Uruka Tannat 2008

What a find, thanks to the South African winemaker Riaan van der Spuy. The wine is called Uruka, and the name is made up of the three first letters of the word Uruguay and the last two letters from the word South Africa in Afrikaans, "Suid Afrika". I have never heard of the grape Tannat, until I drank the wine, but apparently it is the most commonly used grape in Uruguay.

The colour is blood red to brown. The fragrance on the nose is very much like Shiraz, but with some liquarice mixed with white chocolate, if you can picture that. There's also a smell of spices with creamy caramel, oak and a hint of plums. It smelt fantastic. Really my kind of wine. The taste was chocolate and oak barrels and very peppery. The end tones raised the taste a lot, so instead of fading, it lasted a long time in your mouth.

For this wine we tried Lamb chops and Risotto with Funnel Chanterelle. It was a really great fit. A creamy red wine with Risotto.

The price is 89kr at Systembolaget which is a bargain.

Lat 42 Rioja 1999

One of my favourite wines of all times it has to be said. Had it the first time more than two years ago, when we tasted the 2001 vintage during the first wine tasting, where it scored 3 out of 5, then we tasted the 2002 vintage during the third wine tasting, where it scored 4 out of 5 and again the 2002 vintage during the fourth wine tasting, where it scored 3 out of 5.

This however is the 1999 vintage. I found it by chance at the beginning of the year, and bought ten bottles, of which this was unfortunately the last one. It's not often you find an 11 year old wine for close to 80kr, which is as good as this one. It's very woody and such a wonderful smell. I will admit that it's not everyone's cup of tea, but if you love Pinotage from South Africa, then you'll love this. Dark, and very bold.

For this wine we made a traditional lamb dish from South Africa called Biriyani. Originally from Malaysia, but have krept into the South African culture over a very long time. Lots of spices, mixed with the lamb, basmati rice and lentils, served with fresh coriander. The wine lasted long after dessert was done, and is fantastic after the meal all by itself as well. If you're into Spanish wines like I am, try this, but be careful, it is a bit wild. Tame it by making a spicy lamb dish like Biriyani.

Here's the link to Systembolaget. They currently have only the 2003 vintage in stock, which I have not yet tasted.

Below you can see that the cork is a little mouldy, not because the wine got air, but just because it's so old. 11 years. You can also see that in the colour of the wine. More brown than red. All the tannins are gone, yet the wine remains powerful in the nose and the taste.

Anura Merlot (2007)

Wine tasting 6

An elegant bottle with a really nice label. My favourite wine, during the sixth wine tasting. I think it was really smooth with a sort of creamy finish. I would open this wine while cooking a creamy pasta dish, because I think it's really good by itself, but should be really good with pasta in particular.

Panel's rating: 3,39 out of 5




Country: Simonsberg, Paarl, South Africa
Grape: 100% Merlot
Price: 99SEK

Colour: Dark red colour.

Nose: Large, fruity, smoky aroma with barrel character, hints of plums, green pepper, dark chocolate and liquorice. Hints of herbal and violet aromas are folded in layers of dark chocolate.

Taste: Very fruity, smoky wine with barrel character, hints of plums, green pepper, dark chocolate, liquorice and coffee. The wine has loads of ripe blackberry, red berry and blackcurrant flavours. This full-bodied, well balanced wine and has a long lingering flavour or berries and mint leaves.

Allesverloren Tinta Barroca (2007)

Wine tasting 5

Tinta Barroca is a Portuguese red wine grape that is grown primarily in the Douro region with some plantings in South Africa. It's a common blending grape in Port wine while in South Africa it is normally made into a varietal. It's a fairly unknown variety in South Africa, so it's not very common. It took some getting used to for me, because it's not a taste that fits the regular South African palate, but has since been a regular purchase of mine. It goes really well with meat dishes that have lots of flavours. Do not try it as a stand along wine with your favourite book, because you'll be disappointed. This wine needs a busy kitchen with lot of action around it, lots of colours and lots of flavours.

Panel's rating: 3,36 out of 5




Country: South Africa - Swartland
Grape: 100% Tinta Barroca
Price: 109 SEK

Colour: Purple.

Nose: Fruity, spicy, slightly burnt aroma with a hint of barrel, cherry, liquorice and grass.

Taste: Fruity, spicy, slightly burnt taste with hints of barrel, plums, cherries and liquorice.

Allesverloren Shiraz (2007)

Wine tasting 5

This wine was really close to scoring 4 stars, and was the best wine for the night of the 5th wine tasting. It's smoky and there's that barrel smell and taste that I think appeals to so many red wine drinkers. A good wine for red meat dishes, because it has all the right elements to compliment the food. It's not over-powering, yet full bodied with a taste that slows you down, so you can really enjoy every sip.

Panel's rating: 3,7 out of 5




Country: South Africa - Swartland
Grape: 100% Shiraz
Price: 99 SEK

Colour: Red blue colour

Nose: Fruity, slightly smoky aroma, elements of the barrel, blackberries, rmynta and vanilla.

Taste: Fruity, slightly smoky wine, elements of the barrel, blackberry, mint and vanilla.

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

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.

Farnese Montepulciano d'Abruzzo (2005)

Wine tasting 1

This wine was everyone's favourite of the night, with no score lower than four. A good solid red wine. Exceptional aromas of flowers and berries. Smooth. Mellow. Just perfect.

Panel's rating: 4,2 out of 5

Price: 99SEK
Country: Italy
Grape: Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

Colour: Cherry red blueish | Blueish purple and dark | Red pinkish | Purple | Red, close to Cerise.

Nose: Dark red berries, vanilla and cinnamon | A little like cherries and vanilla | A deep smell and cinnamon | Fruity | Cinnamon | Flowers.

Taste: Round, soft tannins and juicy | Soft tannins | Really nice | Juicy and spicy | Sharp | Liquorice | Full and round.