TN : Ingwe 2004, Alain Moueix, Stellenbosch, South Africa

This was like drinking a very fruity soft easy-drinking right-bank Bordeaux. It is a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Ingwe means leopard. It is derived from the leopards that live in the mountains near the farm on which this wine is made.



Alain Moueix is the owner, He graduated from the Toulouse University and then gained valuable experience working at Kumeu River Wines in New Zealand. Alain today is the co-owner and manager of Chateau Fonroque (St Emilion Grand Cru Classé) and the director of Chateau Mazeyres (Pomerol).

Francois Baard is the viticulturist and has trained at the South African Wine Research Institute at Stellenbosch. Francois, also a junior partner in Ingwe, joined Alain in 1999 and has been the driving force in developing the Ingwe vineyards. Francois trained at Nietvoorbij near Stellenbosch and was previously farm manager/viticulturist at Groot Constantia, Buitenverwachting and Zevenwacht wineries. Francois also looks after the local marketing of Ingwe wines.

PJ Geyer is the winemaker. He gained his winemaking skills in both new world (the USA and New Zealand) and old world (Pomerol, France) cellars. He joined Ingwe in 2002.

The Ingwe soils are a mixture of clay and gravel. The gravel provides efficient drainage allowing the water to penetrate the soil’s deep clay reservoir. The roots are lured down to this level thus minimizing the impact of weather and temperature variations on the vine. Research into the great terroir of Bordeaux has shown that moderate water stress two-to-three weeks before grapes start developing their color has the most beneficial impact on the wine’s body and complexity. By regulating irrigation this effect has been simulated in the Ingwe vineyards. By using a pressure chamber to determine the stem water potential they are able to measure the stress on the vine. If irrigation is required large amounts of water are used in order to wet all the soil horizons. The upper horizons dry quickly, stressing the roots into penetrating the deeper moist clay levels.


This wine is imported by Domaine Wines.

Colour : Dark red

Aroma : Tobacco, dark fruits, oak

Taste : Blackcurrant, plum, tobacco, very fruity, slight oak

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 149 SEK

Mark : B+

Website : Domaine Wines

TN : Max 2004, Miles Mossop Wines, South Africa

This wine won a gold at the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show in 2006. It is wine of origin coastal region. It is a blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, and 22% Petit Verdot. The wine was names after Miles and Samantha Mossop's son, Maximillian Anthony. Max inherited his names from his grandfathers. Miles Mossop wines has been in existence since 2004. 500 cases of this wine were produced. Miles Mossop is winemaker at Tokara, appointed in January 2000. Miles attended Wynberg Boys’ High in Cape Town and completed a degree in geology and geochemistry at the University of Stellenbosch in 1995 before obtaining a degree in viticulture and oenology in 1998, graduating top of his class. In 1999, he spent a vintage at the prestigious Knappstein winery in South Australia. Miles has also experienced winemaking in France, Italy and California’s Napa Valley.



This wine is imported into Sweden by AB Nigab.

Colour : Dark plum

Aroma : Talcum powder, spice, turkish delight, dark fruits

Taste : Spice, plums, dark fruits, talcum powder and turkish delight on finish, slight heat on logn finish

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 189 SEK

Mark : B

Website : AB Nigab

TN : Chateau Bonnet 2007, Rose Wine, Andre Lurton, Bordeaux, France

Colour : Pink/strawberry

Aroma : Strawberry, cream, mint, white pepper

Taste : Strawberry, vanilla ice cream, mint, slight spice on finish

Alcohol : 12.5%

Price : 80 SEK

Mark : B+

Website : Andre Lurton

Systembolaget New Wines for May 2008

The May 2008 issue of Varunytt can now be downloaded from the Systembolaget's website. The wines will go on sale on Friday May 2nd 2008. There is a big focus on rose wines next month.

Website : Systembolaget Varunytt Maj 2008

WineWorld AB Newsletter April 2008

WineWorld AB have published their April 2008 Newsletter. It is available for download from their web site. The focus this month is on Barossa's St Hallet with an article on Tony Barlow, the new winemaker.

Website : WineWorld AB Nyhetsbrev April 2008

TN : Querciabella Chianti Classico 2005, DOCG, Agricola Quercialbella, Tuscany, Italy

This wine is a blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Colour : Brown/cherry

Aroma : Spice, cherry, licquorice, violets

Taste : Spice, cherry, raspberry, violets, licqourice

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 199 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Agricola Querciabella

TN : Clos de la Mine 2005, Domaine d'Ambinos, Coteau du Layon Beaulieu, France

J.P. Chene is the viticulteur for this wine. They can be reached by telephone on 0241784809.

Colour : Gold/yellow

Aroma : Muted, sugar, lemon

Taste : Overwhelming sweetness, lemon, lime, lucozade, long finish

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 158 SEK

Mark : C

TN : Chakana Malbec Syrah 2007, Argentina

This wine is available as a 3 litre bag-in-box.

It states on the box that "Chakana was the name given by the Indians to the Southern Cross constellation. It was represented by the square cross, a powerful scared symbol with great importance in the protection of crops. Chakana literally means bridge in indigneous language."

The wine was imported by Primewine Sweden AB.

The box was filled on January 9th 2008 and it is stated that it is best before 9th November 2008.

Colour : Deep purple

Aroma : Dark berries, violets, spice

Taste : Spice, white pepper on finish, red berries, dark berries, slight hint of violets

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 177 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Chakana
Website : Primewine Sweden AB

Vinkällaren Grappes Monthly Newsletter April 2008

For April 2008, comes the latest newsletter from Vinkällaren Grappe. Amongst the wines delivered this month include Ser Lapo from Marchesi Mazzei and Ingwe from Alain Moueix.

Website : Vinkällaren Grappes Nyhetsbrev April 2008

VinUnic Newsletter April 2008

VinUnic have just published their newsletter for April 2008. This month sees a couple of good low-end wines from Catena and a couple of high-end wines for South Africa's Vergelegen.

Website : Våra Viner Nyhetsbrev April 2008

Italian Wine Day for Consumers (Italiensk Vindag), Stockholm, March 29th 2008

I went to the Italian Wine Day for Consumers tasting last Saturday, 29th March 2008. It was held at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Stockholm and organised by the Nordic Wine Institute. It was very busy and sometimes very annoying to wait in queues for tasting whilst somebody waffled on about something irrelevant. Each person got a set of drinks coupons though nobody asked for them so it was unlimited pours.



The best wine of the night was a red from Tenuta Poggio Verano called Dromos 2004 which retails at 307 SEK. It was poured by the only winery representative I could see, Francesco Bolla; everybody else behind the tables were from importers.



Here's my scores, and notes where I wrote some, for the wines I tasted. I concentrated mainly on Tuscany as this is my favourite area of Italy :

A Wines
Brunello di Montalcino, 2002, Piccini, Tuscany, 219 SEK
Ilatraia 2005, La Brancaia, Tuscany, 358 SEK
Dromos 2004, Tenuta Poggio Verano, Tuscany, 307 SEK
Maronea 2004, Casa di Terra, Tuscany, 298 SEK
Poggio Querciolo 2004, Casa di Terra, Tuscany, 186 SEK

A- Wines
Castello di Fonterutoli Chianti Classico 2004, Marchesi Mazzei/Castello di Fonterutoli, Tuscany, 271 SEK

B+ Wines
Sormonno, Parmoleto, Tuscany
Ser Lapo Chianti Classico 2006, Marchesi Mazzei/Castello di Fonterutoli, Tuscany, 169 SEK
Brancaiai Il Blu 2004, La Brancaia, Tuscany, 389 SEK
Lamainone 2004, Merlot di Toscana IGT, Marchesi de Frescobaldi, Tuscany,, 315 SEK

B Wines
W... Dreams 2005, Jermann, Friuli-Venezia-Giula, 360 SEK, Chablis-like
Red Angel 2005, Jermann, Friuli-Venezia-Giula, 170 SEK
Fonterutoli Chianti Classico 2006, Marchesi Mazzei/Castello di Fonterutoli, Tuscany, 148 SEK
Brancaiai Chianti Classico 2004, La Brancaia, Tuscany, 199 SEK
Montesodi 2004, Chianti Ruffina DOCG, Marchesi de Frescobaldi, Tuscany, 379 SEK

B- Wines
Torre Testa IGT Salento 2004, Rubino, Apulien, 244 SEK
Castello di Ama Chianti Classico 2001, Castello di Ama, Tuscany, 269 SEK, brownish tinges, a little oxidised ?
Lucente 2005, Tuscany IGT, Luce Della Vite Frescobaldi-Mondavi, 205 SEK, a little oxidised ?

C+ Wines
Vintage Tunina 2005, Jermann, Friuli-Venezia-Giula, 360 SEK, this was more tropical fruits than the Were Dreams 2005
Brancaia Tre 2006, La Brancaia, Tuscany, 119 SEK
Il Cortono 2004, Tenimenti Luigi d'Alessandro, Tuscany, 169 SEK

C Wines
Moreccio 2006, Casa di Terra, Tuscany, 126 SEK
Casamatta Bianco 2006, Bibi Graetz, Tuscany

Website : Italiensk Vindag Vinkatalog March 2008

TN : Casa Lapostolle Cuvee Alexandre Pinot Noir 2005, Atalayas Vineyard, Casablanca Valley, Chile

The vintage was hand harvested two weeks later than was scheduled. The grapes were put into 12 kg small cases and transported to the winery in refrigerated trucks. 100% of the must was pressed directly without skin contact. 73% of the grapes were hand destemmed. 27% of the grapes went through strict quality control before crush. The must underwent a cold maceration of 4 days at 10 degrees before fermentation. The wine was fermented in French oak vats at 25 degrees for two weeks. All of the blend was aged for 18 months: 73% in new French oak barrels amd 27% in used French oak barrels. The wine was bottled on the 5th March 2007 and 459 nine litre cases were produced.

Colour : Pale red/brown

Aroma : Toasty oak, stewed fruits, coffee

Taste : Toasty oak and spice on finish, stewed fruits, coca cola, cherries, slight chalky tannins

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 228 SEK

Mark : B-

Website : Casa Lapostolle

TN : Chianti Classico Riserva Rocca Guicciarda 2004, DOCG, Barone Ricasoli, Tuscany, Italy

The wine was in a half bottle, 375 ml. It is 100% Sangiovese. The winemaker was Carlo Ferini. The fermentation temperature was 30 degrees. The maceration period was 16 days. The wine was matured for 20 months in barriques and 900 litre casks. It was bottled on 30th January 2007.



This wine was imported into Sweden by WineWorld.

Colour : Dark red/maroon

Aroma : Cherries, red fruits, oak, currants

Taste : Cherries, oak, dark chocolate hints, heat on finish, currants

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 69 SEK

Mark : B-

Website : Barone Ricasoli
Website : WineWorld

TN : Beta Crux 2004, Red Wine, O Fournier, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina

This is a blend of 50% Tempranillo, 40% Malbec, and 10% Merlot.

The vineyards are situated in La Consulta, Pareditas, Et Cepillo in Mendoza. The vineyards are at an altitude of 1100 metres (3600 feet). The grapes were handharvested into 18 Kg (40 lb) boxes from the 5th to the 20th of April 2004. The must was fermented for 6 days in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature of 28 degrees. There was a maceration of 5 days between 6 and 8 degrees followed by 25 days at 24 degrees. Malolactic fermentation was in oak barrels. The wine was aged for 12 months in oak of which 80% was French and 20% was American. There were 80,000 bottles produced. The wine was bottled unfiltered.

A winery analysis showed that the alcohol was 14.7%, total acidity was 4.8 grammes per litre, and pH was 3.8.

Colour : Dark purple

Aroma : Oak, bramble jelly, violets, liqourice, mint

Taste : Heat, oak, bramble jelly, blackcurrant, after eight on finish, liqourice, mouth coating, concentrated, hard to drink more than one glass

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 147 SEK

Mark : B-

Website : O Fournier

TN : De Martino Gran Familia Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Maipo Valley, Chile

De Martino has existed since 1934.

The grapes came from a specific parcel of land in the vineyards planted in Isla de Maipo. The soils are light and sandy. The wine was aged in French oak barriques for 18 months.

The wine was imported by Domaine Wines, Stockholm.

Colour : Deep purple

Aroma : Blacurrant, vanilla, coffee, polished oak

Taste : Upfront blackcurrant, dominant oak, oak tannins on finish, heat, out of balance, too much oak, second glass was much better

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 239 SEK

Mark : C

Website : De Martino
Website : Domaine Wines

TN : Vina Maipo Reserva Especial Merlot Carmenere Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Vina Maipo, Rapel Valley, Chile

This wine was imported by Chris-Wine Sweden. There 6000 bottles of this wine available for purchase from the Systembolaget on March 1st 2008.

This wine is a blend of 60% Merlot, 25% Carmenere, and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine was matured in French oak for 9 months.

Colour : Dark purple

Aroma : Coffee, blackcurrant, white pepper, green peppers

Taste : Blackcurrant, coffee, mint, oak, liqourice

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 90 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Vina Maipo
Website : Chris-Wine Sweden

TN : Doennhoff Riesling Trocken 2006, Hermann Doennhoff, Nahe, Germany

On the label, the alcohol content is stated as 11% whereas in Systembolaget's March Varunytt it is stated as being 11.5%.

The grapes were harvested in October 2006 and the yield was around 50 hectolitres per hectare. The fermentation was slow, taking two to three months in large German oak and steel tanks. The winemaker was Helmut Doennhoff. There were 600 bottles of this wine available for purchase from the Systembolaget on March 1st 2008.

Colour : Pale lemon

Aroma : Orange, white grapes, minerals

Taste : Zingy minerals and lemon, slight rhubarb, long finish, simple

Alcohol : 11%

Price : 129 SEK

Mark : C

TN : BenMarco Expessivo 2004, Dominio del Plata, Mendoza, Argentina

The winemaker is Susana Balbo and viticulturist is Pedro Marchevsky.

This wine is a blend of 50% Malbec, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah, 10% Bonarda, and 5% Merlot.

The wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered.

BenMarco is Pedro's means son of Marco in Hebrew and with this wine he pays homage to his father.

The wine was imported by Arvid Nordquist AB.

Colour : Deep dark purple

Aroma : Dark berries, violets, blueberries

Taste : Violets, blackberry, concentrated, long finish, blueberries

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 169 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Arvid Nordquist
Website : Dominio Del Plata Winery

TN : Rivaner 2007, Karl H Johner, Baden, Germany

The grapes come from vineyards around Kaiserstuhl. This wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks and bottled under screwcap.

The wine was imported by Giertz Vinimport AB.

Colour : Pale lemon

Aroma : Yeast, dried pineapple, spice, orange

Taste : Yeast, pineapple, orange, lemon, mouth coating, long finish

Alcohol : 12.5%

Price : 99 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Weingut Karl H Johner
Website : Giertz Vinimport AB

TN : Tenuta Monteti Caburnio 2005, Tenuta Monteti. Tuscany, Italy

The entry in Systembolaget's March 2008 Varunytt for this wine states that it has 14.5% alcohol but the label states 13.5%. Tasting it leads me to believe the label is correct.

This wine is a blend of 60% Petit Verdot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Alicante, and 4% Merlot according to the Systembolaget. The technical sheet on Tenuta Monteti's website states that the wine consists of 68% cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, and 20% Alicante.

The vines are trellised as spurred cordon. There are 6600 vines per hectare and 49000 bottles were produced.

A winery analysis shows that the alcohol is 13.8%, dry extract is 31.4 grammes per litre, total acidity (tartaric acid) is 5.4 grammes per litre, pH is 3.77, and phenolic compounds (gallic acid) are 2613 milligrammes per litre.

Colour : Dark black cherry

Aroma : Spice, liqourice, blackberry

Taste : Spice, oak, liqourice, herbs, dark fruits

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 139 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Tenuta Monteti

Systembolaget New Wines April 2008

The latest Varunytt, detailing April's new wines, can be downloaded from the Systembolaget website. Also in April, a new catalogue is due out.

Website : Systembolaget Varunytt April 2008

TN : Heinz Schmitt Riesling 2003, Koewericher Laurentiuslay Auslese, Germany

Colour : Yellow, lemon

Aroma : Lemon, honey

Taste : Long finish, honey, lemon, orange, sugar syrup, lacking acidity

Alcohol : 8.5%

Price : 89 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Weingut Heinz Schmitt

TN : Ampeleia 2004, IGT, Maremma, Tuscany, Italy

This wine is a blend of seven grape varieties, Cabernet Franc 50%, Sangiovese 20% together with other 5 different varieties of Mediterranean heritage, Alicante, Carignan, Grenache, Marselan, and Mourvedre.

The planted area of the vineyard is 35 hectares. The average age of the vines is 15 years. The altitude of the vineyard varies between 200 and 600 metres above sea level. The yield per hectare was 18 to 25 hectolitres. There were 54,000 bottles produced. The wine was matured and aged for 16 months in oak barrels of which 40% were new.

There were 360 bottles of this wine available for purchase within Sweden in March 2008.

Colour : Dark red, purple

Aroma : Oak, cherries, herbs, chocolate, underlying tobacco notes

Taste : Toasty oak, oak tanins on finish, tobacco, cherries, red fruits, dark chocolate

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 257 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Ampeleia

TN : Moutain Sun 2006, Dry Red Wine of Peloponnese, Sereli Wines, Greece

This is 100% Agiorgitiko. The wine spent three to four months in French oak. The Semeli Winery was established in 1979 by George and Anne Kokotos. Semeli was the mother of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine.

Colour : Maroon/red

Aroma : Raspberries, strawberries, herbs, plums

Taste : red berries, red grapes, herbs, fresh, crisp, slight dry tanins on long finish

Alcohol : 12.5%

Price : 64 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Semeli Wines

TN : Chateau Ste Michelle, Dry Riesling 2006, Columbia Valley, USA

This wine was imported by VinUnic.

This wine is 100% Riesling. The grapes were picked at night to preserve freshness. It was fermented cool in stainless steel tanks.

The analysis of this wine at the winery showed that the total acidity was 0.71 grammes per litre, the pH was 3.11, residual sugar was 0.75 grammes per 100 millilitres, and the alcohol was 13.9%.

Colour : Lemon

Aroma : Lemon, pear drops, honey

Taste : Lemon, orange, peach, crisp, honey,slight mineral finish

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 119 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Chateau Ste Michelle
Website : VinUnic

TN : Pauillac 2001, Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, Bordeaux, France

This wine was aged in French oak barriques for 11 months. 8% of the oak was new. The wine is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot.

This is the so-called third wine of this illustrious chateau but there is no mention of the producer on the labels, front or back; only "renowned second class growth".

Colour : Purple

Aroma : Blackcurrant, vanilla, green vegetables, red berries, violets, cedar

Taste : Long drying tanins on finish, cedar, thin, blackcurrant, vanilla, oak

Alcohol : 12.5%

Price : 189 SEK

Mark : C-

Website : Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

TN : Shottesbrooke Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Shottesbrooke Vineyards, McLaren Vale, Australia

This wine was imported by Primeur Vin AB.

Colour : Purple

Aroma : Herbs, blackcurrants, blackberry, eucalyptus

Taste : Blackcurrant, mint, vanilla, oak

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 114 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Shottesbrooke
Website : Primeur Vin AB

Vinkällaren Grappes Newsletter March 2008

Grappe have published their newsletter for March 2008. It can be downloaded from their website.

Website : Grappe Newsletter March 2008

TN : Rancho Zabaco Zinfandel 2005, Sonomo Heritage Vines, Sonomo County, USA

The winemaker was Eric Cinnamon. Rancho Zabaco wines bear the name of one of Old California’s earliest land grants – the Tzabaco Rancho.

Colour : Black/cassis

Aroma : Blackberry, herbs, slight pepper

Taste : Spice, blackberry, slight sweetness, dark berries, rich, long finish, mouth coating

Alcohol : 15%

Price : 145 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Rancho Zabaco

TN : Zaca Mesa Syrah 2003, Santa Ynez Valley, USA

This wine was estate grown and bottled. The vineyard blocks used for this wine were Chapel F, Cushman A, B and D, and Mesa A and F. Clay Brock was the winemaker. The grapes were harvested in early October, 8th to 18th, 2003. The wine is a blend of 98% Syrah and 2% Viognier. The wine was fermented in open topped bins and then spent 16 months in French oak barrels, 25% of which was new. the wine was minimally filtered and then bottled between 4th to the 9th March 2005. An analysis performed by the winery shows that the acidity is 0.57 grammes per 100 millilitres, the pH is 3.74, and the alcohol is 14.6%. 10, 693 cases were produced. Zaca Mesa have been making wine since 1972.

Colour : Black/purple

Aroma : Violets, blueberries, pepper, spice

Taste : Blueberries, raspberries, long white pepper finish

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 178 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Zaca Mesa

TN : Carabantes 2004, Syrah, Vina von Siebenthal, Aconcagua Valley, Chile

Chile's first wine was brought to the country in 1554 by a Spanish priest called Francisco de Carabantes. This wine is named in honour of this pioneer of Chilean viticulture.

The grapes were hand picked and the wine is unfiltered. This is a limited edition bottling of 17,992 bottles. It is a blend of 85% Syrah and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. This information is from the label though the winery's website states that it is only 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot. The production was 1.6 Kg of grapes per vine. The vines were trained in double Gobelet trellising an dthe vineyard is 600 metres above sea level. Fermentation was in 150 hectolitre stainless steel tanks. The wine spent 12 months in a mixture of French and American oak of which 35% was new. The wine was bottles in October 2003. The analysis at the winery shows that the Tartaric Acidity was 5.14 grammes per litre (sulfuric) and the pH was 3.73.

The wine was imported by Carovin AB, Stockholm.

Colour : Purple

Aroma : Violets, red berries, blueberries, spice, herbs, mint

Taste : Sweet, slight toasty oak, blueberry, herbs, red berries, white pepper

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 178 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Vina von Siebenthal
Website : Carovin AB

TN : Marques de Arienzo Reserva 2002, DOC, Rioja, Spain

This wine is a blend of 95% Tempranillo and 5% Graciano and Mazuelo. The grapes were harvested from 300 ha of mature vineyards in Elciego and Laguardia. The wine was bottled at Bodegas Domecq, Elciego, Spain. This was a 375ml bottle.

Colour : Red/brown

Aroma : Oak, slight sherry, spice, red fruits

Taste : Red fruits, oak, acidic, long finish

Alcohol : 13%

Price : 47 SEK

Mark : C-

TN : Montes Classic Series Merlot 2006, Colchagua Valley, Chile

This wine was aged in American oak for six months. It is a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. All of the grapes were handharvested. The yield was about 8-10 tons per hectare (3-4 tons per acre). The wine underwent a light one soft pad filtration before bottling. Interestingly the alcohol level quoted in the information on the Hjo Grosshandel AB website (a PDF flyer) states that the alcohol is 13.5%



This wine was imported by Hjo Grosshandel AB.

Colour : Deep red/maroon

Aroma : Olive, slight spice, coffee, plums, dark fruits, oak

Taste : Coarse oak, vanilla, dark fruits, olive, slight initial sweetness

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 99 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Vina Montes
Website : Hjo Grosshandel AB

TN : Trapiche Malbec Single Vineyard, Vina Carlos Gei Berra, 2004, Lunlunta, Mendoza, Argentina

The chief winemaker was Daniel Pi.

Carlos Gei Berra is an agricultural engineer. The vineyard was planted in 1973 in Lunlunta, Maipu. It is situated at an altitude of 878 metres (2879 feet).

The harvest date was April 16th 2004. The average mean temperature during the ripening month realised 17.7 degrees with a thermal amplitude of 9 degrees.

This wine was imported by Fondberg &Co.

Colour : Dark deep purple

Aroma : Toasty oak, herbs, dark berries

Taste : Concentrated, mouth filling, dark berries, cherries, chocolate, herbs

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 199 SEK

Mark : A

Website : Trapiche
Website : Fondberg & Co

TN : Erasmo 2004, Red Wine, Maule Valley, Vina la Reserva de Caliboro, Chile

This wine is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc. This is the fourth version of Erasmo produced. The vines were planted in 1998 on the alluvial terraces of the Perquilauquen river. The wine is a collaboration between the consultant enologist Maurizio Castelli and the producer Francesco Marone Cinzano. The grapes were hand harvested between February 23rd and March 10th 2004. Fermentation was in stainless steel with a long maceration period. The wine was then aged for eighteen months in French oak barriques. Bottling took place in December 2005. The wine is unfiltered. An analysis of the wine shows the alcohol content is 14.1%, pH is 3.54, total acidity is 5.54 grammes per litre, and the residual sugar is 1.1 grammes per litre.

Colour : Cassis

Aroma : Oak, blackcurrant, violets, vanilla, licqourice

Taste : Blackcurrant, polished oak, licqourice, herbs

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 189 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Vina la Reserva de Caliboro

TN : Swedish Hill, Dry Riesling, 2006, Finger Lakes, New York, USA

This wine was imported by Andersson Wines International.



Colour : Pale yellow

Aroma : Floral, grapey, sweetness

Taste : Fruity, mineral, slight sweetness

Alcohol : 12.2%

Price : 119 SEK

Mark : C

Website : Swedish Hill
Website : Andersson Wines

TN : Matariki Quintology 2002, Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

This wine is a blend of 42% Merlot, 23.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Malbec, 8.5% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Syrah.

The wine was matured in fine grain French oak, from a selection of coopers,for 21 months. Approximately 40% was new oak whilst the remaining 60% was aged in seasoned 1, 2 and 3 year old barrels.

Winestate Magazine awarded this wine 4 Stars in the September/October 2006 Issue

It was imported by Modern Wines, Stockholm.

Colour : Purple, brown hues

Aroma : Oak, tobacco, red berries

Taste : Spicy finish, cedar, tobacco, hints of red berries and blueberries, sour acidic finish, lacking fruit

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 199 SEK

Mark : D

Website : Matariki Wines
Website : ModernWines Sweden

Systembolaget New Wines for March 2008

The latest Varunytt from the Systembolaget detailing the new wines for March 2008 can now be downloaded.

Website : Systembolaget Varunytt Newsletter March 2008

TN : Les Fumees Blanches Sauvignon Blanc, 2007, Domaines Francois Lurton, France

This wine was bottled under screwcap.

Colour : Pale watery lemon/yellow

Aroma : Blackcurrant leaf, tropical fruits

Taste : Green blackcurrant leaf, lemon, minerally finish

Alcohol : 12%

Price : 67 SEK

Mark : C-

Website : Jacques & Francois Lurton

A Good Year

I finally ended up watching my copy of A Good year on DVD. It was much better than I expected since a lot review stated it was not very good.



Basically a high-up Stockbroker, Max, inherits a vineyard from his uncle. It turns out that Max spent a lot of his childhood visiting his uncle at the vineyard in Provence. He goes there when his uncle dies determined to sell the vineyard. A girl shows up from the USA claiming to be the daughter of Max's uncle. The wine produced on the estate stinks. Max meets up, nearly knocks her off her bicycle with his car, a local waitress that he falls in love with. In the end, Max fabricates a letter stating that his uncle leaves the vineyard to his "daughter" who just happens to have spent some time working in a winery in the USA. Max ends up giving up his job in London (and the possibility of a partnership in his firm) to go back to his love. The end of the film sees the daughter arguing with the local vigneron about how the wine should be made.

TN : Glen Carlou Gravel Quarry Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Wine of Origin Paarl, South Africa

According to the label this wine was handcrafted by David Finlayson.

The grapes were harvested on 15th March 2005. During fermentation, the wine spent 12 days in stainless steel tanks and then 7 days on skins. The wine was then aged for 18 months in 100% new French oak (Nevers MHT and Les Bertrange HT). The wine was bottles in January 2007.

The TA is 6.4 grammes per litre, pH is 3.68, and the residual sugar is 1.4 grammes per litre.

This wine won a double gold at 2007 Veritas awards.

Only 180 bottles were imported into Sweden.

Colour : Deep purple, cassis

Aroma : Blackcurrant, smoky oak, red berries, vanilla

Taste : Vanilla, blackcurrant, thin, minerals, red berries, acidic, coffee, chalky tanins, oak

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 179 SEK

Mark : B-

Website : Glen Carlou

TN : Schmitt Soehne, Beerenauslese 2005, QmP, Rheinhessen, Germany

This is a desert wine and came in a 500ml bottle. It is mostly made from Ortega and Optima grapes.

Colour : Yellow, gold

Aroma : Orange marmelade, pineapple

Taste : Cloying sweetness, honey, citrus fruits

Alcohol : 8%

Price : 67 SEK

Mark : C+

Website : Schmitt Soehne

TN : Grand Callia 2004, Winemaker's Reserve, Bodegas Callia, San Juan, Argentina

This wine was aged for 18 months in French and American oak. It is a blend of 40% Shiraz, 20% Malbec, 20% Merlot, and 20% Tannat. The winemaker was Oscar Biondolillo.

Colour : Deep dark purple

Aroma : Oak, dark fruits, vanilla, coffee, licqourice

Taste : Licqourice, slight blackcurrant, vanilla, coffee, very spicy finish

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 268 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Bodegas Callia

TN : Chateau Bibian 2005, Cru Bourgeois, Listrac-Medoc, France

This is a blend of 60% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Petit Verdot. The wine spent 18 months in French oak. Alain Meyre is the chateau owner.

Colour : Red, purple

Aroma : Black berries, herbs, oak, vanilla, licqourice

Taste : Herbs, dry tanins, blackberry, liqcourice

Alcohol : 13.5%

Price : 138 SEK

Mark : C+

Blaxsta Vineyard featured in Wine & Spirit Magazine

Tim Atkin MW recently wrote an article on Blaxsta vineyard for Wine & Spirit Magazine. It is freely available on the magazine's web site.

Website : Blaxsta Vineyard feature in Wine & Spirit Magazine

TN : Engelbrecht Els Proprietor's Blend 2005, Western Cape, South Africa

This is a blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Shiraz, 6% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 4% Merlot, and 4% Malbec.

Nice fruit but too much smokiness ruined this wine for me. The high alcohol was not noticable.

The winemaker was Louis Styrdom.

This wine was imported by The Wineagency AB.



Colour : Deep purple

Aroma : Smoky, oak, blackcurrant, mint

Taste : Dry tanins on finish, smoky, blackcurrant, green pepper, licquorice, coffee, mint

Alcohol : 14.5%

Price : 215 SEK

Mark : B-

Website : Ernie Els Stellenbosch
Website : The Wineagency AB

TN : Santa Rita Triple C 2004, D.O. Valle del Maipo, Vina Santa Rita, Chile

Santa Rita was founded in 1880, by a distinguished entrepreneur of those times, Mr. Domingo Fernández Concha in the area of Alto Jahuel where the main installations of the winery are currently located. From the end of the 19th century until the mid 70´s, Santa Rita developed under the ownership of Mr. Vicente García - Huidobro, father of the famous Chilean poet Vicente Huidobro Fernández. Then in 1980, the Grupo Claro acquired the Santa Rita property.

The Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon are from the Alto Jahuel Estate in the Maipo valley. The soil is colluivial loam and is 0.8 to 1 meter deep with a gravelly subsoil. The grapes were harvested during April.

The Carmenere is from 60 year old vineyards located on a southern slope located halfway up the Apalta valley hills. The plantign density is 5,500 vins per hectare. There is no irrigation; the water is obtained via winter rain (700 mm per year average) and the natural water basin. The soil is poor and is granite based.

The wine is a blend of 55% Cabernet Franc, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 15% Carmenere.

The winemaker was Andres Ilabaca.

The winery analysis shows that the pH is 3.54, the acidity is 5.64 grammes per litre, the alcohol is 14.5%, and the residual sugar is 2.40 grammes.

100% of this wine was aged in new French oak for 17 months on average. This was too much in my opinion.

Robert Parker gave this wine 93 points which just shows that he is a big fan of oak. I like oak but in this case it was too much and spoilt the great fruit, texture, and well managed alcohol underneath.

Only 360 bottles were available in the whole of Sweden on February 1st 2008.



Colour : Dark deep inky purple

Aroma : Blackcurrant, blackberry, green pepper

Taste : Overwhelming toasty oak, green pepper, olive, blackcurrant, dark berries, nice dry tannic finish

Alcohol : 14%

Price : 248 SEK

Mark : B

Website : Vina Santa Rita

WineWorld Newsletter February 2008

The latest , February 2008, Newsletter from WineWorld AB can now be downloaded from their website. It details their releases for the first quarter of 2008.

Website : WineWorld February 2008 Newsletter