Tuesday, 17 June 2008

TN : Hess Collection Mountain Cuvee 2004, Estate Grown, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley, USA


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

Hess vineyards was established in 1978.


600 bottles of this wine were imported into Sweden.


Colour : Dark red

Aroma : Blackcurrant, blackberry, cocoa, herbs, red berries

Taste : Blackberry, blackcurrant, cherry, herbs, mint, olive, green pepper

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 229 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : The Hess Collection

TN : Divinus Red 2000, Grand Vin de Bordeaux, Chateau Bonnet, France



On the label it states "Ce grand vin, bel enfant de ma vigne a Bonnet, honore dignement ces lieux ou je suis ne, dans cet Entre-Deux-Mers, berceau de mes ancetre Andre Lurton".

This wine is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. The vineyard area was four hectares. Soil is shallow with clay and asteriated limestone and southern exposure. The planting density is 5000 vines per hectare. The average age of the vines was 18 years. Vine pruning was double guyot with debudding. All the grapes were hand-harvested. Fermentation lasted approximately three weeks and the wine went through malolactic fermentation. The wine was matured for 18 months in French oak barrels. The wine was fined with egg whites.



600 bottles of this wine were imported into Sweden.

Colour : Red/cassis

Aroma : Blackcurrant, leather, cocoa powder, cedar, oak

Taste : Cold tea, cocoa, cedar, leather, blackcurrant, oak, talcum powder like tannins on finish

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 219 SEK

Mark : B-

Website : Andrew Lurton

Friday, 13 June 2008

TN : Charisma Pinot Gris 2005, Pierre Sparr, Alsace, France


SenSuous Alsace and unoaked is what is stated on the back label of this wine.



This wine was sealed with a screwcap.



Colour : Gold/yellow

Aroma : Apricot, peach, nutty

Taste : White grapes, apricot, honey, overwhelming nutty flavour, grapefruit, full

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 109 SEK

Mark : C-

Website : Pierre Sparr

Thursday, 12 June 2008

TN : Kerpen Riesling 2007, Mosel, Weingut Heribert Kerpen, Germany


This wine was sealed with a screwcap.



Colour : Pale lemon

Aroma : White grapes, elberyberry, melon, pineapple

Taste : White grapes, elderberry, pineapple, melon, off-dry

Alcohol : 9.5%

Price : 79 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Weingut Heribert Kerpen

Wednesday, 11 June 2008

TN : Cambas Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Vin de Pays de Peloponnesos, Cambas Winery, Greece


The Cambas Winery has been in existence since 1882.

Colour : Purple red

Aroma : Spice, cold tea, blackcurrant, earthy, vanilla

Taste : Spice, cherry, vanilla, oak, liqcourice, smoke, dark berries, a bit thin

Alcohol : 12.5%

Price : 74 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Boutari

Tuesday, 10 June 2008

Wine and Montreal

Last week, I was in Montreal for three days. Not much time but I looked at some wine stores. Similarly to Sweden, Quebec wine is run by a monopoly, the SAQ. I went to the normal Classique stores but was not impressed, a poor selection. I also looked at the flagship store, the Selection in Sainte Catherine Street. This shop was on two floors. The first of which was devoted to spirits so I avoided it as soon as possible. The basement contained a nice selection of Bordeaux and some Burgundies but not too much of anything else. It opened up to a Classique store which had some local Quebec wines. The duty-free shop at the aiport has no connection to SAQ and was selling some nice Inniskillin Ice Wines but I had to change planes in Europe so could not bring any back to Sweden.

TN : Le Rose de Phelan Segur 2007, Chateau Phelan Segur, Saint Estephe, Bordeaux, France


Colour : Pale strawberry

Aroma : Strawberries and cream, vanilla, herbs

Taste : Strawberry, spice, creamy, vanilla, herbs, blackcurrant lead

Alcohol : 12.5%

Price : 129 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Chateau Phelan Segur

Monday, 9 June 2008

TN : Montes Cherub, Rose of Syrah, 2007, Colchagua Valley, Chile


This wine had a sticker proclaiming that it had won a double gold medal for Best Rose of Show 2007 at the San Francisco International Wine Competition.

This wine was imported by Hjo Grosshandel AB.

The label displays a Cherub, or young angel, called Alfredo, in honour of Alfredo Vidaurre. The label was created by Ralph Steadman.

The wine is 100% Syrah from the Archangel Estate in Marchigue in the Colchagua Valley.

Colour : Pale Red

Aroma : Raspeberries, cherries, jellied fruits, herbs

Taste : Clean, fruity, raspberry sweets, blackcurrant hints, herbs

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 99 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Montes Wines
Website : Hjo Grosshandel AB

Monday, 2 June 2008

TN : YBS, Years's Barrel Selection, 2006, Erall Bravo, Mendoza, Argentina



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

This wine was imported by Carovin AB.



Colour : Deep purple

Aroma : Savoury notes, oak, dark fruits, fruits of the forest

Taste : Concentrated, mouth-coating, dark fruits, blackcurrant, bramble jelly, toasty oak, heat, savoury finish

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 248 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Eral Bravo
Website :
Carovin AB

Friday, 30 May 2008

TN : Chinon 2005, Domaine de la Colline, Loire Valley, France


This wine was imported by Primeur Vin AB. Though I couldn't find any information about this wine on their, frankly, exceedingly poor website.

Colour : Plum

Aroma : Dark and red fruits, herbs

Taste : Red fruits, dark fruits, plum, tangy, tannins on finish, herbs, earthy

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 88 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Primeur Vin AB

Devon Vineyard Trail



Available from English Wine Producers is the Devon Vineyard Trail. This consists of a map with each of the nine vineyards shown on it. For each vineyard there is the postal address, email, website, facilities, opening hours, and tour and tasting details.

Website : English Wine Producers

Thursday, 29 May 2008

VinUnic Newsletter June 2008

VinUnic have just published their latest newsletter for June 2008. It can be downloaded from their website. Included in next month's releases are wines from Gaja and some very affordable Bordeaux.

Website : VinUnic Våra Viner Juni 2008

Vinkällaren Grappe Newsletter June 2008

Vinkällaren Grappe have just released their newsletter for June 2008. It can be downloaded from their website.

Website : Vinkällaren Grappes Nyhetsbrev Juni 2008

Tuesday, 27 May 2008

TN : Shadrach Cabernet Sauvignon 2001, Grant Burge, Australia


Grant Burge's great grandfather, Meshach Burge, was named after the biblical Meshach, one of the men who refused to bow to a gold image of the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar (after which the largest wine bottle is named, 15 litre capacity). The other two men were Shadrach and Abednego. All three were cast into a fiery furnace for their sins but with the help of angels they survived. This convinced Nebuchadnezzar to give them positions of power and to worship their god.

The grapes for this wine came from individual parcels from Coonawarra, the Adelaide Hills, and the Barossa.

This wine was imported by Fondberg & Co.

This wine received 91 points from Wine Advocate in November 2007. However, it was tasted by Jay Miller and NOT Robert Parker.

Colour : Purple, brown hues

Aroma : Mint, blackcurrant, oak, vanilla, slight vinegar

Taste : Vinegar on finish, blackcurrant, mint, talcum power like drying tannins on finish

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 219 SEK

Mark : D-

Website : Grant Burge Wines
Website :
Fondberg & Co

Monday, 26 May 2008

TN : Mora Negra 2005, Finca Las Moras, Tulum Valley, Argentina


This wine is a blend of 70% Malbec and 30% Bonarda. The grapes were hand harvested. The wine was aged in small oak barrels for 15 months. 18,850 bottles were produced.

Nora Negra means "black mulberry".

This wine was imported by PrimeWine Sweden AB.

Colour : Deep purple

Aroma : Violets, spicy, dark berries, mint, savoury

Taste : Dark fruits, vanilla, savoury, spicy, concentrated, mouth filling, mint, long finish

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 149 SEK

Mark : C

Website : PrimeWine Sweden AB

TN : Agathan 2005, Vin de pays de Mont Athos, Evangelos Tsantalis, Greece


Agathon means precious, noble.

This wine was made from organically grown grapes. It is a blend of Limnio and Cabernet Sauvignon.



Colour : Dark red

Aroma : Earthy, oak, dark berries, mint, violets, talcum powder

Taste : Heat on finish, cherry, violets, dark fruits, red fruit notes, earthy

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 80 SEK

Mark : C+

TN : Ocio Pinot Noir 2006, Cono Sur, Casablanca Valley, Chile



This wine was crafted by Chilean winemaker Adolfo Hurtado together with Burgundian consultant Martin Prieur.



Colour : Cherry, purple

Aroma : Cherry, plum, coca cola

Taste : Tart finish, cherry, blackcurrant, almost no tannins, coca cola, blackberry, minerals

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 339 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Cono Sur

Thursday, 22 May 2008

TN : Kaiken Ultra Malbec 2006, Lomas del Valle, Mendoza, Argentina



This wine was made by the Chilean Motes Alpha team.

Kaiken is the Mapuche Indian name for the wild Patagonian geese found on both sides of the Andes.

The details on the Kaiken website are different to that in the Systembolaget Varunytt May 2008. This is what it says on the website. This wine is 100% Malbec. The yield in the vineyard was 6 tonnes per hectare. The grapes were handharvested into 15 Kg bins. The wine was aged in 80% French oak barrels for 18 months. 32,000 cases were produced. A winery analysis showed that the alcohol was 14.5%, the pH was 3.66, the total acidity was 3.38 grammes per litre, the volatile acidity was 0.6 grammes per litre, and the residual sugar was 2.4 grammes per litre.



The wine was imported by Hjo Grosshandel AB.

Colour : Deep purple

Aroma : Muted, herbs, spice, violets, oak, plums

Taste : Overwhelming smothering oak, spice, savoury notes, coffee, pepper, violets, licqourice, dry tanins on finish

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 129 SEK

Mark : C-

Website : Kaiken Wines
Website : Hjo Grosshandel AB

Wednesday, 21 May 2008

WineWorld Newsletter May 2008

WineWorld AB have just published their newletter for May 2008. It can be downloaded from their website. This issue focuses on new wines from Barone Ricasoli.

Website : WineWorld Nyhetsbrev Maj 2008

TN : Las Moras Gran Shiraz 2004, Finca Las Moras, San Juan, Argentina



The grapes for this wine come from three valleys. The first is the Pedernal Valley at 4429 feet where the grapes are hand-picked at the end of April. Then there is the Zonda valley at 3116 feet where the grapes are hand-picked at the end of January. Finally, there is the Tulum Valley at 2132 feet where the grapes are hand-picked at the end of February.



This wine was imported by PrimeWine Sweden AB.

Colour : Dark blackberry

Aroma : Dark berries, mint, oak, violets

Taste : Savoury, soy sauce notes, violets, oak, pepper, dark fruits

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 139 SEK

Mark : B-

Website : Finca Las Moras
Website : PrimeWine Sweden AB

Tuesday, 20 May 2008

TN : Vergelegen Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Stellenbosch, South Africa


Vergelegen means situated "far away" and was granted to the Governor of the Cape in 1700.

The grapes were selected from Vergelegen’s Stonepine, Rondekop, Rooiland and Kopland Vineyards. These vineyards are all north to northwest facing, with granite, Hutton and Clovelly soils. Vines were planted 4000 to the hectare. The preferred Cabernet clone was 46, while for the Merlot, the Italian clones 12 and 192, as well as the French clones 181 and 3 were used. The average yield was 4 tons per hectare. The Cabernets were fermented in open tanks at high temperatures, 28 to 32 degrees, and punched down every 3 to 4 hours in order to maximise colour and tannin extraction. The alcoholic fermentation was followed by a post-fermentation maceration of 21 days. The wine was racked every 3 to 4 months and was matured in 225 litre barrels for 2 years. The blend is 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4.5% Cabernet Franc, and 4.5% Merlot. A winery analysis of the wine showed that the alcohol was 14.5%, the residual sugar was 3.1 grammes per litre, the total acidity was 5.8 grammes per litre, and the pH was 3.80.

This wine was imported by VinUnic AB.

Colour : Deep dark maroon

Aroma : Blackcurrant, slight green pepper, oak, plums

Taste : Cold tea, blackcurrant, slight oak, plums, green pepper, currants

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 195 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Vergelegen Wine Estate
Website : VinUnic AB

TN : Santorini Assyrtico 2007, Dry White Wine, Appellation of Origin Santorini of High Quality, Santo Wines, Greece


Colour : Pale yellow

Aroma : Apple, pear, mandarin oranges, almond

Taste : Mandarin oranges, almond, pear, bitter finish

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 79 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Santo Wines

Wednesday, 14 May 2008

TN : Kanzemer Altenberg Riesling 1998, Weingut Von Othegraven, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany


The estate has its roots in the 16th century. It has always been privately owned and came into the possession of the Grach–Weissebach-von-Othegraven family in 1805. The Second World War caused major devastation. However, the estate was rebuilt and new life emerged again from the unscathed Devon slate soil of the vineyards. Weingut von Othegraven is a founding member of the VDP (Verband Deutscher Prädikats-und Qualitätsweingüter, the Association of German Prädikat Wine Estates).

Colour :
Pale lemon

Aroma : Petrol, honey

Taste : Dry, pronounced petrol, honey, sharp grapefruit and acidity, some minerality

Alcohol : 10.5%

Price : 139 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Weingut Von Othegraven

Tuesday, 13 May 2008

Systembolaget New Wines June 2008

Systembolaget now have for download from their website the new wines that will be available for June 2008. They should be in the shops on Monday 2nd June.

Website : Systembolaget Varunytt Juni 2008

Systembolaget New Wines May 15th 2008

Systembolaget will release a new set of wines on May 15th 2008. The complete list can be found on their website.

Website : Systembolaget Nyheter den 15 maj

TN : Special Blend Reserva 2005, Bodega del Fin del Mundo, Neuquen, Patagonia, Argentina



This wine was imported by Primewine Sweden AB.

The wine spent 15 months in new French oak barrels which ruined it.

It is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Merlot. A winery analysis showed an alcohol level of 14%, a total acidity of 5.47 grammes per litre, and a pH of 3.7. The maceration and fermentation took 30 days. The wine underwent 100% malocatic fermentation. The wine was bottled in August 2006.



Colour : Black/purple

Aroma : Oak, plum, blackcurrant, herbs

Taste : Burnt toasty oak on finish obliterates all fruit, thus finish is very long, upfront herbs, blackcurrant, plum

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 159 SEK

Mark : C+ (for the fruit)

Website : Bodega del Fin del Mundo
Website : Primewine Sweden AB

TN : Sauvignon Gris 2007, Vina Casa Silva, Colchagua Valley, Chile


This wine was sealed with a screwcap.

The vines were planted in 1912 from French pre-phylloxera originals.

The grapes were harvested between February 25th and March 4th 2007. The grapes were then pre cold storing at three degrees for 24 hours. There was a hand sorting of the grapes before destemming. Then followed a cold maceration in press for six hours at under eight degrees using reductive method. The grapes were then crushed and racked for 24 hours at ten degrees. The wine underwent a post fermentation in stainless steel tanks between thirteen and fifteen degrees. The wine was then aged in stainless steel tanks.

The wine was imported by Tegner Hermansson.

Colour : Very pale straw

Aroma : Blackcurrant leaf, slight tropical fruits, passionfruit

Taste : Blackcurrant leaf, gooseberry, sharp acidity, bitter finish

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 119 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Vina Casa Silva
Website : Tegner Hermansson

Monday, 12 May 2008

TN : Syrah Polkura 2006, Polkura Estate, Marchigue Colchagua Valley, Chile


This wine was bottled unfiltered. A limited number of 1350 cases were made. It is a blend of 92% Syrah, 4% Malbec, 2% Viognier, 2% Grenache Noir, Mourvedre, and Tempranillo. The grapes were handharvested during the last week of April 2006. The wine spent one year in 85% French oak and 15% American oak. One third of the oak was new.

The wine was imported into Sweden by Primewine.

The wine was produced and bottled by Agricola La Vina S.A.

Polkura is the name of a hill, located in Marchigue. In the native Chilean Mapuche language Polkura means "yellow stone" making reference to the large amounts of yellow granite spread along the clay soils of the area.

Colour : Brooding dark cassis

Aroma : Dark fruits, oak, violets, black peppr

Taste : Dark and red fruits up front, violets, black pepper throughout, burnt toasty oak at end which obliterated the fruit, concentrated

Alcohol : 14.8%

Price : 148 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Primewine Sweden

TN : Grains de Folie Syrah, Rose, Groupe Uccoar, Languedoc-Roussillon, France


This wine was bottled with a screwcap. It was very refreshing and would be idea for something like an indian curry. The bottle was marked best before August 2009.

Colour : Bright strawberry

Aroma : Red fruits, fresh

Taste : Red fruits, slight sweetness

Alcohol : De-alcoholised, alcohol-free, 0.2%

Price : 39 SEK

Mark :
B-

Friday, 9 May 2008

TN : Terra Solare Syrah 2006, IGT, La Pierotta, Maremma, Tuscany, Italy



This wine was fermented in cement tanks at 25 degrees. 6000 bottles were produced.



Colour : Deep red

Aroma : Oak, red fruits, cherry, licqourice

Taste : Heavy-handed oak, cherry, violets, licqourice

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 99 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : La Pierotta

Mancico "the little man" Bobal Rose 2007, Verde Marte, Utiel-Requena, Spain



Colour : "Glow-in-dark" neon pink

Aroma : Cherry, jellied raspberry sweets

Taste : Red fruits, raspberry, bitter finish

Alcohol : 12%

Price : 59 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Verde Marte

TN : Mediterra Winery, Dry Rose Wine, 2007, Regional Wine of Crete, Greece


This is a blend of the grape varieties Kotsifali and Mandilaria. It is from Heraklion region of Crete.

This wine is imported by Divine AB.

Colour : Copper/strawberry

Aroma : Strawberries, red berries

Taste : Strawberry, creamy mouthfeel, red fruits, cherries

Alcohol : 12.5 % (from label, 13% is stated in Systembolaget Varunytt May 2008)
Price : 79 SEK

Mark : B-

Website : Mediterra Winery
Website : Divine AB

TN : Vida Salvaje Malbec Rose 2007, Finca La Chamiza, Mendoza, Argentina



This wine was imported by Chris-Wine Sweden AB.



On the back label it is stated "Yaguarete, Leo Onca, the biggest feline of America. This specie lives in Argentina and is endangered by the destruction of its environment."

Colour : Deep raspberry

Aroma : Raspberry, vanilla ice cream

Taste : Raspberry, vanilla, sangria, oranges, dry

Alcohol : 12.5%

Price : 60 SEK

Mark : B+

Website : Chris-Wine Sweden

Thursday, 8 May 2008

VinUnic Newsletter May 2008

The May 2008 newsletter from VinUnic can now be downloaded from their website. Their are new wines from Vergelegen, Georg Breuer, Catena, Allegrini, Domaine Zind-Humbrecht and Dr. Loosen.

Website : VinUnic Nyhetsbrev Maj 2008

Vinkällaren Grappe Courses and Tastings

Details of upcoming tastings and courses ran by Vinkällaren Grappe can now be found on their website.

Website : Vinkällaren Grappe courses/tastings details

TN : Quinta Generacion 2004, Red Wine, Colchagua Valley, Vina Casa Silva, Chile


This wine is a blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Carmenere, 15% Shiraz, and 5% Petit Verdot. All the grapes came from the Colchagua Valley. The Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère and Petit Verdot were from Los Lingues Estate at the foot of the Andes Mountains and the Syrah from Lolol Estate within a stone´s throw of the Pacific Ocean.

The grapes underwent hand selection prior and post-destemming and, depending on the variety,
pre-fermentive maceration for 6 to 8 days at 6 degrees, alcoholic fermentation for 15 to 17 days at 27 to 30 degrees, post fermentation maceration for up to 15 days. The wine as then run off and underwent malolactic fermentation in French oak barrels. The result was aged in new French oak barrels for 13 months.

The wine was imported into Sweden by Tegner Hermansson.

Colour : Deep dark cassis

Aroma : Blackcurrant, mint, toast, green pepper

Taste : Concentrated, blackcurrant and mint and spice upfront, toasted oak and obtrusive green pepper on finish

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 169 SEK

Mark : B-

Website : Vina Casa Silva
Website : Tegner Hermansson

TN : Casillero del Diablo Reserva Chardonnay 2007, Concha Y Toro, Chile


This wine was in its 375 ml half-bottle format.

30% of the must was fermented and aged in French oak barrels and 70% in stainless steel tanks.

Colour : Pale straw

Aroma : Dominant wood, green bananas, slight tropical fruit notes

Taste : Tropical fruits, oak, pineapple, slight vanilla

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 37 SEK (375 ml bottle format)

Mark : C

Website : Casillero Del Diablo

TN : Errazuriz Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Rose 2007, Vina Errazuriz, Central Valley, Chile


The grapes for this wine were hand-harvested. The grapes were then destemmed and crushed into stainless steel tanks for a 24 hour pre- fermentation maceration period to allow the must to take on colour before bleeding of 5-10% prior to fermentation. The clean must is centrifuged, protected from oxygenation and fermented at 12-15 degrees. Fermentation is halted in some lots to allow a small amount of residual sugar to remain in the wine, along with the fruity aromas of the fermentation to remain in the wine. The wine is then stabilized, filtered, and bottled as soon as possible.

A winery analysis showed that the alcohol was 13.3%, the pH was 3.3, the total acidity was 5.89 grammes per litre (as tartaric acid), and the residual sugar was 4.1 grammes per litre.

This wine was in its half-bottle, 375 ml, format. It was also sealed with a screwcap.

Colour : Pink cherry

Aroma : Strawberry jelly, cherry jelly, raspberry jelly

Taste : Jellied red fruits, hint of black pepper

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 39 SEK (375 ml bottle format)

Mark : B

Website : Vina Errazuriz

Wednesday, 30 April 2008

Vinkällaren Grappes Newsletter May 2008

Vinkällaren Grappe have published their May 2008 Newsletter which can be downloaded from their website.

Website : Vinkällaren Grappes Nyhetsbrev Maj 2008

TN : Ser Lapo Riserva 2005, Chianti Classico, DOCG, Mazzei Castello di Fonterutoli, Tuscany, Italy


The Mazzei family have been the proprietors of Castello di Fonterutoli since 1435.

This wine owes its name to Ser Lapo Mazzei who was a notary and a passionate wine connoisseur. He was the author of the first known reference to the Chianti appellation (December 16th 1398).

The wine is a blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot.

Colour : Dark red

Aroma : Cherry, plum, polished oak, vanilla

Taste : Oak throughout, tannins upfront, rich cherry fruit, chocolate hints

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 169 SEK

Mark : B
Website : Mazzei

Monday, 28 April 2008

TN : Saint Clair Pioneer Block 3 43 Degrees Sauvignon Blanc 2007, Saint Clair Estate Wines, Marlborough, New Zealand


Saint Clair Wine Estates was founded by Neal and Judy Ibbotson in 1978. The sticker on the bottle states that Saitn Clair Estate Wines was the International Wine and Spirit Competition 2005 New Zealand winr producer of the year though quite what this has to do with this particular wine is beyond me.

The 43 Degree vineyard is planted with vineyard rows running in an unusual angle of 43 degrees North East to South West. This results in more shade to the southerly aspect of each row thereby producing a slightly more herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc than other sites in Marlborough. The soil is even, fertile, deep free draining silt loams.

The winemaker was Matt Thomson. The fruit was pressed off as quickly as possible to minimise skin contact and potential juice deterioration following harvesting. After settling the juice was fermented using selected yeast in 100 per cent stainless steel at cool temperatures to retain fruit flavour and freshness.

A winery analysis showed that the alcohol was 13.5%, the Titratable Acid was 8.3 grammes per litre, the Residual Sugar was 1.5grammes per litre, and the pH was 3.44.

This wine was sealed with a screwcap.

The wine was imported into Sweden by Sigva AB.

Colour : Pale straw

Aroma : Blackcurrant leaf, tropical fruit notes

Taste : Blackcurrant leaf, gooseberry, lemon, lively acidity, passion fruit

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 129 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Saint Clair Estate Wines
Website : Sigva AB

TN : 1992 Kanzemer Altneberg Spaetlese Riesling, Mosel Saar Ruwer, QmP, VDP, Weingut Kanzemer Berg, Germany


Colour : Lemon

Aroma : Lemon, slight lime and orange, petrol, honey

Taste : Lemon, honey, long finish, nice acidity, petrol notes on finish

Alcohol : 7.5%

Price : 149 SEK

Mark : B

Friday, 25 April 2008

TN : 7 Deadly Zins, Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi Appellation, Micheal and David Vineyards, USA


Seven of Lodi's best growers donated fruit for this wine.

The wine was imported into Sweden by Janake Wine Group AB.

Colour : Red maroon

Aroma : Dark berries, blackberries, pepper, licqourice, bramble jelly

Taste : Bramble jelly, licqourice, vanilla, chocolate, clove, pepper

Alcohol : 15%

Price : 99 SEK

Mark : B-

Website : Michael and David Family of Wines
Website : Janake Wine Group AB

Thursday, 24 April 2008

TN : Stuerz Riesling Kabinett 2007, Enosvezia, Mosel, Germany



I bought the half bottle, 375 ml, version of this wine which is also available in whole bottle size, 750 ml. It was sealed with a glass stopper to my surprise which was easily resealable.



The grapes were handharvested at the end of October 2007. The fermentation took approximately one and half months at 12 degrees. The fermentation was stopped using cooling.

This wine was bottled for Enosvezia and is marketed as being of their own brand.

Colour : Pale straw

Aroma : Oranges, honey, pear drops

Taste : Honey, orange, apples, pineapple, lime, cloying sugar sweetness which ruined this wine for me

Alcohol : 8.5%

Price : 49 SEK

Mark : C-

Website : Enosvezia