Life is too short to drink bad wine

This is a delightful reasonable red from Valle de la Ortava on Tenerife. The grapes are two local variations called Listan Negro (90%) and Tintilla. The growing area is on the north side of the volcano Teide, altitude between 300-700 meters above sea level. Many of the vines are more than 100 years old. The colour of the wine is pale red and the nose is primary cherries and pepper. The taste is light, elegant and beautifully balanced with a decent length dominated by minerals, pepper and cherries. A very interesting wine made by Bodega Suertes del Marques- Soagra which in a way can remind one of a light Burgundy. 7 Fuentes 2013 Tenerife Suertes del Marques-Soagra 190 NOK or 12 €

The 2008 vintage from Bordeaux is not well sought after but on the bright side they are all reasonable as it was the last vintage before the very expensive 2009 and 2010 which ruined some of the market. The 2008 should in any case not be disregarded as it's drinking quite nicely now. The mix in this wine is 50% Cabernet, 40% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc. The second wine of Haut-Bailly in Pessac Leognan is good value for money with a typical Bordeaux nose (ripe red fruit and earth) and a very subtle and smooth style. Very harmonious finish as well with soft tannins. drink now or for the next 5 years. La Parde de Haut-Bailly 2008 Pessac Leognan Ca 25 or 340 NOK

There are many different Barbera d'Alba around. Many are easy drinking reds for lunch with some pizza or pasta and without too much complexity. But then there are some that have something extra both in terms of quality and also price admittedly. Sandrone is perfectionist and his Barbera delivers super quality every year. One of the features with Barbera is the deep dark red colour and the purple rim. The nose is dominated by dark cherries with hints of wood, chocolate and almonds. Perfectly balanced taste with plenty of body, fruit and acidity. Another feature with Barbera is the lack of tannins, if ever present, they are soft and well integrated into the long delicious aftertaste. Barbera d'Alba 2012 Sandrone Ca 25€ or 290NOK

I am not sure what to say anymore about the white Burgundies by Pierre Yves Colin Morey.... The smell, the taste, the balance, the sensation. Everything is so beautifully balanced and elegant that it is mind blowing. A bit of lime. A bit of butter. A bit exotic fruit. A bit of vanilla. Speechless really. His wines are pure mediation. Just buy! Puligny Montrachet "Le Trezin" 2011 Pierre Yves Colin Morey Ca 40€ or 450 NOK

Pinot Noir from the cool Sonoma Coast can now compete with Burgundy in quality and taste. All the "cooked" flavours that has been the challenge with Californian Pinot have disappeared and you are left with beautifully balanced wines that have a very decent acidity. Occidental has this basic Sonoma Coast version as well as one called Cuvee Catherine. Both are extremely good Pinot Noir but also a bit pricy very due to the low quantities. This one has a very elegant nose of ripe red fruit with a great minerality. The taste is packed with "chilled fruit" and a beautifully struck balance that goes on and on. It's a very elegant wine indeed! Occidental 2012 Sonoma Coast Ca 40$ or 500NOK

Hubert Lamy and Saint Aubin is definitely one of my favourite combinations when it comes to white wines. This delightful combination gives white Burgundies to die for and if you ever coms across you just have to buy as they are becoming increasingly more difficult to get hold of. This premier cru with the funny name "Les Murgers des Dents de Chien" has it all. Beautiful aromas of lime, butter, minerals and green apples. Lovely fruity and balanced taste with perfect acidity and aftertaste. Use big glasses and drink it not too cold, more around 10-12c. Saint Aubin 1er cru 2013 Les Murgers des Dents de Chien Hubert Lamy Ca 35€

This is a lovely Bordeaux from Ch. Smith Haut Lafite in Graves. Le Petit Haut Lafite was created during the blending process and consist of 55% Cab Sauv and 45% Merlot. The wine is dark and dense with a discrete nose of black fruit, spice and earthy notes. In the mouth it opens up after a while with a beautiful concentration and soft tannins. Delicious aftertaste of black fruit as well. 2012 is a surprisingly structured and balanced wine that will keep for 10 years but peak over the next 3-5 years. Le Petit Haut Lafite 2012 Pessac Leognan Ca 25-30€

Suertes del Marqués is a family winery that has been producing wines since 2006. However, the tradition as winegrowers dates back to twenty years ago, as they were growing and selling grapes to other wineries in the Apellation Valle de La Orotava. Geographically we are in the north of the island of Tenerife, in Valle de La Orotava, a valley within the town of the same name. El Ciruelo is a plot of only 0.75 ha., located between 480 and 520 meters above sea level facing north. Under the unique system of cordón trenzado they grow listán negro vines with an age over 90 years. The name of the plot is given by a century-old plum found in the vineyard. This plot is characterized by soils dominated by volcanic rock with a sandy loam layer. The wine has spent 14 months in French oak on its lees. It has a medium pale red colour just like a light red Burgundy. The nose is full of red fruit, pepper and mineral notes. The taste is beautifully balanced with...