Current exchange rates: 100 SEK= 9.48 EUR = 11.94 USD = 8.00 GBP

Ch Verdignan 1999, Haut-Medoc, Cru Bourgeois 159 SEK (in 2002).
Mature, typical Medoc-wine. Easy-drinking wine with some cassis, cedar, cherry, leader and coffee. With a slight metallic or damp undergrowth vegetation tone of what often in wines from Verdignan that. Medium body, soft tannins. Better with food. 13p.

Ch Coufran 1999, Haut-Medoc, Cru Bourgeois 159 SEK (in 2002).
An easy drinking, rather light, mature Bd, with some black current, plum and blue berries, some complexity. Medium body. Typical, but over-priced, as most Bordeaux. Drink now. 13p.

Ch Giscours 1999, Margaux EUR 28 (in Bordeaux 2002)
Still with plenty black current, licorice, complex, ceder, tobacco, some herbiness. Growing in the glass while the tasting lasted. Long aftertaste, medium body with velvety tannins. Not as good as anticipated. Now-2015. 15 p. On Systembolaget, later, for 599 Skr. The low price depends on the wine scandal Ch. Giscours was involved in 1997. New owner in 1999. 89 pts by Parker

Ch Larrivet-Haut-Brion 1999, Pessac-Leognan 319 SEK (in 2003).
Darkedged, mature, fruity, plummy, cassis, roasted oak, merlotish with some Cab, some smoke and herbiness. Medium-full bodied. "A manly wine" (NK). Tasted younger than the rest at first. Now-2015. 16p.

1. 2006 Voss Estate. Martinborough, New Zeeland. 199 SEK
Medium red. Young, fruity nose, plums red berries, butter-scotch. medum full, crisp taste. Red berries, slightly spicy, some tannins, elegant but firm aftertaste. (15p)

2. 2007 Saint Clair. Marlborough, New Zeeland. 115 SEK
Medium red. Fruity nose, red and black berries. Medium full, good fruit, strawberries, firm acidity and a reasonable aftertaste. Good value. (14p)

3. 2007 Errazuriz Estate. Casablanca, Chile. 89 SEK
Medium red. Very fruity, jammy nose, cassis, strawberries, raspberries. Quite light taste of berries, crisp, some tannins, short aftertaste. (12p)

4. 2007 Paul Cluver. Elgin, South Africa. 149 SEK
Pale red. Fruity nose, red berries, toasted oak, a bit odd, but improving in glass. Light taste, some spicy fruit and oak, crisp. (13p)

1. 2001 San Luigi. DOCG Chianti Riserva. (100 SEK)
Dark ruby-red. Mature bouquet, some fruit, oak and butter-scotch. Full, crisp taste, pleasant fruit, some tannins, a bit short on finish. (13p)

2. 1999 Malemacchie. DOC Montescuidaio Rosso. Poggio Gagliardo. (75 SEK)
Dark red. Medium nose, a bit closed, plenty of dark berries. Medium full, quite tannic, leather, fruit, not without complexity. (14p)

3. 2002 Moris Farms. DOC Morellino di Scansano. (83 SEK)
Very dark red. Odd nose with old cigars and burned rubber. Fullish dry taste, without any fruit. Flawed, too old? (Not rated)

4. 1999 Gobbo. IGT Montescudaio. Poggio Gagliardo. (138 SEK)
Dark red. Medium nose which opened up. Mature, cherries and cassis, lots of oak. Full, lots of ripe chunky fruit, dark berries, fine soft tannins and a balanced acidity, lots of oak in the aftertaste (16p)

5. 1996 Aprelis. IGT Rosso Toscana. San Luigi. (125 SEK)
Dark red. Medium bouquet, rich, cassis and cherries and a touch of oak. Medium full, well balanced, elegant taste, spices, vanilla, fine aftertaste. Developed well. (16p)

Comments: All wines were purchased in Italy at the respective wineries. Apart from wine #3, they were well liked among the tasters and the prices was right too.

1. 1988 Château de Beaucastel. SEK 144 (Dec 1992).
Medium red, mature. Rich bouquet, mature, complex with leather, stable-yard and some fruit. Fullish, mature, soft tannins, quite a long aftertaste. Will not develop any further (16p).

2. 1998 La Bernadine. Chapoutier. SEK 185 (Aug 2001)
Dark medium-red. Medium bouquet which opened up. Lots of fruit, cherries, plums and raisins. Full, fruity taste, well balanced with crisp acidity and tannins, long aftertaste of raisins, plums and a touch of oak. Lovely, at its peak now.(17p)

3. 2001 Domaine Grande Romane. Gigondas. Amadieu. SEK 136 (Sept 2004)
Dark red. Medium bouquet which didn't develop until after an hour. Dark berries, bay leaves, allspice and oak. Full, tannic taste, good acidity, lots of dark berries and aromatic spices. A bit Bordeauxish in style with Provençal aromas. Developed well in the glass. Preferred by the majority of this group and no doubt the best buy (16p).

4. 2004 Château Mont-Redon. SEK 215.
Dark red. Very young, fruity flavours, lots of juicy, spicy undeveloped fruit. Full, massive, tannic taste, crisp but undeveloped. Has potential. Voted as the best red wine in Sweden by "Allt om Mat", the biggest wine and food journal in Sweden! Very good but not that good!? (15+p).

1. 2006 Allesverloren Shiraz. 99 SEK
Dark red, purple rim. Young fruity flavours, a bit jammy, plums, blueberries, spices. Fullish, crisp taste, medium tannins, juicy, spicy young. Could do with some bottle age. (13p+)

2. 2005 Vergelegen Mill Race Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot. 105 SEK
Dark red, distinct red rim. Rich, maturing nose, dark berries, cassis, tobacco, oak. Full, fruity taste, tannic, spices, good aftertaste (14p)

3. 2005 Graham Beck The Henry. 99 SEK
Dark medium-red. Young, fruity nose with oak. Fullish, tannic, unpolished young taste, medium fruit. (13p)

4. 2005 Bellingham Shiraz 79 SEK
Dark medium-red. Young, fruity flavours, elder-berries some oak. medium full. crisp taste, lots of young, slightly jammy and unpolished, reasonably good aftertaste (13p)

5. 1994 Alto Rouge. 65 SEK at the winery in 1999
Dark medium-red, brick-red mature rim. Rich, well developed, maturing bouquet, oak and cassis. Full, well balanced taste, not without complexity, mature. (15p)

1. 2006 Torus. Brumont. 3 litres BiB. 203 SEK
Dark red, purple rim. Warm, young fruity nose, some pepper. Medium full, distinct tannins and acidity, some fruit, rather short aftertaste. Quite nice, in particular with regards to the price (12p)

2. 2004 Ch Bouscassé. Brumont. 99 SEK
Dark red. A bit closed, but some fruity aromas developed, dark berries. Medium full, quite tannic, a fair amount of fruit with a reasonable aftertaste (14p)

3. 2003 Ch Bouscassé. Brumont. 129 SEK in 2005
Dark red. Fine fruity nose which opened up, spices, raisins and a touch of oak. Fullish taste which did not open up until after an hour or so, blueberries, blackberries, lots of tannins and a good aftertaste. (15p).

4. 2000 Ch Fournas Bernadotte. Haut-Médoc. 187 SEK in 2004
Dark red, maturing. Rich nose with cassis, raisins and plenty of oak. Full, oaky taste, fine fruit and plenty of pleasing sweet oak in a popular style (15p)

1. 1996 Ch Lalande. Saint Julien Bordeaux. Price:?
Dark red, brick-red rim. Very mature nose, slightly burned, leather, a touch of oak. Very mature taste, quite tannic, short aftertaste, do not develop well, over the hill. Should have been drunk say 5 years ago (11p).

2. 2004 Tenuta Belguardo. Mazzei. Maremma, Toscana. 279 SEK
Dark red. Corked. Probably an excellent wine!

3. 1999 Paul Sauer. Kanonkop. Stellenbosch, South Africa. 220 SEK
Dark red. Good, rich nose, maturing but plenty of juicy, dark fruit, butter-scotch, spices and oak. Full, very fruity taste, well balanced, good aftertaste. Nice. (16p)

4. 1998 Pyrus. Lindemans. Coonawarra, Australia. 230 SEK
Dark red. Rich, powerful nose, cassis and oak. Full, very fruity taste, fine tannins and crisp acidity. Good wine but a bit jammy if one should be critical. (15p)

5. 2000 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon. Napa Valley. USA
Dark red. Developed in due course a rich, fruity bouquet with cassis and oak. Full, tannic taste, good acidity, lots of ripe fruit, lovely balanced and developed very well in the glass (17p)

1. 2002 Château des Annereaux. Lalande de Pomerol. 144 SEK (april 2005)
Dark red. Mature, pleasant nose, dark berries, raisins, tobacco and toasted oak. Fullish, rich taste in balance, good oaky aftertaste. To drink and enjoy now. (15p)

2. 1988 Château Margaux.
Dark red, lots of pigments. Mature oaky nose, raisins and black currant. Full, good taste, high acidity and lots of tannins, feels closed, perhaps lacking fruit to match the tannins. Good, but frankly a bit disappointing when the bottle was revealed. (16p)

3. 2001 Château Belle-Garde l'Excellence. Bordeaux Supérieur (82 SEK in June 2004)
Dark red. Still a bit youngish nose, dark berries and some vegetables. Full, tannic and good fruit, black-berries, cassis, plums, reasonably long aftertaste. Excellent value (15p)

4. 2001 Château Labrie. St Emilion
Dark red. Youngish nose, grapes, warm fruit, red berries. Medium full, quite tannic, high acidity, some fruit, lacking mid-taste, short aftertaste, yet a kind of nice. (13p)

5. 1999 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse deLalande. Pauillac
Very dark red. Lovely bouquet with ripe fruit, cassis and oak. Full, rich, aromatic, fine balanced taste, well integrated tannins. Long aftertaste. Beautiful, at its peak now (16p)

1. 1988 Pichon Lalande
Dark red, mature rim. Maturing bouquet, good fruit, oak, raisins and spices. Mature, rich taste, well balanced, fine acidity and soft tannins. Perfect now (16p)

2. 1991 Pichon Lalande
Dark red, mature rim. At first a bit unclean nose but later a very mature bouquet. Mature taste, medium full, good acidity, finishes a bit short. Just over the hill but still drinkable.(15p)

3. 1985 Pichon Lalande
Dark red, mature rim. Very mature nose and not much fruit left. Medium full, high acidity and some dry tannins. A bit burned aftertaste. Too old and a huge disappointment. (13p)

4. 1990 Pichon Lalande
Dark red, mature rim. Pleasant nose, cassis, raisins and oak, maturing. Full, nice taste with some fruit, high acidity, medium tannins. Did not develop in the glass and might soon dry out. Still very drinkable. (15p)

5. 1998 Pichon Lalande
Dark red. At first very closed on the nose, but later fine, spicy fruit, cassis and some oak. Full, tannic taste. Developed well in the glass. Long aftertaste. Fine but perhaps lacking the elegance so typical of P-L. Might benefit from a few more years of cellaring. (16p)

Comments: Not the first Pichon-Lalande vertical presented to this group! There are plenty of previous tasting notes to browse in. As always, the infamous 1990 did quite well in this blind tasting, but we agreed upon that it is certainly time to drink it up now. It will not benefit from decanting hours before drinking.

1. 2004 Mission Hill Family Estate, Five Vineyards. 117 SEK
Medium red. Maturing nose, oak and red berries. Crisp, medium full taste, reasonably fruity, dill, but rather short and slightly bitter aftertaste. (12p)

2. 2004 Inkameep Cellars. 117 SEK
Pale medium red. Initially rather weak nose, but opened up. Red berries, but also cassis and mint. Leather and sweet oak. Medium full, well balanced, fruity, aromatic taste with some oak. Nice aftertaste. (14+p)

3. 2004 Jackson-Triggs Proprietor's Reserve. 131 SEK
Dark red. Rich, fruity nose, fine berry aromas and oak. Fullish, soft fruit, some tannins. Decent aftertaste. Nice, but did never really open up. (14p)

4. 2004 Quails Gate Estate Winery Limited reserve. 165 SEK
Medium red. Fine fruity nose, strawberries and raspberries with a nice touch of oak. Medium full, lots of fruit, fine acidity, well balanced and a good aftertaste (15p)

5. 2002 Inniskillin. Price:? Medium red. Strange nose, very little fruit and a bit yeasty. Rather tannic, acidic taste, lacking fruit and over the hill. As dead as only a PN can get. No points

Comments:Typical PNs, but we never felt that they were typical Burgundians as they lacked the typical cabbage flavours. Canada came as a surprise, but should perhaps not be any. BC should fit PN well. A question mark for their longevity though as indicated by the inniskilln.

1. 2006 Herdade dos Grous Tinto. Alentejano. 119 SEK
Dark red, purple rim. Young, very fruity, juicy nose. Some oak. Fullish, crisp taste, moderate tannins, soft fruit, rather short aftertaste. (13p)

2. 2005 Herdade Sao Miguel Reserva. Alentejano 199 SEK
Deep red. Medium nose, ripe fruit, interesting but a bit closed. Full, very tannic taste, fruit, oaky aftertaste. May develop in due course but will the fruit and extract outbalance the tannins? (14p?)

3. 2004 Redoma Tinto. Niepoort. Douro. 239 SEK
Deeo red. Young, fruity nose, spicy, slightly minty, cassis and blueberries. Lots of oak, Fine, rich taste, ripe fruit, some oak. Well balanced and good structure. (16p)

4. 2004 Quinta do Noval. Douro. 439 SEK
Deep red. Fine, spicy nose, rich fruit a bit flowery. Full, spicy taste, liquorice, full bodied, excellent structure and balance. Good now but will certainly improve with some age. (16p)

5. 2005 Quinta do Vale D Maria CV. Douro. 498 SEK
Deep red. A bit closed on the nose, very fruity, lots of vanillascented oak. Very young and fruity taste, tannic, undeveloped, unforthcoming taste but promising. (15p+)

Comments: Good and interesting wines indeed, but we felt that the high prices was perhaps not really justified, at least not for last two wines. Redoma Tinto is recommended though.

1. 2006 Chablis Domaine de la Boissonneuse. 147 SEK
Pale yellow. Fine, pleasant fruit, apples and bread. Crisp, medium full taste, well balanced (15p)

2. 2005 Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume. Brocard. 189 SEK
Pale yellow. Nice fruit, apples and mineral, toasted bread. Crisp, medium full, fruity and minerally taste. (15p)

3. 2006 Macon Village. J. Drouhin. 112 SEK
Pale yellow. A bit closed nose, opened up, minerals, pears and peaches. Medium full, fruity taste, crisp, long acidity. (14p)

4. 2005 Kimmeridgien Bourgogne. Brocard. 94 SEK
Pale yellow. A bit closed but some apples and almonds showed up. Crisp, medium full taste, quite well balanced. (14p)

5. Saint Aubin 1er Cru Le Charmois. Château de Chassagne Montrachet. 195 SEK
Medium yellow. Fruity, rich nose, ripe grapes, tropical fruit, toasted oak. Fullish, plenty of ripe fruit. A different style. Good aftertaste (16p).

Comments: This was a very pleasing event indeed. The wines were all liked by the group and in particular, we had no problems in identifying them! Very stylish and pure expressions of Chardonnays.

1. 2004 Langhe Nebbiolo. Pio Cesare. 102 SEK
Medium red. Slightly watery brick-red rim. Maturing nose, red fruit, berries, leather and some oak. Medium full, crisp taste. Pleasant fruit, well balanced tannins. Well made, pleasant wine (14p)

2. 2003 Barolo Fontanafredda. 221 SEK
Dark red. Rich nose with plums and liquorice. Some oak. Full, quite tannic , crisp taste. Fine fruit that fills the mouth and a good aftertaste. (16p)

3. 2003 Barolo Vigneto Rocche. Andrea Oberto. 498 SEK
Dark red. Ripe fruit on the nose, plums, raisins and oak and ethyl acetate. Full, very crisp acidity, tannic. Rich, complex taste and a long finish. Developed beautifully in the glass (17p?)

4. 2004 Château La Tour de By. Médoc, Bordeaux. 134 SEK Deep red. Creamy butterscotch on the nose and some cassis plums and oak. Chunky fruit but lacking mid-taste, quite tannic and a oaky aftertaste. Not in balance, slightly odd (12p)

Comments: Nebbiolos have occurred quite infrequently on our tastings. The Bordeaux wine was included as a point of reference, but was frankly disappointing; very odd and not particularly well liked among this group of Bx-freaks. It was received well in the Swedish wine press. Perhaps this shows how good these Italian wines actually were. The Langhe Nebbiolo, which was tasted on Jan 4, 2008 (see below), was another reference. Perhaps my ratings on Jan 4 was a tad high, but the Langhe Nebbiolo is nevertheless excellent value. The Vigneto Rocce was problematic. Some in the group are very sensitive to ethyl acetate and the level was high indeed. The bottles were all decanted two hours before the tasting but the way the wines developed in the glass suggests that they should have been decanted several hours earlier.

1. 2004 Leconfield Cabernet Sauvignon. 154 SEK
2. 2005 Penley Estate Phoenix Cabernet Sauvignon. 158 SEK
3. 2005 Penley Estate Hyland Shiraz. 158 SEK
4. 2005 d'Arenberg The Footbolt Shiraz. 109 SEK
5. 2005 Shottlesbrook Cabernet Sauvignon. 114 SEK

Comments: The wines were very similar in style and the notes are almost identical: Dark red, well pigmented. Rich, very fruity nose of dark berries and oak. Full, fruity taste, high acidity, full bodied (14-15%). Oak. Attractive and tasty, 14 pts or so.
Our feelings about these wines were very mixed. There should not be much to complain about, but we felt that something was lacking. We did not find much varietal character and there was no real identity. Alcohol, 14-15%, was not lacking though. Modern styled, perhaps too modern for this group of grumpy old men! Nevertheless, the Footbolt Shiraz is highly recommended for its good quality/price ratio.

1. 2004 Echeverria Cabernet Sauvignon. Molina. 96 SEK
Bright medium-red. Nice fruity nose, low-keyed cassis and some oak. Medium full, fruity taste, medium tannins and crisp acidity, somewhat short aftertaste. (12p)

2. 2006 Mont Gras Merlot Gran Reserva. Colchagua. 86 SEK
Dark medium-red. Medium nose, raisins and butterscotch and a touch of oak. Full, polished taste, nice balancing tannins and acidity. Pleasant aftertaste. (13p)

3. 2005 Ventisquero Carménère Quelat. 102 SEK
Medium-red. Slightly knit nose, cassis, some oak, coconut. Full, fruity taste, high acidity, oaky aftertaste (13p)

4. 2002 Carmen Carménère-Cabernet Sauvignon. Maipo 119 SEK Dark red, lots of pigments. A bit closed at first but opened up. Lots of fruit, cassis, raspberries, blackberries and oak. Full, maturing taste. Still very fruity, well balanced taste, integrated oak, quite tannic. Good value. (14p)

5. 2005 Indomita reserva Los Riscos "Bordeaux Blend". 86 SEK
Medium red. Youngish nose, slightly burned and spicy fruit. Young, crisp taste, fullish. Nice aftertaste. (13p)

Comments: For once, we had no problems to find out what this was all about. Archetypical chilean wines!

1. 2006 Torremora Dolcetto. Langhe. Fontanafredda. 67 SEK
Dark medium red. Very fruity, young, slightly jammy nose, red berries. Young, fruity, unpolished taste, crisp, red berries, moderately tannic. (12p)

2. 2004 La Quercia Barbera d'Asti. Andrea Faccio. 125 SEK
Deep red, lots of pigments. Rich nose with dark berries and lots of toasted oak. Full, fruity taste, crisp, chewy fruit, blackberries, oaky aftertaste. Impressive in its way, popular style but maybe a little too oaky (14p+)

3. 2003 Barbera d'Alba Superiore. Dogliani. 137 SEK
Dark red. Warm, fruity nose, plums and black currants, some toasted oak and vanilla. Fullish, maturing taste, well balanced with a slight mintiness (13p)

4. 2004 Nebbiolo. Langhe. Pio Cesare. 102 SEK
Medium red. Medium nose, warm fruit and some oak. Full, crisp taste, medium tannins, good fruit and oak, elegant, harmonious, persistent aftertaste. Very good value. (15p)

Comments: To be honest, we had serious problems to identify these wines. Wines from the Piedmonte do not appear on our tastings so often as they perhaps should.