Crozes-Hermitage AOC, Northern Rhône, France, 13% vol., 1 995

Grape variety: Syrah

The wine is deep ruby in colour with a purple hue. A concentrated and complex nose of pronounced intensity; aromas of violet, tobacco, black cherry, black pepper, cinnamon and a touch of eucalyptus. A well-balanced wine on the palate with bright acidity, moderate alcohol, ample young tannins, a medium body and very good fruit concentration; flavours of black cherry, tobacco and walnut in quite a long finish. Needs further ageing.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 19/09/2019

South Eastern Australia, Australia, 14.8% vol., 1 330

Grape variety: Shiraz

The wine is deep ruby in colour. A delicate and fruity nose of moderate intensity; aromas of liquorice, eucalyptus, blackberry and black cherry. A well-balanced wine on the palate with juicy acidity, high alcohol, ripe velvety tannins, a medium body and interesting fruit concentration; flavours of black sweet cherry, liquiorice and spices in quite a long finish. Ready for drinking with a potential for ageing.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 19/09/2019

Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia, 14.5% vol., 1 090

Grape variety: Shiraz

The wine is medium ruby in colour. A gentle and ripe nose of moderate intensity; aromas of dark chocolate, cedar, black berries, cardamom and freshly cut tree. There is moderate acidity on the palate, warm high alcohol, firm tannins, a full body and very good fruit concentration; flavours of dried black berries, prune and raisin in quite a long finish. Ready for drinking with a potential for ageing.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 19/09/2019

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG, Veneto, Italy, 11.5% vol., 1 825

Grape variety: Glera 85%; other varieties 15%

The wine is pale lemon in colour. Persistent perlage of small bubbles. A fresh and fruity nose of moderate intensity; aromas of green apple, white flowers, white peach. There is bright acidity on the palate, well integrated alcohol, a light body; the wine is well balanced on the palate with moderate fruit intensity; flavors of green apple, camomile, feijoa in a medium finish. Ready for drinking.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 19/09/2019

Saint-Joseph AOC, Northern Rhône, France, 13% vol., 4 580

Grape variety: Syrah

The wine is medium garnet in colour. A sweet nose of pronounced intensity; aromas of honey, sugar coated black berries, black pepper, prune, black currant jam and a hint of barnyard. There is fresh acidity on the palate, warming alcohol, astringent tannins, a medium body and good fruit concentration; flavours of prune, blackberry and walnut in a medium finish. Ready for drinking.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 19/09/2019

Kuban PGI, Krasnodar region, Russia, 11 - 13% vol., 415

Grape variety: Chardonnay; Pinot Blanc; Aligote; Riesling

The wine is light lemon in colour. Light perlage of small bubbles. A fresh and appealing nose of medium intensity; aromas of minerality, nettle, chamomile, yellow apple and cream. Easy to drink; a well-balanced wine on the palate; there is fresh sharp acidity, a light body, moderate alcohol, good fruit concentration; flavours of green apple, gooseberry and minerality in a medium finish. Ready for drinking.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 19/09/2019

Krasnodar region, Russia, 11 - 13% vol., 480

Grape variety: Chardonnay; Riesling; Pinot Blanc

The wine is light gold in colour. Persistent perlage of small bubbles. A mature nose of medium intensity; aromas of toast, bread dough, quince and chamomile. There is sharp acidity on the palate, slightly warming alcohol, a medium body and medium fruit concentration; flavours of quince, toast and sunflower seeds in a medium finish. Ready for drinking.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 19/09/2019

Marlborough, New Zealand, 13.5% vol., 2 670

Grape variety: Pinot Noir

The wine is light ruby in colour. Quite a complex and attractive nose of good intensity; aromas of blackberry, blueberry, walnut, balsamic notes and notes of instant coffee. A well-balanced and structured wine on the palate with fresh acidity, moderate alcohol, ripe but still young tannins, a medium body and very good fruit concentration; flavours of blackberry, black cherry and bitter chocolate in quite a long finish. Ready for drinking with a potential for ageing.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 09/08/2019

Marlborough, New Zealand, 13% vol., 790

Grape variety: Sauvignon Blanc

The wine is light lemon in colour. A fresh and typical nose of pronounced intensity; aromas of gooseberry, kiwi, grapefruit, tomato leaf, passion fruit. There is crisp acidity on the palate, balanced moderate alcohol, a light body and attractive fruit concentration; flavours of gooseberry, kiwi, lemon and green bell pepper in a medium finish. Ready for drinking.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 09/08/2019

Krasnodar region, Russia, 12.8% vol., 2 150

Grape variety: Pinot Noir

The wine is light ruby in colour. An attractive and elegant nose of moderate intensity; aromas of strawberry, barberry, white pepper. There is juicy acidity on the palate, well integrated alcohol, fine light tannins, a light body and good fruit concentration; flavours of red cherry, red plum and red currant in a medium finish. Ready for drinking with some potential for ageing.  

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 09/08/2019

Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina, 13.5% vol., 1 570

Grape variety: Pinot Noir

The wine is pale ruby in colour. A gentle and delicate nose of moderate intensity; aromas of cranberry, cowberry; a touch of violet, rose and white pepper. There is juicy acidity on the palate, light tannins, balanced alcohol, a medium body and good fruit concentration; flavours of sweet cherry, raspberry and blueberry in a medium finish. Ready for drinking with some potential for ageing.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 09/08/2019

Krasnodar region, Russia, 12 - 14% vol., 640

Grape variety: Pinot Noir

The wine is light ruby in colour with an orange rim. An attractive and interesting nose of moderate intensity; aromas of black plum, walnut, cinnamon, coffee, a hint of liqourice and biscuits. There is fresh acidity on the palate, warming alcohol, moderate fine tannins, a medium body and good fruit concentration; flavours of sweet cherry, black plum and tobacco in a medium finish. Ready for drinking.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 09/08/2019

San Antonio Valley, Chile, 13.5% vol., 965

Grape variety: Sauvignon Blanc

The wine is pale lemon in colour. A fresh and quite typical nose of moderate intensity; aromas of asparagus, green apple, wet clay, green bell pepper. There is fresh acidity on the palate, moderate alcohol, a light body and moderate fruit concentration; flavours of gooseberry, asparagus and grapefruit in a medium finish. Ready for drinking.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 09/08/2019

Kuban PGI, Krasnodar region, Russia, 13.5% vol., 840

Grape variety: Sauvignon Blanc

The wine is pale lemon in colour. A fresh and attractive nose of pronounced intensity; aromas of pear drops, nettle, bread dough and cream. There is juicy acidity on the palate, well integrated moderate alcohol, a light body (slightly mouth coating) and good fruit concentration; flavours of grapefruit, lime and green apple in a medium finish. Ready for drinking.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 09/08/2019

Maldonado, Uruguay, 13% vol., 1 590

Grape variety: Sauvignon Blanc

The wine is light lemon in colour. A fresh and appealing nose of moderate intensity; aromas of lime, yellow apple, gooseberry and a hint of mint. There is juicy acidity on the palate, balanced moderate alcohol, a light body and good fruit concentration; flavours of lime, pomelo and gooseberry in a medium finish. Ready for drinking.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 09/08/2019

Central Valley, Chile, 14% vol., 695

Grape variety: Pinot Noir

The wine is pale ruby in colour. An appealing and fruity nose of moderate intensity; aromas of red cherry, raspberry, red currant, a touch of cloves and cardamom. There is juicy acidity on the palate, light and ripe tannins, warming alcohol, a medium body and moderate fruit concentration; flavours of red currant, red plum and raspberry in a medium finish. Ready for drinking.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 09/08/2019

Kuban. Novorossiysk PGI, Krasnodar region, Russia, 14% vol., 1 190

Grape variety: Sauvignon Blanc

The wine is light lemon in colour. A fresh nose of moderate intensity; aromas of green apple, lemon, white currant and a hint of nettle. There is fresh acidity on the palate, warming alcohol, missing some fruit concentration; flavours of lime, green apple and white currant in a short slightly bitter finish. Ready for drinking.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 09/08/2019

Krasnodar region, Russia, 12.5% vol., 1 275

Grape variety: Sauvignon Blanc

The wine is lemon in colour. A nose of moderate intensity; aromas of toast, fried hazelnut, almond, burnt matches. There is fresh acidity on the palate, moderate alcohol, missing some fruit concentration and structure; flavours of lemon, almond and toast in a short finish. Ready for drinking.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 09/08/2019

Krasnodar region, Russia, 13% vol., 955

Grape variety: Pinot Noir

The wine is light purple in colour. A nose of moderate intensity; aromas of cranberry, fish oil, a hint of glue. There is fresh acidity on the palate, warming alcohol, moderate dry tannins, a medium body; lacking balance and fruit concentration; flavours of red cherry, red plum and tobacco in a short finish.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 09/08/2019

Victoria, Australia, 13% vol., 1 255

Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

The wine is deep ruby in colour. A concentrated and typical nose of good intensity; aromas of black currant, blackberry, liquorice, walnut, eucalyptus and balsamic notes. A balanced and harmonious wine on the palate with juicy acidity, round velvety tannins, a medium body and appealing fruit concentration; flavours of juicy black plum, black currant and pomegranate in a lasting finish. Ready for drinking with a potential for ageing.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 26/07/2019