Naoussa PDO, Macedonia, Greece, 13.5% vol., 33€

Grape variety: Xinomavro

The wine is light garnet in colour with an orange rim. A complex and developing nose of moderate intensity; aromas of strawberry jam, cranberry, dried black cherry, a touch of pine, mint and spices. There is crisp acidity on the palate, high well integrated alcohol, plentiful firm tannins, a full body; flavours of red cherry, spices and ripe black plum in a long finish. Ready for drinking with a potential for ageing.  

Country of purchase: Greece

Tasted on 05/07/2019

Sicilia DOC, Sicily, Italy, 13.5% vol., 54€

Grape variety: Nero d'Avola; Petit Verdot; Syrah; other varieties

The wine is bright ruby in colour. A restrained, harmonious and complex nose of moderate intensity; aromas of black dried cherry, black ripe plum, cardamon, vanilla, violets. There is juicy acidity on the palate, young ripe tannins, well integrated alcohol and a medium body; flavours of black cherry, blackberry, black raisin in quite a long and harmonious finish. Ready for drinking with a potential for ageing.

Country of purchase: Italy

Tasted on 05/07/2019

Krasnodar region, Russia, 14.1% vol., 2 700₽

Grape variety: Syrah

The wine is deep ruby in colour. An attractive nose of quite strong intensity; aromas of blackberry, violets, prune, spices, smoke; well integrated notes of oak ageing add to extra complexity. There is very good fruit intensity on the palate, moderate acidity, well integrated alcohol, firm tannins, a full body; flavours of blackberry, white ground pepper, prune in quite a lasting finish. Ready for drinking with a potential for ageing.  

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 05/07/2019

Kuban. Taman peninsula PGI, Krasnodar region, Russia, 12.5% vol., 350₽

Grape variety: Saperavi

The wine is deep ruby in colour. An appealing and gentle nose of moderate intensity; aromas of red and black berries, toast, black raisin, BBQ sauce and a herbal note. Fruity and balanced on the palate with juicy acidity, moderate well integrated alcohol, fine tannins and a medium body; flavours of blueberry, black sweet cherry and black raisin in a lasting finish. Ready for drinking.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 05/07/2019

Galilee, Israel, 14.5% vol., 34$

Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

The wine is medium ruby in colour. A restrained nose of moderate intensity; aromas of black currant, hazelnut, cherry pip, a hint of eucalyptus and balsamic notes. There is attractive fruit intensity on the palate, moderate acidity, ripe sweet tannins, well integrated alcohol and a full body; flavours of black currant jam, balsamic notes, vanilla in a long harmonious finish. Ready for drinking with a potential for ageing.

Country of purchase: Israel

Tasted on 05/07/2019

Lazio IGP, Lazio, Italy, 14.5% vol., 27€

Grape variety: Nero Buono di Cori

The wine is medium ruby in colour. A warm nose of quite strong intensity; aromas of prune, black raisin, leather, raisin, cinnamon and cranberry coated in sugar. Powerful and full-bodied on the palate with strong astringent tannins, moderate acidity and warm alcohol; flavours of black rowan, leather, strong coffee and bitter chocolate in quite a lasting finish. Ready for drinking with a potential for ageing.

Country of purchase: Italy

Tasted on 05/07/2019

Galilee, Israel, 14.5% vol., 15$

Grape variety: Merlot

The wine is light ruby in colour. An attractive and red berry- driven nose of pronounced intensity; aromas of strawberry, ripe raspberry, red currant, vanilla and a hint of hazelnut. There is soft acidity on the palate, standing out alcohol, moderate ripe tannins, a moderate body; flavours of prune, black cherry and blueberry in a moderate finish. Ready for drinking.

Country of purchase: Israel

Tasted on 05/07/2019

Lazio IGP, Lazio, Italy, 14% vol., 14€

Grape variety: Grechetto

The wine is pale gold in colour. A ripe and sweet nose of moderate intensity; aromas of yellow apple, yellow pear, apricot, yellow flowers. There is slight viscosity (astringency) on the palate, moderate acidity, warming alcohol, a full body; flavours of yellow apple, loquat and grapefruit in a moderate finish with a touch of bitterness. Ready for drinking.

Country of purchase: Italy

Tasted on 05/07/2019

Aconcagua Costa DO, Aconcagua, Chile, 13% vol., 15€

Grape variety: Sauvignon Blanc

The wine is pale lemon in colour. A fresh and fruity nose of pronounced intensity; aromas of pomelo, green pea, green bell pepper, gooseberry. A straightforward wine on the palate with bright acidity, a medium body, moderate alcohol; flavours of lime, fennel, ascorbic acid, gooseberry and a touch of citrusy bitterness in a moderate finish. Ready for drinking.

Country of purchase: Turkey

Tasted on 05/07/2019

Pernand-Vergelesses AOC, Burgundy, France, 13% vol., 4 275₽

Grape variety: Pinot Noir

The wine is light ruby in colour. A gentle savoury nose of moderate intensity; aromas of red cherry, raspberry, violet, toast, hazlenut and spices. Well balanced on the palate with juicy acidity, warming alcohol, ripe light tannins and a medium body; flavours of red cherry, red currant, spices in a persistent finish. Ready for drinking with a potential for ageing.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 13/06/2019

Douro, Portugal, 19.5% vol., 1 695₽

Grape variety: Touriga Franca; Tinta Roriz; Tinta Amarela; Tinta Barroca; Tinto Cão

The wine is medium ruby in colour. An intense and fresh nose; aromas of prune, black raisin, blackberry, mint and a hint of dried grass. There is moderate acidity, high warming alcohol, firm plentiful astringent tannins and a full body; flavours of prune coated in chocolate, black plum jam and burnt caramel in a persistent finish. Ready for drinking. Residual sugar - 90-100 g/l.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 13/06/2019

Saint-Emilion Grand Cru AOC, Bordeaux, France, 13.5% vol., 1 833₽

Grape variety: Merlot 95%; Cabernet Franc 5%

The wine is medium ruby in colour. A harmonious nose of moderate intensity; aromas of blackberry, black plum, fried hazelnut, bay leaf and dark chocolate. There is bright acidity on the palate, plentiful ripe but still young tannins, warming alcohol and a full body; flavours of strawberry jam, black plum and sweet cherry in a persistent finish. Ready for drinking with a potential for ageing.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 13/06/2019

Maipo DO, Maipo Valley, Chile, 14% vol., 1 024₽

Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

The wine is deep ruby in colour. An intense but slightly unripe nose; aromas of green bell pepper, tomato leaf, black currant, black pepper and a hint of vanilla. A masculine wine on the palate with moderate acidity, firm ample tannins, warming alcohol and a full body; flavours of prune, black rowan and raisin in a medium finish. Ready for drinking with some potential for ageing.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 13/06/2019

Stellenbosch, South Africa, 14% vol., 1 263₽

Grape variety: Pinotage

The wine is medium ruby in colour. A slightly reductive nose; aromas of black pepper, blackberry, raisin, dark chocolate and hazelnut. There is brisk acidity on the palate, generous well integrated alcohol, young astringent tannins and a medium body; flavours of red plum, black cherry and black pepper in a medium finish. Ready for drinking with some potential for ageing.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 13/06/2019

Western Cape, South Africa, 13.5% vol., 1 005₽

Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon; Merlot

The wine is medium garnet in colour. An intense nose; aromas of leather, pencil shavings, baked caramelized apple, propolis. There is lively acidity on the palate, moderate alcohol, a bit drying tannins and a medium body; flavours of pencil shavings, leather and raisin in a medium finish. Passing its peak.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 13/06/2019

Sancerre AOC, Loire Valley, France, 13.5% vol., 3 350₽

Grape variety: Sauvignon Blanc

The wine is pale lemon in colour. A very aromatic and intense nose; aromas of black current leaf, green gooseberry, tomato leaf and a touch of anise. There is bright acidity on the palate, moderate well integrated alcohol, a moderate body; flavours of green gooseberry, white currant and green bell pepper in a persistent finish. Ready for drinking.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 11/06/2019

Vouvray AOC, Loire Valley, France, 12.5% vol., 2 150₽

Grape variety: Chenin Blanc

The wine is lemon in colour. A mineral nose of moderate intensity; aromas of lime, chalk, rhubarb and a touch of dried grass. There is brisk acidity on the palate, moderate well integrated alcohol, a touch of sweetness, a moderate body; flavours of lime, green apple and minerality in a persistent finish. Ready for drinking. Residual sugar – 8-17 g/l.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 11/06/2019

Alsace AOC, Alsace, France, 12% vol., 1 677₽

Grape variety: Muscat d’Alsace; Muscat Ottonel

The wine is pale lemon in colour. A fresh and aromatic nose of moderate intensity; aromas of melon, spring blossom, chalk. There is fresh acidity, moderate alcohol, a body and a light sweetness; flavours of yellow apple, melon and apricot in a persistent finish. Ready for drinking. Residual sugar – 6 g/l.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 11/06/2019

Condrieu AOC, Northern Rhône, France, 13% vol., 4 712₽

Grape variety: Viognier

The wine is medium gold in colour. An aromatic and intense nose; aromas of peach, propolis, pine nuts, a hint of honey and aloe. The wine is oily on the palate, with moderate acidity, generous alcohol and a full body; flavours of honey, propolis and wallnuts in a persistent and slightly bitter finish. Ready for drinking.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 11/06/2019

Alsace AOC, Alsace, France, 13.5% vol., 1 496₽

Grape variety: Gewürztraminer

The wine is pale gold in colour. A perfumed nose; aromas of lychee, white pepper, rose, quince. There is moderate acidity, warming alcohol, a full body and a light sweetness; flavours of honey, lychee and quince in a medium finish. Ready for drinking. Residual sugar – 4-18 g/l.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 11/06/2019