Friday, February 27, 2009
The fourth wine tasting
Wine tasting four was a strictly work affair with my new work colleagues and their partners. The theme was back to random, which meant they could bring what they wanted and especially what they liked. None of the wines were from the same country and included Australia, Spain, South Africa, Bulgaria, Argentina, Chilé, Italy and Germany. The grapes were also totally different. I would say it was a good mix and the wines were really of a high quality. The blind tasting made it interesting in that regard, with so many different smells and tastes, as oppose to Wine tasting 2, when all the wines were fairly similar, from France and Italy.
Kloster Eberbach Kabinett Rieling (2006)
Wine tasting 4
Every now and then there's a wine that surprises. Just when you have decided that it cannot be any good because the label is weird and the bottle is a strange shape and an ugly green colour it catches you off guard with its clear colour, wonderful smell and fantastic taste. This wine just got better and better throughout the night, which means it should be good with a meal. I am a fan of Riesling together with some hand made dark chocolate for a quite night at the fire or on your balcony looking at the sunset.
Panel's rating: 2,75 out of 5
Price: 96SEK
Country: Germany
Grape: 100% Riesling
Colour: Light yellow color
Nose: Scent fragrance with hints of green apple, mineral and citrus
Taste: Semi-Dry, very fresh, youthful flavor with hints of pear, green apples and citrus.
Every now and then there's a wine that surprises. Just when you have decided that it cannot be any good because the label is weird and the bottle is a strange shape and an ugly green colour it catches you off guard with its clear colour, wonderful smell and fantastic taste. This wine just got better and better throughout the night, which means it should be good with a meal. I am a fan of Riesling together with some hand made dark chocolate for a quite night at the fire or on your balcony looking at the sunset.
Panel's rating: 2,75 out of 5
Price: 96SEKCountry: Germany
Grape: 100% Riesling
Colour: Light yellow color
Nose: Scent fragrance with hints of green apple, mineral and citrus
Taste: Semi-Dry, very fresh, youthful flavor with hints of pear, green apples and citrus.
Terreno Chianti Clissico (2006)
Wine tasting 4
I'm not a fan of Chianti yet, but what I've heard is that you need to watch out what you buy, because as good as this wine can be, just so can it be really terrible. I'm also surprised when we don't finish all the wine in one night, and this wine was one that was left. I had it again the next day and it was as if I was drinking a different wine. This means that the wine does not want anything complex around it, perhaps just by itself or with a simple dish. I would decant the bottle in the future, because the wine seems to need a lot of air for it to settle down properly.
Panel's rating: 2,56 out of 5
Price: 89SEK
Country: Italy
Grape: 90% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo
Colour: Dark colour, red blue
Nose: Spicy, fruity aroma with hints of barrel, cherry, chocolate and herbs
Taste: Spicy, fruity taste with barrel character, elements of cherries, herbs and dark chocolate
I'm not a fan of Chianti yet, but what I've heard is that you need to watch out what you buy, because as good as this wine can be, just so can it be really terrible. I'm also surprised when we don't finish all the wine in one night, and this wine was one that was left. I had it again the next day and it was as if I was drinking a different wine. This means that the wine does not want anything complex around it, perhaps just by itself or with a simple dish. I would decant the bottle in the future, because the wine seems to need a lot of air for it to settle down properly.
Panel's rating: 2,56 out of 5
Price: 89SEKCountry: Italy
Grape: 90% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo
Colour: Dark colour, red blue
Nose: Spicy, fruity aroma with hints of barrel, cherry, chocolate and herbs
Taste: Spicy, fruity taste with barrel character, elements of cherries, herbs and dark chocolate
Casillero del Diablo Carménère (2007)
Wine tasting 4
This wine has one of my favourite labels and a very interesting history along with it. I really like Spanish wines and this one from Chilè is no exception. Strong flavours and bold characters. Would be excellent with a spicy dish of meat perhaps.
Panel's rating: 3,28 out of 5
Price: 70SEK
Country: Chilè
Grape: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Carménère
Colour: Dark, purple colour
Nose: Fruity aroma with roasted barrel character, elements of black currant, green pepper, grass and coffee
Taste: Fruity, slightly spicy taste with hints of toasted barrels, black currants, grass, sweet licorice and coffee
This wine has one of my favourite labels and a very interesting history along with it. I really like Spanish wines and this one from Chilè is no exception. Strong flavours and bold characters. Would be excellent with a spicy dish of meat perhaps.
Panel's rating: 3,28 out of 5
Price: 70SEKCountry: Chilè
Grape: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Carménère
Colour: Dark, purple colour
Nose: Fruity aroma with roasted barrel character, elements of black currant, green pepper, grass and coffee
Taste: Fruity, slightly spicy taste with hints of toasted barrels, black currants, grass, sweet licorice and coffee
Masi Tupungato - Pasto Doble (2007)
Wine tasting 4
Here's a wine that was in a single word, weird. The label is plain with a sort-of hand written label and plain green colouring. On the night is was just so, so and scored 3 stars from everyone. There was half a bottle left when the night was done, which does not happen often. I tried the wine exactly a week later and it was fantastic. Smooth and very tasty. This for me just means that the wine didn't breathe enough when we had it. I would buy this bottle again, but decant it about 3-5 hours before having it. Not sure it'll work with a meal though, but perhaps some snacks and a night of playing cards.
Panel's rating: 3,09 out of 5
Price: 89SEK
Country: Argentina
Grape: 62% Malbec, 30% Corvina och 8% Merlot
Colour: Dark, purple Colour
Nose: Very fruity, spicy aroma with barrel character, elements of dark cherry, plum, licorice and tobacco
Taste: Fruity, spicy wine barrel character, plums, dark cherries, herbs, licorice and tobacco
Here's a wine that was in a single word, weird. The label is plain with a sort-of hand written label and plain green colouring. On the night is was just so, so and scored 3 stars from everyone. There was half a bottle left when the night was done, which does not happen often. I tried the wine exactly a week later and it was fantastic. Smooth and very tasty. This for me just means that the wine didn't breathe enough when we had it. I would buy this bottle again, but decant it about 3-5 hours before having it. Not sure it'll work with a meal though, but perhaps some snacks and a night of playing cards.
Panel's rating: 3,09 out of 5
Price: 89SEKCountry: Argentina
Grape: 62% Malbec, 30% Corvina och 8% Merlot
Colour: Dark, purple Colour
Nose: Very fruity, spicy aroma with barrel character, elements of dark cherry, plum, licorice and tobacco
Taste: Fruity, spicy wine barrel character, plums, dark cherries, herbs, licorice and tobacco
Allesverloren Tinta Barroca (2007)
Wine tasting 4
Allesverloren is a very well known wine farm in South Africa that produces really good quality wines. My favourite is their Cabernet Sauvignon that has been aged between 5-8 years. This Tinta Barroca grape is not a well known variety but will stand tall amongst the better known wines such as Shiraz or Merlot. The flavours are not what you might expect, but midway through your glass it is surely to become a favourite.
Panel's rating: 3,51 out of 5
Price: 109SEK
Country: South Africa
Grape: 100% Tinta Barroca
Colour: Purple
Nose: Fruity, spicy, slightly burnt aroma with a hint of barrel, cherry, licorice and grass.
Taste: Fruity, spicy, slightly burnt taste with hints of barrel, plums, cherries and licorice.
Allesverloren is a very well known wine farm in South Africa that produces really good quality wines. My favourite is their Cabernet Sauvignon that has been aged between 5-8 years. This Tinta Barroca grape is not a well known variety but will stand tall amongst the better known wines such as Shiraz or Merlot. The flavours are not what you might expect, but midway through your glass it is surely to become a favourite.
Panel's rating: 3,51 out of 5
Price: 109SEKCountry: South Africa
Grape: 100% Tinta Barroca
Colour: Purple
Nose: Fruity, spicy, slightly burnt aroma with a hint of barrel, cherry, licorice and grass.
Taste: Fruity, spicy, slightly burnt taste with hints of barrel, plums, cherries and licorice.
Sophia Cabernet Sauvignon (2007)
Wine tasting 4
It was the second time that this wine appeared at a wine tasting, and both times people were surprised by it. Not so much by the price, of just 52SEK, or that it comes from Bulgaria, but that it was really good. I'm a fan of Cabernet Sauvignon and this wine is on my list for the future. The label needs some work, as it appears cheap, but other than that I would recommend this wine for a night with friends watching movies or playing poker.
Panel's rating: 3,13 out of 5
Price: 52SEK
Country: Bulgaria
Grape: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Colour: Red blue to Ruby colour which harmonises with its taste and aroma.
Nose: Strong, slightly burnt aroma with hints of plums, grass and sweet liquorice. Well-balanced aroma of red and blue fruits.
Taste: Well structured and markedly nippy taste. Strong, slightly burnt taste with hints of dark berries, grass and sweet liquorice. Ruby red wine with excellent fruit character.
It was the second time that this wine appeared at a wine tasting, and both times people were surprised by it. Not so much by the price, of just 52SEK, or that it comes from Bulgaria, but that it was really good. I'm a fan of Cabernet Sauvignon and this wine is on my list for the future. The label needs some work, as it appears cheap, but other than that I would recommend this wine for a night with friends watching movies or playing poker.
Panel's rating: 3,13 out of 5
Price: 52SEKCountry: Bulgaria
Grape: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Colour: Red blue to Ruby colour which harmonises with its taste and aroma.
Nose: Strong, slightly burnt aroma with hints of plums, grass and sweet liquorice. Well-balanced aroma of red and blue fruits.
Taste: Well structured and markedly nippy taste. Strong, slightly burnt taste with hints of dark berries, grass and sweet liquorice. Ruby red wine with excellent fruit character.
Treasures Shiraz (2006)
Wine tasting 4
This wine is a new one to Systembolaget, but I haven't seen it since. It is still on their system though. A really fantastic all round wine. Smooth, well structure and if I should venture a guess, then I'd say it should be really good with a grilled meat dish with baked potatoes. It just felt like such a wine from the first taste, because of the strong barrel carachter in the smell and taste. It was loved by everyone at the tasting and for only 89SEK a real bargain.
Panel's rating: 3,83 out of 5
Price: 89SEK
Country: Australia
Grape: Shiraz
Colour: Dark red colour.
Nose: Very fruity aroma with barrel character, elements of blackberries, plums, spices and rubber.
Taste: Very fruity taste with barrel character, elements of blackberry, plum, spices, rubber and vanilla.
This wine is a new one to Systembolaget, but I haven't seen it since. It is still on their system though. A really fantastic all round wine. Smooth, well structure and if I should venture a guess, then I'd say it should be really good with a grilled meat dish with baked potatoes. It just felt like such a wine from the first taste, because of the strong barrel carachter in the smell and taste. It was loved by everyone at the tasting and for only 89SEK a real bargain.
Panel's rating: 3,83 out of 5
Price: 89SEKCountry: Australia
Grape: Shiraz
Colour: Dark red colour.
Nose: Very fruity aroma with barrel character, elements of blackberries, plums, spices and rubber.
Taste: Very fruity taste with barrel character, elements of blackberry, plum, spices, rubber and vanilla.
Lat 42 Rioja Gran Reserva (2002)
Wine tasting 4
Here's that wine again. It's been at 3 wine tastings now and there's such a mixed response from it every single time. This time it only scored 3 stars. Most people, however, love this wine and that includes me. The 2002 is really good and still such a find at 79SEK. I've said before, that this wine needs food, because it has a really strong smell and taste, with overall strong carachters, which feels overpowering if not tamed down with some food. Try a spicy Spanish dish or perhaps some Tapas, it work together really nicely. For glasses, try the smaller of these 3 from Granit.se for a traditional Spanish wine glass feel.
Panel's rating: 2,96 out of 5
Price: 79SEK
Country: Spain
Grape: 100% Tempranillo
Colour: Ruby colouring
Nose: Clear vanilla, mature, slightly synthetic, Plump fragrance of ripening tone, vanilla barrel tones and dried fruit.
Taste: Vanilla and dill, long, ripe, very Rioja for money, mature, drink now but can be saved, strawberry flavours, a veneer of vanilla and tobacco-spice.
Here's that wine again. It's been at 3 wine tastings now and there's such a mixed response from it every single time. This time it only scored 3 stars. Most people, however, love this wine and that includes me. The 2002 is really good and still such a find at 79SEK. I've said before, that this wine needs food, because it has a really strong smell and taste, with overall strong carachters, which feels overpowering if not tamed down with some food. Try a spicy Spanish dish or perhaps some Tapas, it work together really nicely. For glasses, try the smaller of these 3 from Granit.se for a traditional Spanish wine glass feel.
Panel's rating: 2,96 out of 5
Price: 79SEKCountry: Spain
Grape: 100% Tempranillo
Colour: Ruby colouring
Nose: Clear vanilla, mature, slightly synthetic, Plump fragrance of ripening tone, vanilla barrel tones and dried fruit.
Taste: Vanilla and dill, long, ripe, very Rioja for money, mature, drink now but can be saved, strawberry flavours, a veneer of vanilla and tobacco-spice.
Friday, February 20, 2009
The third wine tasting
The third wine tasting was held with a totally new group than the first two. I decided not to add a theme to this tasting, just to see what kind of wines we end up with. No theme meant they could buy whichever wines they wanted, from any country and in any price range.
In the end we ended up with 2 white wines and 7 red wines, from Italy, South Africa, USA, Spain and Bulgaria. All in all a really fantastic group, and I hope we get together for another tasting really soon.
In the end we ended up with 2 white wines and 7 red wines, from Italy, South Africa, USA, Spain and Bulgaria. All in all a really fantastic group, and I hope we get together for another tasting really soon.
Ruffino Orvieto Classico (2007)
Wine tasting 3
I am slowly but surely starting to discover a taste for Italian red wines, because it's not often that I get to taste Italian whites. Here's one that I thought was pretty good, and worth a try for a summer barbecue or a picnic. Needs to be really cold though.
Panel's rating: 10.88 out of 20
Price: N/A
Country: Italy
Grape: Grechetto 50%, Procanico 30%, Verdello 10%, Canaiolo bianco 10%
Colour: Straw yellow
Nose: Fresh and fragrant with delicate flowery notes of meadow flowers and clover accompanied by fruity hints of green apples and greengages.
Taste: Fresh and harmonious with good body and an aftertaste reminiscent of citrus fruits.
I am slowly but surely starting to discover a taste for Italian red wines, because it's not often that I get to taste Italian whites. Here's one that I thought was pretty good, and worth a try for a summer barbecue or a picnic. Needs to be really cold though.
Panel's rating: 10.88 out of 20
Price: N/ACountry: Italy
Grape: Grechetto 50%, Procanico 30%, Verdello 10%, Canaiolo bianco 10%
Colour: Straw yellow
Nose: Fresh and fragrant with delicate flowery notes of meadow flowers and clover accompanied by fruity hints of green apples and greengages.
Taste: Fresh and harmonious with good body and an aftertaste reminiscent of citrus fruits.
Inzolia Chardonnay (2007)
Wine tasting 3
Here's a wine that uses clever marketing to sell itself. There's two words on the label, "Inzolia" and "Chardonnay". Most people don't know what Inzolia means and assumes this is a Chardonnay, which it isn't. There's only 25% Chardonnay in here, the rest or 75% is Inzolia, which is also a grape variety. This wine is not worth it. Rather drink water.
Panel's rating: 8.12 out of 20
Price: 67SEK
Country: Italy (Sicilia)
Grape: 75% Inzolia, 25% Chardonnay
Colour: Light yellow color
Nose: Youthful, fruity aroma with hints of pear, peach and melon. Youthful, fruity aroma with hints of mango, peach and melon.
Taste: Dry, very fruity taste with hints of peach, melon and grapefruit. Fine acidity and length. Dry, very fruity taste with hints of mango, peach and grapefruit.
Here's a wine that uses clever marketing to sell itself. There's two words on the label, "Inzolia" and "Chardonnay". Most people don't know what Inzolia means and assumes this is a Chardonnay, which it isn't. There's only 25% Chardonnay in here, the rest or 75% is Inzolia, which is also a grape variety. This wine is not worth it. Rather drink water.
Panel's rating: 8.12 out of 20
Price: 67SEKCountry: Italy (Sicilia)
Grape: 75% Inzolia, 25% Chardonnay
Colour: Light yellow color
Nose: Youthful, fruity aroma with hints of pear, peach and melon. Youthful, fruity aroma with hints of mango, peach and melon.
Taste: Dry, very fruity taste with hints of peach, melon and grapefruit. Fine acidity and length. Dry, very fruity taste with hints of mango, peach and grapefruit.
Robert Mondavi Zinfandel (2006)
Wine tasting 3
Here's a blended wine that consists mainly of Zinfandel, but also contains five other varieties. I'm not sure if the winemaker wanted to create a complex wine or had grapes left that he needed to use. This wine however has some very complex flavours and scored 4 stars from everyone at the wine tasting. Another good American wine and worth a try.
Panel's rating: 14.88 out of 20
Price: 82SEK
Country: USA
Grape: 77% Zinfandel, 10% Petite Sirah, 4% Syrah, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec and Petit Verdot
Colour: Colour is deep and dark, not quite inky: the sort of colour of a ripe black cherry.
Nose: This wine has a deep, soft bramble berry character with a dash of spice and a pinch of black pepper. The aromas and flavours are so lush and concentrated that they never seem to end, just linger and linger.
Taste: Vibrant wild black raspberry, cranberry and blackberry character, with nuances of hibiscus tea, orange zest, allspice and heirloom rose. Jam, spicy taste with hints of barrel, the forest, herbs and vanilla.
Here's a blended wine that consists mainly of Zinfandel, but also contains five other varieties. I'm not sure if the winemaker wanted to create a complex wine or had grapes left that he needed to use. This wine however has some very complex flavours and scored 4 stars from everyone at the wine tasting. Another good American wine and worth a try.
Panel's rating: 14.88 out of 20
Price: 82SEKCountry: USA
Grape: 77% Zinfandel, 10% Petite Sirah, 4% Syrah, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec and Petit Verdot
Colour: Colour is deep and dark, not quite inky: the sort of colour of a ripe black cherry.
Nose: This wine has a deep, soft bramble berry character with a dash of spice and a pinch of black pepper. The aromas and flavours are so lush and concentrated that they never seem to end, just linger and linger.
Taste: Vibrant wild black raspberry, cranberry and blackberry character, with nuances of hibiscus tea, orange zest, allspice and heirloom rose. Jam, spicy taste with hints of barrel, the forest, herbs and vanilla.
Coto de Imaz Rioja Reserva (2004)
Wine tasting 3
One of the better Riojas on the market, but a bit pricey if you consider the Lat 42 Rioja for 79kr. I did however still love this wine, just because it is a complete wine with a wonderful bouquet and full flavours in the mouth.
Panel's rating: 14.94 out of 20
Price: 102SEK
Country: Spain
Grape: Tempranillo 100% from the Rioja Alta
Colour: Brick-cherry red
Nose: Aroma with slight hints of oak standing out over the ripe fruit. Developed, spicy fragrance with hints of barrel, plums, chocolate, leather and vanilla.
Taste: Tasty, tannic, fresh fruit. Pleasant to drink. Mature, perfumed Tempranillo fruit with round, complex flavours from long-aging in American oak casks. Developed, spicy taste with hints of barrel, plum, cherry, chocolate, leather and vanilla.
One of the better Riojas on the market, but a bit pricey if you consider the Lat 42 Rioja for 79kr. I did however still love this wine, just because it is a complete wine with a wonderful bouquet and full flavours in the mouth.
Panel's rating: 14.94 out of 20
Price: 102SEKCountry: Spain
Grape: Tempranillo 100% from the Rioja Alta
Colour: Brick-cherry red
Nose: Aroma with slight hints of oak standing out over the ripe fruit. Developed, spicy fragrance with hints of barrel, plums, chocolate, leather and vanilla.
Taste: Tasty, tannic, fresh fruit. Pleasant to drink. Mature, perfumed Tempranillo fruit with round, complex flavours from long-aging in American oak casks. Developed, spicy taste with hints of barrel, plum, cherry, chocolate, leather and vanilla.
Sophia Cabernet Sauvignon (2007)
Wine tasting 3
Europe is one of the oldest wine producing regions in the world, but as soon as you ask people to mention some wine producing countries in Europe, they mention Spain, Italy or France. Here's a wine from Bulgaria and in a word, Fantastic. Don't let the price put you off. This wine is superb in all ways and worth a try.
Panel's rating: 12.38 out of 20
Price: 52SEK
Country: Bulgaria
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Colour: Red blue to Ruby colour which harmonises with its taste and aroma.
Nose: Strong, slightly burnt aroma with hints of plums, grass and sweet liquorice. Well-balanced aroma of red and blue fruits.
Taste: Well structured and markedly nippy taste. Strong, slightly burnt taste with hints of dark berries, grass and sweet liquorice. Ruby red wine with excellent fruit character.
Europe is one of the oldest wine producing regions in the world, but as soon as you ask people to mention some wine producing countries in Europe, they mention Spain, Italy or France. Here's a wine from Bulgaria and in a word, Fantastic. Don't let the price put you off. This wine is superb in all ways and worth a try.
Panel's rating: 12.38 out of 20
Price: 52SEKCountry: Bulgaria
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Colour: Red blue to Ruby colour which harmonises with its taste and aroma.
Nose: Strong, slightly burnt aroma with hints of plums, grass and sweet liquorice. Well-balanced aroma of red and blue fruits.
Taste: Well structured and markedly nippy taste. Strong, slightly burnt taste with hints of dark berries, grass and sweet liquorice. Ruby red wine with excellent fruit character.
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