Life is too short to drink bad wine

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€.

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,

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 Reser

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

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 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.....