TN : Tendral 2007, Cellers Unio, Priorat, Spain

This wine is a blend of Shiraz, Grenache, and Mazuelo.



Colour : Dark red, blue hues

Aroma : Spicy, plums, cherries, rum

Taste : Plums, raisins, sour cherry, acidic finish, rum

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 115 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Cellers Unio

TN : Bacchus 2008, Tenterden Vineyard, Chapel Down Winery, English Wines Group, Kent, UK

This wine was made by Owen Elias. It was sealed with a screwcap.




Colour : Very pale watery yellow

Aroma : Green apples, ginger, lemon

Taste : Elderflower, green apples, ginger, lemon, slight herbiness

Alcohol : 12%

Price : 9.49 GB Pounds (Waitrose)

Mark : C+

Website : English Wines Group

TN : Plexus 2005, John Duval Wines, Barossa Valley, Australia

This wine is a blend of 50% Shiraz, 34% Grenache, and 16% Mourvedre. The Shiraz was sourced from vineyards in the Stockwell, Light Pass, Ebenezer and Marananga regions. The Grenache was sourced from old bush vines 50-60 years old from Stockwell, Light Pass and the Rowland Flat regions. The Mourvedre was sourced from old bush vines, the oldest over 100 years old, from the Light Pass and Angaston regions.



The fermentation was with submerged cap in both traditional old open top tanks and small stainless steel fermenters. The wine was 100% barrel matured for 16 months. Some Shiraz finished fermentation in new oak. 17% new fine grain French oak hogsheads (300 litres) were used for balance; 3 years and older mostly French oak. The pH is 3.50 and the total acidity is 6.2 grammes per litre.



John Duval was winemaker at Penfolds for 29 years and started hus own label in 2003.



Colour : Blackberry red

Aroma : Cold meats, blueberry, violets, spice, black pepper

Taste : Blueberry, blackberry, violets, spice, black pepper and cold meats on finish

Price : 273 SEK

Alcohol : 14.5%

Mark : B

Website : John Duval Wines

TN : Albaruta Zitto Zitto Sangiovese 2007, IGT, Cecchi, Umbria, Italy

This wine is a blend of 85% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot, and 5% Sagrantino. The wine spent nine months in French oak, The oenologists were Andrea Cecchi and Miria Bracali.



Colour : Dark red, blue hues

Aroma : Cherry, plums, oak, milk chocolate

Taste : Cherry, oak, spice, plums, fruity

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 79 SEK

Mark : C

TN : Aglianico 2007, Terredora, IGT, Campania, Italy

Colour : Dark red

Aroma : Milk chocolate, coffee, spice, toast, red fruits

Taste : Coffee, spice, toast, raisins, leather, red fruits

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 89 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Terredora Di Paolo

TN : Tautavel Reserve 2007, Gerard Bertrand, Tautavel, France

Tautavel is a small appellation in the heart of Rousillon in the south of France.

This wine is a blend of 40% Syrah, 30% Grenache, and 30% Carignan. The grapes were hand harvested in September 2007. The wine was matured for six months in French oak.



Colour : Dark cassis

Aroma : Blackcurrant, herbs

Taste : Spice on finish, herbs, concentrated zingy blackcurrant

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 89 SEK

Mark : B-

Website : Gerard Bertrand

TN : Kings Ridge Oregon Pinot Noir 2007, Kings Rudge Wines, Oregon, USA

The grapes for this wine come from vineyards in the Willamette Valley (67%) and the Umpqua Valley (33%). The Pinot Noir grapes were fermented in vessels from 1.5 ton boxes to 20 ton closed-top tanks. They were punched down or pumped over three times per day and pressed at dryness. The wine was aged in a combination of new and used French oak barrels (18% new and 82% neutral) for nine months, then blended and bottled. 13,000 cases were produced. The pH is 3.66, titratable acidity is 5.3 grammes per litre, and the residual sugar is 0.2%.



This wine was sealed with a screwcap.

This wine was imported by Andersson Wines International.

Colour : Pale red

Aroma : Spice, stewed red fruits, herbs

Taste : Oak, raspberry, ginger, lacking fruit, very herby finish

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 149 SEK

Mark : C-

Website : Kings Ridge
Website : Andersson Wines International

TN : Chateau Haut-Canteloup 2006, Premieres Cotes de Blaye, Famille Bordenave, Bordeaux, France

This wine is a blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc. 60% of the wine was matured in second-fill French Troncais oak barriques.



Colour : Dark red

Aroma : Cedar, plums, blackcurrant, oak

Taste : cedar and oak on finish, blackcurrant, earthy, plums

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 109 SEK

Mark : C

TN : Winkeler Jesuitengarten Riesling Trocken 2008, Allendorf, Rheingau, Germany

The Allendorf family have been cultivating vineyards in the Rheingau since 1292.

This wine was sealed with a screwcap.



This wine was imported by Granqvist Vinagentur AB.

Colour : Pale yellow

Aroma : Lemon, orange marmelade, honey, mineral, pear

Taste : Green apple, lemon, mineral, sharp, honey, pear

Alcohol : 11%

Price : 109 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Allendorf
Website : Granqvist Vinagentur AB

TN : Boekenhoutskloof Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Franschhoek, South Africa

The pH is 3.67, volatile acidity is 0.72 grammes per litre, residual sugar is 2.8 grammes per litre, and the total acidity is 6.4 grammes per litre.



This wine was imported by HJO Grosshandel AB.

Colour : Dark red, blue hues

Aroma : Blackcurrant, cedar, milk chocolate, toasty oak

Taste : Coffee, cedar, blackcurrant, lots of toasty oak, structured astringent tannins (from the oak ?), could be kept for three to five years to let the oak integrate and tannins soften.

Price : 299 SEK

Alcohol : 14.5%

Mark : B-

Website : Boekenhoutskloof
Website : HJO Grosshandel AB

TN : De Martino Single Vineyard Carmenere 2007, Alto de Piedras, Maipo Valley, Chile

The grapes for this wine were harvested in the second week of May 2007 from the Alto de Piedras vineyard which is situated on an alluvial terrace from the Quarternary era. The soil is sand, lime, and clay. This wine was aged for 15 months in French oak barrels.



This wine was imported by Domaine Wines.

Colour : Dark purple

Aroma : Blackcurrant, oak, green pepper, chocolate

Taste : Lively blackcurrant, toasty oak, green pepper, smooth tannins

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 159 SEK

Mark : B-

Website : De Martino
Website : Domaine Wines

TN : Nivole Moscato 2008, Michele Chiarlo, Piemonte, Italy

This wine is 100% Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains. The residual sugar content is 122 grammes per litre.



Colour : Pale yellow

Aroma : Pear, elderberry, wine gums, stone fruits

Taste : Sparkling, pear, sweet, elderberry, apple, wine gums, stone fruits

Alcohol : 5%

Price : 69 SEK (375ml bottle)

Mark : C

Website : Michele Chiarlo

TN : Edition Chremisa Blauer Zweigelt 2005, Winzer Krems, Sandgrube 13, Kremstal, Austria

The city of Krems was first mentioned in the year 995 as “urbs chremisa”. To the honour of the city, Winzer Krems created a new premium line called “Edition Chremisa”.



This wine was imported by Granqvist Agentur.

Colour : Red

Aroma : Red fruits, violets, coca cola, spice

Taste : Super smooth tannins and mouthfeel, strawberry, raspberry, violets, spice, coca cola, soft texture

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 159 SEK

Mark : A

Website : Winzer Krems
Website : Granqvist Agentur

TN : Alfa Romeo Rosso 2006, Scrimaglio, Monferrato, Italy

This wine is 80% Barbera d'Asti and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon.



Colour : Dark red

Aroma : Oak, cherry, spice

Taste : Oak, plums, cherry, spice, licourice on finish

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 215 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Scrimaglio

TN : Cono Sur Reserva Merlot 2007, Colchagua Valley, Chile

This wine is a blend of 85% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec, 2% Syrah, and 1% Alicante Bouschet. All of the grapes were hand-picked on May 7th 2007. 60% of the wine was aged in barrels and 40% in stainless steel tanks for ten months. The wine was bottled in March 2008. The residual sugar is 2.5 grammes per litre, the pH is 3.5, and the total acidity is 5.6 grammes per litre.



Colour : Dark red, blue hues

Aroma : Oak, plums, green peppers, coffee, blackcurrant

Taste : Green peppers, plums, blackcurrant, vanilla, coffee, cherry

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 96 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Cono Sur Vineyards and Winery

TN : Cono Sur Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2008, Casablanca Valley, Chile

Cono Sur Vineyards & Winery was founded in 1993. The winemaker was Adolfo Hurtado. The vineyards are located in El Centinela Estate. The vineyard soils are mineral with red clay. All the grapes were hand-picked on March 29th 2008. The wine was aged for four months in stainless steel tanks. The residual sugar is 4.6 grammes per litre, the pH is 3.05, and the total acidity is 7.3 grammes per litre.



This wine was sealed with a screwcap.

On the front label is a bicycle and on the back label is the following text "The bicycle represents a particular way of living and enjoying life’s own rhythm. It symbolizes a different point of view, a statement about our roots, our future and the special feature of our wines: expressive, relaxed and joyful. Both in life and wine we believe in returning to bicycle basics, to those simple things you never forget."

Colour : Pale yellow

Aroma : Pineapple, green banana, nettles, lemon

Taste : Green banana, pineapple, minerals, lemon

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 89 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Cono Sur

Bottle Shock DVD/Blue-Ray

This was the first Blue-Ray disk I have bought (and so far the only one). I was pleasantly surprised by this film: it was more wine-orientated than I was expecting. Although based around the Judgement of Paris 1976 tasting, it focused purely on Chateau Montelena and the relationship between Jim Barrett and Bo Barrett.



I don't know how true-to-life the story really is, only Stephen Spurrier can say, but I thoroughly enjoyed this film.

TN : Maycas Del Limari Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2008, Concha Y Toro, Limari Valley, Chile

The grapes for this wine were hand-harvested in February 2008. Alcoholic fermentation was in steel tanks. The winemaker was Marcelo Papa.

The front label has twelve dotted circles upon it whereby each dotted circle is supposed to represent a month the growing cycle from bud break to harvest in a land whose growing season is perhaps longer than anywhere else on Earth.



On the back label are the words "I get the feeling I'm walking through a lemon grove a month before they're ripe for picking where green lemons hang amid moist foliage. In the background lie earthy aromas, damp rocks and minerals.



This wine was sealed with a screwcap.

Colour : Very pale yellow

Aroma : Minerals, lime, nettles, broad beans

Taste : Nettles, gooseberry, sharp lemon, minerals, dirty earthy finish

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 89 SEK

Mark : C-

TN : Broquel Cabernet Franc 2007, Bodegas Trapiche, Mendoza, Argentina

The grapes for this wine were hand harvested from vineyards located in Cruz de Piedra, Maipu, Mendoza. The wine spent a total of 15 months in a combination of French and American oak.



This wine was imported by Fondberg & Co.

Colour : Dark red, blue hues

Aroma : Dark berries, grilled peppers, oak, milk chocolate

Taste : Dark berries, blackcurrant, herbs, oak

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 95 SEK

Website : Bodegas Trapiche
Website : Fondberg & Co

TN : Pinot Gris K Collection Personnelle 2007, Charles Wantz, Alsace, France

The grapes for this were all harvested by hand. Alcoholic fermentation was in steel tanks with each block vinified separately. Charles Wantz is a family business that was founded in 1563. Today, it is run by Eliane Wantz and her husband Erwin Moser.



This wine was imported by Apricot AB.



Colour : Yellow

Aroma : Pear, honey, apricot

Taste : White grapes, pears, apricots, honey, mushrooms on finish

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 79 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Charles Wantz
Website : Apricot AB

Systembolaget New Wines September 15th 2009

The Systembolaget will release new wines on the 15th September 2009. The list can be viewed on the Systembolaget's web site (in HTML format).

Website : Systembolaget Nyheter den 15 september

TN : Arboleda Sauvignon Blanc 2008, Vina Sena, Valle de Leyda, Chile

This wine was sealed with a screwcap. The pH of this wine is 3.05, total acidity is 5.94 grammes per litre (tartaric acid), and the residual sugar is 1.7 grammes per litre.

The fruit was hand picked and transported by refrigerated trucks to the winery in small 14 kg boxes. The grapes underwent a 6 to 10-hour cold soak to encourage a fuller range of aromas and flavours before the pneumatic pressing. The must was then fermented very clean (40–50 NTU) and cold, twelve to fifteen degrees, in stainless-steel tanks to preserve its aromatic potential and using yeasts that were especially selected for their ability to enhance aromatic compounds under cold temperature conditions.

The grapes were harvested between the 31st of March to 5th of April. The 2008 vintage was unique in every sense. The winter of 2007 was one of the coldest and driest on record, and as a result, the soil moisture levels in the spring and prior to budbreak were considerably lower than in other years. This caused a ten to fifteen day delay in bud break in a number of varieties. Due to its proximity to the coast, the Leyda Valley has a high maritime influence that provides ideal temperatures for grape ripening, while the cool breezes and moderate temperatures allow this valley to maintain consistent quality over time, regardless of annual fluctuations.



The name "Arboleda" pays tribute to Chile’s native trees, which are conserved in the winery's Valle de Aconcagua vineyards.

Colour : Watery pale yellow

Aroma : Lemon, lime, nettles, gooseberry

Taste : Nettles, lime, lemon, minerals, gooseberry

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 99 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Arboleda Wines

TN : Simonsig Tiara 2006, Stellenbosch, South Africa

This wine is a blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon and 32% Merlot. The wine spent 18 months in oak of which 95% was new French and the rest American oak; 64% of the American oak was new.



This is yet another red wine from South Africa with burnt rubber notes.

Colour : Deep dark red, blue hues

Aroma : Herbs, blackcurrant, plums, tobacco, smoke

Taste : Plums, blackcurrant, burnt rubber, coffee, fruity

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 149 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Simonsig

TN : Chateau Bonnet Reserve 2005, Andre Lurton, Bordeaux, France

This wine received 87 points from Wine Spectator. The wine itself is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot. The consultant on this wine was Denis Galabert from the Oenologique Center of Grézillac.



This wine was imported by Bibendum.

Colour : Dark red

Aroma : Blackcurrant, oak, dark fruits, herbs

Taste : Blackcurrant, plums, oak, grainy tannins, a little closed right now or maybe the fruit is fading. Could be worth ageing for another three years to see if it opens up.

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 129 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Andre Lurton
Website : Bibendum

Systembolaget New Wines October 2009

The Systembolaget have released their catalogue of new wines for October 2009. It can be downloaded from their website in PDF format. Of note this month, are the bulk of the Systembolaget's release of Bordeaux 2006s (some offerings have already been released in previous months).

The main wines will be available from October 1st and the Bordeaux 2006s from October 15th.

Website : Systembolaget Varunytt Oktober 2009