1. 2003 Feteasca neagra. Halewood. Romania.
Dark red. Medium nose, spicy, fruity, flowery and some oak. Fullish, slightly sweet and juicy taste, some acidity. (10p)

2. 2005 Maglet. Melnik. Bulgaria. 54 SEK.
Deep red. Nice fruity nose with cassis and a touch of oak. Full, fruity taste, cassis, some tannins, reasonably well balanced. (12p)

3. nv Kekfrankos Barrique. Törley. Hungary. 59 SEK
Dark red. Nice, fruity nose. Medium full, high acidity, blackberries. OKish, but a short finish. (11p)

4. 2004 Heinrich Blaufränkisch. Burgenland. Austria. 12 EUR
Deep red. Corked. Was probably a very good wine..

5. nv Soma Reserve. Chateau Indage. India
Dark red. Smokey, oaky, a bit burned. Medium full, odd, fruity, mature taste. (10p)

494. Dec 15, 2006: Red Wines from Virginia. Hans Eriksson

Tasting notes by Lars Jonsson

1. 2005 Keswick Vineyards Norton. 18 USD
Dark red. Fruity, dark berries, black currant, plastic ketchup bottle, young, ethyl acetate, charcuteries. Young, fruity taste, juicy, wild strawberries, crisp acidity, some tannins. (11p)

2. 2005 Oakencroft Jefferson Claret. 20 USD
Very dark red. Fruity, complex, dark berries, oak, plums, Bordeauxish. Complex, fruity, cedary, creamy, inky, slightly disjoint, crisp acidity, slightly bitter, chewy, some tannins. (14p).

3. 2004 White Hall Vineyards Cuvée des Champs. 24 USD
Dark red. Rich, plummy, black currants, young, oak, Merlotish, stable yard. Young taste, plums, fruity Bordeauxish, long, lead pencil, crisp, tannic. Slightly disjoint (15p)

4. 2004 Barboursville Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve. 35 USD
Very dark red. Rich fruity, black currants, violets, classic. Full, complex, fruity, black berries, very long tannic, high acidity, full bodied. (15p)

5. 2002 Keswick Vineyards Edgewood Estate Reserve Heritage. 35 USD
Medium red. Warm, maturing, cassis, dried fruit. One-dimensional cassis. Full-bodied, crisp, tannic. (13p)

Whites:
1. 2004 Ch Coucheroy. Pessac Leognan. 97 SEK
Medium yellow. Fresh, nice aromas of black currants and nettles,a touch of oak. Crisp medium full taste, dry, fruity taste. Good value. A good wine from the reliable Lurton family.

2. 2001 Meursault 1 Cru. Le Poruzot-Dessus. V. Girardin. 369 SEK
Golden. Rich bouquet, toasted oak, butter and fruit. Full, rich taste, well balanced, long and elegant. (16p)

Reds:

2. 2002 Ch Latour Haut Brion. Pessac Leognan. 470 SEK
Dark red. Purple rim. Young fruity nose, creamy, cassis new oak. Full, fruity taste, tannic, crisp, undeveloped but promising (16p)

3. 1990 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande. Pauillac. c200 SEK.(in 1991)
Dark red, well pigmented rim. Very mature, spicy bouquet. Some oak and cassis. Full, mature taste, soft tannins, loosing grip but nice. (16p)

4. 1985 Ch Giscours. Margaux. 339 SEK
Dark red, pale rim. Nice, mature bouquet, nice fruit, quite spicy, dry raisins, olives - almost Syrah-like. Full, good taste, fine tannins, highly drinkable (16p)

5. 1990 Cos d'Estournel. Saint Estephe. 395 SEK
Dark red, lots of pigments. Very fine, aromatic bouquet which developed beautifully in the glass. Lots of fruit and balanced oak. Full, maturing taste, lovely balance, long aftertaste. The wine of the evening! (18p)

7. 1996 Ch Pradeaux. Bandol. 197 SEK
Dark red. Fine, fruity bouquet. Full, firm, fruity, spicy taste (16p)

and finally white again:
8. 1999 Ch Guiraud. Sauternes
Deep golden. Slightly corked. Tasted better, lots of fruit and botrytis. (16p?)

Comments: An interesting line-up of wines found in the deep cellars of the members. It was good to see how well the older wines performed in the tasting. Nice evening, great wines, good food prepared by ourselves and good company.

1. 2000 Noravank. Vayots Dzor. Maran Vinery
Medium red. Young, but slightly oxidised nose. Light taste, maturing, not bad at first but deteriorates in the glass. (10p)

2. 2003 Noravank. Vayots Dzor. Maran Vinery
Medium red. Medium nose, red berries, youngish. Medium full, crisp, good fruit. Rather short aftertaste. (12p)

3. 2002 Areni-Arpi. Ginetas Ltd. Top left label
Medium red. Youngish, fruity nose with raspberries. Medium full, fruity taste, crisp. (12p)

4. 2002 Areni-Arpi. Ginetas Ltd. Bottom label
Dark medium red. A bit closed, some maturity, burned, gun-smoke. Medium full, crisp, maturing taste with red and black berries. (12p)

5. 2000 Areni of Yeghegnadzor. Maran Vinery
Medium red. Fruity nose, young, juicy. Medium full, some tannins, crisp. (11p)

Comments: All wines were purchased for about 35 SEK per bottle (EUR 4) in Armenia this summer. This was a new country to us, and it is indeed fascinating to taste wines from an place were wine-making originated. The wines were quite nice and worked well with food. They were made from the local Areni varietal and similar in style and taste. They were not unlike a Pinot Noir; crisp, medium coloured, raspberries. Could there possibly be a connection?

1. 2001 Ronco dei Quatroventi. DOC Ciró. Fattoria San Francesco. EUR 18
Deep red, red rim. Rich, oaky, spicy flavours, with lots of fruit: cassis and black-berries. Full, rich taste, tannic and acidity - well balanced, rich fruity taste and a long aftertaste (16p)

2. 1997 Lamezia Riserva DOC. Lento. EUR 19
Dark red, brick-red rim. A bit closed on the nose but developed nice fruit spices, cassis and black-berries. Medium full, well balanced taste. Mature.(15p)

3. 2003 Gravello IGT Val Di Neto Rosso. Librandi. EUR 18
Dark red. Fine, young, fruity nose, black and red berries. Full, fruity taste, young, unpolished, slightly bitter tannins. Will probably improve (15p)

4. 2000 Vigna Mortilla. DOC Savuto. Odoardi. EUR 16.50
Deep red. Very rich fruity nose with ripe berries and cinnamon. Very full taste with rich, very chewy sweet fruit, quite tannic and high acidity. (15p)

Comments: Pleasant, well made wines. Not exactly any bargains, but an interesting experience.

1. 2004 Couvent des Jacobins. Bourgogne. L. Jadot. 106 SEK
Medium red. Medium nose, red berries. Medium full, crisp, unpolished, young fruit. Correct and pleasant. Short aftertaste.(13p)

2. 1997 Givry 1er Cru "Clos de la Servoisine". Dom. Joblot. 139 SEK (in 1999)
Medium red, mature rim. Rich, a bit burned fruit, cabbage and oak. Full, fruity, rich taste, strawberries and cherries, maturing, good acidity, some tannins. (16p)

3. 2003 Spätburgunder Rotwein "Alte Reben". Qualitätswein. Baden. Fritz Wassmer. Baden. 15 EUR
Medium red. Rich fruity and oaky flavors. Medium full, crisp, elegant, fruity taste, oak and a good aftertaste (16p)

4. 1993 Échézeaux. Grand Cru. Domaine de la Romanée Conti. 747 SEK (in 1997)
Dark red, mature. Fine, aromatic, spicy, fruity flavours on the nose but still a bit closed. Full, rich mouth-filling, fruity taste, spicy, acidity and tannins, well balanced, long aftertaste (17p)

Comments: A good selection of PNs and well liked by the group. The Baden wine was no doubt the best German red that any of us has ever tasted, and what a good value! The Échézeaux was excellent but personally I had perhaps expected some more on the nose. Too young? It had not developed so much since last tasted in 1997 -see OP's diary!

1. Penfolds Thomas Hyland Shiraz. 104 SEK
Dark red, well pigmented purple rim, Powerful, rich young nose, dark berries and oak. Young, full, juicy fruit, plums, full bodied, acidity and medium tannins. (13p)

2. 2003 Crozes Hermitage. Guigal. 145 SEK
Dark red. Fruity, rich, nice spicy flavours, plums, raisins and flowers. Full, fine, delicate taste, soft tannins and crisp acidity. Quite elegant and pleasant. (14p)

3. 1998 Rosemount Blue Mountain Shiraz. Mudgee. 125 SEK
Dark red, lots of pigments. Maturing bouquet, cassis, violets and oak. Full, aromatic taste, rich, maturing long taste. Perfect to drink now, but there was some complaints expressed in the group about high volatile acidity. (16p)

4. 1998 Rosemount Shiraz Show Reserve. McLaren Vale. 125 SEK
Dark red. Dark red. Mature bouquet, casssis and oak. Full, quite tannic,good fruit, good acidity. Nice balance. (15p)

5. 1998 Rosemount Balmoral Shiraz. McLaren Vale. 125 SEK
Dark red. Very mature bouquet and high volatile acidity, tobacco. Mature, tannic, slightly bitter taste, not in balance. Past its best. (12p)

488. Aug 18, 2006: Global Tasting. Erling V. Jirle

1. 1995 Caves de Sarragan. Cave Vinicole du Val d'Enfer. Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence. France. 44 FFR (2000)
Medium red, mature rim. Very mature nose, oak, some cassis. Medium full, crisp, soft tannins, rather short, slightly tired and past its best. (11p)

2. 2001 Ch de Seguin. Bordeaux Supérieur. France. 85 SEK
Dark red. Quite nice, young, vigorous nose with berries. Medium full, fruity taste, medium tannnins and a touch of bitterness. Quite OK, but hardly exciting. (12p)

3. 2004 Ch Kefraya "Les Bretèches". Lebanon. 84 SEK
Dark medium-red. Slightly oxidized, sweet fruity mose. Fullish, soft taste, raisin-sweet. Easily identified as a Lebanese wine. (11p)

4. 2005 Pisano Rio de Los Pájaros Reserve. Uruguay. 85 SEK
Dark red, purple rim. Rich, young, creamy fruit, butter-scotch and dark berries. Full, tannic, crisp taste, lots of fruit, young. Good. (14p)

5. 2003 Tsantali Xinomavro-Cabernet Sauvignon. Halkidiki, Greece. 96 SEK
Dark red. Rich fruity nose with cassis and toasted oak. Full, well balanced taste, fruit, dark berries, long oaky aftertaste. Good value and should develop well over the next years. (15p)

1. 2003 Penfolds Koonunga Hill. SE Australia. 87 SEK (in 2006)
Dark red. Rich warm, very fruity nose. Crisp, full taste, young fruit and oak, fullbodied, moderate tannins.(13p)

2. 1999 Penfolds Koonunga Hill. SE Australia. 84 SEK (in 2002)
Dark red, maturing. Oaky, intense fruity nose. Crisp, full, fruity taste, soft tannins. (13p)

3. 2002 Penfolds Koonunga Hill. SE Australia. 87 SEK (in 2005)
Medium nose, cassis and oak. Crisp, fruity taste, dark berries. (13p)

4. 2001 Penfolds Koonunga Hill. SE Australia. 84 SEK (in 2003)
Dark red. Medium nose, nice fruit an oak. Full, fruity, well balanced oaky taste, plums, mint (14p)

5. 2000 Penfolds Koonunga Hill. SE Australia. 84 SEK (in 2002)
Dark red. Very fruity and oaky nose. Full, oaky, crisp taste. (13p)

Comments: To sum up, a reliable, chunky, rich wine in a popular style. No so tannic, but a surprisingly high acidity. There were some differences between the vintages and the youngest one was clearly the youngest in appearance. They seem to age well, but do not develop much complexity.

1. 2004 Bonacosta Valpolicella Classico. 79 SEK
2. 2003 Campofiorin. 99 SEK
3. 2005 Tupungato Passo Doble. Argentina. 99 SEK
4. 2000 Costasera Amarone Classico. 249 SEK

1. 2001 Torres Gran Coronas. Penédes, Spain. 90 SEK
Dark red. Rich nose of dark berries and toasted oak. Full, fruity taste, quite tannic, high acidity and toasted oak. Attractive. (13p)

2. 2004 Vila Santa. Alentejo, Portugal. 99 SEK
Dark medium-red. Very fruity nose, cassis, oak. Full, tannic, good acidity, aromatic, balanced. (14p)

3. 1993 La Mission Haut Brion. Graves, Bordeaux, France. 532 SEK
Dark red. Warm, fruity, maturing bouquet, cassis and blueberries. Mature taste, leather, medium acidity and tannins. Probably past its best !?(14p)

4. 2004 El Portillo Cabnernet Sauvignon. Mendoza, Argentina. 89 SEK
Dark red. Fine, fruity nose with cassis and some oak. Full, very fruity and spicy taste, soft tannins, good acidity.(14p)

5. 2003 Echeverria Cabernet Sauvignon. Molina, Chile. 99 SEK
Dark red. Very oaky and lots of black currants. Full, tanninc, mature. Tasty, but a bit one-dimensional.(13p)

Comments: Parker has rated La Mission 90-91pts and suggested a long life ahead! None in this group of experienced Bordeaux-lovers were overwhelmed. Bad bottle?

1. 2001 Carmen Reserve Syrah Cabernet Sauvignon. Maipo. 119 SEK
Dark red. Mature bouquet, pleasant fruit, vanilla and oak. Full, rich fruity taste, balanced good acidity and tannins. Oaky aftertaste. (13p)

2. 2002 Carmen Reserve Carmenère Cabernet Sauvignon. Maipo.119 SEK
Dark red. Powerful nose, cassis and oak. Full, well balanced taste, fruit, soft tannins. (14p)

5. 2004 Carmen Caberent Sauvignon. Valle Central. 73 SEK
Dark red. Nice, aromatic nose with cassis. Fullish, ripe, fine acidity, soft tannins, moderate oak. Short aftertaste. (12p)

Comments: Very nice wines, and the reserves possessed a bit of extra richness (and oak) at an attractive price. Very similar in style and the characteristics of the grape varieties were not that obvious.

1. 2004 Fetzer Valley Oaks. Mendocino. 89 SEK
Pale yellow. Rich, fruity nose, apples and some black currant. Fullish, crisp taste, pleasant fruit. Medium aftertaste. (13p)

2. 2001 Chaddsford Chardonnay, Chadds Ford. 113 SEK
Brownish yellow. Odd, mature nose. Slightly oxidized, acidic taste, over-ripe apples. Just about drinkable.(8p)

3. 2000 Clover Hill , Breinigsville, PA. 138 SEK
Golden yellow. Mature nose, a bit shy but acceptable, with some oak. Full, quite fruity taste, crisp, mature and quite nice. (12p)

4. 2000 Fox Leap, Newton Sq, Chester County. 87 SEK
Pale, greenish yellow. Some apple fruit and oak, but a touch of damp cellar. Medium full, slightly oaky taste. (11p)

5. 1998 Sand Castle, Erwinna, Central Delaware Valley. 126 SEK
Pale, greenish yellow. Fine fruity taste, citrus and minerals, yeast. Crisp, fruity medium full taste, nice acidity. (12p)

Comments: A bit pricy, but at least acceptable to quite good wines.

1. 1993 Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon. c 100 SEK
Dark red. Fine, mature bouquet, cassis, leather ant some oak. Full, well balanced, no hard edges, mature. Medium aftertaste. (15p)

2. 1986 Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve. Napa valley. c. 175 SEK
Dark red. Medium nose with nice fruit and some oak. Full, rich, quit tannic aromatic taste and a long aftertaste. (16p)

3. 1990 Ch Pichon Lalande. Pauillac. Bordeaux. 195 SEK in 1991.
Dark red. Very rich nose with plenty of cassis, toasted oak and stableyard. Complex, quite tannic, good acidity and a long aftertaste (17p)

4. 1994 Titus Cabernet Sauvignon. Napa Valley.
Dark red. Very mature, weird nose with dried fruit, tobacco and cassis and sherry-like flavours. Very fruity, yet unbalanced taste, tannic and some bitterness. Strange wine, not undrinkable but should it really be like this? Not rated.

Comments: The Beringers were quite impressive considering their age. And again a good bottle of the (in-)famous Pichon Lalande 90! We have tasted it on several occasions with very consistent ratings.

1. 1986 Ch Batailley. Pauillac 115 SEK (in 1988)
Dark red. Good, rich, mature bouquet, cassis, spices and some oak. Medium full, good acidity, quite tannic, rather short finish. (15p)

2. 1986 Ch Marquis de Terme. Margaux. 160 SEK (in 1990)
Very dark red. Mature bouquet, cassis and toasted oak. Full, rich taste, mature, complex taste, well balanced and good length. (16p)

3. 1986 Ch Chasse Spleen. Moulis. Price: ?
Dark red. Fine, pleasant spicy, mature bouquet. Medium full, very tannic, oaky and a bit unbalanced. Past its best. (15p)

4. 1986 La Lagune. Haut-Médoc. 132 SEK (in 1990)
Dark red. Mature cassis, leather, oak and slightly cellary but developed nice in the glass. Medium full, tannic, mature, spicy fruit and a long aftertaste. (16p)

Comments: The wines were quite similar in appearance: Impressive colour and very mature. Some in the group rated the Chasse Spleen higher and found the La lagune less good. It is definitetly time to drink the '86 Bordeaux now.

1. 2002 Traversa Tannat Roble Gran Reserva. 80 SEK
Medium-dark red. Rich, good, fruity nose, dark berries, toasted oak. Medium-full, red berries, high acidity with some harsh edges, quite good but lacks balance (13p)

2. 2005 Pisano RPF Petit Verdot. 119 SEK
Dark red. Young, fruity nose, dark berries and fudge. Full, fruity taste, plums and dark berries, high acidity, lots of soft tannins, nice aftertaste (14p)

3. 2004 Pisano Viña Barrancal Tannat. 109 SEK
Dark red. Rich, very fruity, almost portish nose, needs time. Full, fruity taste, chewy, quite tannic but well balanced and a good aftertaste. Should develop with some age. (15p)

4. 2004 Alamos Malbec. Catena Zapata. Mendoza, Argentina 89 SEK
Dark red. Pleasant, rich, elegant nose with fruit and toasted oak. Full, rich, hot taste, good acidity and balanced rich tannins (14p)

Comments: They make good wines in South America and the prices are very reasonable. These wines were also well recieved in the Swedish wine-press.

Tasting notes by Lars Jonsson.

2. 2003 Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet (South Eastern Australia) 14%. SEK 87
Dark red. Young, meaty, dark berries, black-berries. Long, Full, ripe, black-berries, high acidity, soft tannins, full bodied, slightly bitter. (14p)

3. 2003 Wolf Blass Yellow Label Cab. Sauv. (?) SEK 105
Corked

4. 2004 Churchview Estate Premium Range Cab. Sauv. (Margaret River) 14 % SEK 129
Dark red, purple rim. Dark berries, cassis, chocolate, kernels. Black currants, straight forward, rather high acidity and quite tannic. (13p)

5. 2003 Norfolk Rise Wavecrest Cabernet Merlot (South Australia) 13,5 % SEK 99
Dark red, youngish-looking. Complex aromas of black-berries, dark berries, mint, oak and red currants. Tastes of black-berries, liquorice, red berries, mint, Merlot-velvet, long, good acidity and quite tannic. (15p)

1. 2004 Chablis. J. Drouhin. 129 SEK
pale yellow. Fruity nose with apples, black currants and cinnamon. Crisp, medium full taste, apples and slightly spicy. (13p)

2. 2004 Chablis Saint Martin. Dom. Laroche. 129 SEK
Pale yellow. Medium nose, apple, minerals and flowers. Medium full, polished acidity, plenty of fruit and a reasonable aftertste (14p)

3. 2004 Petit Chablis. J M Brocard. 106 SEK
Pale yellow. Corked

4. 2003 Chablis Vielles Vignes Dom. St Claire. J M Brocard. 159 SEK
Pale yellow. Medium nose, nice fruit, apples. Crisp, medium full, ripe fruit. Well balanced. (14p)

5. 2002 Chablis Grand Cru Vaudésir. J M Brocard. 299 SEK
Medium yellow. Interesting bouquet with apples, almonds and apricots. Rich, medium full taste, plenty of fruit and crisp. Very tasty but finishes surprisingly short. (15p)

The following wines were tasted but no tasting notes are available.
1. nv Cavaco Azores c50 SEK
2. nv Atlantis Azores c50 SEK
3. nv Basalto Azores c50 SEK
4. 2003 Periquita 61 SEK
5. 2004 Vila Santa 99 SEK