The wine is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 10% Pinotage. A winery analysis shows that the wine has an alcohol of 14.29%, pH 3.53, residual sugar of 2 grammes per litre, total acidity 5.9 grammes per litre, volatile acidity of 0.69 grammes per litre, SO2 of 118 milligrammes per litre, and free SO2 of 40 milligrammes per litre.
This wine was imported by Divine AB.
Colour : Deep blackberry, red
Aroma : Smoke, oak, blackcurrant, mint
Taste : Smoke, blackcurrant, concentrated, liquorice and green pepper on long finish
Alcohol : 14%
Price : 159 SEK
Mark : B
Website : Meinert
Website : Divine AB
Thursday, 22 January 2009
TN : Synchronicity 2004, Meinert, Wine of Origin Devon Valley, South Africa
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 07:14 0 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
TN : Thelema Sutherland Rhine Riesling 2008, Thelema Mountain Vineyards, Elgin, South Africa
Thelema is family run and produced its first wines in 1988.
The rootstock used for the vines is Mgt 101-14. The soil type of the vineyards was Tukulu. The vines themselves were planted in August 2004 using a planting density of 2.7 metres by 1.6 metres. The trellising is 7 wire Perold with moveable foliage wires. The vines are spur pruned. The yield was 9 tonnes per hectare. Drip irrigation was used. The grapes were picked on the 28th February at 20.68 balling. The acidity was 7.22 and the pH at harvest was 3.15. WE14 yeast was used for fermentation. The final pH is 3.18, total acidity is 6.02 grammes per litre, and the alcohol is 12.4%. This wine was sealed with a screwcap.
The wine was imported by AB Nigab.
Colour : Pale straw
Aroma : Lime, lemon, slight mineral
Taste : Minerals on finish, pear, lemon, lime, bone dry
Alcohol : 12%
Price : 119 SEK
Mark : C
Website : Thelema Mountain Vineyards
Website : AB Nigab
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 07:02 0 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
TN : Jordan Riesling 2008, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Jordan is a family-run winery situated at the upper end of Stellenbosch Kloof. The grapes were harvested from high altitude south-facing slopes. The grapes were then cold fermented in stainless steel tanks.
Colour : Pale lemon
Aroma : Lemon, lime, honey, slight mineral, pear
Taste : Lemon, slight lime and minerals on finish, slight honey, crisp, very fruity
Alcohol : 13.5%
Price : 99 SEK
Mark : B-
Website : Jordan Wines
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 06:36 1 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
Book : Wine by Andre Domine
The 2008 version of Wine by Andre Domine is a new completely revised edition. It weighs in at a mighty 900 pages. It was published by Ullmann Publishing in August 2008.
The book is a very good wine companion. There is something in the book for almost everybody. The book mainly focuses upon areas of the world and their wine producers and wines. North and South America, and Australia are given poor coverage whilst Europe is covered in depth including England and Wales, Luxembourg, and Switzerland. France gets 20% of the book with Italy and Spain getting about 10-15% each.
There are also good sections on wine and health, the chemical composition of wine, the history of wine, and wine and food pairing. For the wine knowledgeable then such subjects such as integrated pest management, barrel management, and vineyard management are covered; even esoteric subjects such as the manufacture of wine bottles are given the in-depth treatment.
I can thoroughly recommend this book both for beginners and experts alike.
The book can be purchased at Amazon online :
Website : Ullmann Publishing
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 06:54 0 comments
Labels: BOOK REVIEW
TN : Cabernet Merlot 2005, Clairault Wines, Margaret River, Australia
Clairault Wines was established in 1976. Clairault was named after a nearby cape that bears its name from the French Mathematician Alexis Clairault (1713-1765). Alexis Clairault was responsible for calculating the perihelion of Hailey's comet.
The wine is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc. The wine was sealed with a screwcap.
This wine was imported by Giertz Vinimport AB.
Colour : Blackberry/black
Aroma : Blackberry, blackcurrant, mint
Taste : Blackcurrant, vanilla, plums, simple, fruity, boring to drink
Alcohol : 14.5%
Price : 150 SEK
Mark : C
Website : Clairault Wines
Website : Giertz Vinimport AB
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 06:44 0 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
Monday, 19 January 2009
VinUnic Newsletter January 2009
The January 2009 Newsletter from wine importer VinUnic can now be downloaded from their website. John Duval's Entity and Plexus wines are now available to order from the Systembolaget.
Website : VinUnic Våra Viner Nyhetsbrev Januari 2009
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 07:52 0 comments
TN : Windsor Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Windsor Vineyards, Sonoma County, USA
This wine was imported by Tomp Spirits AB.
Colour : Blackcurrant
Aroma : Some vanilla, coffee, cedar, cherry, dark fruits, savoury notes
Taste : Leather, astringent French oak tannins, toasty notes, cedar, blackcurrant, vanilla, plum
Alcohol : 14.5%
Price : 99 SEK
Mark : C-
Website : Windsor Vineyards
Website : Tomp Spirits
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 07:35 2 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
Friday, 16 January 2009
TN : FM Riesling 2007, Bag-in-Box, Forster Mariengarten, Deidesheim, Pfalz, Germany
This wine was packed in a 3 lite bag-in-box. The best before date on the box was May 2009.
The wine was imported by Granqvist Vinagentur AB.
Colour : Pale yellow
Aroma : Lime, orange, minerals, honey
Taste : Lemon, oranges, sweet, honey, nice acidity, long mouthwatering finish
Alcohol : 10.5%
Price : 226 SEK
Mark : C
Website : Winzerverein Deidesheim
Website : Granqvist Vinagentur AB
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 07:18 0 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
TN : Pinot Gris 2006, Leon Beyer, Eguisheim, Alsace, France
Formal records of the house of Leon Beyer exist from 1580. The vineyard soils are limestone and clay. There were 61,000 bottles produced.
Colour : Gold
Aroma : Sugar cane, white grapes
Taste : Dry, honey, nutty, white grapes, oily, overly tangy, lemon, sherry notes
Alcohol : 13%
Price : 145 SEK
Mark : D-
Website : Leon Beyer
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 07:12 0 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
TN : Casa Marin Riesling 2007, Mirammar Vineyard, Lo Abarca, D. O. San Antonio Valley, Chile
This wine was imported by Giertz Vinimport AB.
Vina Casa Marin is owned by Maria Luz Marin and was founded in 2000.
Colour : Pale yellow
Aroma : Lime, pear, minerals
Taste : Dry, intense, lime, mineral, honey notes, long finish
Alcohol : 13.5%
Price : 169 SEK
Mark : B
Website : Casa Marin
Website : Giertz Vinimport AB
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 07:04 9 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
TN : Dr Loosen Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett 2007, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany
This wine was sealed with a screwcap. Wehlener Sonnenuhr means "The Sundial of Wehlen". The soils are thin and composed of stony gray-blue slate.
Colour : Pale Straw
Aroma : Floral, white grapes, lime, peaches
Taste : Minerals, off dry, lemon, peaches, white grapes, elderberry, nice clean acidity, long finish
Alcohol : 7.5%
Price : 129 SEK
Mark : B
Website : Dr Loosen
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 06:56 0 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
TN : St Laurent Ausstich 2005, Stiftsbreite, Weingut Stift Kloster Neuburg, Thermenregion, Austria
Colour : Black/purple, thinnish
Aroma : Oak, some green notes, plums
Taste : Drying tannins on finish, crisp acidity, some green notes, plums, blackcurrants
Alcohol : 13%
Price : 8.99 Euro (Billa, Vienna, January 2009)
Mark : C
Website : Stift Kloster Neuburg
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 06:48 1 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
Wednesday, 14 January 2009
Systembolaget New Wines February 2009
The latest newsletter detailing the wines available from Systembolaget for February 2009 can now be downloaded.
Website : Systembolaget Varunytt Februari 2009
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 12:45 2 comments
Systembolaget New Wines 15th January 2009
The new wines available for the middle of January 2009 from Systembolaget is now available the Systembolaget website.
Website : Systembolaget Nyheter den 15 Januari
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 12:42 1 comments
Friday, 19 December 2008
Vinkällaren Grappe Newsletter January 2009
Vinkällaren Grappe have published their newsletter for January 2009. It can be downloaded from their website.
Website : Vinkällaren Grappes Nyhetsbrev Januari 2009
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 07:55 0 comments
TN : Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2006, La Escultura Estate, Casablanca Valley, Chile
The botrytis affected grapes were hand harvested and then cold fermented.
This wine was sold in a 375 ml bottle.
Colour : Bright gold
Aroma : Oranges, pears, sweetness, lime
Taste : Lime, oranges, apricot, sweet, honey
Alcohol : 11.5%
Price : 89 SEK
Mark : B
Website : Vina Errazuriz
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 06:55 0 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
TN : Ried Hinterkirchen Rielsing Federspel 2007, Weingut Karl Stierschneider, Kartaeuser Hof, Wachau, Austria
Colour : Very pale straw
Aroma : Grapey, lemon, rocks
Taste : White grapes, crisp acidic finish, lemon, oranges, lots of minerals
Alcohol : 12.5%
Price : 119 SEK
Mark : C+
Website : Weingut Karl Stierschneider
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 06:49 0 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
Wednesday, 17 December 2008
TN : Clos de los Siete 2006, by Michel Rolland, Argentina
This wine is a blend of 45% Malbec, 35% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Syrah.
On the label it states : Clos de los Siete is an oasis comprised of seven vineyards in the foothills of the Andes, south of Mendoza. Managed by Michel Rolland.
Colour : Deep purple
Aroma : Blackberry, plums, tobacco, spice
Taste : Slight oak, plums, blackberry, tobacco, sweet, spice on finish
Alcohol : 15%
Price : 159 SEK
Mark : B
Website : Clos de los Siete
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 06:46 0 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
Tuesday, 16 December 2008
TN : Divino Nordheim Silvaner 2006, Kabinett Trocken, Someracher Katzenkopf, Franken, Germany
On the label there is a sticker proclaiming that Divino Nordheim was The 2006 International German Wine Producer of the Year at the Wine & Spirit Competition.
This wine was imported by Granqvist Vinagentur AB.
Colour : Pale yellow
Aroma : Oranges, pineapple, almond
Taste : Minerals, oranges, pineapples, almonds, grapefruit
Alcohol : 13%
Price : 79 SEK
Mark : B-
Website : Divino Nordheim
Website : Granqvist Agentur AB
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 06:31 0 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
TN : Breasia Profundo 2004, Red Wine, Mendoza, Argentina
This is a blend of 50% Malbec, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and 10% Syrah.
The vinyards are sitauted at an altitude of 3120 feet above sea level. The grapes were harvested in April 2004. The wine was aged for 10 months in French oak barrel. 8000 bottles were produced. Walter Bressia was the Winemaker.
The wine was imported by Enjoy Wine & Spirits AB.
Colour : Purple
Aroma : Violets, spice, red fruits, savoury notes
Taste : Dominant soy sauce quality and savoury notes spoilt this wine, blackcurrant, violets, raspberry, concentrated, long finish
Alcohol : 13.5%
Price : 209 SEK
Mark : B-
Website : Bodegas Bressia
Website : Enjoy Wine & Spirits AB
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 06:20 1 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
Friday, 12 December 2008
TN : Errazuriz Estate Sangiovese 2007, Vina Errazuriz, Casablanca Valley, Chile
The grapes for this wine were all hand-harvested into small bins. The must was subjected to a 5 to 7 day cold-soak at 6 to 8 degrees followed by alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel tanks at 28 to 32 degrees.The post-fermentation maceration consisted of 20 days of skin contact. The wine has been aged for five months in multiple-use French oak barrels and finally botted in September 2007.
Colour : Dark Red
Aroma : Strawberry jam, spice
Taste : Strawberry jam, spice, cherry, smouth tannins, spice, simple and fruity, a good glugger
Alcohol : 14%
Price : 89 SEK
Mark : C
Website : Vina Errazuriz
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 06:23 0 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
TN : Silvaner 2007, Kabinett Trocken, Glaser Himmelstoss, Franken, Germany
This wine was imported by Divine AB.
Colour : Pale lemon
Aroma : Yeast, green apple, grapefruit, pear
Taste : Spritz, overwhelming yeast on finish, green apple, pineapple on finish, grapefruit, pear
Alcohol : 11.5%
Price : 120 SEK
Mark : C+
Website : Weingut Glaser Himmelstoss
Website : Divine AB
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 06:15 0 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
Thursday, 11 December 2008
TN : Errazuriz Estate Sangiovese 2007, Vina Errazuriz, Aconcagua Valley, Chile
This wine was sealed with a screwtop. Half of the wine was oak aged for 6 months.
Don Maximiano founded Vian Errazuriz in 1870.
Colour : Black/red
Aroma : Cherry, chocolate, prunes, raisins, herbs
Taste : Vanilla, sour cherries, herbs, oak, spice
Alcohol : 14%
Price : 79 SEK
Mark : C+
Website : Vina Errazuriz
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 06:33 0 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
Tuesday, 9 December 2008
Systembolaget New Wines 15th December 2008
The list of wines available from the Systembolaget in the middle, 15th, December is now available on the Systembolaget website for viewing.
Website : Systembolaget Nyheter den 15 December
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 11:49 0 comments
TN : Prinz Tradition 2007 Rheingau Riesling Trocken, Qualtaetswein, Germany
This wine was imported by Blentarps Vinimport.
Colour : Pale lemon
Aroma : Honey, lime, minerals
Taste : Pineapple, lime, honey, minerals, green apples
Alcohol : 12.5%
Price : 119 SEK
Mark : C+
Website : Weingut Hans Prinz
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 07:00 0 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
TN : Vina Tarapca Ex Zavala, Gran Reserva, Etiquete Negra, Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Maipo Valley, Chile
This wine was aged for 12 months in Seguin Moreau oak barrels. The winery is part of the Southern Sun Wine Group. The wine is a blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Carmenere.
The wine was imported by Bibendum.
Colour : Deep blackcurrant
Aroma : Blackcurrant, coffee, liqourice, herbs, blackberry
Taste : Blackberry, blackcurrant, herbs liqourice on finish, toasty oak
Alcohol : 14.5%
Price : 149 SEK
Mark : A-
Website : Vina Tarapaca
Website : Bibendum
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 06:50 0 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
Friday, 5 December 2008
TN : Estate Selection 2006, Chakana Andean Wines, Agrelo, Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
This wine is a blend of 80% Malbec, 10% Syrah, and 10% Petit Verdot. The Syrah was harvested in March and the Petit Verdot and Malbec in April 2006. The wine was matured in French oak barrels for 15 months. Only 6000 bottles were released.
On the label it states : The Yaguarete (Jaguar) considered "Lord of the Starred Night" was the wildest known animal. This image associates the Jaguar with the fantastic beings. Product of hallucinations combining the real with the imaginary.
This wine was imported by Prime Sweden AB.
Colour : Black/purple
Aroma : Tobacco, violets, blackberry, plums
Taste : Blackberry, tobacco, violets, plums, coffee, slight vanilla, structured, slight spice, toast, chewy tannins on finish
Alcohol : 14.5%
Price : 149 SEK
Mark : B
Website : Chakana Andean Wines
Website : Primewine Sweden AB
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 07:08 0 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
TN : Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Vin de Pays du Peleponnese, Domaine Skouras, Greece
The grapes for this wine were hand-harvested in August 2006. The must went through six days of maceration before alcoholic fermentation for 12 days at 25 degrees in stainless steel tanks.
Colour : Purple
Aroma : Oak, blackberry, spice, liquorice
Taste : Blackcurrant, coffee, liquorice, earthy, spice, herbs, oak
Alcohol : 14%
Price : 117 SEK
Mark : B
Website : Domaine Skouras
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 06:16 0 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
Thursday, 4 December 2008
TN : Arboleda Chardonnay 2007, Eduardo Chadwick, Casablanca Valley, Chile
The total acidity of this wine is 6.28 grammes per litre (tartaric acid), the pH is 3.43, and the residual sugar is 3.02 grammes per litre.
The vineyards are located 20 miles from the Pacific Coast in the Casablanca Valley. The vineyard soils are composed of clay and sandy loam. The vineyard was planted in 1997 using 96, 458, and Mendoza clones of Chardonnay. The vineyard is drip irrigated and canopy management is done using Vertical Shoot Positioning. The grapes were picked during the first week of April 2007.
The temperature during the 2006-2007 season were relatively cold. The final heat summation showed that there were 1401 degree days which was 60 degree days lower than the average of the past 6 years. Bud break came 10 days early which fortunately did not expose the vines to frosts. The months of october and november were warmer than in a normal year. Although conditions were warmer early in the season, the subsequent ripening period was cold, and the average high temperatures for the final months (December through March) were lower than the historic averages.
The grapes were hand-picked very early in the morning and then brought to the winery in 12kg cases. All of the fruit was whole-cluster pressed gently and all juice was fermented in French oak burgundy type of barrels (30% new oak) between 14 and 24 degrees . Some of the lots were inoculated with selected yeasts, although a large proportion (45%) was fermented with wild yeasts that are naturally present on the grape skins. After ten months of ageing “sur-lie” to enhance complexity, the wine was fined and bottled on the January 28th 2008.
Colour : Lemon
Aroma : Toast, nuts, butter, pineapple, green apple
Taste : Toast, butter, pineapple, honey, grapefruit
Alcohol : 14%
Price : 109 SEK
Mark : B-
Website : Arboleda
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 06:46 0 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
Burnt Rubber and South African Reds
There have been many postings and articles, Wine Anorak and Decanter for instance, on the supposedly burnt rubber taste that is tainting red wines from South Africa. I went back through my online tasting notes and found that this character was indeed present in 8 out of 15 wines. I would have to say that this really is a problem that it exists for both low and top end South African red wines.
Website : Burnt Rubber : the great South African wine debate
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 07:03 0 comments
TN : Riesling Steinterrassen 2007, Weingut Rudolf Rabl, Langenlois, Kamptal, Austria
This wine was imported by Johan Lidby Vinhandel AB.
Colour : Pale lemon
Aroma : Minerals, pineapple, honey, lime, lemon, peach
Taste : Minerals, pineapple, lime, lemon, slight honey, grapefruit
Alcohol : 12.5%
Price : 119 SEK
Mark : B-
Website : Weingut Rabl
Website : Johan Lidby Vinhandel AB
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 06:52 0 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
Tuesday, 2 December 2008
VinUnic Newsletter December 2008
VinUnic have just posted their newsletter for December 2008. It can be downloaded from their website. Highlights for this month include new wines from Tenuta San Guido and Shafer.
Website : VinUnic Våra Viner December 2008
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 07:11 0 comments
TN : Viu Manent Reserva Cabernet Franc 2005, Colchagua Valley, Chile
The winery has been family owned since 1935.
The grapes were hand-harvested from the El Olivar Estate vineyard. The wine has been aged in French Oak barrels for 18 months.
The wine was imported by Vinia AB.
Colour : Black/blue/red
Aroma : Toasty oak, plums, blackcurrants, herbs, figs
Taste : Toasty oak, blackcurrant, herbs, long coffee finish, plums, damsons, green finish
Alcohol : 14%
Price : 89 SEK
Mark : C+
Website : Viu Manent
Website : Vinia
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 06:16 0 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
Monday, 1 December 2008
Vinkällaren Grappe Newsletter December 2008
Vinkällaren Grappe have just released their newsletter for December 2008. It can be downloaded from their website. The nice thing about the reviews in this newsletter is that it includes drinking windows which is something that Systembolaget will not commit to.
Website : Vinkällaren Grappes Nyhetsbrev December 2008
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 06:52 0 comments
Friday, 28 November 2008
TN : Orzada Cabernet Franc 2005, Odfjell Vineyards, Maule, Chile
Norwegian Armador (shipowner) Dan Odfjell founded the winery. Orzada is a nautical term for sailing against the wine before setting a direction.
This wine was bottled unfiltered.
There was no mention of the 2005 release of this wine on the Odfjell Vineyards website.
The wine was imported by Arcus Sweden AB.
Colour : Black/purple
Aroma : Toasty oak, blackcurrant, herbs
Taste : Dominating toasty oak, herbs, blackcurrant, milk chocolate, liquorice, drying tannins on finish
Alcohol : 14%
Price : 119 SEK
Mark : C
Website : Odfjell Vineyards
Website : Arcus Sweden AB
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 07:02 1 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
Wednesday, 26 November 2008
TN : A Lisa 2006, Bodega Noemia de Patagonia, Rio Negro Valley, Patagonia, Argentina
The estate where the grapes were grown is situated in Rio Negro Valley which is 620 miles south of Buenos Aires, 280 miles east of the Andes, and a further 1240 miles from Tierra del Fuego. It is located in the middle of the desert. The vineyards are influenced by the Neuquen and Limay rivers. The climate is dry. There is a maximum of 30% humidity and 7 inches of rain per year. This helps to keep the area free of diseases. During grape maturation, the temperature ranges from 28 degrees, during the day, to 9 degrees at night.
The wine is 93% Malbec and 7% Merlot. The Ph is 3.55 and there is 5.96 grammes of titratable acid.
Only 8900 bottles and 10 magnums were produced. The wine is bottled unfiltered.
This wine was imported by Amka.
Colour : Dark violets
Aroma : Blueberry, violets, savoury, raspberry liqcour
Taste : Raspberry licqour, savoury notes, concentrated, long finish, violets, blueberry, crisp
Alcohol : 14.3%
Price : 225 SEK
Mark : B
Website : Bodega Noemia de Patagonia
Website : Amka
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 07:16 0 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
Monday, 24 November 2008
TN : Cono Sur Reserva Riesling 2007, Bio Bio Valley, Chile
The winemaker was Adolfo Hurtado.
On the back label it is stated "CarbonNeutral delivery" and "Drinking a Cono Sur Wine is now Greener".
Colour : Pale yellow
Aroma : Lime, mineral, marmelade
Taste : Overwhelming petrol character, oily, lime, mineral, oranges, marmelade, green apple, dry
Alcohol : 13.5%
Price : 100 SEK
Mark : C
Website : Cono Sur
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 07:15 0 comments
Labels: Tasting Note