Life is too short to drink bad wine

Halloween wine from the upper parts of Rhone, Cote Rotie. Immediate impression of the wine is that it is too peppery but the wine opens after some time, although the peppery overtones are still there and quite dominant. Lots of fruit and a overall balanced taste. The wine also improves with food. Perfect with game but quite a change in perception of the wine after some time in the carafe. Cote Rotie 2010, Jean-Michel Stephan Scorpions - " Wind of Change"

Found this Champagne at the "La Forge" restaurant in Antibes. Although Brut it is Pinot Noir dominated which makes it perfect with food, so instead of a coupe de Champagne we just went for the whole bottle. Lovely acidity and fruity taste. Perfect the whole evening both with starters and main course. Ayala Brut Majeur, Ca 330 NOK or 25€ (shop) Good choice..

This bottle was opened after a horrible day at work some time ago. Getting two majors with their different bosses to agree a press release was a bit like making pigs fly. The day became wonderfully better when this delicious red Burgundy by Arlaud was poured into the glass. Morey-St-Denis 1er cru from the plot "Aux Cheseaux" is a wonderful wine with a stunning perfume of flowers and red sweet berries. The taste is just pure velvet, nothing more nothing less. 50€ or 440 NOK. Morey-St Denis 1er cru "Aux Cheseaux" 2006, Arlaud a-Ha "Velvet" from Minor Earth Major Sky

Found this bottle at the local supermarket in Antibes. Potel is a very reliable red wine producer in Burgundy and Nuits St George is very good appelation. The price is 20€ and 2010 is a very good vintage. So the wine should be splendid..! And it was. Slick dark fruit with lots of acidity so typical for Potel. Firm smooth tannins and a decent long aftertaste. Goes with white meat and veal. Nuits St George 2010, Nicolas Potel Difficult to go wrong here...

Bought this wine from BBR in London. Totally unknown to me but Parker has apparantly given this wine 96 points which is the same as many Bordeaux wines from 2009 but at a ridiculous more expensive price. Deep dark color. Lovely smell of dark olives, pepper and brambles (all dark stuff). Very interesting nose. The taste is just enormous. Big. Full bodied. 15% alcohol. Looong. Very long aftertaste but beautifully balanced. A truly masterpiece. I need food! Lamb, duck or something from the BBQ! Chateauneuf-du Pape 2009, Domaine Usseglio Raymond Red Hot Chilli Peppers: Californication

I bought this wine while visiting the producer in the Rhone valley. Dark red colour packed with spicy fruit on the nose. Big solid fruity taste and a lovely and elegant aftertaste. Goes well with game but took the confit de canard on a straight arm. Great value for money and overall a truly great wine. Ca 35€. Cote Rotie 2006 "Madiniere" Yves Cuilleron Guns N Roses: "Knocking on Heaven's Door"

Scarpa is one of those great producers in Piemonte. Getting hold of one of his bottles is rarity itself and so is drinking them. This Barberesco from Tetti in Neive is one of the best I have ever tasted although it was only 5 years old when I tried it. Scarpa's Barbaresco is best drunk from 8 years old and onwards and they even have 1988 up in a restaurant in Harstad (Norway) with my name on it. Ruby red with garnet reflections and a very intense smell of oak, autumn leaves, hint of tar. In the mouth it is big and you wonder where this heading but it balances always in the right direction with firm soft tannins and a long intense and complex aftertaste. I need more of these! 460 NOK or 40€. A bargain.....