy, tobacco, spice, talcum powder tannic finish, leave for 1-2 years more for tannins to soften

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 190 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Chateau Maucaillou

TN : Domaene Gobelsburg Rose 2010, Niederoesterreich, Austria

2011-05-16T19:19:00.004+02:00

This wine was sealed with a screwcap.

This wine was imported by Prime Wine Sweden AB.

Colour : Pale copper/salmon

Aroma : Redcurrants, strawberry, vanilla, herbs

Taste : Redcurrants, herbs, strawberry, tangy zingy finish, spritzy

Alcohol : 12.5%

Price : 99 SEK

Mark : B-

Website : Schloss Gobelsburg

TN : Clarendelle 2010 Bordeaux Rose, Clarence Dillon Wines, Bordeaux, France

2011-05-16T19:08:00.002+02:00

This wine is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot.

This wine was imported by Hjo Grosshandel AB.

Colour : Strawberry pink

Aroma : Jellied strawberries, raspberries, redcurrants, herbs

Taste : Redcurrants, strawberries, herbs

Alcohol : 12.5%

Price : 119 SEK

Mark : B+

Website : Clarendelle