Life is too short to drink bad wine

This is a fantastic Garnacha (Grenache) by Terroir sense Fronteres (terroir with no limits).  The grapes are from an area called Montsant which lies like a horseshoe around Priorat. The grapes come from 40-80 year old plots around the village of LaFiguera at around 750 above sea level. The terroir is predominately chalk on steep terraces. The wine has fermented and stored on cement tanks before being bottled. 2017 is the first vintage made and only 4000 btls were produced. The colour is pale ruby. Delicious nose of fresh raspberry, strawberry, flowers and some liquerice. Fresh and light taste with a perfect balance and soft tannins. Very elegant with ripe red fruit and a long aftertaste. Just super delicious. Vertebra 2017 Terroir sense Fronteres Montsant, Spain 370 NOK or 25€ Lys rød farge. Særdeles innsmigrende og lett aromatisk nese av friske bringebær jordbær, blomster, urter og lakris. Svært frisk i munnen med flott frukt, finslepne tanniner og flott tekstur....

This is a very good Cava from Pedregosa based upon Pinot Noir (74%) with the rest being Chardonnay and Macabeo. Delicious fresh nose of yellow fruit, apples, brioche and yeast. Delightful acidity with a very good concentration and balanced aftertaste. Only the best juice used (free run) and stored 36 months on the lees. A very good quality / price ratio. Pedregosa Reserva 2013 Cava ca 170 NOK or 8€

Castelo de Pedrogosa was established in 1993 and has been working ecological since 1997. They have 26 hectares in the heart of the cava growing area in Penedes. The reserva clos brut nature is a mix of the local grapes Xarel-lo, Parellada and Macabeo. Quite a refreshing nose with apples, citrus, yeasty notes and some minerality. Fresh elegant taste with a very good acidity. Try with fish, seafood or as an aperitif. Very reasonable wine.

This is a monster of a wine and is so powerful that you might struggle to match food with it. But it is a fantastic wine that can be stored for a long long time or you can drink it now. 90% Tempranillo or Tinto del Pais as this version of the grape is called in Castilla y Leon. The remaining 10% is Syrah. The colour of the wine is intense deep blue red, already there you understand that this is a different animal. On the nose it is very complex packed with lots of dark fruit, plum, coffee, chocolate and spices. Wonderful stuff! The taste is big, solid, long, velvet tannins, soft, elegant and smooth. Massive big bodied wine that unfortunately blows most food away. Its probably just best on its own. Mauro 2010 Castilla y Leon (VdT) Ca 350 NOK or 30€

I quite adore Cava due to the price level. They apply the Champagne method to the three grapes Xarel-lo, Macabeo and Parellada but the cost per bottle is half of Champagne. Key question is then; is Champagne twice as good as Cava? As with Champagne there different prices, styles and qualities among Cava as well. This Cava by Agusti Torello Mata is a more full-bodied sparkling with at least 24 months on the lees during the second fermentation. Small bubbles in this 2010 vintage, that was actually bottled in 2015. The nose is a bit spicy with ripe apples and yeasty notes. The taste is big and smooth with a decent acidity. We tried it with fresh prawns and it was too big for that. It also collided with different cheese but on its own it was delicious and it went very well with burger and salad for lunch. A decent alternative to Champagne. Cava 2010, Penedes Agusti Torello Mata Ca 12€ or 190 NOK

This is a monster of a wine from Rioja in Spain. 100% Tempranillo from low yielding old vines. Malpuesto is a red wine produced by the Orben winery La Rioja, at the foot of the Sierra Cantabria. The Orben winery belongs to the Izadi Group, a group of well-known wineries in Ribera del Duero, Vetus or Toro. Malpuesto is a single varietal Tempranillo from the Malpuesto Finca. The Finca vineyard was planted in 1931 and is today one of the oldest vineyards of La Rioja Alavesa. The name, Malpuesto, comes from the irregular arrangement in which the strains were planted. The farm is located on a hillside and has an area of 1.2 hectares. The soil is sandy and poor, resulting in a low yield yet with high quality. The harvest is done manually in small boxes of 15 kg. Once in the winery, the grapes undergo a strict selection before being placed in vats. Fermentation takes place at controlled temperature and a very gentle pressing is applied before the wine undergoes aging in ba...

Pago de los Capellanes has invested lots of money in a new modern winery and visitor facilities. They have the 3 different levels of Tempranillo (Crianza, Reserva and Gran R) plus two single plots which are just amazing. The basic version which is enclosed has a lovely medium purple colour. The nose is delicate with lots of red fruit, cherries and hint of oak spices and some liquorice. As far as the taste is concerned it has a very elegant smooth and fruity aftertaste with super soft tannins and a delicious acidity. Nearly Burgundy like. The grapes are harvested in october when the day temperature is around 25c while at night it can be down to 5c (explains the acidity). Lots of new oaks been used but it is perfectly balanced with the fruit and it is thus impossible not to be impressed by their basic wine. Pago de los Cappelanes 2013 Ribera del Duero   Spain Ca 220 NOK or 15 €

The wine world keeps surprising me and this time it's a white wine from the warm and sunny Lanzarote that are hitting the headlines. When are you on holiday in the Canary Islands good wines can be difficult to track down as there are a lot of plunk around. El Grifo is the oldest winery on the Canary islands (1775 in fact) and this white wine based upon the pre phylloxera Malvasia grape is very good value for money. Pale and clean straw colour. Aromatic wine with plenty citrus, tropical fruit and white flowers. The wine is bone dry with an elegant acidity and a lovely minerality from the volcano ashes that the grapes have grown in. A real treat for 14€! El Grifo Malvasia Coleccion Lanzarote

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 €

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...

This white wine is from the region Rias Baixas on the west coast in Spain, just north of Portugal. The grape, Albarino, is similar to the grape called Alvarinho in Portugal. Pale straw colour with green reflections. Refreshing "green" smell of lime, fruit and kiwi. The taste is a bit like a Sancerre with lots of fresh fruit, acidity and a crispy aftertaste. A wine perfect for hot summer days. Try with fish, seafood and cheese. Goes well with rich fish like salmon. Albarino 2014 Pazo Senorans   Rias Baixas Ca 200kr or 15€

First wine Medium dark red wine with red rim. Decent smell of dried fruit and ripe cherries. Quite attractive nose. Very soft but big taste. Some smooth tannins and a slightly unripe ripe finish. Good length with taste of dark fruit and cherries. Overall good quality although not fantastic. Score 16.60 Ch. Chantalouette Pomerol Ca 20€ Second wine Purpur red dark colour with long legs. Smell of horse, leather, farm and black currant. Well balanced taste of dark berries with very limited tannins. Smooth. Really nicely balanced wine that are drinking well right now. Bordeaux?? Score 18,50 Ch. Poujeaux 2004 Moulis Ca 25€ (back then)   Third wine Very dark red colour with purpur rim. Sweet red berries on the nose. Some flower and rose as well. Hints of chocolate. Dark chocolate and fruit on the taste. Very big and long. Lovely balance with smooth tannins and delicious acidity. Overall a very good and big Pinot Noir !!! (how wrong can you be...

This is a very big and robust wine from a small region in Ribeira del Duero in Spain. The combination of 90% Tempranillo and some Syrah has created a wine with lots of  structure and a big solid taste. The bouquet is just wonderful with dark fruit, chocolate and some tobacco. The aftertaste is long and fruity with a wonderful balance. A very elegant red that can withstand all type of meat, cheese and is probably perfect with BBQ. The price is around 25€ or ca 300NOK.

I had the 2005 not very long ago so I decided to buy a six pack of the 2006 as there was no more 2005 in the shops. This is the flagship of Muga in Rioja and the 2006 is just as  dark as the 2005 with  a gorgeous smell  of dark fruit, spices, tobacco and wood. The 2006 taste is just as big, solid, and packed with fruit and delicious tannins. Great balance and a very long we'll balanced aftertaste. Stunning dense wine. The wine can be drunk now but can still develop and  mature for at least ten more years. One of the best Riojas that I have ever tasted. A truly great wine!!! Prado Enea 2006 Rioja Ca 30€ or 370kr

This is the flagship of Muga in Rioja. A glorious Gran Reserva made from predominantly Tempranillo (80%) mixed with Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo. The wine is dark as ink with a gorgeous smell  of dark fruit, spices, tobacco and wood.  Superb stuff. The taste is big, solid, packed with fruit and delicious tannins. Great balance and a very long we'll balanced aftertaste. The wine can be drunk now but can still develop and  mature for at least ten more years. One of the best Riojas that I have ever tasted. A truly great wine!!! Prado Enea 2005 Rioja Ca 30€ or 370kr

This is a great 100% Grenache from a small area close to Priorat in Spain called Montsant. Alfredo Arribas is the producer of this wine which is only produced in 1985 bottles. This was bottle number 759. The nose has a fantastic intense and clean fruity smell. Red fruit, vanilla, roses, flowers. Super delicious taste with an elegant sweet and ripe fruit (bit like Zinfandel). A long and velvety full bodied taste with a nice acidity. Perfectly balanced and a wonderful length. The Grenache stems from 100 year pre-phylloxera vines and it's a truly great wine for 30-40 €. Try with steak. Tros Negre 2011 Alfredo Arribas Montsant

Omg what an exciting wine.....only 100 bottles made and this one is 90 years old!!! Tar like colour and substance. Incredible dark colour with close to oarnge rim. The smell is just enormous with lost of burnt prunes, figues, mocca, earl grey tea, walnut and sweet coffee. Just incredible. The taste starts off sweet but ends with a wonderful acidity and balance. This is just an enormous wine, just amazing stuff. Valdespino "Moscatel Toneles" 1925 Jerez

This is a very decent red from Rioja based upon 100% Tempranillo. Deep dark red colour and a nice aroma of red fruit with spicy undertones and some oak. Well balanced taste with lots of fruit to cover the smooth tannins. Try with red meat or cheese. Izadi Reserva 2010 Rioja 150 NOK or 10€

In connection with Burgundy tasting of Rion wines we ended the session with this great 100% Grenache from a small area close to Priorat in Spain. Alfredo Arribas is the producer of this wine which is only produced in 1985 bottles. This was bottle nu 762. The nose has a fantastic intense and clean fruity smell. Red fruit, vanilla, with an amazing intensity. Super delicious taste with an elegant sweet and ripe fruit (bit like Zinfandel). Super soft wine with a long aftertaste. A truly great wine for only 400 NOK. Tros Negre 2011 Alfredo Arribas Montsant

Wine # 1 Pale red colour with Burgundy rim. Say no more. This is Pinot Noir! On the nose packed with sweet red fruit like raspberries , hint of chocolate and some dried fruit. Very soft smooth and fruity taste with absolutely no resistance. Velvety tannins and low acidity. Perhaps a bit jammy. Very drinkable wine and the panel concluded it has to be new world Pinot Noir! (and we were right....) Anthill Farms Pinot Noir 2012 Sonoma Coast Score 18,0 (Price 380 NOK or 50$) Wine # 2 Very similar pale red colour as wine no 1. On the nose more darker fruit with hints of pepper. More complex smell as well. Definitely Pinot Noir again. The taste is better with more structure and acidity although it is still a bit "jammy" with some spices. A complex wine and the panel is dithering between new world and Burgundy. We were told Burgundy and then I said it had to be a warm year, not Volnay and not Montille as the producer. and it was in fact all those things...!! ...