Life is too short to drink bad wine

Condrieu 2008 by Delas

2012-02-14T20:35:00.000+01:00

Another very decent Condrieu. This time by Delas.
A bit "heavier" than the one by Montez but still more delicate than the Guigal/Chapoutier versions.

More peach and abricots on the nose. Perfectly well balanced taste but without the enormous lenght as experienced in the Montez version.

A lovely Condrieu, but with comments coloured by my preference for Montez.

Condrieu 2008, Delas
Jumping (ski) after Wirkola is never easy...

Condrieu 2010 by Montez

2012-02-13T20:53:00.001+01:00

Had this Condrieu in a restaurant (Les Vieux Murs) in Antibes the other day.

Let it be said at once; this is a very good Condrieu. More delicate than the standard cuvees by Guigal and Chapoutier (which both are good Condrieus).

Discrete smell of abricots and minerals on the nose.
The taste was absolutely perfect, packed with lovely fruit and a very very long aftertaste full of minerals. Just Wonderful!
Goes with all sorts of white fish or seafood.
Condrieu 2010, by Montez
Stunning stuff!
Restaurant les Vieux Murs : Gastronomic reference located on the ramparts of old Antibes.

Cornas 2008 Granit 30 by Vincent Paris

2012-02-09T17:27:00.003+01:00

This is a very decent Syrah from Cornas in Rhone.
Deep dark red colour.
Packed with brambles, blueberries and chocolate and a long elegant fruity taste.
Discrete hints of pepper to reveal the Syrah grape.
Perfect with game.
Well done Vincent Paris....

Cornas 2008 Granit 30 by Vincent Paris
Medium price 245 NOK or roughly 20€
What more can you ask for in a reasonable Syrah?

Beaune du Château 2005 by Bouchard

2012-02-05T19:48:00.000+01:00

This is one of the cheapest premier cru Burgundies around.

The 2005 is a warm vintage which this wine benefits from.

The wine has a good balance and gives you the Burgundy "kick" although without the fantastic elegance of Chambolle for example, but good enough as "week day" Burgundy...

Beaune du Château 2005 by Bouchard
A reasonable red premier cru....

Leitz Rudesheimer Berg Rottland Riesling 2009, Rheingau

2012-02-02T20:54:00.000+01:00

This is just a very very nice dry Riesling from Rheingau in Germany.
.
The smell is absolutely beautiful with a nice minerality and apples.

And the good experience continues:
Long well balanced fruity taste with a perfect acidity and a great elegant and long aftertaste.

You need to buy two bottles as the first one has a tendency to become empty too quickly....

Leitz Rudesheimer Berg Rottland 2009, Rheingau
Low price 199 or 12€.
A beautiful Riesling that goes with sushi, fish or chicken.

SP68 Occhipinti 2010, Sicily

2012-02-02T17:06:00.001+01:00

This wine is out in a new vintage.

The same high standard as for the 2009.

Occhipinti has made a elegant wine from the two grapes Nero d'Avola and Frappato.

The smell is filled with sweet cherries and dried fruit.

The taste is fruity, a bit like a well balanced redcurrant drink with soft tannins.

Should be drunk young, but that's not a problem .....

SP68, Sicilia 2010, low price 177NOK
Drink slightly chilled. Goes with red meat and lamb.

Puligny Montrachet "Les Enseigneres" 2008 by V Girardin

2012-01-31T20:57:00.002+01:00

This is yet another wonderful dry white from Burgundy by Girardin.

100% Chardonnay perfectly balanced between fruit and oak.

Nice buttery, citrus notes on the nose.

Lovely dry taste packed with a fruity big silky aftertaste.

Perfect with fried cod....

Puligny Montrachet "Les Enseigneres" 2008
by V Girardin, 30-40€
Isn't white Burgundy just lovely?

Sforzato di Valtelina 2006 Lombardia

2012-01-30T13:44:00.001+01:00

An unusual wine from an rare district made in an abnormal way.
Not bad....
The grape is Nebbiolo (from Piemonte and among others used in Barolo) which is dried for 3 months before fermentation (like Amarone).
The wine can remind one of Amarone as it is packed with dark fruit and smells and taste like blackcurrant tart.

Great solid stuff.

Sforzato 2006, Lombardia 20-30€
Like a Barolo Amarone blend...

Ch. de Segries 2008, Lirac

2012-01-26T17:00:00.002+01:00

This a dark fruity wine from the southern part of Rhone.
Great smell of brambles, smoke and juniper berries.
The taste is big and long, packed with dark fruit.
It is easy to drink but can be kept and goes well with most red meat.

Ch de Segries 2008, Lirac, Low price 149 non or ca 8€.
A very approachable wine..

Pinhead Red 2007 Syrah

2012-01-23T16:57:00.001+01:00

This is a very nice Syrah from the Russian River in California.
Dark deep red colour.
Beautiful dark berries on the nose, a quite attractive Syrah smell.
The taste is full-bodied with soft tannins and perhaps a bit on the dry side.
The producer is a big fan of Telemark skiing and thus a very memorable label.

Pinhead Red Zyrah, NOK 258 or 22usd in the US.
"Cool climate" Syrah from California...

Ridge Lytton Springs Zinfandel 2009

2012-01-22T18:09:00.000+01:00

This is just a stunning Zinfandel from Ridge in California.

It is just packed with silky brambles and ripe black cherries and raspberries. A bit of liquerice as well and some tobacco.
Just gorgeous smell.

On the palate the silk continues with lots of black fruit and and full bodied long aftertaste so fantastically balanced that you just have to smile.

A truly great wine and one of the best Zinfandels I have ever tasted.

Ridge Lytton Springs 2009, California
Medium price NOK295 or 35usd.
A truly great wine.

Champagne Jacquesson Cuvee 734

2012-01-19T17:48:00.001+01:00

This Champagne house was created in 1798 coinciding with the rise of Napoleon.
It is said that the emperor used to stuck up on this Chamapagne on his way to a series of stunning victories.
This is a lovely Champagne, a mix of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with great finesse and a good mouthful.
Apples, citrus and a nice mineral undertone.

Jacquesson 734, Champagne, NOK 350 or ca 30€
Good rich Champagne. Seafood or on it's own.

Blindtasting 12 January 2012 Sunde - Wine #1

2012-01-15T16:41:00.005+01:00

With the first wine being oxidiced the host went on to plan B which was better welcome by the panel.
Dark red colour.
Modest nose of dark berries, blackcurrant and hint of ink.
Big mouthful with a nice balance.
Lots of fruit and dark berries.
Firm with soft tannins.

A wine with punch, but definitely not Bordeaux...

Ch Citran 2004, Haut Medoc Price 20€
Score 16.20 but a very nice low priced Bordeaux.

Blindtasting 12 January 2012 Sunde - Wine #2

2012-01-15T16:41:00.004+01:00

Extremely dark red colour with red rim (no brown signals at all).

Sweet smell of dark cherries, liquerice and brambles (no hint of pepper).

Big solid taste with good fruit and a slightly small hint of bitterness and dry cherrystones.

A truly big wine.

Panel dithering where to end up, but is surprised by this being a Shiraz and nearly 20 years old...

Wynns Michael Shiraz 1993, Coonawarra
Score 17.50 and 25£ (back then)
more punchy 5 years ago but still very good

Blindtasting 12 january 2012 Sunde - Wine #3

2012-01-15T16:41:00.003+01:00

Deep dark elegant red colour (similar to the wine 2)

Lovely complex smell of dark berries, wet forrest, chocolate, leather.

Well balanced, quite refreshing, long and big mouthful with lots of fruit.
Powerful and complex wine with a very long aftertaste.

A truly great wine, similar to wine #2.

Panel again surprised by the Bordeaux track and the nearly 20 years of age...

Ch Angelus 1993, St Emilion Score 18.70
40£ back then now round 100-200£.
Great stuff! Wonder how the 1996 is ..?

Blindtasting 12 January 2012 Sunde- Wine #4

2012-01-15T16:40:00.000+01:00

A little gamble from the host to put this after the Angelus (but lets see the panel reaction).

Dark red colour with purple rim.

Wet forrest smell, chocolate and mint, a bit sweet, complex and some leather on the nose.

Long velvety but a little "sweet" taste. Nice "cool" fruit (not cooked) with very soft tannins. Dark cherries.

Very "sweet" wine! from a warm area like Australia or California according to the panel.

Elizabeth Spencer Cabernet Sauvignon 2002,
Oakville Napa Valley, Ca 40 dollars.
Score 18.90 ( better >Angelus!)
This wine was only produced in 2002 and only 184 cases were made....
Elizabeth Spencer Wines

Savoie white Chignin 2010 "La Gerbelle"

2012-01-11T19:52:00.002+01:00

This white wine from the beautiful region of Savoie in France is made from the unusual grape called Jacquere.
Apparantly this grape derives from Condrieu in Rhone.

The funny thing is that the wine can you remind you of a Condrieu light as the smell is lovely perfumed with pear, apricot and apples.

The taste is lively and fruity with a touch of minerality. Very fresh and also quite light making it perfect as just an aperitif.

The wine is unoaked.

Savoie Chignin 2010 "La Gerbelle",
130 NOK (low price) or ca 6€.
Very reasonable and lively white wine.

Chambolle Musigny 1er cru Les Fuees 2007, P Rion

2012-01-09T17:22:00.001+01:00

Les Fuees is another Chambolle- Musigny Premier cru made by Patrice Rion. Made from relatively young vines 20-25 years.
Lovely red fruit on the nose and a wonderful silky smooth and elegant taste. Hints of cherries on the nose and more body and texture than the village Chambolle although not as big as the "Charmes".

An elegant wine.

Chambolle-Musigny "Les Fuees" 2007, P Rion
Another great example of Chambolle can provide...

Pleiades XIX, Californian red table wine

2012-01-08T14:10:00.000+01:00

Pleiades is an experimental nonvintage blend. Pleiades (Sean Thackrey Pleiades California Red Table Wine) was first released in 1992. Made from a host of different grape varieties (potentially both white and red, such as Syrah, Viognier, Barbera, Carignan, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Grenache and Mourvedre). The grapes potentially come from different regions and different vintages. The recipe changes every year, depending on the decisions of Thackrey and the fruit sourced. Thackrey has said, "It's like a chef's special. You trust the chef so you're prepared to order the dish of the day".
So what he basically does is that he mixes the grapes differently from year to year just to make a wine that is really good and will please people.
The Pleiades XIX is the 19th version and is absolutely delicious. Lots of red fruit jam on the nose with a big long silky taste as finish. It's nearly 15% alcohol which can be challenging, but everything is in wonderful balance.

Pleiades XIX, Sean Thackrey, Californian red table wine 30-40$
Very unusual and always different but always good...

Chignin-Bergeron 2009, Savoie

2012-01-05T17:00:00.001+01:00

Bought this wine at Monoprix in France. Quite a suprise really as I have never before tried a wine from Savoie.
Lots of different grapes so not going to into details about that, but the wine reminds me of Condrieu; nice sweet yellow fruit smell and a very fruity and seductive taste with nice acidity.
Great stuff for less than 10€!

Vin de Savoie, Chignin-Bergeron 2009 by Bouvet
Impressive stuff for less than 10€....

Journey's end Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Stellenbosch SA

2012-01-05T16:52:00.003+01:00

This is a lovely Cabernet Sauvignon from the mountains close to False Bay in South Africa.
Great fresh red fruit on the nose with hints of chocolate (bit Bordeaux like) and a good mouthful packed with fruit and soft tannins.
Not bad at all!

Journey's End Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 175 NOK or around 10€, lovely stuff...

Wild game wine

2012-01-04T21:27:00.000+01:00

Produttori del Barbaresco is one of the best co-ops in Europe. They always provide good wines at good value for money.
So also this Barbaresco from the single plot called Ovello.
2004 a great year in Piedmonte adds quality as well.

We enjoyed this bottle with fillet of reindeer and the combination was just stunning.

Perfect integration of the the tender meat with a slightly rustic but soft tannic wine was just perfect.

Barbaresco 2004 "Ovello", Produttori del Barbaresco
Only close to 12000 bottles. Just grab whatever you can get.
340 NOK or 30€.

Meursault "Les Narvaux" 2008 by Giardin

2011-12-31T22:08:00.000+01:00

A brilliant Meursault with a beautiful balanced long fruity taste.
Delicate lime and butter on the nose.
Perfect with cod and parsley butter.

Meursault "Les Narvaux" 2008, 30-40€
Girardin makes always brilliant white Burgundies

Barbaresco 2005 "Moccagatta"

2011-12-27T15:34:00.000+01:00

Produttori del Barbaresco is one of the best coop's around.
Their standard Barbaresco always provide good value for money, but this Riserva from the single plot Moccagatta is a step up.
Not a typical Xmas lunch wine, but when being served at the price of the standard Barbaresco then its hard to complain (or leave).
Floral delicate smell of autumn leaves and cherries. Long wonderful balanced taste matching the fillet of deer perfectly.

Barbaresco 2005 Riserva Moccagatta, NOK 360 or 30€.
Great complexity and balanced

Barbaresco "Vigne Erte" 2008

2011-12-20T21:57:00.000+01:00

This is a lovely Barbaresco by Cigliuti.
Packed with cherries and hints of marsipan and a great balanced taste that goes on and on.
The tannins are firm but approachable.

Barberesco "Vigne Erte" 2008, Cigliuti
NOk 300 or 30€, a lovely Nebbiolo

Champagne Andre Clouet

2011-12-20T21:51:00.000+01:00

This one is made from 100% Pinot Noir and is a bone dry Champagne. Clouet has access to the best slopes in Bouzy and Ambonnay and it shows.
The Champagne is also quite reasonable priced as well.
Thanks to the great mousse and fruit one does not miss the small sugar content.
Straw yellow colour. Hints of apples and nice minerally taste.

Andre Clouet Brut Nature, Champagne
Very good quality price ratio. NOK 250 or 25€

Morey St Denis 1er cru "Aux Chesaux" Domaine Arlaud

2011-12-18T13:01:00.001+01:00

This is a lovely red Burgundy from the appelation of Morey Saint Denis. The premier cru plot "aux Chesaux" is on the northern edge of Morey close to the Grand Cru Charmes Chambertin.
The plot is only 0.71 ha and only 4400 bottles are produced each year of this wine. Arlaud started with organic farming in 2004 and are trimming the vines by hand and plowing by horse.

This wine from 2002 had an enormous smell of raspberries, forrest berries and "farm"...

A solid and giant mouthful of balanced and lovely Pinot Noir fruit.

Sparkling stuff!

Morey Saint Denis 1er cru "Aux Cheseaux" by Arlaud
Absolutely a stunning wine 440 NOK or 35€

Castelnau de Suduiraut 2003, Sauternes

2011-12-18T12:47:00.000+01:00

This is the second wine of Ch Suduiraut.
Lovely botrytis smell and great sweetness with balanced acidity.
Deep golden yellow colour reflecting a warm vintage.
Lots of tropical fruit on the nose.
Great finish with excellent smoothness.

Castelnau de Suduiraut 2003, Sauternes
Perfect with foie gras...

Pouilly Fume Domaine des Fines Caillottes 2010

2011-12-15T16:00:00.000+01:00

Lovely Sauvignon Blanc from Pouilly Fume by Domaine des Fines Cailottes.
Green yellow colour and wonderful crispy gooseberry smell.
Grea acidity despite the warm vintage with a zingy mineral dry aftertaste.
Perfect with seafood and scallops.

Pouilly Fume 2010 " Domaine des Fines Cailottes", NOK 170 or 10€.

Niepoort Late Bottle Vintage 2007

2011-12-13T20:33:00.000+01:00

Port wine is not only for old ladies.
This Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) can be drunk young or stored.
Great smell of cherries, chocolate and ribena.
Fresh sweet fruity taste.
Lovely stuff with blue cheese or chocolate desserts.

Niepoort LBV 2007, Porto
Very much Xmas stuff...

Barbera d'Alba "Falletto" 2008 by Bruno Giacosa

2011-12-13T20:25:00.000+01:00

What a Rolls Royce Barbera d'Alba by Giacosa!
Deep dark purple colour and a lovely smell of cherries flowers leather.
A big and rich wine with lovely acidity and fruit.
Long lovely firm taste.
An impressive Barbera that goes with fenalår "dried leg of lamb".

Berbera d'Alba "Falletto" 2008 Giacosa, 15€ and oh so impressive

Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 2007, Lequin-Colin

2011-12-12T13:20:00.000+01:00

Lovely light yellow Burgundy served at Restaurant Sørensen in Stavanger.
Packed with nuts, marzipan, ripe apples and minerals.
Big mouthful of delightful dry fruit and a long long taste.

Just wonderful stuff from Lequin-Colin.
A wine for those special occasions.

Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2007, Lequin-Colin
Great to drink and worth the 450NOK or 40€.

Riesling d'Alsace by Jean Sipp

2011-12-10T20:23:00.000+01:00

Typical Riesling from Alsace with some devloped petroleum on the nose.
Fruity dry taste with hints of minerality.
Perfect with sushi or seafood dishes.

Riesling Viellies Vignes by Jean Sipp

Sweet red Recioto della Valpolicella 2006

2011-12-08T15:48:00.002+01:00

This is lovely stuff with chocolate, chocolate cakes and desserts.
Perfect meditation wine for Xmas.
Sweet cherries on the nose. Sweet taste with a long balanced acidity.
Very seductive stuff. Serve slightly chilled.

Recioto della Valpolicella 2006, Accordini, NOK 250 for a 500ml bottle. Perfect Xmas sweet wine.

Single cask Aquavit by Løiten barril no 1950

2011-12-07T19:31:00.000+01:00

There is normal Aquavit and then there is this one.
Fantastic perfume and wonderful smooth non alcoholic taste!
Perfect Xmas gift! or just for yourself!
Serve in room temperature and a small wine glass to get the right perfume tones out of the drink.
But pricy: 100€ per bottle but less than 1000 bottles produced. So what?
Its Xmas....
Perfect with Pinnekjøtt

Meursault 1 er cru "Le Poruzot-Dessus" 2004, Girardin

2011-12-06T13:21:00.006+01:00

Delightful Meursault which is not too oaky.
Lovely discrete citrus and butter on the nose.
Dry long balanced taste with perfect acidity.
Lovely Meursault although slightly atypic and maybe not of the same genorisity as the tope three Premier cru.

Meursault 1er cru, "Le Poruzot-Dessus" 2004, Girardin
Excellent but less floral than other Meursault.

Ch Fieuzal 2003, Pessac Leognan

2011-12-04T21:56:00.000+01:00

The warm vintage of 2003 in Bordeaux is drinking well now.
This wine from Graves is deep dark red with a great smell of blackberries and sweet oak.
A good Bordeaux texture with soft tannins.
A nice and pleasant wine reasonably priced.

Ch Fieuzal 2003, Pessac Leognan 20€
Drinking lovely right now...

De 4 Roser Restaurant, Harstad Norway

2011-12-04T21:48:00.000+01:00

I have been quite few times to this restaurant up north of the polar circle in Norway.
They have a excellent wine selection and the host is more then willing to share his wine knowledge with you and find good wines for your meal and guests.
A couple of times I have tried the fried cod and I must admit it is shockingly good.
Both times that we have tried this dish, conversation has stopped and everyone is just digging into the perfectly white flaky layers of cod.
Served with some white Burgundy we are always close to heaven.....

Luis Pato "Rebel", Portugal

2011-12-01T17:17:00.002+01:00

Luis Pato is a Portuguese winemaker that makes excellent wines.
Whether he can be seen as wine "rebel" I don't know but he tends to be a bit unusual some times.
This reasonable wine made from mainly the Baga grape has a "dual personality" as the color is deep dark purple and the nose packed with dark berries and liquerice.
Consequently you may expect a masculine wine but that's not the case as the taste is fruity, juicy and surprisingly light.

Luis Pato "Rebel" 2010, Portugal 150 NOK or 10€
Goes with most red meat.

Puligny Montrachet 2005 1er cru sous les Puits by Merlin

2011-11-29T21:22:00.000+01:00

So what is more cunning then serving a white Burgundy with the most astonishing fried cod to a gang of petroleum people celebrating their recent gas discovery in the Barents Sea?
(Puits= wells)

Lovely citrus and buttery smell with a perfectly balanced "heavy" or "fat" dry long aftertaste.

The fried cod at De 4 Roser was out of this world and the combination really lovely.

Puligny Montrachet 2005
1er cru "sous les Puits" by Merlin
Pricy ca 35€ or NOK460 but yammy...

http://www.de4roser.no/

Dr. Burklin Wolf Riesling 2009, Wachenheimer

2011-11-29T21:09:00.001+01:00

Got this wine at "De 3 Roser" in Harstad, Norway
A new Riesling producer to me but perfect match with scallops. Ginger and petroleum on the nose.
Very fruity and dry taste, but lovely acidity and touch of minerals.
Great stuff.

Dr Burklin Wolf Riesling 2009, Wachenheimer
Dry Riesling suitable for a number of dishes including sushi.

Champagne Agrapart Blanc de Blancs

2011-11-29T21:02:00.000+01:00

Great light golden colour with small bubbles.
Sweet apples and fruity balanced taste.
100% Chardonnay.
Blanc de Blancs Champagne never fails to impress.

Agrapart Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut
To be drunk in victory and defeat...

Recioto di Soave "Le Sponde"

2011-11-24T20:30:00.000+01:00

I was served this white Recioto with the dessert at the restaurant De 4 Roser in Harstad the other day and what a lovely wine.

Plenty of abricot, nutty and floral bouqet and a wonderful sweet taste with great acidity.

230 NOK or 15€ for a 50cl bottle.
The grape is 100% Garganega.
Perfect for Xmas!

Recioto di Soave "Le Sponde", delicious stuff

Crozes Hermitage "Les Jalets" 2008 by Paul Jaboulet Aine

2011-11-24T18:09:00.004+01:00

This deep dark purple red wine is now out in a new vintage (2008 and the excellent 2009 coming up).
Lots of dark berries and pepper with a nice touch of minerals.
Packed with dark fruit and a good tasteful.
Goes well with game and lamb.

A lovely wine at only NOK150 or ca 10€.

Nuits St George "les Pruliers" 2001, Henri Gouget

2011-11-20T21:59:00.000+01:00

Wine # 6 end of Blindtasting Sirdalen 2011

As a reward for a demanding blindtasting at high altitude we picked this one out of the wine fridge.
Complex bouquet of berries from the wood, humus and oak.
A solid Burgundy with lots of fruit and soft tannins (still).
Not a wimpy wine that's for sure.
Close to peak now just 10 years old....
Thanks to the host for a wonderful tasting...

Nuits St George 2001 1 er cru "Les Pruliers" by Henri Gouges
just enjoyment 45€ or 530 NOK

Cote Rotie by OGIER

2011-11-20T21:52:00.000+01:00

Wine # 5 Blindtasting Sirdalen 2011

Deep dark red colour.
Vanilla, pepper and dark berries.
Well balanced and a long fruity elegant taste.
Could it be Syrah?
Great wine...

Cote Rotie 2006 by Ogier.
Score 17.90
Lovely stuff ca 40€

Domaine Solitude 2008, Pessac Leognan, Blindtasting Sirdalen 2011

2011-11-20T21:47:00.000+01:00

Wine # 4 Blindtasting Sirdalen Nov 2011

Dark red coloured wine.
Beautiful dark berries and blackcurrant smell.
A big and well balanced fruity taste.
Firm soft tannins.
Panel not entirely in the right place.

Domaine Solitude 2008, Pessac Leognan
Score 18.10 a great value Bordeaux
Price 12€ or NOK 220

Beau di Bre, Castillo y Leon, Spain Blindtasting Sirdalen November 2011

2011-11-20T21:40:00.000+01:00

Wine # 3 Blindtasting Sirdalen 2011

Deep dark red colour with smell of brambles, drak fruit and hint of jam. Quite a big solid taste with some sweetness to it.

Could be Zinfandel or Syrah.

It's however something really tricky a Spanish new wine from Castillo y Leon.

Panel totally lot although good reasoning.

Beau di Bre, Castilo y Leon, Spain

Score 17.30

what's Zinfandel got to do with it?

Chambolle-Musigny 1er cru "Les Cras" 2006, Gislaine Barthod

2011-11-20T21:39:00.000+01:00

Wine #2 Blindtasting Sirdalen Nov 2011

Light red colour, near Beaujolais like. Light red raspberries and flowers. Feminine style.
Disappointing light simple taste. Nothing special.
Apparantly Chambolle Musigny of top quality but more like a Beaujolais in taste.
Must be something wrong with the bottle as a similar wine had been tasted jst recently and was superb.

Chambolle Musigny "Les Cras"2006, Ghislaine Barthod, Ca 500 Nok or 40€
Score 16.25

Pinot Noir 2009 by Girardin

2011-11-16T14:49:00.000+01:00

This is the red wine version the Terroir Noble selection by Vincent Gerardin. A lovely Pinot Noir with firm but velvety taste. Bouquet of cherries, raspberries and some flowers. Quite an elegant wine which at the price (NOK 174) is a very good deal as red Burgundies are normally much more expensive. It's actually in the same price range as a Beaujoulais.

Bourgogne Pinot Noir, Vincent Girardin, a very attractive cheap Burgundy. Low price NOK 174 or ca10€.

Chassagne-Montrachet 2007 by Girdardin , Blindtasting Sirdalen Nov 2011

2011-11-15T20:30:00.000+01:00

Wine #1
Crispy dry white with pale straw colour.
Wine is slightly too cold which hampered the panel's judgment.

Lovely crispy balanced taste with hint of lime and butter on the nose when the wine had had time to warm up in the glass.

Unfortunately that was after we knew what we were drinking...

Chassagne Montrachet "Blanchot-Dessus 2007 by V Girardin, ca 40€ a bit too pricy

Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2010 by Cecchi

2011-11-15T20:22:00.000+01:00

Vernaccia is a local white grape in Tuscany from area close to Florence.
Nice floral smell with hint of lime.
A very light white wine with smooth crispy finish.
Around 10€.
Goes with all sorts of seafood including red fish.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2010, by Cecchi, good buy when visiting Tuscany

White Burgundy Vincent Girardin

2011-11-10T19:53:00.000+01:00

This is a lowest rank White Burgundy and made by Vincent Girardin. Still it is a very good wine with beautiful integrated oak and crispy fruit (100% Chardonnay). It's a dry white wine matching seafood and fish soup. A real bargain as it tastes like the real thing but is much cheaper than the likes of Puligny and Chassagne Montrachet...
Bourgogne 2009, Terroir Noble, Vincent Girardin,
€12 or 160 NOK, lovely cheap white Burgundy

La Motte Shiraz 2008, South Africa

2011-11-10T18:46:00.001+01:00

Found this Shiraz from La Motte, Western Cape in South Africa in the tax free. Dark deep red coloured wine packed fruit and brambles and a lovely long velvety taste that is crying out for grilled meat.

Just on the border between low and medium price range it is worth every penny and especially of you can get it tax free.

La Motte Shiraz 2008, Western Cape, South Africa, dark fruity and delicious..
Ca 200 low/medium price

Chambolle-Musigny 2006, Ghislaine Barthod

2011-11-08T22:00:00.002+01:00

Zipping Chambolle in an old cosy house the day before the cup-final turned out to be the highlight of a disappointing footballing weekend.

Quite a "pale" red colour with lovely smell of raspberries and redcurrant.

The taste very seductive, elegant fruit and a light stunningly balanced finished.
Absolutely faboulous!

Chambolle Musigny 2006, Barthod, high price 420 or ca 30€, what's price got to do with it?

Smith Haut Lafitte 2007,Graves

2011-11-08T21:51:00.001+01:00

This is one of the better performing grand cru classe from the Graves region.
Quite a nice mineral taste of dark berries with hints of tobacco and chocolate.
Needs time to develop.
Packed with nice fruity and soft tannins, but not "chewy"tannins.
A very nice Bordeaux that will go with lamb or red meat.

Ch Smith Haut Lafitte 2007, high price 40€ or 490 NOK, elegant wine but worth the money..? just..

Cote Rotie 2004 by Guigal

2011-11-08T17:18:00.000+01:00

100% Syrah from top of the Rhone valley. Guigal's Cote Rotie may not be the best from this appellation but does the trick for a reasonable price. Velvety taste, perhaps too kind. Would perhaps also benefitted from a more distinct peppery bouquet and taste, but still an enjoyable wine.

Cote Rotie 2004, Guigal, 27€, cheap nice Cote Rotie but not brilliant

Les Crouzet, Pays d'Herault

2011-11-06T22:41:00.000+01:00

Airplane (SAS) wine based upon the Carignan grape from an area around Carcassonne in southern France.
Deep dark colour, lots of dark berries and fruit. Sort of "inky" look and taste.
Not bad at all!!

Cremant de Bourgogne by Brun.

2011-11-03T16:16:00.003+01:00

This is a 100% Chardonnay version. Lovely smell of wet toast and apples. Dry fruity taste and a perfect balance.

Champagne quality at half the price!

With seafood or as an aperitif.

Cremant de Bourgogne, Jean-Paul Brun, low price 176 or 10€. Champagne quality at half price.

Syrah Mourvedre 2005, Tulbagh Vineyards

2011-11-01T22:02:00.000+01:00

This wine is made from 80% Syrah and 20% Mourvedre.
Very dark attractive wine.
Packed with dark berries, plums and some pepper.
Big solid wine crying out for red meat.
Lovely long taste with soft elegant tannins.

Syrah Mourvedre Tulbagh Vineyards 2005, South Africa, perfect for cold autumn days....

Chambolle-Musigny 2005 by Potel

2011-10-30T19:50:00.001+01:00

Got this Chambolle at a local restaurant. Potel makes lovely Burgundy wines, but his style is firm stylish and demanding.

So also this Chambolle which has a lovely smell of red berries and flowers. The taste is elegant smooth but with a firm acidity typical of Potel.

Great balance and long aftertaste...

Chambolle-Musigny 2005, Potel, high price and stylish

Henriot 2000, Champagne

2011-10-27T20:05:00.000+02:00

Henriot makes lovely Champagne. This vintage version is also quite classy.
Mix of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir aged on lees for 7 years has given a great bubbly wine full of flavours and taste.
Pale golden colour.
Complex aroma of citrus fruit, tea and peach.
Elegant rich taste with a silky finish.

Henriot 2000, Champagne, charming vintage champagne. Ca 40€.

PS! Consumed in 77 minutes on the terrace in Antibes...

Champagne-Egly Ouriet

2011-10-27T19:54:00.000+02:00

This is a great Champagne from a small Champagne house. Mix 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay.
Pale golden colour and small bubbles that go straight to your head. A solid Champagne that goes well with food.
Ripe apples are dominating both the smell and taste. Quite a mouthful with perfect acidity and dryness.

Lovely wine.

Egly-Ouriet Grand Cru, Champagne, NOK369 or 40€. Classy Champagne deserving food.

Cremant de Bourgogne 2007, La Cave des Hautes-Cotes

2011-10-27T18:38:00.002+02:00

Cremant de Bourgogne is a nice alternative to Champagne. Perhaps maybe not as good always but considering the fact that it is half the price it is good value for money.

This one is made of a mic of Pinot Noir (red grape) and Chardonnay (white).

Nice pale straw colour with a good bouquet of apples and some lime. Very crispy dry taste.
To be drunk as aperitif or with dessert or foie gras.

Cremant de Bourgogne 2007, La Cave des Hautes-Cotes, crispy sparkling at a reasonable price (NOK 145 or 10€)

Hand Picked Viognier,2010 Bellingham, South Africa

2011-10-20T18:00:00.000+02:00

This is a great Viognier by the Bellingham vineyards.

Straw green color with a wonderful aroma of lychees, peach, rose petals. It' s just magic.

The palate is fullbodied with a roundness and sweetness so typical for Condrieu (home of Viognier in France).

Good balanced acidity and a long inviting aftertaste.

Hand Picked Viognier, Bellingham, South Africa, Low price 175, wonderful stuff. Try with Asian food. Drink young.

Bellingham Wines

Ch La Riviere 2003, Fronsac

2011-10-19T21:49:00.002+02:00

The 2003 vintage is a hot year with lots of fruit and sugar. Prices went up due to the Parker score and it was a difficult year to find reasonable wines.
Ch La Riviere from Fronsac is however one of those good quality wines at reasonable prices (one can also stay overnight at the chateau...).
Deep dark red colour packed with fruit and Bordeaux character. Lovely lively "warm" fruity taste with a nice balance and soft tannins.

Ch de la Riviere 2003, Fronsac, cheap but good stuff...ca 15€
Vignobles Grégoire

Goats do Roam, South Africa

2011-10-13T19:28:00.000+02:00

This is like a South African "Cote du Rhone"...
Goats do Roam...(get it?)

Apparantly the name came up as follows:
One afternoon, at harvest time, my mischievous son Jason and his friend Justin let the goats out of their tower and sent them for a walkabout amongst the vines. As in the legend of the Yemeni goat herder – whose roaming flock first discovered the joys of coffee beans, our goats picked out the best and tastiest fruit – their choice serves as our inspiration for this wine.Charles Back

Anyway not sure the french wine growers appreciate such humour.

Goats do Roam comes with a handy screwcork and contains around 70% Syrah with the rest being other Cote du Rhone grapes...
Bright ruby color and berry aromas with spice and smoke.
A medium bodied wine with fresh acidity.

Goats do Roam 2010, South Africa, low price 110,

Ch Mercier 2005

2011-10-06T18:47:00.003+02:00

Medium dark red colour. Good smell of red berries and paprika.
Very kind taste and easy to drink. Will fit most kind of food.

This is an un-oaked Bordeaux made from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Malbec.

Reasonable price for being Bordeaux. NOK 150.

Ch Mercier, Cote de Bourg, 2005 great year easy drinking wine.

Blindtasting September, Ganddal

2011-10-04T18:26:00.000+02:00

Wine#1

Very light red colour and typical Pinot nose with lots of red berries and chocolate.
Simple, but attractive taste.
A great lunch wine that should go well with white meat.

Panel took one sniff of the glass and said Pinot from California.

Pinot Noir, Hirsch vineyard, San Andreas Fault, Sonoma Coast.
Score 16,80
Hirsch Vineyards

Wine #2

Another Pinot Noir, but this has more color and structure.
Darker berries with dark chocolate.
A powerful Pinot from perhaps a cooler climate.
Soft integrated tanins and a lovely big taste.

Panel in no doubt about grape. Some discussions around Cali vs NZ..

Pinot Noir 2006, Marimar Estate, Russian River (Cali), oh we like it!
Score 17.70
Marimar Estate

Wine #3

Another Pinot with lovely smell of red berries, flowers and vanilla.
Taste is slightly "cooked" which leads parts of the panel to even warmer climates than California (how is that possible).
The wine lacks acidity and is a bit dull.

The wine turns out to be Beaune 1er cru 2007 which is a "cold" year and in recent tastings it was totally different...(wineshop problem..?)

Beaune 1er "Boucherottes", Anne Gros, 2007, Score 16,60 (previous 18)

Wine # 4

Deep dark red coloured wine.
Lots of dark berries (forrest).
Big solid smooth taste packed with alcohol.

Panel not sure about the Pinot track and dithers around.
Probably a new world wine but ...

Stags Leap Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 "Artemis" Napa Valley, Score 18,70
(how did it get such a high score...)
Stags Leap - The Estate

Cote du Rhone 2009 , Brunel

2011-09-29T22:58:00.000+02:00

This wine made from 85% Grenache and 15% Syrah is created by Andre Brunel which is well known for his delicous Chateau Neuf du Pape.

Dark red colour with lots of dark berries and plum on the nose. The 2009 is a very hot vintage and with so much Grenache the taste is quite fullbodied with a warm low acidic finish.

Red meat and game.

Cote du Rhone 2009, Andre Brunel, NOK 150, perfect for cold nights..

Blindtasting August 2011, Revheim

2011-09-27T20:25:00.000+02:00

Wine #1
Dark red some purple colour. Big smell of dark berries and chocolate. On the taste lots of alcohol no tannins and quiet juicy and fruity. God but short taste. Nice every day wine. Panel in doubt but goes for Piemonte..(wrong but atypic Shiraz...)

D'Arenberg 2007 Footbolt Shiraz, McClaren Vale 20£ Score 15,6

Wine#2

Dark red colour with purple rim. On the nose deep and solid smell of brambles and sweet mint. Very nice flattering taste with good length and some pepper.
Well balanced and a relaxing wine.
Panel definitely on Shiraz now.

Domaine Tournon 2008, Victoria, Chapoutier, 22£ Score 16,7

Wine #3

Really deep dark red color almost black.
Intense bouquet of pepper, sweet dark berries and mint.
Enormous taste of pepper, soft, elegant and very drinkable.
Soft tannins but this wine is craving for food.
No doubt that once again we talk about Shiraz.
Bloody good wine.
Craggy Ranch Shiraz 2008, New Zealand 22£ an absolute bargain Score 18,0
Craggy Range - Wines

Wine #4
Brilliant deep dark red with purple rim.
Dark berries, discrete elegant chocolate mint and pepper.
Soft tannins, cherries, fruity, some sweetness and a wonderful balance.
Not very peppery. Still Shiraz?

Ladies who shoot their lunch 2008 shiraz, Strathbogie Ranges, Australia 32£ and score 18,40
Welcome to the Strathbogie Ranges Wine Region

Clifford bay Pinot Noir, New Zealand

2011-09-22T19:17:00.001+02:00

Delightful light and attractive Pinot Noir at a reasonable price. What more can you want ?
Nice bouquet of red berries and vanilla. Very pale red colour. Great fruity mouthful with a "warm" finish but good enough acidity.
Simple, cheap and very nice.

Clifford Bay Pinot Noir 2009, Marlborough, Low price 150 but good quality

Clifford Bay | Home

Ch Citran 2004

2011-09-22T18:26:00.000+02:00

Had forgotten that I had a couple of these in a friends flat in Paris. Ch Citran is reasonable cru bourgeois (<20€) and this 2004 is drinking really well right now.

2004 is not a big year, but the wines are very approachable and easy drinking.

Great balanced wine with smell of red berries and pencil case. Elegant taste. Gives you the "Bordeaux- kick".

Ch Citran - 2004 , 20€ and drinking beautifully now...

Visit at Patrice Rion

2011-09-20T20:55:00.000+02:00

Visited Patrice Rion last Saturday just as they were finishing off harvesting the grapes.

Despite busy times we were allowed to taste some of the 2009 vintage which is practically the only wine left on the pricelist.

The Chambolle Musigny was lovely as always while the Nuits St George "Clos des Argillieres" was just perfect.

Clos des Argillieres is the vineyard you can see on the picture just across the street from Patrice Rions property.

Three cases were of course purchased, difficult to resist such smooth silky wines created by this property.....

Apparantly the 2010 is going to better than the 2009 while the 2011 would be something in between the 2008 and 2009.

Fabre Montmayou 2007, Mendoza Argentine

2011-09-20T19:23:00.000+02:00

Found this Malbec from Argentine at Copenhagen airport. This is a big wine with a fantastic deep purple colour. On the nose it is packed with dark fruit, ink and brambles. Lovely stuff.

The taste is solid with a big structure but still smooth thanks to some Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the mix.

The wine is crying out for entrecote or steak.

Fabre Montmayou Grand Vin, Argentine, no wimpy wine within low price range.

Cote de Brouilly, Jean Paul Brun

2011-09-15T18:45:00.000+02:00

Beaujolais wines are normally light and very drinkable. Perfect for lunch on those warm days out in the garden or terrace.

This Cote de Brouilly is however quite a dark and dense Beaujolais, but it does the trick. Lots of jammy raspberries and a good mouthful packed with fruit and balanced acidity. Brun has a special style from this domaine called Terres Dorrees in Charnay.

Drink slightly chilled (never above 15c) to get the right flavours.

Cote de Brouilly, Beaujolais by J P Brun, Low price ca 160 or 6€.

Felton Road Pinot Noir, New Zealand

2011-09-13T11:51:00.003+02:00

This is the optimum Pinot Noir from New Zealand. Pinot grown on the Calvert Vineyard in Central Otago on the south Island. This vineyard is situated inland and the wine is different from many other New Zealand wines as the Felton Road Calvert is less "sweet" and has more acidity.
Lovely smell of violet, raspberries and pomme granite. The taste expresses silky fruit with a long firm and perfect finish. It is crispy clean with great acidity and minerality.
Yummy yummy but expensive (around 40-50€).

Felton Road Pinot Noir "Calvert" 2009, Central Otago, a commanding Pinot Noir from down under. 40-50€.

Julicher 99 Rows Pinot Noir, Martinborough , New Zealand

2011-09-11T12:11:00.000+02:00

Julicher is situated on the north island on New Zealand not far from Martinborough.

Medium red wine with a bouquet of raspberries, cherries and strawberries. It's not a light Pinot Noir, rather on the "heavy" side with a sweet warm velvety taste with just enough acidity to avoid a "cooked" taste.

Packed with fruit all the way and very very easy to like and drink....

Julicher 99 Rows Pinot Noir 2009, Martinborough, always good to drink...ca 30$

New Zealand pinot noir, Martinborough wine, wineries, vineyards

Jacques Selosse Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne

2011-09-08T21:47:00.000+02:00

Only 3000 bottles made every year of this exclusive Champagne. Only white grapes, 100% Chardonnay, with 30% of the wine aged in oak.

Yellow colour with a big smell of wet toast, butter and sweet apples. The taste is big but light bodied and quite overwhelming to be a sparkling wine. Wonderful complex and stylish.

Can be enjoyed as aperitif or with fish.

Jacques Salosse Blanc de Blancs, a big Champagne, around 100 € or £
Champagne Selosse

Gran Coronas Reserva 2006

2011-09-08T21:13:00.002+02:00

Medium dark red with brown rim. Shy smell of old cherries, leather and wood. Strong alholic taste with good length and acidity. Very drinkable everyday wine.

85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Tempranillo.

Torres Gran Coronas Penedes, 144 NOK, Score 16,20
Attractive ordinary wine which goes with most red meat.

Riesling Mittelheim St.Nikolas 2008, Rheingau

2011-09-04T18:24:00.002+02:00

This Riesling comes from Rheingau in Germany, the heart of production of lush juicy ripe white wines.
Peter Jakob Kuhn makes consistently good wines and this one which is a "Charta" wine (like a First Growth) is no exception.
Charta wines are recognised by the three Romanesque double arches on the front label.

Beautiful pale lemon colour and attractive nose of peach fruit, apples and minerals. The taste is silky fruit all along, with sort of a "creamy" smooth touch. Impossible to dislike even you are not used to dry white wines.

Riesling Mittelheim St.Nikolas 2008, Rheingau by Peter Jakob Kuhn. NOK 290 (medium price). A wine absolutely worth while trying.

Weingut Peter Jakob Kühn - St. Nikolaus

Ch Croix de Gay 2006, Pomerol

2011-09-04T15:26:00.001+02:00

Found this Pomerol at l'Ecluse in Paris the other day. It welcomes you with open arms into a seductive aroma and taste picture of red berries, earth and velvet fruit. Beautiful balance.

To be enjoyed with food or just on it's own. Any time....

Ch Croix de Gay 2006 Pomerol, 29€, generous and relaxing Merlot.

Sancerre Rose by Joseph Mellot

2011-09-01T19:39:00.001+02:00

This Rose wine from Sancerre has a great wild salmon colour. The wine is made from 100% Pinot Noir and has a discrete floral smell with hints of raspberries.
The taste is dry with a nice freshness and fruit.
Normally Sancerre Rose are quite expensive, but this one is not.
Goes with white meat, exotic dishes and sweet savoury dishes.
Serve cold max 10c.

Sancerre Rose, Joseph Mellot, Low price 135 (7€) high enjoyment.

Volnay 1er cru "Santenots" 2006 by Nicolas Rossignol

2011-08-28T19:56:00.001+02:00

Rossignol's style is based upon on firm well wines with perfect adjusted acidity.
This one as well. A premier cru of wonderful quality and balance.
Raspberries and dark berries, leather and oak on the nose.
A big solid wine, very firm, structured and correct in style and taste. A wonderful Volnay.

Volnay 1er cru "Santenots"2006 by Nicolas Rossignol. High price 30-40€, but worth it.

Jackson Estate Pinot Noir 2009

2011-08-27T22:45:00.000+02:00

Found this Pinot Noir by Jackson Estate in the local wine shop. New Zealand well recognised for its Sauvignon Blanc (Jackson Estate has a very good one indeed) also can produce impressive Pinot Noir.
Cool climate perhaps but this Pinot Noir has 14,5% alcohol which is a lot. However seductive sweet dark cherries and chocolate on the nose and a very nice fruity well balanced taste. Although slightly too warm due to the alcohol.
To be served slightly chilled.

Jackson Estate Pinot Noir 2009, lovely Pinot from down under. 30€.

Allesverloeren Touriga Nacional, South Africa

2011-08-25T21:03:00.002+02:00

Tourigo Nacional is a grape normally used to make port wine but Allesverloeren has made this red wine which is very good value for money. Nice ruby colour with fine smell of blackcurrant and spices. The taste is warm, smooth and well balanced. Medium to full bodied. Goes with duck, lamb and beef.

Allesverloeren Touriga Nacional, South Africa, Low price 135, P+

Minuty, Cotes de Provence

2011-08-22T22:20:00.001+02:00

Minuty makes several different wines with Ch Minuty as the main one and Ch Bailly as their second wine.

Both are lovely fruity rose wines with a nice minerality. Bone dry wines, perfect in hot weather and on the terrace or in the garden..

Widely available with prices ranging from 10 to 13 € for the Minuty and around 7-8 € for the Ch Bailly.

Ch Minuty, Cotes de Provence, low price around 10€, sunny sunny must be funny....

Wolf Blass Gold Label Shiraz

2011-08-18T18:25:00.000+02:00

Found this in the taxfree the other day.
Packed with fruit and vanilla.
This is a full bodied Shiraz that is crying out for steaks and BBQ. Warm and fruity stuff from the Barossa Valley.

Wolf Blass Gold Label Shiraz, Barossa Valley, low price range but full bodied wine.

Baron de Ley, Rioja Spain

2011-08-18T13:07:00.000+02:00

Had this Spanish white wine during the quarter final in the cup the other day. I was pleasantly surprised both by the wine and the result.

This white wine from Rioja is quite refreshing and not too "warm" with a nice acidity and good fruity taste.

Straw colour and nice flowery bouqet. The grape is the local white called Viura.

Baron de Ley 2010, Rioja, low price 126, surprisingly good value for money

Dolcetto d'Alba by Rinaldi

2011-08-11T20:12:00.000+02:00

This is a wonderful Dolcetto d'Alba from Rinaldi. It has a lovely dense purple colour and is packed with dark cherries. Great acidity and a juicy soft elegant taste.

This is really Rolls Royce Dolcetto! Dolcetto does not get better than this.

Personally I prefer Dolcetto served slightly chilled (straight from fridge works well if u give it some minutes in the glass).

Goes well with pasta, fish and dark bird and is perfect for hot summer days in the garden...

Dolcetto d'Alba, Rinaldi 15€ or 220NOK, probably one of the best Dolcetto's around.

Condrieu 2009 by Guigal

2011-08-03T21:51:00.000+02:00

Classical Condrieu (100% Viognier) packed with lots of "golden" flavours! Peach, flowers, anis and hint of wood on the nose.
Great "heavy" white with medium acidity and a "creamy" finish.
Great length and warm undertones as well. Lovely stuff, but needs to be served cold....

Condrieu 2009, Guigal, Price 30€, magical stuff especially with 24 months old Comte.....

Condrieu - Cave Saint Desirat

2011-07-27T09:59:00.000+02:00

Condrieu does not come cheap. The Viognier grape grown in on the steep hills in the northern part of Rhone are difficult to harvest and do not come in big quantities.

We got this bottle as a gift and had all the ingredients of a lovely Condrieu. Succulent peach and apricot and a fullbodied "fat" structured dry taste.

Lovely stuff for special occasions.

Condrieu 2007 - Cave Saint Desirat, lovely reasonable Condrieu, around 26€.

Blindtasting July 2011, Sunde

2011-07-21T17:02:00.000+02:00

Wine # 1
Medium red wine with hint of brown rim. On the nose it got flowers, wood and vanilla. The wine is dry, with lots of acidity and very masculine taste.
Panel dithering, but is circling to Piemonte after some guidance.

Barolo "Brico della Viole" 2004 by Vajra. 30€. Score 17.00

Wine # 2
Medium light red colour. Lovely complex nose of smoke, summerfield and flowers. The taste is cherry like with lots of fruit, rich and velvety. Long aftertaste.
Burgundy?

Chambolle Musigny 2006, Patrice Rion, 25€, Score 18,80

Wine #3
Medium dark red wine with some brick coloured edge. Lovely big fruity smell with discrete hints of pepper. Lots of punch and long-lasting.
The taste is a big mouthful, wonderfully complex and balanced. This is just great stuff. Wonderful wine packed with fruit and harmony.
90% Syrah and 10% Viognier so up in Rhone then...?

Cote Rotie 2006, Rene Rostaing, 35£. Score 19,50

Wine # 4
Medium red coloured with a "dry" smell, complex and lots of wood, some wet wool developing after a while.
In the mouth it is bone dry with cherries, some cherry stones. A very firm and direct wine with a big solid aftertaste that is balancing the tough acidity well.
No wimpy wine!

Clos de Vougeot 2004 by N Potel, 50£, Score 17,80

Wine # 5
Medium dark red. Lots of flowers, rose and femine smells. Some smoke and wet wool as well.
The taste is big and seductive with perfect acidity and raspberries. Velvety. Smooth. Elegant. Long. A truly great wine.
Panel is getting tired...

Chambolle Musigny "Les Charmes" 2004, P Rion, 42€, Score 19,40

Blindtasting May 2011, Stokka

2011-07-11T20:06:00.000+02:00

Wine #1
Medium red with pink rim. Ripe redcurrant, raspberries, flowers on the nose. Very fruity wine with practically no tannins, average acidity and a short but warm taste. Summer wine perhaps?
Panel on Pinot Noir from the new world?

Villa Maria Pinot Noir "Private Bin" 2009, Marlboro New Zealand,
Score 16,90

Wine # 2

Medium dark red colour. Quite a dusty nose to begin with. Opens up later with pencil case some liquerice and a complex smell. The wine is drinking perfectly now with some soft tannins but a long aftertaste. Beautiful wine with some leather on the palate as well. Definitely Bordeaux?

Ch Chasse Spleen 2004, Moulis, 20€, Score 17,35 we love it!

Wine # 3

Medium dark red with brick rim.

Lots of liquerice, chocolate, mint, rose right in your face smell.

Very Ribena look a like and very commercial style with lots of vanilla and big taste. Too much for some of the panel, but good score after all. Where are we ? Don't have a clue...

Vina Ardanza Reserva 2001, Rioja, 30€, Score 17,70

Wine # 4

Deep dark red colour, smell of ceder, wood, old basement, tobacco, pencil sharpens, chocolate.

Wonderful and elegant smell.

The taste is long and velvety, very seductive and attractive.

Great stuff.

Lovely and complex.

Ch Gruaud Larose, 2000, St Julien, Score 18,60 worth every point!

Twin Island - Sauvignon Blanc 2010 New Zealand

2011-07-07T21:05:00.001+02:00

This is a cheap version Sauvignon Blanc (new world Sancerre) from New Zealand.
Pale straw colour (although from the blue bottle it could be different).
Classical gooseberries, herbs and citrus on the nose.
Hints of grapefruit.
Bone dry white with beautiful acidity and lots of fruit.
This wine is great as an aperitif or with sea food.

Twin Island 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, low price ca 130, great value for money

Web page:
Twin Islands

Cote Rotie 2006 by Rene Rostaing

2011-07-07T00:04:00.000+02:00

Wonderful complex fruity wine with hints of pepper.
Packed with fruit and long velvety tannins that goes on and on.
Simply great stuff!
Beautifully structured wine with a great harmony.
If u can get hold of some bottles, just buy!

Perfect with wild meat!

Cotie Rotie 2006 by Rene Rostaing € 35, close to heaven...or above 19 out of 20 in score....(blindtasting)

Rosso di Montalcino 2008, Tuscany

2011-07-06T23:54:00.000+02:00

Rosso di Montalcino is a declassified Brunello di Montalcino which is released 18 months after the harvest.

Made up of 100% Sangiovese and at a reasonable price compared to Brunello this is quite good value for money.

Warm earthy tones and cherries mixed with a fresh acidity makes this wine perfect perfect with sausages, pasta and lamb.

Rosso di Montalcino 2008, Il Poggione, a pleasant Sangiovese.....

Pazo Senorans Albarino 2009- Rias Baixas Spain

2011-06-30T16:55:00.001+02:00

This is one of my favourite white wines. It comes from the small region called Rias Baixas west in Spain just north of Portugal.

The grape is called Albarino and unlike many other Spanish white that may get too much warm weather this one is stylish and fresh with a lovely acidity.

Pale yellow with green reflections.

On the nose beautiful peach, flowers with some minerals and a touch of lime. The lime is there on the taste as well with a rather good length and well balanced attractive finish.

Goes with seafood, mild cheese and birds.

Albarino Pazo Senorans 2009, Rias Baixas Spain, low price 177, lively good value white from sunny Spain.

.: Pazo de Señoráns - Our Philosophy :.

Meursault 2002 by Arnaud Ente

2011-06-28T19:54:00.002+02:00

White wines from Meursault are normally more nutty than the ones from Chassagne and Puligny Montrachet. So is this one as well, but with a beautiful minerality.

The wine is made up from three vineyards and has a lovely balance and a long dry finish.

Although Meursault is one of the most expensive white wine districts in the world I find that the wines from here can sometimes be too oaky, dry and lack a bit of of fruit. Not my preferred style.

This one from Ente though, has however more fruit and less of the "dry" elements and is a lovely wine according to my taste.

Meursault 2002, Arnaud Ente, High price 40£, rising star from Meursault, watch out.

Alsace Riesling by Hugel

2011-06-16T16:18:00.002+02:00

This is a very basic but good Riesling from Alsace in France.
Hugel is a big producer with many different wines.

The wine has a lovely minerality and smell of ripe green apples. The acidity is good as well as the balanced dry taste. It is a kind wine that goes with most white fish, bird, cheese and seafood.
Due to the kind acidity it can also be enjoyed as an aperitif.

Riesling"Hugel" 2008, Alsace, good example of Riesling, low price 185.

Hugel & Fils Official Site, fine french wines, Riquewihr, France, Alsace