Wine ratings
The wines in this section are given scores according to the 100-point scale introduced by the OIV (International Organisation of Vine and Wine). All wines are tasted by the founder of Vine&Wine, Leonid Fadeev (Stage 2 MW Student, WSET/IWSC “The Future 50 Awards” winner, Weinakademiker, DipWSET, WorldSom Magister Sommelier and judge at Decanter World Wine Awards), who writes tasting notes on every wine. Experience the joy of entering the wonderful world of wine with us!
2018 Aligote. Chateau le Grand Vostock
Krasnodar region,
Russia,
14% vol., 576
Grape variety: Aligote
The wine is pale lemon in colour. Quite a simple, fresh nose of light intensity with aromas of citrus fruits and green apple. There is high juicy acidity on the palate, moderate well-integrated alcohol, a light body and moderate fruit concentration on the medium finish. Ready for drinking.
Country of purchase: Russia
Tasted on 26/11/2020
2019 Merlot. Chateau le Grand Vostock
Krasnodar region,
Russia,
14% vol., 576
Grape variety: Merlot
The wine is deep ruby in colour with a purple rim. A fruity nose of moderate intensity with aromas of black cherry and plum. There is juicy acidity on the palate, moderate well-integrated alcohol, a medium body, high dry tannins and moderate fruit concentration on the short finish. Ready for drinking.
Country of purchase: Russia
Tasted on 26/11/2020
2019 Cabernet Sauvignon. Chateau le Grand Vostock
Krasnodar region,
Russia,
13.5% vol., 576
Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
The wine is deep ruby in colour. An appealing nose of moderate intensity with aromas of black berries and some spice. There are high dry tannins on the palate with some bitterness, high alcohol and low fruit concentration on the short finish; lacking acidity. Ready for drinking.
Country of purchase: Russia
Tasted on 26/11/2020
2018 Chardonnay. Chateau le Grand Vostock
Krasnodar region,
Russia,
14% vol., 576
Grape variety: Chardonnay
The wine is pale gold in colour. An appealing, ripe nose of light intensity with aromas of yellow pear, peach, honey and butter. The wine is lacking in acidity on the heavy palate with high alcohol standing out and low fruit concentration on the short finish; lacking harmony and balance. Ready for drinking.
Country of purchase: Russia
Tasted on 26/11/2020
2018 Sauvignon Blanc. Chateau le Grand Vostock
Krasnodar region,
Russia,
13.5% vol., 576
Grape variety: Sauvignon Blanc
The wine is medium lemon in colour. Quite a simple nose of light intensity with aromas of nettle and citrus peel. There is high burning alcohol on the heavy palate, low fruit concentration on the short finish; lacking acidity and balance. Ready for drinking.
Country of purchase: Russia
Tasted on 26/11/2020
2018 Chardonnay Krasnaya Gorka. Galitskiy & Galitskiy
Krasnodar region,
Russia,
13.0% vol., 1 855
Grape variety: Chardonnay
The wine is light gold in colour. A quite complex nose of moderate intensity with aromas of stone fruits, butter and well-integrated notes of oak (toast, smoke). Fairly structured wine with medium refreshing acidity, warming moderate alcohol, a medium body, moderate fruit concentration on the medium finish. Ready for drinking with potential for ageing (2-3 years). Tasted blind.
Country of purchase: Russia
Tasted on 16/11/2020
2017 Pinot Noir. Usadba Divnomorskoye
Krasnodar region,
Russia,
13.5% vol., 1 690
Grape variety: Pinot Noir
The wine is pale garnet in colour. A developing nose of moderate intensity with aromas of red dried berries, toast, cinnamon, leather and animalistic notes. Well-balanced wine with juicy acidity on the palate, a medium body, moderate well-integrated alcohol, light ripe tannins, moderate fruit concentration on a medium finish. Ready for drinking. Tasted blind.
Country of purchase: Russia
Tasted on 16/11/2020
2019 Krasnostop Zolotovskiy. Gusev Family Winery
Lower Volga PGI,
Volgograd region,
Russia,
13.5% vol., 1 071
Grape variety: Krasnostop Zolotovskiy
The wine is deep ruby in colour. An appealing, quite intense, fruit-driven nose with aromas of black berries, spice and notes of cinnamon and toast. There is fresh acidity on the palate with moderate alcohol a bit standing out, medium ripe tannins, a medium body, but lacking a bit in fruit concentration and structure on a medium finish. Ready for drinking with potential for ageing (2-3 years). Tasted blind.
Country of purchase: Russia
Tasted on 16/11/2020
2019 Highland, Riesling. Kuban-Vino
Kuban PGI,
Krasnodar region,
Russia,
12.5% vol., 290
Grape variety: Riesling
The wine is medium gold in colour. An appealing, ripe, fruity, quite intense nose with aromas of pear, pineapple and a hint of cream. There is high juicy acidity on the palate, moderate well-integrated alcohol, a medium body, moderate fruit concentration on the medium finish. Ready for drinking. Tasted blind.
Country of purchase: Russia
Tasted on 16/11/2020
2019 Sauvignon Blanc. Gusev Family Winery
Lower Volga PGI,
Volgograd region,
Russia,
12.4% vol., 882
Grape variety: Sauvignon Blanc
The wine is medium lemon in colour. An appealing fruity nose of moderate intensity with aromas of tomato leaf, passion fruit and green apple. Easy drinking wine with balanced high crisp acidity and moderate alcohol, a light body, light fruit concentration and a hint of saltiness on the short simple finish. Ready for drinking. Tasted blind.
Country of purchase: Russia
Tasted on 16/11/2020
2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, Koster. Uppa Winery
Crimea PGI,
Sevastopol,
Russia,
14% vol., 2 270
Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
The wine is deep ruby in colour. A quite intense nose with aromas of black berries, balsamic notes, a touch of walnut and spice. There is fresh (possibly added) acidity on the palate, a medium body, abundant dry astringent tannins, moderate alcohol and a touch of bitterness; lacking fruit concentration on a short finish. Ready for drinking. Tasted blind.
Country of purchase: Russia
Tasted on 16/11/2020
2019 Rkatsiteli. Gusev Family Winery
Lower Volga PGI,
Volgograd region,
Russia,
12.4% vol., 882
Grape variety: Rkatsiteli
The wine is light gold in colour. An appealing nose of moderate intensity with aromas of yellow plum and a hint of toast. There is high fresh acidity on the palate, moderate alcohol, a slight bitterness and light fruit concentration on the short finish; lacking in structure. Ready for drinking. Tasted blind.
Country of purchase: Russia
Tasted on 16/11/2020
2019 Sibirkovyy. Gusev Family Winery
Lower Volga PGI,
Volgograd region,
Russia,
12.0% vol., 756
Grape variety: Sibirkovyy
The wine is pale lemon in colour. A simple fresh fruity nose of light intensity with aromas of lime and green apple. Easy drinking wine with high crisp acidity, moderate well-integrated alcohol, a light body, light fruit concentration on a short fruity finish. Ready for drinking. Tasted blind.
Country of purchase: Russia
Tasted on 16/11/2020
2019 Riesling. Gusev Family Winery
Lower Volga PGI,
Volgograd region,
Russia,
12.4% vol., 882
Grape variety: Riesling
The wine is pale lemon in colour. A straightforward simple fruity nose of moderate intensity with aromas of green apple and pear. Easy drinking wine with balanced high crisp acidity and moderate well-integrated alcohol on the palate, a light body, light fruit concentration on a simple short finish. Ready for drinking. Tasted blind.
Country of purchase: Russia
Tasted on 16/11/2020
2018 Avtokhton, Saperavi. Fanagoria
Kuban. Taman peninsula PGI,
Krasnodar region,
Russia,
13.0% vol., 495
Grape variety: Saperavi
The wine is deep ruby in colour. A nose of light intensity with aromas of dried red berries, a hint of green pea, cedar and vanilla. A simple wine on the palate with a light body, low ripe tannins, moderate alcohol; lacking acidity, structure and fruit concentration on a short finish. Ready for drinking. Tasted blind.
Country of purchase: Russia
Tasted on 16/11/2020
2012 Cristal, Brut. Louis Roederer
Champagne AOC,
Champagne,
France,
12.0% vol., 24 000
Grape variety: Pinot Noir 60%; Chardonnay 40%
The wine is medium gold in colour. Persistent perlage of small bubbles. Intense, concentrated and ripe nose; aromas of peach, quince, pear, cream, butter and a hint of Dutch cheese. There is extremely balanced acidity and well-integrated alcohol on the full-bodied palate, with plenty of fruit concentration on the long finish. Ready for drinking with potential for ageing (10+ years). Tasted blind.
Country of purchase: Russia
Tasted on 19/10/2020
2016 Balaklava, Cabernet Sauvignon. Zolotaya Balka
Crimea PGI,
Republic of Crimea,
Russia,
13.5% vol., 1 450
Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
The wine is deep ruby in colour. A harmonious, complex nose of moderate intensity; aromas of ripe blackberries and blueberries, toast, vanilla and white pepper. There is moderate acidity on the medium-bodied palate, young but ripe tannins and well-integrated alcohol on the quite concentrated medium finish. Ready for drinking with potential for ageing (3-5 years). Tasted blind.
Country of purchase: Russia
Tasted on 19/10/2020
2017 Balaklava, Pinot Noir. Zolotaya Balka
Crimea PGI,
Republic of Crimea,
Russia,
13.5% vol., 1 450
Grape variety: Pinot Noir
The wine is pale ruby in colour. An elegant and fruity nose of moderate intensity; aromas of red and black berries, notes of black pepper and a touch of walnut. There is bright acidity on the light-bodied palate, warming not very well integrated alcohol and light tannins with a touch of dryness on the medium finish. Ready for drinking. Tasted blind.
Country of purchase: Russia
Tasted on 19/10/2020
2015 Black Prince. Zolotaya Balka
Crimea PGI,
Republic of Crimea,
Russia,
12.5% vol., 2 850
Grape variety: Chardonnay
The wine is pale lemon in colour. Short perlage of medium bubbles. Fresh, appealing, fruity nose of good intensity; aromas of green apple, lime, grapefruit, minerality and a touch of cream. There is high fresh acidity on the palate, well-integrated moderate alcohol, a medium body, flavours of citrus and green fruit on a medium finish. Ready for drinking. Tasted blind.
Country of purchase: Russia
Tasted on 19/10/2020
2019 Sauvignon de Talu. Château de Talu
Kuban PGI,
Krasnodar region,
Russia,
13.0% vol., 640
Grape variety: Sauvignon Blanc
The wine is medium lemon in colour. Intense sweet nose; aromas of ripe peach, melon, blossom and yellow pear. There is moderate soft acidity, moderate warming alcohol and a medium body. It is somewhat dilute, with a touch of bitterness on a short finish. Ready for drinking. Tasted blind.
Country of purchase: Russia
Tasted on 19/10/2020