Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, the USA, 14.1% vol., 11 490₽

Grape variety: Chardonnay

The wine is pale gold in colour. A ripe, many-sided and quite an intense aroma of pineapple, mango, honey, acacia, toast, vanilla and fresh pine nut. Complex and greatly balanced on the palate with refreshing acidity, well integrated alcohol and a full body; flavours of tropical fruits, lime and vanilla in a long finish. Ready for drinking with a potential for ageing. Tasted blind.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 25/04/2019

Champagne AOC, Champagne, France, 12% vol., 9 790₽

Grape variety: Pinot Noir 70%; Chardonnay 30%

The wine is pale lemon in colour. Delicate thin perlage of small bubbles. A complex and gentle nose; aromas of green apple, camomile, minerality, notes of ageing on lees (toast, brioche). Delicately balanced crisp refreshing acidity, dosage and moderate alcohol; light-bodied and harmonious on the palate; flavours of white currant, ripe white gooseberry, apple and butter in a very long finish. Ready for drinking with a potential for ageing. Tasted blind.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 25/04/2019

Douro, Portugal, 19.5% vol., 4 890₽

Grape variety: Touriga Nacional; Touriga Franca; Tinta Roriz; Tinto Cão; Sousão.

The wine is pale tawny in colour. A nose of a moderate intensity; aromas of raisin, prune, kirsch, chocolate and coffee. Very good fruit intensity on the palate, moderate acidity and harmonious sweetness; flavours of almond, dried apricot, raisin in quite a long finish. Ready for drinking. 103 g/l of residual sugar. Tasted blind.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 25/04/2019

Jerez DO, Andalucia, Spain, 20.5% vol., 6 619₽

Grape variety: Palomino 75%; Pedro Ximenez 25%

The wine is medium brown in colour. An intense nose; aromas of iodine, coffee, caramel, raisin, a touch of dried herbs and nuts. There is a good level of acidity balancing sweetness; flavours of toffee, raisin, prune and caramel in a medium finish. Ready for drinking. 130 g/l of residual sugar. Tasted blind.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 25/04/2019

Champagne AOC, Champagne, France, 12% vol., 10 790₽

Grape variety: Chardonnay

The wine is pale lemon in colour. Beautiful thin perlage of small bubbles. An elegant restrained nose; aromas of green apple, pear, gooseberry, distinct notes of ageing on lees (brioche, dough, custard, yoghurt). Greatly balanced crisp acidity, notes of sweetness from dosage and moderate alcohol; very good fruit concentration; flavours of white currant, pear, cream and lemon in a long lasting harmonious finish. Ready for drinking with a potential for ageing. Tasted blind.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 25/04/2019

Madeira DOP, Madeira, Portugal, 19% vol., 5 588₽

Grape variety: Verdelho

The wine is pale brown in colour. A nose of moderate intensity; aromas of dried lemon peel, iodine, raisin, caramel and nuts. High juicy acidity balancing elegant sweetness; flavours of caramel, dried orange peel, white chocolate and dried apricot in a long finish. Ready for drinking. 69 g/l of residual sugar. Tasted blind.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 25/04/2019

Douro DOC, Douro, Portugal, 13.5% vol., 2 890₽

Grape variety: Touriga Nacional 68%; Touriga Franca 32%

The wine is deep ruby in colour. A fruit-driven nose; aromas of black cherry, cassis, blackberry, prune and cinnamon. There is brisk acidity, well integrated alcohol, ripe grippy tannins and a medium body; flavours of black cherry, black plum and pepper in quite a long finish. Ready for drinking. Tasted blind.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 25/04/2019

Bairrada DOC, Beira Atlântico, Portugal, 12% vol., 2 480₽

Grape variety: Baga

The wine is pale ruby in colour. An aromatic and peppery nose; aromas of red cherry, cranberry, pepper, dried rose petals, cloves, cinnamon and eucalyptus. Very well balanced fruit, bright acidity and moderate alcohol; light-bodied with light ripe tannins; flavours of red cherry, cranberry and pepper in a medium finish. Ready for drinking. Tasted blind.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 25/04/2019

Meursault AOC, Burgundy, France, 13% vol., 7 283₽

Grape variety: Chardonnay

The wine is pale gold in colour. An oak dominant nose; aromas of peach, yellow apple, toast, freshly cut tree, a touch of honey and straw. There is well balanced juicy acidity and moderate alcohol, a medium body; lacking in fruit concentration; flavours of toast, fried hazelnut and lime in a medium finish. Ready for drinking with a potential for ageing. Tasted blind.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 25/04/2019

Stellenbosch, South Africa, 14% vol., 1 817₽

Grape variety: Chardonnay

The wine is pale lemon in colour. A ripe and quite an intense nose; aromas of peach, pear, honeysuckle flower, toast, aloe and almond. There is moderate soft acidity and standing out warming alcohol on the palate, a medium body; lacking in fruit intensity; flavours of yellow apple, pomelo and toast in a medium finish. Ready for drinking. Tasted blind.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 25/04/2019

Alentejano VR, Alentejano, Portugal, 14.5% vol., 2 758₽

Grape variety: Grand Noir 50%; Trincadeira 32%; Aragonês 18%

The wine is deep ruby in colour. A restrained nose; aromas of black cherry, blackberry, pepper and cloves. There is brisk acidity, warming alcohol, dry plentiful tannins; lacking in fruit concentration; flavours of unripe plum and red cherry in a medium finish. Ready for drinking. Tasted blind.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 25/04/2019

Rioja DOC, Rioja, Spain, 13% vol., 2 351₽

Grape variety: Viura

The wine is pale gold in colour. A ripe, slightly oxidised and quite aromatic in intensity nose; aromas of quince, pear, caramel and notes of oak ageing (toast and fried nuts). There is moderate acidity and alcohol (a bit warming) on the palate, a medium body; flavours of quince, toast, orange peel; a good balance and complexity in a long finish. Ready for drinking with a potential for ageing. Tasted blind.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 23/04/2019

Pessac-Léognan AOC, Bordeaux, France, 13% vol., 6 870₽

Grape variety: Sauvignon Blanc 75%; Sémillon 25%

The wine is pale lemon in colour with green hues. A bright and quite an aromatic nose; aromas of stone fruits, yellow apple, pear, asparagus and a hint of pine. Brisk acidity, moderate well integrated alcohol, a medium body; flavours of grapefruit, green apple, pear; well balanced, fruity with quite a long finish. Ready for drinking with some potential for ageing. Tasted blind.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 23/04/2019

California, the USA, 13.5% vol., 1 963₽

Grape variety: Chardonnay

The wine is pale gold in colour. A ripe nose of moderate intensity; aromas of yellow apple, peach, mango, vanilla and quince. Brisk acidity, warming alcohol, a medium body; flavours of yellow apple, mango and pomelo, long on the moderately intense finish. Ready for drinking. Tasted blind.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 23/04/2019

Tokaj, Hungary, 13.5% vol., 2 490₽

Grape variety: Furmint

The wine is pale lemon in colour. An appealing and mineral nose of moderate intensity; aromas of green apple, apricot, white flowers and chalk. Bright acidity, well integrated moderate alcohol, a good level of fruit concentration, a medium body on the palate; flavours of lemon and green apple in quite a long finish. Intended for early consumption. Tasted blind.    

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 23/04/2019

Cafayate, Salta, Argentina, 13.5% vol., 1 311₽

Grape variety: Torrontés

The wine is pale lemon in colour. A fresh and intensely aromatic nose; aromas of honey, orange blossom, mint and straw. There is bright acidity on the palate, warm alcohol, a medium body; flavours of green and citrus fruits in a medium finish. Intended for early consumption. Tasted blind.    

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 23/04/2019

Rias Baixas DO, Galicia, Spain, 12.5% vol., 1 971₽

Grape variety: Albariño

The wine is pale straw in colour. Fresh and ripe nose of moderate intensity; aromas of yellow apple, apricot, melon and camomile. There is bright juicy acidity on the palate, moderate alcohol, a medium body; flavours of yellow apple, lemon and green gooseberry; well balanced with a long harmonious aftertaste. Ready for drinking. Tasted blind.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 23/04/2019

Wachau, Lower Austria, Austria, 13.5% vol., 2 596₽

Grape variety: Grüner Veltliner

The wine is lemon in colour. A fresh and slightly peppery nose of moderate intensity; aromas of green apple, white ground pepper and a touch of green bell pepper. There is bright acidity, warm alcohol, a medium body; flavours of green apple and lime in quite a long peppery finish. Intended for early consumption. Tasted blind.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 23/04/2019

Darling, South Africa, 13.5% vol., 1 690₽

Grape variety: Chenin Blanc

The wine is pale lemon in colour. A light and mineral nose of moderate intensity; aromas of lemon, river rock, field flowers, straw and a hint of tropical fruits. Juicy acidity, moderate well integrated alcohol, a medium body on the palate; flavours of green apple, white currant and lemon peel in a medium finish. Ready for drinking. Tasted blind.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 23/04/2019

California, the USA, 13.5% vol., 1 707₽

Grape variety: Chardonnay

The wine is pale gold in colour. A buttery nose of moderate intensity; aromas of stone fruits (white peach, apricot), jasmine and toast. There is soft acidity, a touch of sweetness, warming alcohol; flavours of apricot, jasmine and butter in a medium finish; lacking in freshness and juiciness. Ready for drinking. Residual sugar - 13,4 g/l. Tasted blind.

Country of purchase: Russia

Tasted on 23/04/2019