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
Wednesday, 21 May 2008
TN : Las Moras Gran Shiraz 2004, Finca Las Moras, San Juan, Argentina
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 06:55 0 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
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
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 06:47 0 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
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
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 06:39 0 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
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
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 06:58 0 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
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
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 12:16 0 comments
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
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 12:14 0 comments
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
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 07:11 1 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
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
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 06:57 3 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
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
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 12:19 0 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
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-
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 07:29 0 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
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
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 07:08 0 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
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
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 07:03 0 comments
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
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 06:55 0 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
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
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 06:46 0 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
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
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 11:46 0 comments
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
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 07:48 0 comments
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
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 07:37 0 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
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
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 07:30 0 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
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
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 07:20 0 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
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
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 07:15 0 comments