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
Tuesday, 27 May 2008
TN : Shadrach Cabernet Sauvignon 2001, Grant Burge, Australia
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 07:02 0 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
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
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 07:22 0 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
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+
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 07:18 0 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
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
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 07:10 3 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
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
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 06:45 1 comments
Labels: Tasting Note
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
Posted by ANDY CHEESE at 07:04 0 comments
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
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