Current exchange rates: 100 SEK= 11.73 EUR = 15.38 USD = 9.52 GBP

585. Dec 28, 2012: Valpolicella Ripasso. Anders Lidén.

1. 2010 Campolieti, Luigi Righetti. 95 SEK
Dark red. Young fruity nose, plenty of oak, cassis and spices. Medium full, fruity taste, fine aftertaste with plenty of oak, well balanced, attractive wine in a popular style. (13p)

2. 2009 Monte Garbi, Sant Antonio. 99 SEK
Dark red. Medium nose, cherries, flowers, tea and some oak. Full, crisp, fruity taste, firm, tannic aftertaste (13p)

3. 2010 Le Poiane, Bolla. 109 SEK
Dark red. medium nose, spicy, some oak. Full, quite tannic, leather already maturing (?) but quite good (13p)

4. 2010 I Castei, Castellani. 119 SEK
Dark red. Medium nose, dried fruit, raisins and figs and some volatile acid. Full, mature, soft fruit but do not develop so well in the glass. Drying out. (12p)

5. 2009 Campofiorin, Masi. 109 SEK
Dark red. Medium nose, fine fruit, cherries, balancing oak, vanilla. Full, rich, fruity taste, soft tannins. Good, well balanced, good value. (14p)

584: Nov 30, 2012. Portugal. Nils Kjellén.

1. 2010 Vila Santa, Alentejo. 99 SEK
Dark red. Young fruity nose, some spices and dark fruit. Medium full, crisp, good, fruity, grapy taste but with a bitter, tannic aftertaste, not balanced. Slightly disappointing, bottle variation?(12p?)

2. 2010 Quinta do Encontro. Bairrada. 89 SEK
Dark red. Medium nose, cassis and vanilla. Full, crisp, some tannins, nice but a slight sweetness in the aftertaste (12p)

3. 2010 Altano. Symington. Douro 99 SEK
Dark red. Medium nose, quite fuity. Medium full, aromatic taste, still some sharp edeges but good. Might develop further and score higher (13p)

4. 2010 Meandro de Vale Meão. Douro. 139 SEK
Medium nose. Dark berries, cassis, spicy oak. Full, aromatic, tannic but well balanced and a good aftertaste. Clearly a step up in quality, may perhaps score higher with some bottle age. (14p)

5. 2009 Meia Pipa. Terras do Sado. 79 SEK
Dark red. Good, fruity nose, cassis, almonds, some oak. Fullish, well balanced taste and pleasant fruit. Good value! (13p)

1. 2010 Tenuta delle Terre Nere. Etna Rosso, Italy. 129 SEK
Medium red. Young, fruity nose, red berries. Medium full, crisp taste with moderate tannins. Pleasant fruit. (13p)

2. 2005 Langhe, Roagna. Piedmonte. 199 SEK
Medium red, maturing rim. Delicate, spicy bouquet with some oak, dried fruit - apricots and figs. Full, mature, quite tannic taste, figs and tobacco, yet elegant. Good aftertaste. Not liked by all in the group. (15p)

3. 2008 Chamonix Greywacke Pinotage. Franschhoek. 100 SEK
Dark red. Rich, very fruity nose, lots of dark berries, oak, marzipan and cabbage. Full, crisp taste with nice tannins. Some Pinotish flavours coming through. Quite chewy but balanced. Interesting wine made by ripasso-technique. (16p)

4. 2009 Lady May, Glenelly. Stellenbosch. 249 SEK
Very dark red. Very dense on the nose, a bit closed at first. Opened up, displaying aromatic cassis, spices and well integrated oak. Full, rich fruity taste, lots of soft tannins. Long, intense aftertaste. Very tasty now, but likely to develop further and score even higher. Best liked by all tasters! (17+p)

5. 2009 Château Lilian Ladouys. St Estèphe, Bordeaux. 234 SEK
Very dark red, almost opaque. Very young nose with cassis plums and oak. Full, tannic taste, lots of chewy undeveloped fruit. Promising aftertaste, but is this really what Bordeaux should be like? (16?p)

1. 2009 Andlau Riesling. Gresser, 60 SEK
2. 2009 Andlau Riesling, Keydenweiss. 113 SEK
3. 2008 Riesling Grand Cru Wiebelsberg. Keydenweiss. 220 SEK
4. 2009 Riesling Grand Cru Wiebelsberg. Guy Wach. 124 SEK
5. 2006 Riesling Grand Cru Wiebelsberg. Gresser. 126 SEK

Comments: All wines were purchased from the growers in april 2011. Most of the tasters liked wine #5 best, but wine #3 was also very tasty. Wine #2 was flawed - or the result of biodynamism?

1. 2010 Jenneret Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. Clare Valley, South Australia. 99 SEK
Dark purple. Young, very fruity nose, lots of cassis. Full, fruity taste, medium tannins, full bodied (13p)

2. 2009 Tamburlaine Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon. Orange, New South Wales. 94 SEK
Dark red. Youngish nose, fruit and spices, cedar. Full, fruity taste, crisp acidity, good balance and a good aftertaste. (13p)

3. 2006 Thomas Hyland Shiraz. Adelaide, South Australia. 109 SEK in 2009
Dark red. Fruity, spicy nose and some oak. Full, nice, rich fruit, full bodied, soft tannins. Good (14p)

4. 2005 Sandalford Element Shiraz. Margaret River, Western Australia. 142 SEK in 2009
A bit closed on the nose but displaying some pure, spicy fruit. Full, very fruity taste, full bodied but tart acidity and a bit disjoint. (12p)

5. 2003 Koonunga Hill Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon. South Eastern Australia. 89 SEK in 1986.
Dark red. A bit closed on the nose, spices, some fruit but with signs of oxidation.Matureing, drying out, quite tannic. Over the hill.

Comments: Mostly nice, straightforward, fruity wines but the high acidty in some of them makes me wonder it they were acidified.

2. 2008 Kaapzicht Cabernet Sauvignon. 159 SEK
Dark red. Maturing, fruity nose, cassis, oak. Fruity full taste, crisp, well balanced, very pleasant. Good aftertaste (14 p)

3. 2008 Kaapzicht Bin 3 Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon. 127 SEK
Dark red. Medium nose, red berries. Full, crisp taste, slightly jammy, soft tannins (13p)

4. 2006 Kanonkop Paul Sauer 269 SEK
Dark red. Fruity nose, cassis, oak, rich, deep bouquet. Full, rich, fruity, creamy taste, tannic but balanced, fine aftertaste. Very good! (17p)

5. 2005 Meerlust Rubicon. 229 SEK
Dark ted. Youthful fuit, cassis oak and a touch of SA-smoke, not too bad though. Full, tannic, closed and a bit disjoint. Quite good but frankly a bit disappointing (15p).

Comment: Kaapzicht was new to us. Good stuff! Paul Sauer was as good as it should be, while the Rubicon disappointed us.

1. 2010 Chateau Pesquié Terasses. Côtes du Ventoux, France (70 SEK)
Dark purple-red. Very fruity, jammy nose. Full, fruity taste, very young, juicy, with a good backbone. Quite nice in a popular style, well made, fair price, but how Parker could rate this 94 pts is a mystery. (12p)

2. 2009 Chateau Pesquié Quintessence. Côtes du Ventoux, France (100 SEK)
Very dark red. Fine nose with dark berries and smoky oak, mint, spices. Full, well balanced taste, plenty of fruit, full bodied and a good aftertaste. Much better than the previous wine and a good price tag (16p)

3. 2009 Landmark Reserve, Boordy Vineyards. Catocin, Maryland, USA (187 SEK)
Darkred. Rich nose, smoky oak, black berries and cassis. Full, fruity taste, structured, oaky aftertaste. Tasty, but perhaps a tad oaky (15p)

4. 2005 Yalumba Grenache Bush Wine. Australia (99 SEK)
Dark red. Very fruity, jammy nose, blueberries, raspberries, mint. Medium full, soft, fruity, juicy taste, mint, a bit too much of everything. (13p)

5. 2002 Tatria Limited Estate Reserve Meritage Unfiltered, Stuart Cellars. Temecula, California (164 SEK)
Dark red, maturing. Mature bouquet, pleasant with some oak spice. Full, mature taste, full bodied, raisins and cassis, sandy tannins, good aftertaste but beginning to dry out. (15 p)

6. 1975 Château d'Issan. Margaux, Bordeaux, France (125 SEK in 1983)
Medium orange tinged red. Very mature bouquet, quite lovely, intense, leather, some oak and still some cassis lurking there. Very mature, soft taste and definitely drying out, leather and raisins. (15p for the bouquet)

Tasting notes by Lars Jonsson
1. 1985 Ch Belair Lagrave. Moulis. 349 SEK
Fine mature Bordeaux but it didn't develop well in the glass (15p)

2. 1988 Ch Siran. Margaux 137 SEK (in 1990)
Not rated, flawed.

3. 1989 Pavillon Rouge de Ch Margaux. 195 SEK (in 1993)
Still good and might develop further; coffe, toasted oak, long (16p)

4. 1988 Ch Mouton Rotschild. Pauillac. 488 SEK (in 1993)
A disappointment, good but not as good as expected, roasted coffee, violets, quite long, felt young (17p)

1. 2005 Gattinara, Bianchi
Dark red, brick-red. Nice fruit, cherries, dark berries, touch of oak. Fullish, crisp, quite tannic, good, but rather short finish. (13p)

2. 2004 Travaglini Riserva, Gattinara. (299 SEK)
Dark red, brick-red rim. Maturing, quite fruity, aromatic, spicy nose. Full, quite tannic taste, maturing, oranges, cherries, not without complexity and a nice, oaky aftertaste (16p)

3. 2005 Vitalotti, Boffa. Barbaresco
Dark red. Medium nose, some fruit, Full, crisp maturing taste, quite tannic with a slight bitterness but a good, oaky aftertaste (15p)

4. 2007 La Serra. Gianni Voerzio. Barolo. 249 SEK
Dark red. Rich, fruity nose, red and black currants, cherries, leather, medium oak. Full, chunky fruity taste, not yet developed, tannic and crisp. Better than the overoaked 2004 tasted a while ago. Needs time. (16p)

5. 2009 La Spinetta Nebbiolo. Langhe. 189 SEK
Dark red, brick-red rim. Fruity nose, elder-flowers, marzipan, toasted oak. Full, youngish, fruity taste, tannic and crisp, well balanced (15p)

Comments: We had no problems in indentifying these wines as North Italian but they were confusingly deep coloured being Nebbiolos.

1. 2007 Cedar.
Dark medium-red. Fine, spicy, fruity nose raisins and oak. Fullish, crisp, maturing, yet fruity taste, plums and oak. Reasonable aftertaste (15p)

2. 2008 Mahogany
Dark red. Medium nose, fruit red and black berries, and oak. Full, tannic taste, good fruit, tarry oaky aftertaste. Needs time. (15p)

3. 2007 Mahogany
Dark red. Very oaky nose, smoke, with some fruit. Full, fruity taste, tannic, oaky aftertaste. (16p)

4. 2006 Mahogany
Dark red. Rich fruity nose, butter-scotch, dark berries, soe oak. Full, tannic taste, lots of oak, slightly bitter (15p)

5. 2005 Mahogany
Very dark red. Very fruity, porty nose, moderate oak. Full, slightly burned fruit, toasted oak, tannic but well balanced, full bodied (16p)

Comments: Surprisingly rich, full-bodied wines with an Italian touch. Read more on the home page of VaLa Vineyards. All prices were in the USD 45-50 range.

1. 2006 Masi Campofiorin. 80 SEK (discounted in Denmark)
Dark red. Maturing on the nose, pleasant fruit, red and black berries, some oak. Fullish, mature taste, still fruity, well balanced, slightly short aftertaste (13p)

2. 2004 Amarone. Cadis. 125 SEK (discounted in Denmark)
Dark red, maturing rim. Mature nose, cassis, cherries and leather, slightly minty, oak. Full, crisp, well balanced mature, and a nice aftertaste (14p)

3. 2004 Brolo di Campofiorin. Masi. 120 SEK (discounted in Denmark)
Dark red. Corked - TCA

4. 2003 Amarone. Cadis. 130 SEK (discounted in Denmark) Dark red. Mature, a bit closed at first, but later displayed fine fruit and oak. Full, intense taste, lots of fruit, plus and raisins, well balanced taste with nice oakiness. (15p)

Comments: A nice selection, all purchased at "Netto" in Denmark. Cadis seems to be an acronym for Cantina di Soave, a huge cooperative. Nice prices, highly drinkable, if not really great wines.

1. 2008 Picos do Couto Reserva. Dão. 79 SEK
Dark red. Fruity nose, dark berries, slightly flowery. Medium full, crisp taste, medium tannic, pure, uncomplicated fruit yet pleasant, short aftertaste. (12p)

2. 2009 Syrah Casa Santos Lima. Lisboa. 87 SEK
Dark red. Very fuity nose, cassis, raspberries, oak. Full, fruity, slightly jammy taste, moderate tannins, slightly sweet, somewhat short aftertaste (12p)

3. 2009 Duorum. Douro. 99 SEK
Dark red. Young, very fruity nose, dark berries and apricots (!), lychees, some oak. Fullish, sweet fruit, crisp acidity, moderate tannins, balanced oak, pleasant aftertaste. (13p+)

4. 2009 Vila Santa Reserva. Alentejo. 99 SEK
Dark red. A bit closed on the nose at first, developed pleasant fruity aromas, cassis and some oak. Full, fruity, black currants, nicely structured with tannins and acidity in balance, good aftertaste. (14p)

5. 2008 Kopke Reserva. Douro. 126 SEK
Dark red. Quite oaky nose, dill, cherries and cassis. Full, tannic taste, fruity but dominated by oak. Will the oak become absorbed with some cellaring?(13p)

1. 2003 Terra Sanguina. Vin de Pays des Côtes des Thonges. 78 SEK
Dark medium-red. Nice fruit, maturing, cassis, cherries and plums, a touch of oak. Full, fruity taste, cassis, cherries, tannic, crisp taste. Medium aftertaste (13p)

2. 2006 Pinolot. Vin de Pays des Côtes des Thonges. 90 SEK
Dark medium-red. Quite young, fruity nose, a whiff of mint and some oak. Full, tannic taste, a bit unpolished and not yet in balance, but quite good (13p)

3. 2006 Pinot Noir. Vin de Pays des Côtes des Thonges. 90 SEK
Medium red. A bit closed nose, som fruit, ed and dark berries. Full and tannic,slightly bitter and unpolished, but quite nice tastes of violets and dark berries. Not a typical Pinot (13p)

4. 2006 Syrah. Vin de Pays des Côtes des Thonges. 90 SEK
Dark red. Rich, quite poerful nose, berries, spices and butterscotch, toasted oak. Full, balanced taste, maturing, pleasantoak, and a nice aftertaste (14p)

5. 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon. Vin de Pays des Côtes des Thonges. 104 SEK Dark medium-red. Medium nose, good, cassis, oak. Full, aromatic, well balanced taste, dark berries and a long aftertaste (14p)

Comments: Nice wines with a reasonable price tag from a Swedish-owned domaine and worked well with food.

1. 2005 Alto Cabernet Sauvignon. WO Stellenbosch. 129 SEK in 2008
Dark red, maturing rim. Fine, mature bouquet, cassis, cedar and a touch of oak. Full, rounded taste, balanced tannins and acidity, pleasant and harmonic wine, but maybe slightly short finish. Very drinkable! (15p)

2. 2006 Alto Cabernet Sauvignon. WO Stellenbosch. 135 SEK in 2009
Dark red, lots of pigment, some maturity. Medium, slightly shy nose, but fine, quite fruity with cassis, cherries and just a touch of oak. Full, crisp taste, quite tannic, good fruit of blackberries. Should develop further. (15p)

3. 2007 Tokara Director's Reserve. WO Stellenbosch. 169 SEK
Dark red. Youngish nose, dark berries, spices and toasted oak. Full taste, plenty of ripe fruit. Quite tannic and crisp acidity, not yet in balance. Toasted oak. Will improve with a couple of years. (16p)

4. 2009 Journey's End, The Pastor's Blend. WO Stellenbosch. 99 SEK
Dark red, lots of pigment. Medium nose, slightly burned, fruit, spices and dark fruit. Full, spicy taste, good creamy fruit, quite tannic. (14p)

5. 2005 Bellingham Shiraz. WO Coastal region. 79 SEK
Dark medium-red. Nice aromatic nose, fruit ad spices and some oak. Medium full, some ripe fruit, berries, well balanced, slightly short but very drinkable (13p)

Comments: Another tasting to show that the South Africans in recent years succesfully have dealt with the infamous problems of smoke and plastic scents. There may have been a whiff in The Pastor's Blend as well as in one of of the extras, a Bosman Cabernet. But it was not a big issue. The other extra wine was an excellent Lomond Shiraz. Recommended.

1. 1985 Chateau Lynch Bages. Pauillac, Bordeaux. France. 273 SEK in 1988.
Dark red, mature rim. Initially a very profound, intense, mature nose, tobacco and leather, still some fruit and oak but later falling apart. Full, mature taste, soft tannins and good acidity, good plummy aftertaste but later fading. Interesting experience, highly drinkable if you like mature wine, but past its best. Should have been drunk five years ago or so. (16p ->14p)

2. 1991 Torres Mas La Plana. Penedès, Catalunya, Spain. c 300 SEK in 2000
Dark red, maturing rim. Weak nose, some red berries and vanilla. Medium full, quite tannic, unyielding taste, slightly acidic. Past its best, still drinkable but quite uninspiring (13p)

3. 1999 Tignanello, Antinori. IGT Toscana, Italy 390 SEK in 2002
Dark red. Rich nose, very fruity, cassis and blackberries oak and not without complexity. Full, fruity taste, cassis and other dark berries, well balanced, excellent balance, long aftertaste. Much better now than in 2009, indicating serious bottle variation! (16p)

4. 2002 Cape Mentelle. Shiraz. Margaret River, Western Australia. 179 SEK in 2005
Dark red. Quite oaky, fruity nose, cassis and coffe, nice and attractive. Full, maturing taste, mint and cassis, oak, long aftertaste. Good, a bit flattering. More Australian than a Shiraz. By accident, we were served the Shiraz rather than the Cabernet. Good wine anyway (15p)

5. 2007 Tokara Director's Reserve. Stellenbosch, South Africa. 169 SEK
Very dark red. Very young nose, berries ( blue-), cassis and oak. Full, very fruity taste, spicy, long aftertaste. young and in need of a few years in the cellar. Full bodied, but the alcohol was well enveloped in the fruit. Developed very well in the glas during the tasting. No signs of any South African smoky off-flavours. Excellent price! (16p).