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.
Showing posts with label wine tasting 3. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wine tasting 3. Show all posts
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.
Rioja Bordón Reserva (2004)
Wine tasting 1
Wine's from Rioja in Spain has become one my favourite wines since moving to Sweden, where I have access to wines from all over the world. This one is no different. Full of flavour and absolutely delicious. My rule for Tempranillo is however still to rather have it with food, than alone.
Panel's rating: 13.88 out of 20
Price: 89SEK
Country: Spain
Grape: 80% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha and 10% Mazuelo
Colour: Brick red colour. Red ruby colour with a deep iridescence tile.
Nose: Fragrance mature, spicy fragrance with hints of barrel, dried fruit, leather, dill and leaf rot. Nose is intense and rich in spices and balsamic nuances.
Taste: Taste ripe, spicy taste with hints of barrel, dried cherries, leather, dill, cocoa and leaf rot. Its entry on the palate is soft and velvety. This wine is delicious and ample.
Wine's from Rioja in Spain has become one my favourite wines since moving to Sweden, where I have access to wines from all over the world. This one is no different. Full of flavour and absolutely delicious. My rule for Tempranillo is however still to rather have it with food, than alone.
Panel's rating: 13.88 out of 20
Price: 89SEKCountry: Spain
Grape: 80% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha and 10% Mazuelo
Colour: Brick red colour. Red ruby colour with a deep iridescence tile.
Nose: Fragrance mature, spicy fragrance with hints of barrel, dried fruit, leather, dill and leaf rot. Nose is intense and rich in spices and balsamic nuances.
Taste: Taste ripe, spicy taste with hints of barrel, dried cherries, leather, dill, cocoa and leaf rot. Its entry on the palate is soft and velvety. This wine is delicious and ample.
Turning Leaf Cabernet Sauvignon (2008)
Wine tasting 3
This is probably only my third or fourth American wine I've had in my life, so I don't really have an opinion on their wines. This one however was good. Really good. A typical weekend wine when you have some friends over and you haven't planned too much. It's got a good flavour and some really interesting characteristics.
Panel's rating: 14.06 out of 20
Price: 79SEK
Country: USA
Grape: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% other
Colour: Dark, Purple colour
Nose: It's delightful, with notes of black cherries, oak and brown spice. Very fruity aroma with hints of black currants, grass and vanilla.
Taste: Very fruity taste with hints of blackcurrants and vanilla. A full bodied Cabernet Sauvignon red wine offers complex and rich layers of dark berry and plum flavours, accented by vanilla, and spice.
This is probably only my third or fourth American wine I've had in my life, so I don't really have an opinion on their wines. This one however was good. Really good. A typical weekend wine when you have some friends over and you haven't planned too much. It's got a good flavour and some really interesting characteristics.
Panel's rating: 14.06 out of 20
Price: 79SEKCountry: USA
Grape: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% other
Colour: Dark, Purple colour
Nose: It's delightful, with notes of black cherries, oak and brown spice. Very fruity aroma with hints of black currants, grass and vanilla.
Taste: Very fruity taste with hints of blackcurrants and vanilla. A full bodied Cabernet Sauvignon red wine offers complex and rich layers of dark berry and plum flavours, accented by vanilla, and spice.
Graham Beck Pinotage (2008)
Wine tasting 2
I was really disappointed by this wine. I've written before that Pinotage is my favourite grape variety, because I like the strong wines it produces. This wine however lacked that strong flavour I was looking forward to. Graham Beck however is one of South Africa's best wine makers and I'm sure there's more to this wine. I'm buying another bottle soon which I'll try with some blue cheese and fig preserve, perhaps then I'll discover its true character.
Panel's rating: 10.88 out of 20
Price: 74SEK
Country: South Africa
Grape: Pinotage
Colour: Blue purple colour
Nose: Fruity, smoky aroma with a hint of barrel, forest berries and herbs.
Taste: “Ripe cherry, strawberries and plums on the nose with ripe red berry fruit and spices on the palate. A full structured and well balanced wine with an elegant mouthfeel and silky soft tannins”. Youthful, fruity, clear and smoky flavor with hints of barrel, forest and grass.
I was really disappointed by this wine. I've written before that Pinotage is my favourite grape variety, because I like the strong wines it produces. This wine however lacked that strong flavour I was looking forward to. Graham Beck however is one of South Africa's best wine makers and I'm sure there's more to this wine. I'm buying another bottle soon which I'll try with some blue cheese and fig preserve, perhaps then I'll discover its true character.
Panel's rating: 10.88 out of 20
Price: 74SEKCountry: South Africa
Grape: Pinotage
Colour: Blue purple colour
Nose: Fruity, smoky aroma with a hint of barrel, forest berries and herbs.
Taste: “Ripe cherry, strawberries and plums on the nose with ripe red berry fruit and spices on the palate. A full structured and well balanced wine with an elegant mouthfeel and silky soft tannins”. Youthful, fruity, clear and smoky flavor with hints of barrel, forest and grass.
Lat 42 Rioja Gran Reserva (2002)
Wine tasting 3
I really love this wine. The 2001 was my favourite find of 2008 and now the 2002 is even better. This wine does however change character a lot and I would recommend this wine with food. It has a strong flavour and needs strong food to tone it down and compliment it.
Panel's rating: 15.43 out of 20
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.
I really love this wine. The 2001 was my favourite find of 2008 and now the 2002 is even better. This wine does however change character a lot and I would recommend this wine with food. It has a strong flavour and needs strong food to tone it down and compliment it.
Panel's rating: 15.43 out of 20
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.
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