Luigi Righetti Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico Capitel De' Roari 2005

This year's Christmas wine and my first Amarone. Delicious! Too bad we were many people and I only got one glas.

Gnarly Head Old Vine Zin 2008

After trying out some really great California Zinfandel wines, I decided to look for some more. Usually I stay away from reds below the 100 SEK line but I picked this one because the label was kind of cool and the description sounded tasty. It was smooth but so sweet, I could barely drunk up my glass. I will keep on looking.

Christian Audigier Syrah 2008

The Ed Hardy wine! I knew it exsited but it had to be ordered in and I already had way too many orders to keep track of. So yesterday I was looking for some nice California wine for a party, passed by the French section and had to have it immediately. Awesome art on the bottle, I am saving it and will probably put a candle in it.

The wine had very interesting taste, quite spicy and I liked it. I wasn't expecting much because one may think all the efforts went into the bottle design. But it was tasty, according to the description: "Elegant on the nose with truffle, eglantine and spicy aromas, achieved through small yield wine-making. The tannins have depth and a wonderful velvet texture." There are four more wines and two champagnes and I want to try them all.

Santa Helena Gran Vino Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

I tasted that one in Cuba, in the only restaurant in María La Gorda. We wanted to try out something local but the waitress recommended that we didn't do so. It tasted great after a long day of snorkling.

Penfolds Rawson's Retreat Shiraz Cabernet 2009

I finished up a box of this one at my mum's house. It is the typical table wine, nothing out of the ordinary. It tasted better with dark chocolate.

Costières de Nïmes Château Roustan 2007

During our annual Christmas party at A Hereford Beefstouw, somebody kept on ordering the house wine and didn't give us a chance to taste anything else on the wine list. It's amazing how restautants can sell you a bottle of cheep wine for about 35 euros when you can purchase the same in a French supermarket for 4,29 €. This one is made of Grenache and Syrah. I really didn't like it at first taste, it didn't improve later on either. That is pretty much what you can expect if you order the house wine in Sweden.

Fier Comte Rouge 2008 Languedoc Roussillon

A while ago I spent an evening at Swedish Taste, their chefs were teaching us how to prepare an exclusive three course dinner, then we had a pleasant wine tasting. While I was struggling to bone anatomically bambi, we were served a glass of Fier Comte. The kitchen assistant was saying something about the grapes being a secret, but apparently it is a mixture of Garignan, Syrah, Grenache and Cinsault. I don't remember the taste... I was too busy eating jamón serrano and manchego...

Marqués de Arienzo Rioja Reserva 2004

Since July 2010 this brand belongs to Marqués de Riscal. I have never tried their red riojas so I cannot compare but this one did not impress me much. It had the typical Rioja flavor but something was missing. It is in the same price range as the Lan Crianza but the latter is so amazing. Had it with some home made tapas so maybe the combination wasn't the best one. Anyway, I will stick to the more exclusive Riojas.

Fess Parker Zinfandel 2008

This one came up during a wine wasting at Swedish Taste. Liked it very much, almost as much as Peachy Canyon. I wasn't able to find a decent photo of the bottle on Google, so I got the Voignier instead. The lable was pretty much the same.

Janisson-Baradon Sélection Champagne

Something I got from Galleríe Lafayette in Berlin.

Montecillo Rioja Crianza 2007

The party wine that I discovered in Berlin. Really nice

Masi Campofiorin 2007

Can't really explain why I hadn't tried this before. I guess too many people recommended it and I just like making my own discoveries. This is my "tomorrow I am going to Berlin for some indie and techno" wine. Really nice with some manchego cheese.

Vinea Corvina Veronese 2007

Quite cheap Italian wine, had it with chocolate while watching The Big Bang Theory. It's nothing special but ok.

Louis Bouillot Perle de Vigne "Grande Réserve" Brut

Really nice, comes from Bourgogne. We celebrated my mom's return from Borneo with it.

Silval Vintange Port 2000/2001 by Quinta do Noval

Tried both year 2000 and 2001, the older one was much better and didn't taste as much alcohol. Interesting dry figs and raisins taste. Very good with dark chocolate. I am not a big fan of porto though.

Quinta Vale D. Maria, Vinho Tinto 2007

Everyone thought that this one was the best wive of the tasting. Apparently there were only 6 bottles left in Sweden. Kind of expensive.

Duorum 2008

This might be better than what I perceived, but I like the other wines so much better so I got lost in the bunch. I think the problem was that the smell was very weak.

Kopke Reserva 2007

I went to a Portugese wine tasting and this is what I liked best. It reminds me of a Rioja with a lot of blackberries.

Barone Ricasoli Chianti Classico Riserva Rocca Guicciarda 2006

This is my Halloween wine, I like it so much. The color combination is a bit weird. I really want to try a nice Amarone but it feels like a waste to party on it...

Laurent-Perrier Brut L-P

Got it in Paris on my way back from Cuba and it disappeared on New Year's Eve :)

Dandelion Vineyards 'Lionheart of the Barossa' Shiraz, 2008, Eden Valley

Trying just a small bottle but I like it.

Paul Cluver Pinot Noir 2008

I found it while watching the Travel Chanel. You are supposed to cellar it from 5 to 7 years but I tried it anyway. Really good!

RouteStock Cellars 2007 Pinot Noir "Route 99W", Willamette Valley

The awesome Pinot I had the the Waldorf. I have to find it!!!

Brown Brothers Shiraz 2008

Don't remember the taste but it was ok.

Finca el Puig Priorat 2003

It was one of the last wines that I tasted during a wine expo. At that point it seemed amazing so I had to order it. I kept if at home for a couple of months but tonight it was the right time to open it. I was supposed to spend the weekend in Barcelona but the flight got cancelled due the a snow storm. With no better option at sight, I just returned home and opened a bottle. The aroma was as I remember it but the taste was so strong. It is a really heavy wine that maybe you shouldn't drink while being extremely pissed off. It remined med of a portwine for some reason. I have one more priorat at home and I am hoping that it won't be that extreme.

Beckmen Vineyards Cuvee Le Bec 2007

Another lovely wine, a bit expensive. Will get it soon.

Peachy Canyon Zinfandel 2007

I loved this one and have already ordered a bottle.

Dancing Bull Zinfandel 2007

Great wine, only available in restaurants (Taras for example)

Fincas de Ganuza Reserva 2003, Rioja

Really nice rioja but very expensive. Maybe I will get a bottle some day.

LAN Gran Reserva 2002, Rioja

Amazing Lan! I am saving a bottle for a special ocasion. Next time I go to Spain I will get more bottles.

Weinreich E1NS Cuvée Caberbet, 2007

The awesome wine that we discovered at the Sofitel Munich.

Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc, 2009

Another really good white wine.

Marques de Riscal Rueda 2009

My favorite white wine :)

Palandri Estate Shiraz 2007

I don't remember much of its taste now but I liked it a lot.

Brilliant garnet in colour with glowing purple highlights, this Shiraz has aromas of blackberries and cracked black pepper, with the spicy characters and vanillin accents that result from the use of American oak barrels. On the palate, it is medium-bodied and rich, with spicy, peppery fruit accented by toasty oak. Firm tannins add grip to the finish.

Bourgogne Rouge Pinot Noir 2009

Cheap Pinot can't be very good. This one was ok but nothing really special.

Baigorri Crianza 2006, Rioja

A lovely discovery that I made in San Sebastian.

Fetzer Barrel Select Zinfandel 2007

Amazing!

Fairview Pinotage Viognier 2008

Awesome wine, a really socially responsible producer.

Baron de Ley Reserva 2005, Rioja

Discovered this one after surfing in Cantabria. Really nice!

Delas Crozes Hermitage Les Launes rouge 2007

Really good wine, it took me to a house party with strangers. The producer is Delas.

Ventisquero Queulat Gran Reserva Carmenère 2007

This one is very good but I prefer the Cabernet Sauvignon better.

Anthem Discover Pinot Noir 2007

I read about it in a newspaper and decided to try it. It was ranked as the best tasting new addition to Systembolaget. I don't believe I've ever had pinot noir before. Tastes differently but I like it. It is not ment to drink without food so I will give it another try tomorrow when I am not too lazy to make myself dinner. Quite expensive, 159 SEK but I like the urban label.

Anthem Pinot Noir “Discover” 2007 - Bronze medal Royal Easter Show 2009

“Intense berry fruit, black plum and wild strawberry on the nose with spice, high country herbs and blackcurrant also abundant. Enticing and approachable with a concentrated palate and a lingering silky texture.”.

The ripe fruit was handpicked and vented in small batches using traditional methods. During fermentation, gentle plunging up to 3 times per day ensured the desired extraction of colour, structure and aroma compounds. Ferments peaked at above 30C. Following ferment dryness there was a period of up to 10 days post ferment maceration and the wine was then drained to French oak barriques (30% new) for 10 months. Malolactic fermentation concluded in the summer and the wine was blended receiving one gentle filtration before bottling in March 2008. .

Origin 100% Central Otago, New Zealand
Winery: The Anthem Vinyard

Ventisquero Queulat Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva 2007

Just the wine you need before a night at Kraft. My favourite at the moment.

Land: Chile, Maipo Valley

Druva: Cabernet Sauvignon 85%, Syrah 15%

Beskrivning: Ett utmärkt sällskap till viltkött, grillat och lagrade ostar.

Distrikt: Maipo Valley denna dal har ett Medelhavsklimat med varma somrar med mycket lite regn. Temperaturskillnaden mellan dag och natt kan vara upp till 20 grader vilket är positivt för odling av vindruvor.

Jordmån: Granithaltig med stenar, väldränerad.

Skörd: Handplockade druvor. Plockningen skedde endast på morgonen. Vindruvorna transporterades i 20 kilos lådor. Skörden pågick mellan den 10-25 april.

Vinifiering: Druvorna sorterades manuellt före pressning och jästes på ståltank under låg temperatur.

Lagring: 100% av vinet har lagrats på franska ekfat i 14 månader, för att sedan få vila i flaskorna under 6 månader.

Lagringspotential: Kan lagras från 1-8 år.

Vinmakare: Felipe Tosso

Producenten: Viña Ventisquero är en relativt ny vinfirma. Firman ingår i en stor livsmedelsgrupp ”Agrosuper” som är den ledande producenten av färska matprodukter i Chile. Viña Ventisquero startades 1998 då man byggde ett nytt, stort vineri samt planterade ett stort antal vingårdar i olika delar av Chile, bl a i Casablanca dalen. Idag har företaget 1500 ha vingårdar.

Bodegas Lan Lanciano Rioja Reserva 2004

Best wine I've ever had! Once again the wine cellar at our hotel in Poznan. January 2010.

A silky texture carries expressive flavors of black plum, violet, licorice and smoke in this focused, balanced red. Has good intensity yet remains vibrant and accessible. Drink now through 2012.

Winery: Bodegas Lan
Vintage: 2004
Size: 750ml
Varietal: Red Blend
Region: Rioja
Country: Spain

Marqués de Cáceres Reserva

Had this one in a place called Tapas in Poznan. Don't remember the taste..

Doft: Utvecklad, kryddig doft med inslag av fat, plommon och röda bär.*

Smak: Kryddig, utvecklad smak med fatton, inslag av plommon och röda bär. *

Producent: Bodegas Marqués de Cáceres

Lan Rioja Crianza 2005

Found this one in Poznan, in the wine cellar next to our hotel. Amazing! Too bad it is not sold in Sweden.

Light scents of crushed rose petals and frisky cherry tomato flavors give this a bright, zesty tone. The tannins are also light, with a gravelly feel. This is a versatile red for olives and jamón Serrano, or more substantial meats such as duck.

Winery: Bodegas Lan
Vintage: 2005
Size: 750ml
Varietal: Red Blend
Region: Rioja
Country: Spain

McPherson Merlot 2005

Found that one at Spice Restaurant. It would be quite cheap if it was sold at Systembolaget.

Årgång: 2005
Producent: McPherson Wines
Ursprung: Australien South Eastern Australia

Druvor: Merlot

Vinifiering: För att bevara maximal fräschör har druvmusten jäst under temperaturkontroll i tankar av rostfritt stål. Ca 20 % av tankarna har varit beklädda
med stavar av amerikansk ek.

Doft: Medelstor, intensiv doft med inslag av mogen frukt av plommon, mörka bär och en diskret örtighet och toner av ek.

Smak: Medelstor, generös smak av mogen mörk frukt och bär som plommon, vinbär, cassis med inslag av röda toner, mörk hoklad och en väl integrerad kryddig ton av ek.

Passar till: Utmärkt till grillat kött som lamm, nöt och kalv. Går också bra till grytor och stuvningar med bra drag i kryddningen.

Försluten med Stelvin skruvkork.

Baron del Ley, Club Privado Rioja Reserva 2004

Got that one for Christmass 2009 because it had a pretty black box. Delicious!

Årgång: 2004
Region: Rioja
Producent: Baron de Ley

Smak: Medelfyllig och kryddig smak av mörka körsbär, plommon, tobak och choklad med en viss ekfatskaraktär.

Druvsort: Tempranillo 100%

Club Privado Reserva är ett vin speciellt framtaget för att framhäva en modernare stil av Rioja Reserva. Vinmakaren José María del Rio letade efter den rätta jordmånen bland Riojas västra vingårdar där klimatet är kallare och där variationen mellan dag och natt är större.
Efter jäsning lagras vinet 24 månader i amerikanska ekfat och ett år i butelj i Baron de Leys vinkällare.

Porcupine Ridge Syrah

Yet again, discovered at an electro picnic, summer 2009. I like the other one better.

Aromatic fynbos, spice, with ripe berry fleshiness show from the deep ruby colour. Although the palate is generous, an unmistaken elegance adds linearity to this wine. The tannins are integrated and accessible. This wine has further ageing potential.

Grape: Syrah
Vintage: 2008
Volume ml: 750
Winemaker: Marc Kent & Rudiger Gretschel
Region: Western Cape
District: Franschhook

Porcupine Ridge Merlot

Discovered at Eskapism's electro picnic @ Röda Sten, summer 2009.

Pronounced blackcurrant profile with lush chocolate mocha dominate the nose. A ripe plum richness combined with significant French oak detail add complexity to the palate. Drink now, or cellar a further five years.

Grape: Merlot
Vintage: 2007
Volume: ml 750
Winemaker: Marc Kent & Rudiger Gretschel
Region: Western Cape
District: Franschhook
Maturation potential in years: 5