Wine ratings

Krasnodar region, Russia, 12% vol., 1 950

Grape variety: Chardonnay

The wine is light gold in colour. Persistent perlage of small bubbles. Clean, pleasant and restrained nose of moderate intensity with dominant notes of ageing on the lees; aromas of toast, brioche, bread dough and nuances of white flowers. On the palate, the wine is well balanced, delicate and with moderate volume, high bright acidity, with moderate well-integrated alcohol, a medium- body, moderate+ fruit concentration on the medium finish with notes of green apple and toast. Overall, elegant wine, Blanc de Blancs on the label lives up to expectations on the nose with pronounced notes of ageing on the lees; dry on the palate, very juicy and refreshing, with a light waxy mouth-coating structure. Ready for drinking with potential for further ageing (3-4 years).

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 22/07/2021

Napa Valley, California, USA, 14.5% vol., 3 200

Grape variety: Chardonnay

The wine is deep gold in colour. Ripe, elegant nose of moderate+ intensity; aromas of butter, toast, smoke, yellow plum, peach and sunflower seeds. On the palate, the wine is dry, with high warming alcohol, medium mild acidity, a full body, moderate fruit concentration on the medium+ finish. Interesting and quite typical Chardonnay from Napa; full-bodied and voluminous on the palate with a mouth-coating structure. Ready for drinking with potential for further ageing (4-5 years).

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 22/07/2021

Krasnodar region, Russia, 14% vol., 1 200

Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

The wine is deep ruby in colour. Clean, pleasant and quite intense nose with distinct varietal characteristics; aromas of black currant, blackberry, prune, vanilla, toast, hazelnut and bay leaf. On the palate, the wine is dry, voluminous, with high warming alcohol, medium mild acidity, medium+ ripe tannins, a medium+ body, moderate fruit concentration on the medium finish with notes of prunes and vanilla. Overall, varietal nose; quite powerful on the palate with high alcohol, abundant ripe tannins and notes of ageing in oak on the finish. Ready for drinking with potential for further ageing (3-4 years).

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 22/07/2021

Kuban. Novorossiysk PGI, Krasnodar region, Russia, 13% vol., 650

Grape variety: Chardonnay

The wine is medium gold in colour. Clean, ripe and pleasant nose of moderate+ intensity; aromas of yellow pear, peach, pineapple, nuances of butter, bread toast and nuts. On the palate, the wine is dry, well-balanced, with moderate well-integrated alcohol, medium+ juicy acidity, a medium body, moderate fruit concentration on the medium finish. Overall, the wine is with an interesting and rather diverse nose; good balance on the palate with slightly mouth-coating structure. Ready for drinking with potential for further ageing (2-3 years).

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 22/07/2021

Kuban. Krymsk PGI, Krasnodar region, Russia, 12.5% vol., 650

Grape variety: Sauvignon Blanc

The wine is light lemon in colour. Clean, fresh, delicate nose of moderate+ intensity, with certain varietal characteristics; aromas of green gooseberry, lime and the nuances of tomato leaf. On the palate, the wine is dry, well-balanced, with high crisp acidity, moderate alcohol, a light body, moderate fruit concentration on the medium- finish with a note of green apple. Overall, it is an understandable, fresh wine with subtle primary aromas; very juicy and light on the palate. Drink now.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 22/07/2021

Lower Volga PGI, Volgograd region, Russia, 13% vol., 1 450

Grape variety: Pinot Noir

The wine is medium human skin in colour. Good perlage of small bubbles. Clean, fresh, delicate nose of moderate- intensity; aromas of cream, brioche, white currant and green apple. On the palate, the wine is fresh, well-balanced, with high juicy acidity, moderate well-integrated alcohol, a light body, moderate- fruity concentration on the medium- finish with a note of green apple. Overall, it is a well-made sparkling wine with delicate aromas and light notes of ageing on lees; balanced, juicy and light on the palate. Ready for drinking with potential for further ageing (1–2 years).

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 22/07/2021

Kuban. Novorossiysk PGI, Krasnodar region, Russia, 12% vol., 1 550

Grape variety: Sauvignon Blanc

The wine is medium lemon in colour. Good perlage of small bubbles. There is a lot of sediment in the bottle. Fresh nose of light intensity; there are notes of green gooseberry, green rhubarb and a nuance of wet earth after rain. On the palate, the wine with good balance, high bright acidity, moderate alcohol, a light body, medium- fruit concentration on the short finish with a note of green gooseberries and bees-wax. Overall, light aromatics on the nose; juicy, balanced on the palate, lacking in length. Drink now.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 22/07/2021

California, USA, 13.5% vol., 2 300

Grape variety: Merlot

The wine is medium ruby in colour. Clean, fruity nose of moderate+ intensity; aromas of blackberry jam, black ripe plum and light notes of spices. On the palate, the wine is dry, well-balanced, with moderate alcohol, medium+ lively acidity, medium- soft tannins, a medium body, medium- fruit concentration on the relatively short finish with notes of black berries. A technically correct wine; fruity on the nose, with certain varietal characteristics; also fruity  on the palate and quite simple. Drink now.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 22/07/2021

Crimea PGI, Republic of Crimea, Russia, 14.5% vol., 900

Grape variety: Traminer

The wine is medium gold in colour. A little tired nose of moderate+ intensity; aromas of pear drops, dried rose petals, dried orange peel, honey and ginger. On the palate, the wine is dry, with high standing out alcohol, medium- soft acidity, a medium body, light fruit concentration on the short finish with some bitterness. Overall, the wine passes its peak, drink it as quickly as possible; aromas are transformed into dried fruits and flowers; alcohol comes to the fore on the palate, and there is not enough structure, fruit concentration and length to support it.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 22/07/2021

Carneros/Napa Valley, California, USA, 13.9% vol., 5 800

Grape variety: Chardonnay

The wine is deep gold in colour. Ripe, complex nose of moderate+ intensity; harmonious and expensive oak, aromas of butter, smoke, vanilla, roasted hazelnuts, as well as peach, yellow apple and pear. On the palate, the wine is dry, with a very good silky texture and voluminous, with a high well-integrated alcohol, medium mild acidity, a full body, moderate+ fruit concentration on the fairly long finish with notes of aging in oak and yellow fruits. Excellent and very typical Chardonnay from the Napa Valley; complex nose with harmonious oak; on the palate, full-bodied, voluminous, with very good fruit concentration and long lasting. Ready for drinking with potential for further ageing (8-9 years).

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 15/07/2021

Rioja DOC, Rioja, Spain, 13.5% vol., 4 100

Grape variety: Tempranillo 95%; Graciano 5%

The wine is medium ruby in colour. Velvety and complex nose of moderate+ intensity; aromas of prunes, dried blueberries, cloves, black pepper, cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg. On the palate, the wine is dry, very well-balanced, with high well-integrated alcohol, medium+ juicy acidity, medium+ body, medium+ silky ripe tannins, moderate+ fruity concentration on the medium+ finish. Complex, developing and noble nose; on the palate there is a very good balance and structure, the wine is quite elegant and voluminous on the palate with a good duration. Ready for drinking with potential for further ageing (5-6 years).

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 15/07/2021

Mercurey AOC, Burgundy, France, 13% vol., 3 500

Grape variety: Pinot Noir

The wine is light ruby in colour with a red brick hue. Savoury nose of moderate intensity with varietal typicity; aromas of red cherry, cardamom, white pepper, nuances of porcini mushrooms, tobacco and leather. On the palate, the wine is dry, with high juicy acidity, moderate well-integrated alcohol, a medium- body, light silky tannins, moderate fruit concentration on the medium finish. Overall, appealing, typical and developing nose; excellent acidity on the palate, silky tannins and a good length. Ready for drinking with potential for ageing (3–4 years).  

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 15/07/2021

Crimea PGI, Sevastopol, Russia, 13% vol., 1 150

Grape variety: Riesling

The wine is light gold in colour. Clean and delicate nose of moderate intensity with varietal characteristics; aromas of yellow pear, yellow plum, beeswax and river minerality. On the palate, the wine is dry, with high juicy acidity, moderate well-integrated alcohol, a light body, moderate+ fruit concentration on the medium finish with a note of green apple. Subtle, fruity and fresh in aroma; on the palate, juicy and light, with very good fruitiness and finish. Ready for drinking with potential for further ageing (2-3 years).

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 15/07/2021

Muscadet Sevre et Maine AOC, Loire Valley, France, 12.5% vol., 1 600

Grape variety: Melon de Bourgogne

The wine is medium lemon in colour. Clean, fresh, delicate nose of light intensity with varietal characteristics; aromas of green apple, nuances of lemon and river rock, as well as a light note of yoghurt. On the palate, the wine is dry, well-balanced with moderate alcohol, high juicy acidity, a light body, moderate fruit concentration on the light finish with a note of green apple. Overall, the wine is fresh and delicate on the nose; juicy and light on the palate. Drink now.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 15/07/2021

Krasnodar region, Russia, 13.5% vol., 400

Grape variety: Krasnostop Zolotovskiy

The wine is deep ruby in colour. Clean and velvety nose of moderate+ intensity; with a predominance of aromas of black ripe berries (black mountain ash), black raisins, licorice, black ground pepper and pencil shavings. On the palate, the wine is dry, with moderate, well-integrated alcohol, with medium mild acidity, abundant firm drying tannins, a medium body, moderate- fruity concentration on the medium- finish. Interesting, velvety and developing nose; very tannic (drying) on the palate, lacking in harmony and length. Ready for drinking with potential for further ageing (5-6 years).

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 15/07/2021

Kuban. Novorossiysk PGI, Krasnodar region, Russia, 13.5% vol., 1 050

Grape variety: Chardonnay; Sauvignon Blanc

The wine is light lemon in colour. Clean, fresh, restrained nose of moderate- intensity; aromas of yellow apple, chamomile, pear and a light note of butter. On the palate, the wine is dry, with moderate well-integrated alcohol, medium+ juicy acidity, a medium body, moderate- fruity concentration on the medium- finish. Fresh wine, but restrained in aromatics; well-balanced and juicy on the palate. Ready for drinking with potential for further ageing (2-3 years).

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 15/07/2021

Kuban. Novorossiysk PGI, Krasnodar region, Russia, 13.8% vol., 1 050

Grape variety: Cabernet Franc

The wine is medium ruby in colour. Clean, pleasant, restrained nose of moderate intensity; aromas of blackberries, ripe black plums, bread toast, roasted hazelnuts and pencil shavings. On the palate, the wine is dry, with medium+ juicy acidity, high warm alcohol, a medium body, abundant young and slightly drying tannins, with moderate- fruit concentration on the medium- finish. Nice and interesting nose; the palate lacks fruit concentration and length, while acidity, alcohol and abundant tannins come to the fore. Ready for drinking with potential for further ageing (2-3 years).

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 15/07/2021

Kuban. Novorossiysk PGI, Krasnodar region, Russia, 12.8% vol., 650

Grape variety: Chardonnay; Pinot Blanc; Pinot Gris; Muscat

The wine is light gold in colour. Clean, fresh, fruity, quite aromatic nose of moderate+ intensity; aromas of apricot, white peach, mango and fresh hazelnuts. On the palate, the wine is dry, with high warm alcohol, medium mild acidity, a medium body, light fruit concentration on the fairly short finish with a slight bitterness. Very pleasant, understandable, fresh and fruity nose; on the palate, the wine is a little heavy due to the prevailing alcohol and insufficient acidity, as well as light fruit concentration. Ready for drinking with potential for further ageing (2-3 years).

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 15/07/2021

Crimea PGI, Republic of Crimea, Russia, 13% vol., 430

Grape variety: Sauvignon Blanc

The wine is medium gold in colour. On the nose there is caramel, candied fruit and quince, that is, signs of oxidation. On the palate, the wine is dry, with moderate warm alcohol - comes to the fore, with medium mild acidity, light fruity concentration on the short finish. The wine is oxidized on the nose and unbalanced on the palate. Bottling date: 01.04.2021.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 15/07/2021

Barolo DOCG, Piedmont, Italy, 14% vol., 7 000

Grape variety: Nebbiolo

The wine is pale garnet in colour with a hue of red brick. Clean, powerful and spicy nose of medium+ intensity; aromas of dried rose, red cherry, light notes of tar, bay leaf and spices. On the palate, the wine is dry and powerful, with high juicy acidity, high well-integrated alcohol, ample firm tannins, a full body, medium+ fruit concentration on the long finish. Outstanding wine, very typical both on the nose and palate, developing very well; powerful, tannic and long. Still too young, drink in 5-6 years; ageing potential 15+ years. Tasted from a 375 ml bottle.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 05/07/2021