TN : Eikendal Merlot 2006, Eikendal Vineyards, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Since 1981, the 76 hectare wine farm has been owned by the Swiss family Saager who hail from Zurich.



This wine was imported by AB Wicked Wine.

Colour : Dark red, blue hues

Aroma : Burnt rubber, plums, milk chocolate, mint

Taste : Burnt rubber, plums, blackberries, milk chocolate, mint, very fruity, coffee, mouth watering

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 108 SEK

Mark : C+
Website : Eikendal Vineyards
Website : AB Wicked Wine

TN : Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Bodega Catena Zapata, Mendoza, Argentina

The grapes were for this wine were sourced from small lots: Lot 3 was from La Piramide vineyard, located in Agrelo at 3100 feet elevation, and Lot 2 was from the Domingo vineyard, located in Tupungato at 37700 feet elevation. The wine has spent 18 months in French oak of which 80% was new. Total acidity is 5.62 and pH is 3.62. The wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered.



This wine was imported by VinUnic AB.

Colour : Inky, deep dark purple

Aroma : Blackcurrant, cherry, oak, dates, raisins

Taste : Blackcurrant, cherry, oak, silky, rich, slightly sweet, long finish, slightly cloying, milk chocolate, liqcourice, raisins, dates

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 275 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Bodega Catena Zapata
Website : VinUnic

TN : Moueix Saint Emilion 2006, Jean-Pierre Moueix, Bordeaux, France

Jean-Pierre Moueix was born in Corrèze in 1913. He arrived with his parents in Saint-Emilion following the 1929 depression. In 1937 he founded his wine merchant business on the Quai du Priourat in Libourne.

Colour : Dark red/maroon

Aroma : Tobacco, plums, red fruits

Taste : Fruity, plum, tobacco, dark fruits, drying tannins on finish

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 129 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Jean-Pierre Moueix

TN : Tokaji Harslevelu 2006, Szaraz Minosegi Feherbor, Dry Quality White Wine, Pannon Tokaj, Hungary

According to the label, the speciality of this wine derives from the "linden flower aroma".



Colour : Pale yellow

Aroma : Mineral, lemon, some stone fruits, sick smell that blew off

Taste : Spicy, lemon, grapefruit, almonds, bitter after taste

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 89 SEK

Mark : C-

Website : Pannon Tokaj

TN : Green Point Pinot Noir 2007, Domaine Chandon, Victoria, Australia

Green Point was originally named after pioneers who observed that the location remained green long into the summer. The site was established by Moet and Chandon in 1986. The vineyard soils are deep alluvial. This wine is sealed with a screwcap.



The Pinot Noir vintage started in early March with the harvest of the Maroondah block, located
adjacent to the Green Point winery, and finished a month later with the harvest of the Petgra Windy block at Yarra Junction, 40km to the South and 300m higher. There were approximately 14 individual parcels of Pinot Noir made in 2006, each contributing to the blend due to subtle variations, derived from altitude, clone, aspect or soil type. Each separate parcel was destemmed into open fermenters and cold-soaked at 10 degrees for three to four days prior to the commencement of fermentation, with gentle plunging each day to gently extract the colour and tannin from the skins. Once fermentation commenced, the cap was plunged by hand three times a day and the temperature was allowed to reach 30 degrees. After fermentation finished, the wine was pressed, settled for a day and racked to French oak barriques for malolactic fermentation and maturation. After eight months in oak, the wine was blended and bottled in January 2006. An analysis show a pH of 3.50 and a TA of 6.79 grammes per litre.

Colour : Light red

Aroma : Strawberries, spice, ginger, raspberry

Taste : Spice, raspberry, strawberry, herbs, oak, some ginger on long finish, more spice than fruit

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 149 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Green Point

TN : Quinta de Chocapalha Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Vinho Regional Estremadura, Portugal

Quinta de Chocapalha is located in the surroundings of Aldeia Galega and spreads over the sunny hills of Alenquer, a delimited region in the northwest of Lisboa, Portugal. Its historical vineyards date back to the 16th century and once belonged to Diogo Duff, a brave Scottish man who received the "Tower and Sword" insignia from King João VI.

Alice and Paulo Tavares da Silva bought the estate in the 1980s and made significant investments in its 45ha of vineyard. Their daughter, Sandra Tavares da Silva, is now in charge of the Oenology Department.



The grapes were fermented in lagares and stainless steel vats for 14 days and then aged for 18 months in French oak barriques. 5600 750ml bottles were produced.

Colour : Dark red

Aroma : Oak, blackcurrant, leather, plums, dried raisins

Taste : Oak, plums, blackcurrant, leather, herbs, astringent bitter tannins

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 139 SEK

Mark : C-

Website : Quinta de Chocapalha

TN : Cuvee Prestige Bourgueil 2006, Domaine des Chesnaies, Lame Delisle Boucard, Loire Valley, France

The vineyards are situated along the banks of the Loire river near the famous chateaux of Villandry and Azay le Rideau. The wine is a blend of 90% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvingon.



Colour : Red/blue hues

Aroma : Oak, blackcurrant, raspberry

Taste : Fruits of the forest, oak, talcum poweder smooth tannins, blackcurrant

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 100 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Lame Delisle Boucard

TN : Finca Las Palmas Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Bodegas Trapiche, Mendoza, Argentina

Finca Las Palmas is named after the vineyard of the same name situated at 850 metres above sea level. The wine was aged in French oak barrels for over 18 months. The wine has some great fruit but is ruined by over-oaking.

This wine was imported by Fondberg & Co.

Colour : Dark red, blue hues

Aroma : Blackcurrant, oak, herbs

Taste : Oak, bitter astringent finish, blackcurrant, vanilla, herbs, over-oaked.

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 115 SEK

Mark : C-

Website : Bodegas Trapiche
Website : Fondberg & Co

TN : Castello di Ama Rosato 2008, IGT, Tuscany, Italy

The terroir that yields Castello di Ama’s Rosé is the same that yields its Chianti Classico. The vineyards were planted between 1964 and 1978. The vines are trained partly to vertical trellis and partly to Open Lyre. The wine, 90% sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo, is made by bleeding-off, saignée, lots that will produce Chianti Classico.

Colour : Bright strawberry pink

Aroma : Strawberry, raspberry, herbs, oranges

Taste : Red fruits, strawberry, oranges, sharp bitter finish

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 139 SEK

Mark : C-

Website : Castello di Ama

TN : Lambrusco Reggiano 1915 Dolce, Donelli, Lambrusco Reggiano, Italy

The vineyard soils are alluvial comprised of mixed gravel, sand and clay. The blend is 60% Lambrusco Marani, Lambrusco Maestri and Lambrusco Montericco, 30% Lambrusco Salamino, and 10% Ancellotta. The trellising system used is cordone speronato, G.D.C. and Bellussi. The grapes are typically harvested at the end of September.

Donelli was created in 1915 by Adolfo Donelli. For many years, Donelli has been the exclusive official supplier of wines for Team Ferrari Marlboro on the Formula 1 circuit.

Colour : Dark blackcurrant

Aroma : Blackcurrants, blackberry, metallic

Taste : Sweetness, fruity, dark fruits, raspberry

Alcohol : 7%

Price : 49 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Donelli Vini

TN : Grand Terroir Tautavel 2006, Gerard Bertrand, Cotes du Roussillon Villages Tautavel, France

This wine is a blend of 70% Grenache, 15% Syrah, and 15% Carignan. The wine has spent eight months in French oak.

Colour : Dark red

Aroma : Blackberry, blackcurrant, herbs

Taste : Dark fruits, spices, liqcourice, pepper, oak

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 99 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Gerard Bertrand

TN : Phoenix Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Penley Estate, Coonawarra, Australia

The name Phoenix recognises the first winemaking company purchased, in 1888, by Douglas Austral Tolley. The company began life as The Phoenix Winemaking and Distilling Company in Stephney, South Australia. D.A. Tolley's great grandson, Kym Tolley, is now the winemaker.

The wine has 6.2 grammes per litre total acidity and a pH of 3.48. The grape yield was between 2.2 and 2.5 tonnes per acre. Maturation was in 25% new French oak for 18 months. The wine was sealed under screwcap.

This wine was imported by Divine AB.

Colour : Dark red

Aroma : Blackcurrant, mint, milk chocolate

Taste : Blackcurrant, plums, mint, coffee, liqourice, spice, drying tannins on finish

Alcohol : 15%

Price : 159 SEK

Mark : B-

Website : Penley Estate Pty Ltd
Website : Divine AB

TN : Chateau de la Tour Penet Chardonnay 2007, Jacques Charlet, Macon Blanc Villages, Bourgogne, France

The chateau dates from the 17th century. It once belonged to the 19th century politician and poet Lamartine. It now belongs to the Ferret family and the 35 acre estate is situated on the south east argilo calcarous soils of the village of Peronne. The vines have an average age of 50 years.

Colour : Pale yellow

Aroma : Apples, oranges, oak

Taste : Lemon, oak, apple, oranges, lime, minerals

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 99 SEK

Mark : C+

TN : Blaufraenkisch Hochberg 2007, Weingut Tesch, Burgenland, Austria

This wine was imported by Viniberum.



Colour : Dark red

Aroma : Oak, herbs, spice, dark berries

Taste : Herbs, pepper, vanilla, dark berries, cherry

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 107 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Weingut Tesch
Website : Viniberum

TN : Clos Fourtet Rose 2008, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France

This wine is made from a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Clos Fourtet was called Camp Fourtet in the middle ages and was once a fort designed to protect the town of Saint Emilion.

Colour : Pale strawberry

Aroma : Strawberry, raspberry, herbs

Taste : Red berries, oranges, herbs, dry, crisp

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 129 SEK

Mark : B-

Website : Clos Fourtet

TN : Covey Run Dry Riesling 2007, Columbia Valley, USA

Kate Michaud is the winemaker for this wine which part of Covey Run's Quail series.

This wine was imported by Interbrands Sweden

Colour : Pale yellow

Aroma : Mandarin, apple, pear

Taste : Apple, pineapple, lime, passion fruit, apricots

Alcohol : 12%

Price : 90 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Covey Run
Website : Interbrands Sweden

Riesling & Co World Tour 2009, Stockholm, Sweden

On May 27th 2009, the German Wine Institute organised the "Riesling & Co" World Tour tasting in Stockholm. I focused on the "Co" rather than "Riesling" which meant mostly Pinot Noir or Spaetburgunder as it is called in German. Wine from 30 producers was available for tasting.



Here are my notes :

A- Wines

• 2007 Blanc de Noir Trocken, Shelter Winery
  

B+ Wines

• 2007 Shiraz Rotwein Trocken, Weingut Dr. Hinkel (10 - 15 Euro in Germany) (Strawberries and pepper)
  

B Wines

• 2007 Spaetburgunder Trocken RECIS (15 months in French oak barrels made from Alliers oak), Weingut Rudolf May
• 2007 Spaetburgunder Trocken (approx 12 Euro in Germany), Weingut Georg Mueller Stiftung
• 2006 Spaetburgunder Trocken Rosenberg, Weingut Becker Landgraf
• 2006 Pinot Noir Trocken Edition Ponsart Nr 17, Winzergenossenschaft Mayschoss-Altenahr

B- Wines

• 2005 Spaetburgunder Spaetlese Trocken, Buergerspital Wuerzburg
• 2007 Spaetburgunder Spaetlese Trocken, Weingut Dr. Hinkel (approx 12 Euro in Germany)
• 2007 St Laurent Trocken Gau-Odernheimer, Weingut Becker Landgraf
• 2008 Weisser Burgunder Trocken, P.J. Valckenberg GmbH

C+ Wines

• 2007 Spaetburgunder & Domina Trocken, Buergerspital Wuerzburg
• 2008 Weisser Burgunder Spaetlese Trocken, Ruppertsberger Winzerverein Hoheburg eG
• 2007 Riesling Kabinett Trocken, P.J. Valckenberg GmbH
• 2007 Spaetburgunder Blanc de Noirs Trocken Bechtheimer Hasensprung, Weingut Spiess / Riederbacherhof
• 2005 Pinot Noir Trocken, Shelter Winery (too oaky right now)
• 2007 Pinot Noir Trocken Jubilaeumswein 140 Jahre, Winzergenossenschaft Mayschoss-Altenahr

C Wines

• 2007 Spaetburgunder Trocken Gau-Odernheimer, Weingut Becker Landgraf
• 2007 Riesling Kabinett Baron K, Weingut Freiherr zu Knyphausen
• 2007 Spaetburgunder Trocken, Shelter Winery
• 2007 Riesling Trocken Klassiker, Winzergenossenschaft Mayschoss-Altenahr
• 2007 Pinot Noir Trocken, Winzergenossenschaft Mayschoss-Altenahr

C- Wines

• 2007 Cabernet Dorsa ( Cross of Cabernet Sauvignon and Dornfelder), Ruppertsberger Winzerverein Hoheburg eG
• 2008 Riesling Trocken, P.J. Valckenberg GmbH
• 2007 Riesling P2 "Two Princes", Weingut Schloss Wallhausen (too sweet, sugary)
  

TN : Amancaya Gran Reserva Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Bodegas Caro, Mendoza, Argentina

This wine is a collaboration between Nicolas Catena and Barons de Rothschild Lafite.

The native indian women of Mendoza used Amancaya, flower of the Andes, to decorate their hair in the Spring.



This wine was imported by AB NIGAB.

Colour : Blackberry

Aroma : Oak, blackberry, spice, milk choclolate, plums

Taste : Fruity, oak, milk chocolate, spice, blackcurrant, nice tannic grip on finish

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 149 SEK

Mark : B+

Website : Bodegas Caro
Website : AB NIGAB

TN : Peter Lehman Barossa Shiraz 2006, Australia

This wine was sealed with a screwcap. The image on the label was painted by Toby Richardson and represents the Shiraz Queen. This wine was rated a 91 points "SmartBuy" by Wine Spectator, May 31st 2009.

Colour : Dark red/blackcurrant

Aroma : Cherry, milk chocolate, blackcurrant

Taste : Tart tannic finish, fruity, juicy, mouth watering, blackcurrant, blackberry, milk chocolate, cherry

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 119 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Peter Lehmann Wines

TN : Ramspeck Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Rowland Cellars, Napa Valley, California, USA

The Ramspeck family has been making wine since the 16th century. In 1991, Gerry and Linda Rowland reintroduced the Ramspeck label, more than 450 years after the Ramspeck family's first release in 1537, in Europe.

This wine was imported by Andersson Wines International.

Colour : Blackcurrant

Aroma : Blackcurrant, chocolate, cedar, plum

Taste : Blackcurrant, cedar, oak, plums, tanni grip on finish, needed half an hour to open up and soften the harsh tart tannins

Alcohol : 13.5%

Mark : B-

Website : Rowland Cellars
Website : Andersson Wines International

TN : A Amarone Della Valpolicella 2006, DOC, Alpha Zeta, Italy

This wine came in a 375ml half bottle.

Alpha Zeta’s Veneto wines come from a collaboration involving the winemaking consultant Matt Thompson, Canadian Master of Wine and Decanter contributor David Gleave, and cooperative manager, Gaetano Tobin, who oversees several growers who have vineyard plots in Monteforte and Valpantena. Gaetano is a longtime acquaintance of David Gleave’s. The venture was started in 1999. When not making wine for Alpha Zeta, Matt also makes, or assists in making, the wines for Saint Clair and Kim Crawford in New Zealand.



Colour : Dark red

Aroma : Rum raisins, spice, milk, chocolate, oak, vanilla, cherry

Taste : Fruity, cherry, rum raisins, fruit cake, spice, vanilla, oak, chocolate, warm long finish

Alcohol : 15%

Price : 97 SEK (375ml bottle)

Mark : C+

TN : 35 South Wild Ferment Rose 2008, Vina San Pedro, Cachapoal Valley, Chile

This wine was made from organically grown grapes. These grapes were all hand harvested. Spontaneous alcoholic fermentation was carried out using native yeasts.

This wine was imported by V&S Vin & Sprit AB. This wine is not mentioned on their website however.

Colour : Bright strawberry

Aroma : Earthy, strawberry, red fruits, slight vanilla

Taste : Dry, strawberry, raspberry, mouth watering, citrus notes

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 75 SEK

Mark : B

Website : 35 South Vina San Pedro
Website : V&S Vin & Sprit AB

TN : Domaine Gioulis Cabernet Sauvingon Agiorgitiko 2007, Regional Red Dry Wine of Korinth, Greece

This wine is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Agiorgitiko. The grapes for this wine were grown at an altitude of 750 metres in hilly Klimenti, Korinth. The grapes were grown organically; certified by DIO.

Colour : Red

Aroma : Red fruits, earthy, herbs

Taste : Blackcurrant, earthy, herbs, oak

Alcohol : 12.5%

Price : 99 SEK

Mark : C

Website : DIO

TN : Tavel Rose Bargeliere 2008, Ogier, Tavel, France

Ogier was founded in 1859. The vines are situated in Tavel the district of Gard on the right bank of the Rhone. The grape varieties used were Grenache, Clairette, Cinsault, and Mourvedre.



Colour : Pale strawberry

Aroma : Strawberry, liqcourice, herbs

Taste : Strawberry, liqcourice, herbs, fruity, dry

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 119 SEK

Mark : B+

TN : Pinot Noir Rouge Vielli en Barrique 2005, Domaine Viticole de la Ville de Colmar, Alsace, France

The domaine was founded in 1895 by the famous ampelographer Chrétien Oberlin and is now maanged by Mr and Mrs Jean-Rémy Haeffelin.

The vineyard soil is very gravely and stony. The wine was fernmented for twelve days under controlled temperature in standard tanks. After the first clarifying filtration, the wine was matured in new barrels made of Vosges' oak. The wine is preserved from 12 to 14 months in the barrels before bottling.

Colour : Light red/brown

Aroma : Stewed red fruits, leather

Taste : Tart, stewed red fruits, soft tannins, leather, acidic

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 143 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Domaine Viticole de la Ville de Colmar

TN : Leonardo Rosato 2008, IGT, Cantine Leonardo da Vinci, Tuscany, Italy

The Cantine was established in 1961. It is situated 5 km from the birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci. The Cantine, today, consists of 160 members.

The grape varieties used are Sangiovese and Trebbiano. Two types of vinification were used in the production of the wine : soft pressing of the grapes, using pneumatic presses, whose juice is sent for fermentation at 17-19 degrees in temperature controlled containers; in addition, the pomace is left to macerate in the same juice for a brief period, approximately 12 hours, and afterward spart or all of the liquid obtained is drawn off. The must is fermented at a low temperature in the same temperature-controlled tanks.

This wine was sealed with a screwcap.

Colour : Light raspberry

Aroma : Raspberry, herbs, blackcurrant

Taste : Fruity, raspberry, herbs, blackcurrant, dry

Alcohol : 12%

Price : 87 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Cantine Leonardo da Vinci

TN : Zweigelt Rose 2008, Trocken, Weingut Rabl, Langenlois, Kamptal, Austria

Weingut Rabl have been in business since 1750. Rudolf Rabl has been in charge since 1986.

This wine had lots of great fruit but an overwhelming herbiness that I did not like. The wine was sealed with a screwcap.



This wine was imported by Johan Lidby Vinhandel AB.

Colour : Light pink, copper tones

Aroma : Blackcurrant, strawberry, raspberry, oranges

Taste : Herbs, grapefruit, strawberry, blackcurrant, dry

Alcohol : 12.5%

Price : 85 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Weingut Rabl
Website : Johan Lidby Vinhandel AB

Fridge Magnet : Chateau Leoville Barton

Fridge Magnet : Chateau Langoa Barton

Fridge Magnet : Antinori Tignanello

Oz Clarke's Wine Guide on CD-ROM

I possess four versions of Oz Clarke's Wine Guide on CD-ROM and wondering why he doesn't produce another version; either online or on DVD with online updates. It could combine his Wine Atlas along with his Best Buys, Pocket Wine Book, Grapes and Wines, and Wine Atlas books. This would be a phenomenal resource.

The four versions I possess are depicted below.

This version was produced by Microsoft in 1995 and ran on MacOS System 7 or later, required 5Mb of memory and 2Mb of hard disk space :



This version was produced by Websters in 1997 and ran on MacOS System 7 or later, required 8Mb of memory and 1Mb of hard disk space :



This version was produced by Websters in 1998 and ran on MacOS System 7 or later, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 3.1, and Windows NT 3.51 or later, required 8Mb of memory and 1Mb of hard disk space on a Macintosh and 10Mb of hard disk space on a Windows box :




This version was produced by Dorling Kindersley in 1999 and ran on Windows 3.1, 95, 98, and NT, and MacOS System 7.5.3 or later, required between 8 and 32Mb of memory and 20Mb of hard disk space on a Windows box and 16Mb of memory and 6Mb of hard disk space on a Macintosh :



Website : Oz Clarke

Wine Blog Study

Do wine blogs matter ?

Tracy Rickman, a doctoral candidate at Auburn University is calling on all wine bloggers and wine blog readers to undertake a survey which will be used to obtain information on how consumers obtain and use information about wine.

Please help Tracy by taking the survey (see the URL link below).

Website : Wine Blog Study Survey

Systembolaget New Wines June 2009

The Systembolaget have published their latest newsletter detailing the new wines that will be available for June 2009. It can be downloaded in PDF format from the Systembolaget web site.

Website : Systembolaget Varunytt June 2009

TN : Peter Lehmann Barossa Cabernet Sauvingnon 2006, Australia

The label on this wine is the Queen of Clubs icon which symbolises the gamble that Peter Lehmann took when starting up his wine business. The Cabernet Sauvignon Queen image was painted by Michelle Wheadon.

This wine, 2006, is the third successive vintage of Barossa Cabernet.

Since 2003, Peter Lehmann Wines has been part of Hess Family Estates.

Colour : Red, cassis hues

Aroma : Cedar, blackcurrant, milk chocolate

Taste : Crisp, blackcurrant upfront followed by cedar and then milk chocolate and smooth tannins on a long finish

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 122 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Peter Lehmann Wines