Wine ratings

Kamptal DAC, Lower Austria, Austria, 13.5% vol., 6 300

Grape variety: Grüner Veltliner

The wine is deep gold in colour. Intense nose; aromas of canned pineapple, peach, tropical fruits and honey notes. On the palate, the wine is dry, with very well integrated alcohol, medium plus juicy acidity, a medium body, with moderate fruit concentration on the medium plus finish with hints of tropical fruits. Very good quality, balanced, pleasant, gastronomic and enjoyable.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 01/12/2022

Kuban. Krymsk PGI, Krasnodar region, Russia, 12.5% vol., 499

Grape variety: Sauvignon Blanc; Chardonnay; Viognier

The wine is light gold in colour. Clean nose of moderate plus intensity; aromas of green apple, green gooseberry, apricot, minerality (river rock) and a light note of bread toast. On the palate, the wine is dry, with moderate very well integrated alcohol, high lively acidity, a light body, moderate plus fruit concentration on the medium finish with hints of green fruit. Very good quality; fresh, rather complex and intense aromatics, with light harmonious mineral nuances and notes of ageing in oak, as well as good varietal typicity; on the palate the wine is very well balanced, light, refreshing and bright. Ready for drinking with potential for further development in the bottle (1-2 years).

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 01/12/2022

Kuban. Novorossiysk PGI, Krasnodar region, Russia, 12% vol., 790

Grape variety: Syrah 55%; Cabernet Sauvignon 45%

The wine is deep salmon in colour. Clean and intense nose; aromas of raspberry, strawberry, red apple and a light note of cream. On the palate, the wine is dry, with moderate very well integrated alcohol, high crisp acidity, a light body, moderate plus fruit concentration on the medium plus finish with notes of red berries. Very good quality; pleasant, intense, fruity aromas with creamy nuances; on the palate the wine is very well balanced, juicy, light, with very good fruitiness and finish. Ready for drinking with potential for further development in the bottle (1-2 years).

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 01/12/2022

Kuban. Taman peninsula PGI, Krasnodar region, Russia, 11.5% vol., 550

Grape variety: Muller-Thurgau

The wine is light lemon in colour. Clean nose of moderate intensity; aromas of green apple, green gooseberry, white flowers and light mineral notes. On the palate, the wine is dry, with moderate perfectly integrated alcohol, high crisp acidity, a light body, moderate fruit concentration on the medium finish with hints of green apple and light salty mineral nuances. Good quality; pleasant nose with primary floral-fruity aromas and mineral notes, as well as good varietal typicality; on the palate the wine is well balanced, light, juicy, refreshing and crispy. Drink now.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 01/12/2022

Don Valley PGI, Rostov region, Russia, 11.5-13.5% vol., 320

Grape variety: Aligote; Rkatsiteli; Tsvetochnyy; Tsitronnyy Magaracha; Pervenets Magaracha

The wine is light gold in colour. Clean and intense nose; aromas of dried apricot, honey, canned pineapple and peach. On the palate, the wine is dry, with moderate plus alcohol, high crisp acidity, a light body, moderate fruit concentration on the medium minus finish with notes of green apple. Good quality; very pleasant intense and fruity aroma; on the palate the wine is simple, juicy and light. Drink now.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 01/12/2022

Kamptal DAC, Lower Austria, Austria, 14% vol., 12 800

Grape variety: Riesling

The wine is deep gold in colour. Intense nose with distinct Riesling characteristics; aromas of beeswax, honey, honey flowers, peach and a note of passion fruit. On the palate, the wine is dry, with high but very well integrated alcohol, medium fresh acidity, a full body, moderate plus fruit concentration on the medium plus finish with hints of stone fruits and beeswax. Very good quality; а powerful and full-bodied version of Riesling.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 18/11/2022

Champagne AOC, Champagne, France, 12% vol., 9 000

Grape variety: Pinot Noir 40%; Pinot Meunier 40%; Chardonnay 20%;

The wine is medium gold in colour. Persistent perlage of small bubbles. Excellent nose of moderate intensity; soft creamy aromatics, notes of cream cheese, brioche, bread toast and white flowers. On the palate, the wine with a slight sensation of sweetness (brut) balanced by high juicy acidity, with a medium body, moderate fruit concentration on the medium plus finish. Very good quality; very pleasant and rich aromatics with a dominance of creamy nuances; on the palate the wine is perfectly balanced, very refreshing with a fairly long aftertaste.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 18/11/2022

Krasnodar region, Russia, 12.4% vol., 1 400

Grape variety: Aligote; Chardonnay

The wine is light gold in colour. Persistent perlage of small bubbles. Clean nose of moderate plus intensity; aromas of Duchesse pear, yellow apple and a light note of peach. On the palate, the wine with a slight sense of sweetness, with moderate well-integrated alcohol, medium plus juicy acidity, a light body, moderate fruit concentration on the medium finish. Good quality; pleasant and fruity aromas in Prosecco style; balanced, light, refreshing and fruity on the palate. Drink now.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 18/11/2022

Napa Valley, California, USA, 13.5% vol., 7 260

Grape variety: Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc vinified in oak can be very tasty. The main thing is not to overdo it with oak. I recommend tasting Fume Blanc 2017 from Grgich Hills Estate to feel the difference. The wine is medium gold in colour. Very interesting aromatics; initially, the freshness and “greeness” of Sauvignon Blanc (asparagus, tomato leaf, kiwi, pineapple) breaks through, and then all this is combined with smoke and smoked meat. Notes of oak do not mask the primary aromas, but harmoniously complement them, making the nose of the wine more complex and pleasant. On the palate, the wine is dry, very well balanced, despite a fairly high and integrated alcohol (13.5% vol.), which is balanced by medium plus juicy acidity; the wine with a medium body, moderate plus fruit concentration on the medium plus finish. The wine is very tasty, concentrated and most importantly harmonious.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 07/11/2022

Crimea PGI, Republic of Crimea, Russia, 12% vol., 425

Grape variety: Shiraz; Merlot; Cabernet Sauvignon

The wine is deep ruby in colour. Clean nose of moderate plus intensity; aromas of jam of black berries, blackberry, black plum and sweet cherry. On the palate, the wine with moderate sweetness (medium-sweet), moderate well-integrated alcohol, medium plus juicy acidity, a medium body, medium plus tannins, moderate fruit concentration on the medium finish. Good quality, but for winelovers who appreciate this style of wine; pleasant and quite intense berry-jam aroma; on the palate the wine is medium-sweet, but balanced by juicy acidity, moderately-bodied. Drink now.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 07/11/2022

Lower Volga PGI, Volgograd region, Russia, 12% vol., 685

Grape variety: Riesling

The wine is medium gold in colour. Quite intense nose, but with traces of oxidation; aromas of beeswax, honey, quince and caramel. On the palate, the wine is dry, with moderate integrated alcohol, high juicy acidity, a light body, moderate fruit concentration on the medium minus finish. Average quality; slightly tired nose with traces of oxidation, but with clear Riesling varietal characteristics; on the palate juicy, light and easy drinking. Passing its peak.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 07/11/2022

Dagestan PGI, Republic of Dagestan, Russia, 12% vol., 400

Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

The wine is medium ruby in colour. Clean nose of moderate plus intensity; aromas of blackcurrant, black cherry and a light note of cloves. On the palate, the wine is dry, with moderate well-integrated alcohol, high juicy acidity, a light body, medium minus tannins, moderate fruit concentration on the short finish with a note of black cherry. Fruity, simple wine for immediate consumption; pleasant fruity aromas with certain varietal characteristics; on the palate the wine is juicy, light and also fruity. Drink now.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 07/11/2022

Kuban. Novorossiysk PGI, Krasnodar region, Russia, 13.8% vol., 1 145

Grape variety: Petit Verdot; Cabernet Sauvignon; Carmenere; Tempranillo; Merlot; Odesskiy Chernyy

The wine is deep ruby in colour. Clean and intense nose; aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, prune, smoked meat, smoke and spices. On the palate, the wine is dry, with high warming alcohol, medium soft acidity, a full body, medium plus ripe but young tannins, moderate fruit concentration on the medium finish with a slight bitterness. Very good quality; intense, powerful, complex, noble and developing nose; on the palate, the wine is full-bodied and muscular, but with standing out alcohol. Ready for drinking with potential for further development in the bottle (2-3 years).

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 30/10/2022

Kuban PGI, Krasnodar region, Russia, 10-12% vol., 910

Grape variety: Müller-Thurgau; Pinot Blanc; Saperavi

The wine is light pink in colour. Moderate perlage of large bubbles. Clean nose of moderate intensity; aromas of cream, wild strawberry and redcurrant. On the palate, the wine is dry by perception, with moderate very well integrated alcohol, high juicy acidity, a light body, moderate plus fruit concentration on the medium finish with hints of wild strawberry. Good quality; fresh aromatics with clear characteristics of the traditional method of production; on the palate the wine is balanced, juicy and with very good fruitiness in the aftertaste. Ready for drinking with potential for further development in the bottle (1-2 years).

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 30/10/2022

Crimea PGI, Republic of Crimea, Russia, 13.5% vol., 720

Grape variety: 85% Marselan; 15% Carignan

The wine is deep ruby in colour. Clean nose of moderate intensity; aromas of black ripe berries (blueberry, blackberry), spices and a note of violet. On the palate, the wine is dry, with high warming alcohol, medium soft acidity, a medium plus body, ample young tannins, moderate fruit concentration on the medium minus finish. Good quality; pleasant aromatics of black ripe berries and spices; on the palate, the wine is quite powerful and muscular, but young, it takes time for the tannins to round out.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 30/10/2022

Kakheti, Georgia, 13% vol., 1 200

Grape variety: Rkatsiteli

Interesting Rkatsiteli orange 2020 by Askaneli Brothers. The wine is medium orange in colour. Intense and harmonious aromatics of dried fruits (white raisin, dried apricot, dried apple and mango) and a bit of honey. On the palate, the wine is dry, balanced, soft, with well-integrated medium plus juicy acidity and moderate alcohol, mouth-coating texture and a medium finish. Autumn version.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 22/10/2022

Kuban PGI, Krasnodar region, Russia, 12% vol., 460

Grape variety: Grüner Veltliner

The wine is light lemon in colour. Clean nose of moderate intensity; fromas of green apple, lime, green gooseberry, green salad leaf and linden blossom. On the palate, the wine is dry, with moderate very well integrated alcohol, high juicy acidity, a light body, moderate fruit concentration on the medium finish with hints of citrus fruits. Good quality; very fresh, pleasant, typical and fine aromatics dominated by green and citrus fruits; on the palate the wine is very juicy, light, well balanced and refreshing. Ready for drinking with potential for further development in the bottle (1-2 years). But it is better to drink now while bright and fresh.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 22/10/2022

South Australia, Australia, 14% vol., 2 140

Grape variety: Shiraz

The wine is medium ruby in colour. The first nose was with a clear reduction (the smell of burnt rubber). Aeration was needed. After 30 minutes in the decanter, the reduction was gone and notes of black berries, dark chocolate and spices opened up in the wine. On the palate, there are soft medium tannins, very well-balanced alcohol (14% vol.), a medium body, moderate fruit concentration on the medium finish. A lighter version of Shiraz from South Australia.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 22/10/2022

Kuban. Taman peninsula PGI, Krasnodar region, Russia, 13% vol., 850

Grape variety: Merlot; Cabernet Sauvignon

The wine is medium ruby in colour. Clean nose of moderate intensity; aromas of black cherry, berry and blackcurrant leaf, as well as light spices and dried rose petals. On the palate, the wine is dry, with moderate well-integrated alcohol, medium plus juicy acidity, a medium minus body, medium tannins, moderate fruit concentration on the with a note of black cherry. Good quality; pleasant aromatics with varietal characteristics; on the palate, the wine is quite light, but balanced, juicy and easy drinking. Drink now.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 12/10/2022

Kuban. Taman peninsula PGI, Krasnodar region, Russia, 13% vol., 399

Grape variety: Aligote; Chardonnay; Sauvignon Blanc

The wine is medium gold in colour. Clean nose of moderate plus intensity; aromas of white melon, peach and yellow pear. On the palate, the wine is dry, with moderate integrated alcohol, medium plus fresh acidity, a medium minus body, moderate fruit concentration on the medium finish with hints of stone fruits. Fairly made wine of good quality; pleasant aromatics of ripe fruits; on the palate, the wine is balanced, juicy and with good fruitiness. Drink now.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 12/10/2022