The wine of the month
Every month, NJ Wines presents the wine of the month. NJ Wines tastes hundreds of wines every month and among them, the wine of the month is chosen. The criteria that a wine will qualify as the wine of the month is that it has got at least 3,5 NJP in rating and that it stands out both by its quality and its aroma/flavour complexity. The wine shall also be available on the wine market.
June 2026: La Rioja Alta, Viña Ardanza, Reserva, 2019 (29 EUR/34 USD in Sweden) red dry blend wine, Rioja, Spain, 5,0 of 5,0 NJP (100 of 100 points) (14-06-2026 by Dr Nenad Jelisic)
This is the best Rioja-wine of the year 2026 so far. La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza Reserva 2019 is a big, complex, powerful, balanced, concentrated, flavourful, sweet spicy, fruity, dry and tannin-rich wine. In the aroma clearly stands out vanilla, jam of black sweet cherry, crème de cassis, milk chocolate, sweet tobacco, coffee and cloves. ... Read more
News and other things about wine
DID YOU KNOW THAT, PART 7 OF 100 (By Dr Nenad Jelisic)
Here, NJ Wines will present brief wine news and wine facts every month.
Roussanne, a white wine grape. Weathered granite and weathered gneiss are ideal growing conditions for the grape. Roussanne, which is grown properly and at the right place (for example Saint Joseph appellation in the Northern Rhône in France), gives dry, fresh to very fresh, full-bodied, fruity, aromatic (apricot, peach, ripe yellow pear and hawthorn) and flowery (honeysuckle, herbal tea, wildflowers, chamomile and narcissus) wines. Wines that have a long aging potential, over time, begin to smell and taste honey, beeswax, marzipan and roasted nuts. (01-06-2026)
Saint Émilion Classification, including the latest classification in 2022, seven classifications have been carried out. The first classification took place in 1955 and then in 1969, 1986, 1996, 2006 and 2012. Nowadays, the classification takes place every ten years. (01-06-2026)
Saint Émilion 2022 Classification and wineries that declined to participate or withdrew their applications, Bellevue Mondotte, Château Angélus, Château Ausone, Château Cheval Blanc, Château Gracia, Château La Mondotte, Château Le Tertre-Rôtebouef, Château Magrez-Fombrauge and Château Pavie-Decesse. Note that the aforementioned wineries are among the best in the Saint Émilion appellation. The wineries stated that the reason they declined to participate in the 2022 Classification or withdrew their applications from it is that the updated criteria placed too much emphasis on marketing, tourism and social media rather than solely on terroir and wine quality. (01-06-2026)
Saint Émilion Quality Classes according to the 2022 Classification, Saint Émilion has three quality classes: 1. Premier Grand Cru Classé A (the highest class), 2. Premier Grand Cru Classé and 3. Grand Cru Classé. (01-06-2026)
Saint Émilion 2022 Classification, the seventh classification since the first classification in 1955. This classification lists 85 wine castles (châteaux): 2 Premiers Grands Crus Classés A, 12 Premiers Grands Crus Classés and 71 Grands Crus Classés. (01-06-2026)
Saint Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé A according to the 2022 Classification, two wine castles (châteaux) belong to this quality class: Château Figeac and Château Pavie. (01-06-2026)
Saint Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé according to the 2022 Classification, twelve wine castles (châteaux) belong to this quality class: Château Beau-Séjour Bécot, Château Beausejour Heritiers Duffau-Lagarrosse, Château Bélair-Monange, Château Canon, Château Canon-la-Gaffelière, Château Larcis Ducasse, Château Pavie-Macquin, Château Troplong Mondot, Château Trotte Vieille, Château Valandraud, Clos Fourtet and La Mondotte. (01-06-2026)
Saint Émilion Grands Crus Classé according to the 2022 Classification, seventy-one wine castles (châteaux) belong to this quality class: Château Badette, Château Balestard La Tonnelle, Château Barde-Haut, Château Bellefont Belcier, Château Bellevue, Château Berliquet, Château Boutisse, Château Cadet-Bon, Château Cap de Mourlin, Château Chauvin, Château Clos de Sarpe, Château Corbin, Château Corbin Michotte, Château Côte de Baleau, Château Croix de Labrie, Château Dassault, Château de Ferrand, Château de Pressac, Château Destieux, Château Faugeres, Château Fleur Cardinale, Château Fombrauge, Château Fonplegade, Château Fonroque, Château Franc Mayne, Château Grand Corbin, Château Grand Corbin-Despagne, Château Grand-Mayne, Château Guadet, Château Haut Sarpe, Château Jean Faure, Château La Commanderie, Château La Confession, Château La Couspaude, Château La Croizille, Château La Dominique, Château La Fleur Morange, Château La Marzelle, Château La Serre, Château La Tour Figeac, Château Laniote, Château Larmande, Château Laroque, Château Laroze, Château Le Chatelet, Château Le Prieuré, Château Mangot, Château Monbousquet, Château Montlabert, Château Montlisse, Château Moulin du Cadet, Château Peby Faugeres, Château Petit Faurie de Soutard, Château Ripeau, Château Rochebelle, Château Rol Valentin, Château Saint Georges (Côte Pavie), Château Sansonnet, Château Soutard, Château Tour Baladoz, Château Tour Saint Christophe, Château Villemaurine, Château Yon-Figeac, Clos Badon Thunevin, Clos de l'Oratoire, Clos des Jacobins, Clos Dubreuil, Clos Saint-Julien, Clos Saint-Martin, Couvent des Jacobins and Lassegue. (01-06-2026)
NEW WINES IN REGULAR ASSORTMENT MARCH 2026 (10-03-2026 by Dr Nenad Jelisic)
NJ Wines has tasted all Systembolaget's new wines in regular assortment March 2026. The wines got the following points (Note that the wines are arranged in alphabetical order, that the wines that have got more than 3,0 NJP, if any, are presented or will be presented under "Make sure to try these wines, wines that have got at least 3,5 NJP of possible 5,0 NJP", that NV = non-vintage wine, that Systembolaget = a government owned chain of all liquor stores in Sweden and that NJ Wines does not taste wines from Boxes, Paper-packaging and PET-bottles because NJ Wines believes that these types of packaging destroy the wonderful wine culture. The Boxes also make people drink much more than they should.):
1. Adega de Monção, Alvarinho, 2024 (9 EUR/11 USD in Sweden) white dry wine, Portugal, 1,5 NJP, 2. Almodí, Especial, Garnatxa Peluda, 2023 (12 EUR/14 USD in Sweden) red dry wine, Spain, 1,0 NJP, 3. Brown & Co, Chardonnay, 2024 (12 EUR/14 USD in Sweden) white dry wine, Australia, 1,0 NJP, 4. Casa de Cambres, Reserva, Red, 2021 (12 EUR/14 USD in Sweden) red dry blend wine, Portugal, 0,5 NJP, 5. Castello di Ama, San Lorenzo, Gran Selezione, 2022 (28 EUR/32 USD in Sweden) red dry blend wine, Italy, 4,0 NJP, 6. Christina, Carnuntum, Organic, 2024 (11 EUR/13 USD in Sweden) red dry blend wine, Austria, 1,5 NJP, 7. Domaine Helena, Mount St Helena Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2023 (23 EUR/27 USD in Sweden) red dry wine, USA, 2,0 NJP, 8. Emily, Blanc de Blancs, NV (8 EUR/9 USD in Sweden) white semi-dry blend sparkling wine, Spain, 0,0 NJP, 9. Fonseca, Crusted Port, NV (23 EUR/27 USD in Sweden) port wine, Portugal, 2,0 NJP, 10. Grower's Club, Malbec, 2025 (7 EUR/9 USD in Sweden) red dry wine, South Africa, 0,0 NJP.
NEW WINES IN REGULAR ASSORTMENT DECEMBER 2025 (11-01-2026 by Dr Nenad Jelisic)
NJ Wines has tasted all Systembolaget's new wines in regular assortment December 2025. The wines got the following points (Note that the wines are arranged in alphabetical order, that the wines that have got more than 3,0 NJP, if any, are presented or will be presented under "Make sure to try these wines, wines that have got at least 3,5 NJP of possible 5,0 NJP", that NV = non-vintage wine, that Systembolaget = a government owned chain of all liquor stores in Sweden and that NJ Wines does not taste wines from Boxes, Paper-packaging and PET-bottles because NJ Wines believes that these types of packaging destroy the wonderful wine culture. The Boxes also make people drink much more than they should.):
1. Adega de Monção, Alvarinho, 2024 (9 EUR/11 USD in Sweden) white dry wine, Portugal, 1,5 NJP, 2. Almodí, Especial, Garnatxa Peluda, 2023 (12 EUR/14 USD in Sweden) red dry wine, Spain, 1,0 NJP, 3. Brown & Co, Chardonnay, 2024 (12 EUR/14 USD in Sweden) white dry wine, Australia, 1,0 NJP, 4. Casa de Cambres, Reserva, Red, 2021 (12 EUR/14 USD in Sweden) red dry blend wine, Portugal, 0,5 NJP, 5. Castello di Ama, San Lorenzo, Gran Selezione, 2022 (28 EUR/32 USD in Sweden) red dry blend wine, Italy, 4,0 NJP, 6. Christina, Carnuntum, Organic, 2024 (11 EUR/13 USD in Sweden) red dry blend wine, Austria, 1,5 NJP, 7. Domaine Helena, Mount St Helena Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2023 (23 EUR/27 USD in Sweden) red dry wine, USA, 2,0 NJP, 8. Emily, Blanc de Blancs, NV (8 EUR/9 USD in Sweden) white semi-dry blend sparkling wine, Spain, 0,0 NJP, 9. Fonseca, Crusted Port, NV (23 EUR/27 USD in Sweden) port wine, Portugal, 2,0 NJP, 10. Grower's Club, Malbec, 2025 (7 EUR/9 USD in Sweden) red dry wine, South Africa, 0,0 NJP.
Make sure to try these wines, wines that have got at least 3,5 NJP of possible 5,0 NJP
Enjingi, Venje, Bijelo, 2015 (about 18 EUR/22 USD; selling price on the internet excluding delivery costs) white dry blend wine, Kutjevo, Slavonia, Croatia, 5,0 of 5,0 NJP (05-05-2026 by Dr Nenad Jelisic)
That a white wine can be so complex and concentrated, and have such a good tannin structure is absolutely incredible. Unlike the 2006 vintage, this fabulous vintage, and the same applies to the 2008 vintage, is considerably more tannin rich, but still very complex, concentrated, aroma rich and flavour rich. Anyone who knows ... Read more
Bodega La Ermita, Ribera del Duero, 2019 (25 EUR/29 USD, when ordering 6 bottles, in Sweden) red dry wine, Castile and León, Spain, 5,0 of 5,0 NJP (24-03-2026 by Dr Nenad Jelisic)
Bodega La Ermita Ribera del Duero 2019 is a fruity, nuanced, complex, tannin rich, tartaric acid rich and spicy wine. It has a wonderful, nuanced, fruity and sweetish aroma of ripe dark cherries (morello cherries), ripe prunes, sweet spices, charcuterie, cocoa, cedar, leather and sweet tobacco. It has a wonderful, nuanced and fruity ... Read more
Steyer, Gewurztraminer, 2024 (approx. 14 EUR/16 USD; selling price on the internet excluding delivery costs) white semi-dry wine, Štajerska, Slovenia, 5,0 NJP of 5,0 NJP (28-02-2026 by Dr Nenad Jelisic)
With this wine, one of the world's best winemakers of Gewurztraminer-wines (if not the best) confirms that he (Danilo Steyer) is, after that had been in the Twilight Zone for a long time and had produced mediocre Alsace-like sweet and uninspiring Gewurztraminer-wines, definitely on the way back. Back to absolutely brilliant dry ... Read more
Everything you need to know about Château Cheval Blanc (14-06-2026 by Dr Nenad Jelisic)
The text excerpts from NJ Wines' extensive wine dictionary are presented here. The text excerpts will be changed one to four times a month. You can read about exciting wines, appellations, wine districts, wine regions, etc. by clicking above on the "Wine glossary and wine facts".
Château Cheval Blanc, a French wine castle (château in French) that is located in the appellation Saint Émilion and which according to the 2012 Classification (Saint Émilion Classification) was classified, along with Château Angélus, Château Ausone and Château Pavie, as Premier Grand Cru Classe A. In 2022, Cheval Blanc, Château Angélus and Château Ausone left the Saint Émilion Classification. The château has 37 hectares planted with vines.
Château Cheval Blanc, a French wine that comes from Château Cheval Blanc. As a rule the wine is composed of about 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Merlot. Average age of the vines is 40 years (in 2008) and the yield is 35-40 hl/ha. After that the grapes have been carefully sorted in the field and in the cellar, they are very gently destemmed and crushed. The crushed mass, which consists of juice, pulp, skins and seeds, is pumped to both the vats of concrete and the vats of stainless steel where fermentation begins. The fermentation takes place under controlled temperature of 30 to 32 degrees Celsius and lasts for a period from 15 to 25 days. In order to intensify leaching, the fermenting wine is pumped from the bottom of the vat over the skin mass four times per day. After the fermentation, the fermented wine is macerated 20 to 22 days and then moved to 100% new French oak barriques where it undergoes malolactic fermentation. Once the malolactic fermentation, which usually takes a few weeks, is finished, the wine is left to remain until February following the harvest. In February, it is, by help of extensive tastings that have occurred during the manufacturing process, determined what wines (Cabernet Franc and Merlot) and what specific parts of the vineyard (the age of the vines and the geographic location of the vines) will be mixed with each other. During the aging, which usually takes about 18 months, the wine is moved from one barrel to another every third month and clarified by using 3 pieces of egg whites one time. After the aging, the wines are bottled. The wine does not undergo filtration. On average, 70,000 bottles (+40,000 bottles of Le Petit Cheval, château’s second wine) are produced. Château Cheval Blanc has a great aging potential from 10 to almost 40 years.
Château Cheval Blanc (red dry blend wine), Saint Émilion, Libournais, Bordeaux, France, the best vintages, 1921, 1948, 1949, 1953, 1964, 1982, 1990, 1998, 2000, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Château Cheval Blanc grapes, 58% Cabernet Franc and 42% Merlot.
Château Cheval Blanc soils, gravelly sandy soil on top of sandy clay.
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