Current exchange rates: 100 SEK= 10.74 EUR = 14.83 USD = 9.27 GBP

1. 2005 Red Rock Cabernet Sauvignon. Vine Cliff Winery. 225 SEK
Deep red. Well developed, mature nose, cassis, slightly burned, almost South Africa-styled smoke, oak. Full-bodied, very fruity taste, mature, smoke. (15p)

2. 2003 Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve. 1000 SEK
Deep red. Fine, rich, elegant nose, pure, integrated oak. Full, very fruity taste, spicy cassis, well balanced tannins, long and warm aftertaste. Excellent (17p+)

3. 2002 Vine Hill Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon. Mondavi. 500 SEK
Deep red. Fine, fruity nose, cassis and plums, toasted oak. Full, fruity taste, tannic but balanced. (16p)

4. 2000 The David. Del Dotto Vinyards. 660 SEK
Deep red. Medium nose with cassis, spices and oak. Full bodied, very tannic taste, plenty of fruit but a bit disjoint and hollow mid-taste. Mature or even past its best. Still good, but not on par with the others (15p)

5. 1998 Heitz Cabernet Sauvignon Trailside Vineyard. 500 SEK
Deep red. Powerful, rich bouquet, cassis, spices and oak. Full, mature, balanced harmonius taste. Good aftertaste. (17p)

Comments: Excellent wines, if somewhat pricey. Note how well the Heitz performed in this tasting. Uncle Bob has not been very nice to this famous winery in recent years.

1. 2004 Cuvée Le Paradis. J. Maumus. 76 SEK (2006)
Dark red, red-brown rim. Good bouquet, dark berrries, raisins, spices. Medium full, good acidity, firm tannins, raisins, decent aftertaste but finishes short. Mature and will not improve. Good value. (14p)

2. 2004 Château Bouscassé. A. Brumont. 99 SEK (2008)
Dark red. Rich nose, dark berries, butterscotch. Fullish, soft tannins, well balanced, some fruit, perhaps lacking mid-taste (14p)

3. 2002 Château Barrejat. D. Capmartin. 129 SEK (2005)
Dark red. Mature bouquet, plummy fruit, black-berries, toasted oak. Full, mature, quite tannic but balanced, dark berries, good aftertaste.(15p)

4. 2001 Château Montus. A Brumont. 149 SEK (2004)
Dark red. TCA on nose and taste. Would otherwise have been a excellent wine. (Not rated, but see below)

5. 2001 Château Bouscassé Vielle Vignes. A Brumont
Dark red. At first a bit closed, but fine, spicy fruit, plums and black-berries, leather and some oak. Full, ripe fruit, tannic, yet excellent balance. Mouth-filling aromas, peacock's tail. Lovely stuff (17p)

Comments: I opened a 2001 Montus four weeks ago which also was destroyed by TCA! A second bottle was OK. A huge wine with massive tannins which needed decanting. Some of it was not consumed until two days later and was still good by then, no signs of oxidation! Impressive wine which needed several more years of cellaring. Two bottles left and I just hope that there is no TCA in them.

1. 2004 Alto Cabernet Sauvignon. 135 SEK
Dark red, brick-red rim. Mature bouquet, leather, oak. Full, rich, taste, balanced wine with good structure, but somewhat short aftertaste. Good now, will not benefit from cellaring. (15p)

2. 2005 Ingwe Reserve Alain Moueix. 149 SEK
Dark red. A bit closed nose, with wet hair (?), opened up and improved later, mature, dark berries, apples and oak. Full, very tannic, maturing, slightly bitter taste. (14p)

3. 2006 Kanonkop Paul Sauer. 269 SEK
Dark red. Big nose, plenty of cassis, fine balanced oak. Full, rich, fruity taste, dark berries, cassis, oak. Perfect balance and long aftertaste. Good now, but will keep for several years. (17p)

4. 2004 Meerlust Rubicon. 209 SEK (2008)
TCA, TCA, TCA.....(Not rated)

5. 2004 Rust en Vrede Estate. 269 SEK (2008)
Very dark red. Maturing bouquet, dark berries, oriental spices, toasted oak. Full, fruity taste, quite tannic but well balanced. Good aftertaste. Maturing, but probably a long life ahead. (16p)

Comments: The wines were liked well by all in the group. South Africa at its best, apart for Rubicon of course. Actually, our guesses were focused on California and France, which is not so strange. The Ingwe was previously tasted on January 15 (see below), and by then the infamous SA-smoke was more prominent.

1. 2008 Vespres. Montsant. 199 SEK
Dark red, purple rim. Rich fruity nose, blueberries, plums and oak. Full, young fruity taste, well stuktured, firm tannnins, pleasant aftertaste (15p)
(Grenache 80% , Carignan 17% and Cabernet Sauvignon 3%).

2. 2003 Finca el Puig. Priorat. 189 SEK
Dark red., maturing rim. A bit closed nose, but developed a maturing, perfumed bouquet, spicy fruit, blackberries and oak. Firm, full taste, tannic but well balanced and a good aftertaste. Not liked so well by all in the group. (15p)
(Grenache 45%, Carignan 23%, Cabernet Sauvignon 20%, Merlot 10% and Syrah 2%).

3. 2008 GR 174. Priorat. 119 SEK
Dark red. Ripe fruit on the nose, cassis and butterscotch. Full bodied (15%), soft tannins, dark berries, medium aftertaste. (14p)
(Grenache 35%, Cabernet Sauvignon 35% and Carignan 30%).

4. 2007 Tendral. Priorat. 115 SEK
Dark red. A bit closed nose, cassis, oak. Full, lots of fruit, but a slight bitterness in the aftertaste(13p)
(Grenache, Mazuelo and Shiraz).

5. 2007 Geol. Costers del Segre. 179 SEK .
Very deep red. Rich nose, dark berries, spices, oak. Full, very fruity, young, balanced taste with a great potental to develop. Good aftertaste. (16p)
(Merlot 45%, Cabernet 35%, Marsellan 6%, Cabernet Franc 5%, Syrah 5% and Carignan 4%)

Summary: Surprisingly similar in style: Full bodied, lots of fruit and tasty oak. Interesting blends of grapes which made them quite difficult to identify. Reasonable priced as well. Definitly a line-up of attractive modern wines but perhaps lacking a little in personality if should be a bit critical. Or did I only have a bad day?

1. 2005 Marques de Riscal Reserva. 139 SEK
Dark red. Good nose, fruit, plums, raisins and oak. Full, oaky taste, nice fruit (14p)

2. 2003 Marques de Murrieta Ygay Reserva. 129 SEK
Dark red. Warm, oaky nose, chocolate, almond paste, cherries. Full, fruity taste, well balanced, fine tannins (14p)

3. 2001 Conde de Valdemar Gran Reserva. 144 SEK
Dark tred. Rich, maturing nose, cherries, cassis, oak. Full

4. 1998 Faustino 1 Gran Reserva. 169 SEK
Dark red. Mature nose, meaty, oakey. Full, well structured taste, fine acidity and tannins, ripe fruit and a good aftertaste (15p)

Comments: Rioja tastings were quite frequent in the early days of this group. Nice to return to this district. Obvoiusly there has been changes in style, as these example were of a more fruity and modern wines. In general this is positive, but it would be fun to taste a more old fashioned example again. We can still recall the intense oaky perfume of a wine like 1973 Marques de Romeral Gran reserva.

1. 2009 Solombra Reserva Malbec-Shiraz. La Riojana. 69 SEK
Very dark purple red. Young, very fruity nose, jammy. Fullish, spicy, slightly medicinal taste, dark berries, plums, soft tannins, high acidity, short aftertaste (11p)

2. 2008 Cavallino Malbec-Syrah. Nordic Sea Winery. 70 SEK
Dark red, Medium nose, fruit and some spice, violoets. Full, chunky taste, dark berries, plums, rhubarbs and violets. High acidity, soft tannins, some aftertaste (12p)

3. 2007 Bodega Lurton Malbec Reserva. 86 SEK
Dark red. Medium nose, cassis and blackberries, raisins. Full, quite tannic, good fruit, reasonable aftertaste (13p)

4. 2007 Chakana Malbec Reserve. 99 SEK
Very dark purple red. Slightly jammy nose but, plenty of dark berries and vanilla. Full, fruity taste, liquorice and raisins, quite tannic, well balanced and a nice aftertaste (13p)

5. 2008 Masi Tupungato Passo Doble Malbec-Corvina. 89 SEK
Dark red. Young, creamy, fruity taste with some spice. Fullish, spicy-fruity taste, crisp acidity. (12p)

Comments: It is easy to understand why this kind of wine is so popular. Fine fruit on the nose and a pleasant chunkyness on the palate. Not terribly complex, but one can't ask for more for these prices.

1. 2005 Penfolds Kalimna Bin 28 Shiraz. SE Australia. 159 SEK
Dark red. Young fruity nose, dark berries, oak. Full, sweet fruit, good acidity, well balanced.(14p)

2. 2008 Peter Lehman The Barossa Shiraz. 119 SEK
Dark red. Young fruity nose, dark berries, oak. Full, sweet fruit, good acidity, well balanced. Very similar to the first wine, and good value (14p)

3. 2007 Tatachilla Shiraz. McLaren Vale. 124 SEK
Dark red. Young fruity nose, distinct cassis-fruit, oranges, some oak. Very full taste, good balance, plenty of fruit.(14p)

4. 2008 Penfold Bin 2 Shiraz-Mourvedre. SE Australia. 119 SEK
Dark red. Young fruity nose, a bit closed at first, slightly jammy and some oak. Full, some dark berries, a touch of bitterness, full-bodied. (14p)

5. 2006 Claremont Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve. Coonawarra. 159 SEK
Dark red. Very fruity, cassis, spices, mint and oak. Full, spicy taste, plenty of dark berries, well balanced, firm structure and a good aftertaste (15p)

Comments: Very good and well made wines indeed. Not for lying down and avoiding. If one should make any complaints, the Shirazes were extremely similar in style and in retrospect they now appear a bit anonymous.

1. 1975 Chateau Gruaud Larose. 2me Cru Classé. St Julien, Bordeaux. 190 SEK in 1985 (373 SEK)
Dark red, brick-red rim, heavy depot. Very mature bouquet, spicy, dried figs, leather and some oak. Mature taste, high acidity, soft tannins, not much fruit left. Better four years ago, on the 25th anniversary of this group. (Not rated).

2. 1976 Chateau Gruaud Larose. 2me Cru Classé. St Julien, Bordeaux. 112 SEK in 1984 (237 SEK)
Dark medium red, brick-red rim. Medium nose, some oak, leather, raisins. Mature taste, acidity, some tannins, some raisin-fruit. Was probably never a great wine, but surprisingly drinkable. (Not rated)

3. 1979 Chateau Gruaud Larose. 2me Cru Classé. St Julien, Bordeaux. 225 SEK in 1987 (407 SEK)
Dark red, brick-red rim. TCA... Semmed to have a nice structure and fruit, might actually have been a nice wine. (Not rated).

4. 1981 Chateau Gruaud Larose. 2me Cru Classé. St Julien, Bordeaux. 245 SEK in 1990 (356 SEK)
Dark red. Medium nose, red berries, mature, oak. Medium full, good acidity, soft tannins, some fruit, nice aftertaste. Surprisingly good, surely one of the best wines of this vintage. (16p)

5. 1982 Chateau Gruaud Larose. 2me Cru Classé. St Julien, Bordeaux. 171 SEK in 1993 (213 SEK)
Very dark red. A bit closed, but cassis, oak and leather. Full, rather tannic, impressive and balanced taste, plenty of mouth-filling extract, good aftertaste. (18p)

6. 1983 Chateau Gruaud Larose. 2me Cru Classé. St Julien, Bordeaux. 183 SEK in 1993 (238 SEK)
Dark red. Fine, open bouquet, aromatic, fruity, some oak. Full, developed taste, quite tannic, good aftertaste (16p)

7. 1985 Chateau Gruaud Larose. 2me Cru Classé. St Julien, Bordeaux. 198 SEK in 1989 (318 SEK)
Dark red, lots of pigments. A bit closed at first but opened up with a fine nose with oak and fruit. Full, rather fruity taste, balancing acidity and a long aftertaste. (17p)

Comments: Had planned for this tasting for many years now. The ´75 and ´76 were definitely over the hill and should have been drunk several years ago. But they were still drinkable, there were no signs of oxidation nor any pungent off-flavours. Colour was fine and the levels reasonably good. The 1976 was actually much better han one would expect, 78pts only from Uncle Bob! Pity about the 1979. The four wines from the ´80ies were very good indeed, impeccably balanced, good fruit, softening tannins and perfect to drink now. The bouquet of the 1982 might even develop further, one bottle left!

1. Rotari Brut Riserva. Mezzacorona. Trentino, Italy. 99 SEK
Pale yellow. Fine fruity nose, apples. Crisp, light taste, apples, a light bitterness but well balanced and refreshing. Very good for the price. (14p)

2. André Clouet Grande Réserve Brut. Champagne, France. 259 SEK
Pale golden-yellow. rich fruity, aromatic nose, yellow apples. Medium full, fruity taste, apples, crisp long taste, rich, soft mousse (16p)

3. Pongracz Brut. Bergkelder. South Africa. 109 SEK
Pale yellow. Nice, frty nose, citrus, apples, toasted bread. Medium full, straight forward taste, fruit, medium acidity, a slight sweetness noted when warming up, but still good. (14p)

4. Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut. 385 SEK
Pale golden-yellow. Rich nose, ripe apples, almonds. Full, fruity, crisp, long, complex taste. Rich, creamy mousse. Excellent (17p)

Comments: Champagne, c'est toujours Champagne! But the two outsiders were no bad alternatives, very good indeed!

1. 2008 Sauvignon de Bordeaux. 85 SEK
Very pale yellow. Fine, fruity nose, nettles and goose-berries, a touch of minerals. Medium full, crisp, dry, refreshing taste and reasonable fruit. Very satisfying. (14p)

2. 2007 Ch Coucheroy. Pessac-Leognan. 114 SEK
Pale yellow. Fruity nose, ripe fruit, some arrack. Medium full, very crisp, good fruit. (14p)

3. 2008 Ch Bonnet. Entre-Deux-Mers. 89 SEK
Pale yellow. Medium nose, but some nice fruit, slightly flowery. Medium full, good fruity taste, medium acidity and got a bit flabby in course of the evening. (13p)

4. 2008 Ch de Cruzeau. Pessac-Léognan. 149 SEK
Medium nose, a bit subdued fruitiness, some oak and vanilla. Medium full, crisp, good fruit, rather long aftertaste with a slight bitterness. Good. (14p)

5. 2006 Ch de Rochemorin. Pessac-Léognan. 149 SEK
Pale yellow. Fruity, oaky nose, cocos, lychees. Full, fruity taste, well balanced, crisp, refreshing taste with some oak. Very good (15p)

Comments: The Lurton family is a reliable source to sound and well-made wines. All wines were 100% Sauvignon Blanc with the exception for Ch Bonnet; 50% SauvB, 40% Sémillion and 10% Muscadelle.

1. 2006 Ch Haut Canteloup. Premières Côtes de Blaye, Bordeaux, France 109 SEK
Dark red. Medium nose, fruity, soft, butter-scotch (Merlot), a touch of oak. Medium full, some tannins, youngish, fruity taste, somewhat short, but quite nice. (13p)

2. 2001 Promis, Ca'Marcanda. Gaja. Toscana, Italy. 220 SEK
Dark red, maturing rim. Deep, fine bouquet, warm, cassis, some oak. Full, mature taste, lots of ripe cassis, tannic and good acidity, long aftertaste. Very good. (16p)

3. 2005 Ingwe Reserve. Alain Moueix. Stellenbosch, South Africa. 149 SEK
Dark red. Medium nose, fruit, meat and smoke. Full, woody taste, fine acidity, typical S.A-smoke, OK if you like the style. (14p).

4. 2000 Ch Plince. Pomerol, Bordeaux, France. 366 SEK
Dark red, maturing rim. Mature, slightly burned, raisins (ripe Merlot), rich harmonious bouquet. Fine, aromatic taste, very tannic, intense, mature, long aftertaste. Lovely balance. Very good (17p)

5. 1999 Sassicaia. Incisa della Rochetta. Bolgheri, Toscana, Italy. 795 SEK (in 2002)
Dark red, lots of pigments. Fine, aromatic bouquet, ripe fruit with a touch of class. Full, quite tannic, mature taste, good but didn't really open up. Can't see any further development. Fine wine, but frankly slightly disappointing (16p)