Life is too short to drink bad wine

It's been a long time time since I have concentrated my efforts on Australian wines. I used to try an awful lot while living in the UK some 20 years ago, but since then it has mostly been in connection with Sommelier training. Margaret River which is in the western part of Australia is an emerging wine district with high quality wines. Often good value for money. It avoids the really hot temperatures due to the proximity to the sea. The wine is blended from the best batches grown on the Leston vineyard in the Wilyabrup sub region. Some of the grapes parcels had prolonged skin contact to extract maximum colour and tannin. The wine then spent 18 months in french oak barriques before being bottled. 40% new oak. This is a dense and big wine. Dark fruit, vanilla and plum on the nose with some sweet mint and cinnamon as well. Big mouthful with soft delicate dark fruit and ripe integrated tannins. A well made wine indeed. 46 Aussie dollars.

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€

This is a delightful and fresh red wine from Sicily based upon the Frappato grape. Cherry flavours on the nose and quite a refreshing acidity on the palate. Beautiful balance and taste that can remind one of a red Burgundy, but with quite a high acidity that requires food like lamb for example. A very nice alternative to the expensive red Burgundies. Il Frappato 2012 Occhipinti Sicilia

This very good basic Medoc is now available in the great 2005 vintage. Such quality Medoc 2005 for less than 20€ must be regarded as a bargain. Warm nose filled with dark fruit, cedar, oak and blackcurrant. Ful bodied well balanced taste with soft tannins and a big delicious aftertaste. Very elegant indeed. Ca 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot. Ch. La Tour de By 2005 Medoc Medium price (225kr or <20€)

This is a very approachable and drinkable Barbaresco even in younger vintages. It is reasonably priced as well. The nose is packed with warm dark fruit, plum and spices. The  dry fruit seems to be absent. The taste is big with from tannins and also a warm round fruity finish which is quite surprising for Barbaresco. Not a very advanced Barbaresco, but a very easy drinking one. Barbaresco 2012 Fontanabianca Medium price (ca 250kr)

2010 is very good vintage in Bordeaux which means that if you buy more affordable versions from that area you will normally get good value for money. This one by Ch.Vieux Bonneau that was presented to me at a dinner at NB Sørensen last Monday has all the nice ingredients that you expect from a young and well made Bordeaux. Dark colour, lovely nose of dark fruit, hint of chocolate and some coffee. A long and well balanced aftertaste that moving along perfectly without dropping down too much on the tannin or acidity side. Delicious dark fruit as well and perect with the lamb. Ch Vieux Bonnet 2010 Montagne St.Emilion Ca 180 NOK or 12€

This is the second wine of Haut-Bailly in Pessac Leognan. 2007 is not the best of years in Bordeaux but this one is drinking beautifully now. Dark red color and a delicate bouquet of dark berries with hints of coffee and chocolate. Great balanced wine with smooth tannins. A fine example of Bordeaux. La Parde de Haut-Bailly 2007 Pessac Leognan Ca 25€

This is a lovely "table wine" from Sicily by a young producer called Occhipinti. Frappato is a local grape and can remind you of a Burgundy in a way. Lots of fresh red fruit, perhaps more towards redcurrants and strawberries. Touch of herbs as well. Best served a bit chilled to get out the aromas and the fresh fruity and lively acidity in the wine. Great balance. Il Frappato 2011 Occhipinti Sicily Ca 25€ or 240NOK

Ok we are at the 4th bottle so things are a bit upside down…. Anyway, 90% Tinti Fino (Tempranillo) and 10% Syrah from a small area outside the town of Leon. Dark red colour which is followed up by lovely complex and big smell of dark fruit, leather and some spices. A great firm but fruity taste that goes on and on. Delicious! Mauro 2009, Castillo y Leon 300 NOk or 20€

OK the panel back in business! This is Bordeaux and no question about that…. Medium deep red colour and an overwhelming bouquet of pencil sharpener and some dried fruit. A dry complex taste that is long and well balanced although some more fruit would have been appreciated (spoilt by the three others..) Not on the east side but something like St.Julien or something… Ch. Gruaud Larose 2000 St.Julien Score 18.55 (how fitting…) High price...

Reasonable and basic Bordeaux with a nice tannin structure. Deep purple colour, discrete smell of red and dark fruit. Surprisingly drinkable despite being so young (2010). Try with red meat or lamb. Ch Citran 2010 Haut-Medoc ca 250 NOK or 15€

A big solid dry red from Barbaresco and Castello di Neive. Medium garnet color with tawny rim. Dried fruit and autumn leaves on the nose. The palate is well balanced between acidity and fruit with mellow tannins. A truly lovely ine crying out for red meat or lamb. Santa Stefano plot is roughly 8 ha (8 footballpitches) where they predominantly grow Nebbiolo. Barbraresco "Santo Stefano" 1998 Castelo de Neive At Planet Wein, Berlin

Barolo and Barbaresco are normally not wines made for drinking without food. High in acidity and tannins it can be a tough wine to digest. It's also a bit pricy. Anyway, I had this in a resto the other day with some fillet of reindeer and I must say the match between food and wine was splendid! On it's own the wine was demanding and tough, but with the reindeer the whole experience was seductive and velvety! Barbaresco "Asili" 2005 Produttori del Barbaresco, High price Perfect with wild meat, game and lamb

Clear medium ruby colour. Medium + nose of red berries, raisins, earthy flavours and jam. High acidity and soft tannins, medium+ body and intensity. Well balanced wine crying for food. Medium finish with hints of sour cherries. Will be perfect with fat food like lamb due to the acidity and structure of the wine. Villa Cafaggio Chianti Classico 2009 Ca 180 NOk or 12 € Perfect table wine..

This is a very flexible, soft and elegant wine that goes with lots of different food. Dark red colour, dark fruit with smell of prunes, vanilla  and dried fruit. Long velvety taste with a slight bitter finish. Juicy character. Valpolicella Ripasso 2010 "Acinatico" by Accordini Ca 200 NOK or 15€. Try with lamb, rabbit or game.

This is a very decent wine for red Bordeaux lovers. Never exceedingly expensive and always of good quality. Medium dark red colour with a nose of ripe red fruit and hints of tobacco and earth. The taste is long with subtle fruit and soft elegant tannins. This wine can be drunk young (after some time in the carafe) or kept for more maturity. Domaine Chevalier 2006, Pessac Leognan Consistent high quality and ca 30 to 40€ pending the year.

Let it be said immediately that this Chateau is really on the way up. The complexity and elegance are remarkable and so am I afraid is the price per bottle. 2006 was spoilt by bad August weather and a storm in September but still when top producers are creating wines they succeed even in mediocre vintages.  Intense dark colour with a strong nose of dark and red berries, coffee and minerals. The taste is dominated by seductive tannins due to the high Merlot content (>30%). The wine is beautifully balanced with a long aftertaste. If you ever see this wine in the shop or at a resto, just buy it Do not worry about the price. It's worth it and 10 times cheaper than the top top ones. Ch Pontet Canet 2006, Paulliac. Starting price ca 80£. Sort of Margaux like in style...

This Brunello Montalcino by Angelini from 2004 is a big wine packed with oak. Wet wool, bark and dried fruit on the nose with an elegant firm taste. The tannins are solid but soft as the wine has already got 8 years on its back. The wine is screaming for food and I would guess red meat or lamb will fit the bill. Brunello (100% Sangiovese) is never cheap to buy and require an acquired to taste to fully appreciate the efforts behind and the complexity of the wine. Brunello Montalcino 2004, Angelini Think big, dry and solid. Ca 40€

Magnum bottles are brilliant stuff at parties. Nebbiolo with deer or game is also a good combination. The problem some times is that we drink Barbaresco too young. This 2007 opened up after some time in the carafe and the glass, but should have been kept another 5 years in the cellar really. Anyway, still lovely autumn leaves and dried fruit and all that with a firm balanced taste. Barbaresco 2007 "Montestefano", Produttori del Barberaresco Keep as long as you can ...in the cellar

Found this old Barbaresco at the restaurant Bovio in La Morra. Single vineyard from the parcel Paje and bottle number 4702.. And what a wine! Barolo maybe the king in Piedmonte but Barbaresco is the Queen. Delicious smell of autumn leaves, cherries and a bit of rose and tar. Long velvety smoth tannic taste. Wonderful balance and drinking perfectly now. Just great with lamb chops... Barbaresco 1995 Paje- Produttori del Barbaresco