The wine of the month
During the first seven days of each 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 3,0 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.
July 2020: Alburejo, Oloroso, NV (8 EUR/9 USD in Sweden; 375 ml) white dry sherry, Jerez, Spain, 4,0 NJP of 5,0 NJP (90 points of 100 points) (05-07-2020 by Nenad Jelisic)
Finally, a Sherry Oloroso-wine that impresses. The last time I tasted such a good Sherry Oloroso-wine was several years ago. In the aroma one will find raisins, cinnamon, walnuts, dried figs and burnt sugar. The flavour is fresh and a little salty. In it one will find roasted sugar, walnuts, citrus fruits, dried figs, green apples, cinnamon and raisins. Alburejo Oloroso NV is made of 100% Palomino Fino (green grape), which according to Spanish law must come from the triangle shaped area between Jerez, Sanlúcar de Barrameda and El Puerto de Santa María in Spain. The grapes for this Sherry Oloroso-wine are grown on three types of soil: the first type, which is almost white and called albariza, consists of 50% of lime and the rest of clay, limestone and sand, the second type, which is dark brown and called barros, consists to 10% of lime and the rest is dominated by clay and the third type, which is yellowish and called arenas, consists to 10% of lime and the rest is dominated by sand. The wine's production process is as follows: the grapes are harvested in the beginning September, after the harvest, the grapes are quickly delivered to the winery, so that oxidation does not destroy the grapes, where they are destemmed and gently pressed, the pressed grape must, from the first pressing, is fermented in stainless steel tanks until the fermentation process is complete, the finished fermented dry wine with an alcohol strength of 11-12% is fortified with strong grape spirit to around 18% and then it undergoes at least 10 years long solera-process. Solera-process means that 4 to 7 layers of 600 litres oak barrels lie on each other. The oak barrels at the bottom contain the oldest wines and it is from those that the wine is bottled. After the wine has been taken out of the bottom oak barrels, the same amount (maximum 33% per year) is filled from the oak barrels that are closest to the above and so on. The higher alcohol content of the wine prevents layer of flor (a skin of yeast) from forming. Note here that wines which are aged in oak barrels that form layer of flor do not come into contact with oxygen and therefore become drier than wines that have not formed layer of flor, and come into contact with oxygen. Alburejo Oloroso NV little salty and very long and fresh aftertaste makes it fit really well as an aperitif. I guarantee that soon after you have drunk it you will be craving for food. Cool it down to 8°C and then enjoy it while complexity grows in your glass over time. Drink it, if possible, from Orrefors Elixir Connaisseur or Riedel Sommeliers Sherry or Spiegelau Willsberger Anniversary. When food is in question, I recommend cold cuts or breaded cod or breaded oysters or breaded shrimps or breaded plaice or all kinds of tapas or creamy lobster soup. The wine will not develop further, but thanks to its complexity and acidity, it will be good to drink for many years to come.
News
Here presents news and results from various wine tastings, which NJ Wines has attended, and other news.
New wines in temporary assortment that were tasted during June 2020 (22-06-2020 by Robert Jonasson and Nenad Jelisic)
The tasted Systembolaget's new wines in temporary assortment, which were tasted during June 2020, got the following points (Note that the wines are arranged in alphabetical order; NV = non-vintage wine; Systembolaget = a government owned chain of all liquor stores in Sweden): 1. Amber, 2018 (24 EUR/27 USD) white dry blend wine, Australia, 2,5 NJP, 2. Beaujolais Blanc, Terre de Loyse, Laurent Perrachon, 2018 (12 EUR/13 USD) white dry wine, France, 1,5 NJP, 3. Château Peymartin, 2016 (28 EUR/31 USD) red dry blend wine, France, 2,0 NJP, 4. Crozes-Hermitage, Blanc, E. Guigal, 2017 (21 EUR/23 USD) white dry blend wine, France, 2,0 NJP, 5. Escherndorfer Fürstenberg, Silvaner, Trocken, Erste Lage, 2018 (19 EUR/21 USD) white dry wine, Germany, 1,5 NJP, 6. Heartland, Director's Cut, Shiraz, 2017 (19 EUR/21 USD) red dry wine, Australia, 0,5 NJP, 7. Kevin John, Chardonnay, 2017 (63 EUR/69 USD) white dry wine, Australia, 3,0 NJP, 8. Les Pierres Girard, 2017 (17 EUR/19 USD) white dry wine, France, 2,5 NJP, 9. Lioco, Chardonnay, Sonoma County, 2018 (19 EUR/21 USD) white dry wine, USA, 2,0 NJP, 10. Mangan Vineyards, Sauvignon Blanc Semillon, 2018 (23 EUR/26 USD) white dry blend wine, Australia, 2,5 NJP.
New wines in regular assortment March 2020 (13-04-2020 by Nenad Jelisic and Robert Jonasson)
NJ Wines has tasted all Systembolaget's new wines in regular assortment March 2020. The wines got the following points (Note that the wines are arranged in alphabetical order and that the wines that have got more than 2,5 NJP, if any, are presented under "Make sure to try these wines, wines that have got at least 3,0 NJP of possible 5,0 NJP"; NV = non-vintage wine; Systembolaget = a government owned chain of all liquor stores in Sweden): 1. Argyle, Pinot Noir, 2017 (17 EUR/19 USD in Sweden) red dry wine, USA, 0,0 NJP, 2. Château Tour Sieujean, 2015 (27 EUR/30 USD in Sweden) red dry blend wine, France, 2,5 NJP, 3. Chinon, Fabien Demois, 2018 (11 EUR/12 USD in Sweden) red dry wine, France, 0,0 NJP, 4. Colinas, Reserva, 2011 (18 EUR/20 USD in Sweden) red dry blend wine, Portugal, 0,0 NJP, 5. Cucha Cucha, Cinsault, 2019 (9 EUR/10 USD in Sweden) red dry wine, Chile, 0,0 NJP, 6. Daytripper, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2018 (9 EUR/10 USD in Sweden) red dry blend wine, USA, 0,0 NJP, 7. Domaene Gobelsburg, Langenlois, Grüner Veltliner, 2018 (11 EUR/12 USD in Sweden) white dry wine, Austria, 2,5 NJP, 8. Espelt, Sol, Organic, 2018 (9 EUR/10 USD in Sweden) red dry blend wine, Spain, 0,0 NJP, 9. Fernley, Sauvignon Blanc, 2018 (8 EUR/9 USD in Sweden) white dry wine, USA, 1,5 NJP, 10. Gardo & Morris, Reserve, Syrah, 2018 (15 EUR/16 USD in Sweden) red dry wine, New Zealand, 0,0 NJP.
New wines in temporary assortment that were tasted during February 2020 (04-03-2020 by Nenad Jelisic and Robert Jonasson)
The tasted Systembolaget's new wines in temporary assortment, which were tasted during February 2020, got the following points (Note that the wines are arranged in alphabetical order; NV = non-vintage wine; Systembolaget = a government owned chain of all liquor stores in Sweden): 1. Alfa Crux, Corte Uco, 2010 (30 EUR/34 USD in Sweden) red dry blend wine, Argentina, 2,5 NJP, 2. Birichino, Grenache, Besson Vineyard, 2017 (23 EUR/25 USD in Sweden) red dry wine, USA, 0,0 NJP, 3. Crozes-Hermitage, Yann Chave, 2017 (19 EUR/21 USD in Sweden) red dry wine, France, 2,5 NJP, 4. Cune, Imperial, Reserva, 2016 (27 EUR/30 USD in Sweden) red dry blend wine, Spain, 1,0 NJP, 5. Dehesa La Granja, Dehesa 14, 2004 (28 EUR/31 USD in Sweden) red dry wine, Spain, 0,5 NJP, 6. Freakshow, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2015 (18 EUR/20 USD in Sweden) red dry blend wine, USA, 1,0 NJP, 7. Montebruna, Barbera d'Asti, Braida, 2017 (19 EUR/21 USD in Sweden) red dry wine, Italy, 1,0 NJP, 8. Newton Johnson, Walker Bay, Pinot Noir, 2017 (19 EUR/21 USD in Sweden) red dry wine, South Africa, 2,0 NJP, 9. Origen, Gran Reserva, Cabernet Franc, 2018 (14 EUR/15 USD in Sweden) red dry wine, Chile, 2,5 NJP, 10. Protos 27, 2016 (21 EUR/23 USD in Sweden) red dry blend wine, Spain, 3,0 NJP.
The Systembolaget's New Vintages and New Wines (03-11-2019 by Nenad Jelisic and Robert Jonasson; next update 03-11-2020)
The Systembolaget's new vintages and new wines in regular assortment, small assortment and order assortment are presented here. Note that: the wines are arranged in alphabetical order, if some bottle is smaller or larger than 750 ml it appears behind the price of the wine otherwise it does not appear and the best wines, which got more than 2,5 NJP, are presented under the 167 best. The new vintages and the new wines got the following points: 1. A, Amarone, 2015 (19 EUR/21 USD in Sweden) red dry blend wine, Italy, 1,5 NJP, 2. A, Amarone, 2016 (19 EUR/21 USD in Sweden) red dry blend wine, Italy, 1,0 NJP, 3. AA Orbus, 100% Syrah, 2013 (33 EUR/37 USD in Sweden) red dry wine, Spain, 3,0 NJP, 4. Abbotts & Delaunay, Carignan, Vieilles Vignes, 2017 (8 EUR/9 USD in Sweden) red dry wine, France, 2,0 NJP, 5. Adobe, Reserva, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2017 (7 EUR/8 USD in Sweden) red dry wine, Chile, 0,5 NJP, 6. Adobe, Reserva, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2018 (7 EUR/8 USD in Sweden) red dry wine, Chile, 0,5 NJP, 7. Adobe, Reserva, Malbec, 2018 (7 EUR/8 USD in Sweden) red dry wine, Chile, 0,0 NJP, 8. Adobe, Reserva, Rosé, 2017 (7 EUR/8 USD in Sweden) rosé dry blend wine, Chile, 2,0 NJP, 9. Adobe, Reserva, Rosé, 2018 (7 EUR/8 USD in Sweden) rosé dry blend wine, Chile, 1,5 NJP, 10. Aglianico, Riserva, La Fortezza Società Agricola, 2011 (16 EUR/17 USD in Sweden) red dry wine, Italy, 2,0 NJP.
See 2,209 tasted and rated new vintages and new wines and 167 best
Make sure to try these wines, wines that have got at least 3,0 NJP of possible 5,0 NJP
Here we present wines that have got at least 3,0 NJP of 5,0 possible and that are available at Systembolaget (a government owned chain of all liquor stores in Sweden that has a strict monopoly status on alcohol sales to consumers in Sweden, except for restaurants and bars). Note that NJP apply only to the below described vintages.
Il Seggio, Poggio al Tesoro, 2017 (19 EUR/21 USD in Sweden) red dry blend wine, Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy, 3,5 NJP of 5,0 NJP (85 points of 100 points) (07-06-2020 by Nenad Jelisic)
The last time I tasted such a good red wine in this price range from Italy as this was in December 2019 when I tasted Il Seggio Poggio al Tesoro 2016. This vintage is much closer to 4,0 NJP than the vintage 2016 thanks to a better tannin structure and a better balance. Unfortunately, nowadays, to be able to enjoy of a good so-called Super Tuscan-red wine from Italy like this one, one has to pay minimum 800 SEK. I take my hat off to both the Systembolaget and the wine importer (Iconic Wines). The wine is austere and nuanced, and it has a really good balance between its fruitiness, tannins, sweetness and acidity. The aroma is big, complex, sweetish, fruity and nuanced. It is filled with sweet spices (cardamom, cinnamon and vanilla), Crème de Cassis, freshly brewed dark roasted coffee, dried fruits and tobacco. The flavour is big, complex, moderate sweet and moderate fruity. It is filled with dark cherries, freshly brewed dark roasted coffee, cocoa-rich dark chocolate, tobacco, sweet spices and Crème de Cassis. Il Seggio Poggio al Tesoro 2017 consists of 40% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Petit Verdot. This is a so-called Bordeaux blend. The wine, as this one, with such aroma and flavour richness will fit really well with Pasta Carbonara, made from fresh pasta, or with Lasagne, made from fresh lasagne plates, or with Pizza Capricciosa or with freshly baked baguettes stuffed with butter and garlic with air-dried ham (Jamon Iberico, Jamon Serrano, Prosciutto Crudo or Prosciutto di Parma) or with Camembert cheese or with (Swedish) meatballs with cream sauce and buttery mashed potatoes, without any berry jam. It should be served at 18 to 19°C in Bordeaux glass, if possible, from Orrefors, Kosta Boda, Spiegelau or Riedel. Another option is to serve it at 16°C (when room temperature is above 20°C or outdoor temperature is above 23°C) and then enjoy it as it begins to open/grow in the glass. Il Seggio Poggio al Tesoro 2017 has a really good aging potential, at least 8 years i.e. until at least 2028. The grapes for the wine are harvested by hand. After very careful selection in both vineyards and wineries, careful destemming and pressing, the wine is fermented/macerated in stainless steel tanks at a temperature between 28 and 30°C for twelve days. After the fermentation and the maceration, the wine is aged in 70% second time filled 225 litres French oak barrels (barriques) and 30% new 225 litres French oak barrels for 70 months and finally in a bottle for a few weeks. The soil on which the grapes for this wine grow consists of gravelly, sandy, silty and clayey soil.
Gérard Bertrand, Rivesaltes Ambré, 1985 (11 EUR/12 USD in Sweden; 375 ml) white sweet fortified wine, Rivesaltes, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, 5,0 NJP of 5,0 NJP (100 points of 100 points) (30-04-2020 by Nenad Jelisic)
This is without a doubt the best white sweet fortified wine that I have tasted from Languedoc-Roussillon so far. It is absolutely fabulous. Bravo Gérard Bertrand! Regardless of the age of 35, it shows no signs of age. The balance between its sweetness, acidity and fruitiness is absolutely fabulous. This fabulous balance does that Gérard Bertrand Rivesaltes Ambré 1985, after its 35 years, still has at least a 20 years long life (aging potential). The aroma is very sweet, concentrated and sweet spicy. Clear aroma of sweet spices, dried apricots, dried figs, dried grapes, burnt sugar, sweet tobacco and walnuts. The flavour is very sweet, full and bitterly acidic. Clear flavour of sweet spices, dark chocolate, tobacco, burnt sugar, walnuts, dried apricots, dried figs, dried grapes and jam made from oranges and bitter oranges. The aftertaste is very long, sweet and in the end bitterly fresh. Thanks to that the burnt sugar feels clear in both the aroma and the flavour of the wine and that the wine has a good acidity, it will fit incredibly well with crème brûlée. In addition, it will fit really well with grilled duck liver or with blue cheeses like Gorgonzola, Roquefort and Stilton or with tiramisu or with black forest gâteau. Or just enjoy it without any food as a dessert in itself. Gérard Bertrand Rivesaltes Ambré 1985 consists of 80% Grenache, 10% Maccabeu and 10% Muscat. The grapes have grown on granite and gneiss soils. The wine-making process is as follows: the grapes are harvested and selected by hand and after the harvest they are delivered to the winery where they are destemmed and then crushed. After the destemming and crushing process, the grape must, which consists of pulp, skins and seeds, is fermented in the stainless steel tanks until it has an alcohol strength of 6 to 8% when it is fortified to 19 to 21% with 77% grape spirit. The wine is then separated from the grape must and aged in large oak barrels for about 30 years and then in bottle for a few months before it is released on the market. I recommend that you start drink this fabulous white fortified wine at 8°C (unlike what most of web wine pages recommend) and allow it to slowly grow/open in the glass while you drink it. If you can drink Gérard Bertrand Rivesaltes Ambré 1985 from Riedel Vinum Port or Orrefors Difference Sweet or Orrefors Elixir.
Château de Rochemorin, 2015 (18 EUR/20 USD in Sweden) red dry blend wine, Pessac-Léognan, Graves, Bordeaux, France, 3,0 NJP of 5,0 NJP (80 points of 100 points) (17-04-2020 by Nenad Jelisic)
Finally, I have found a wine from Bordeaux that is really good and also for a little money. Very good value for money so to say. This is how I want my Bordeaux-wine, wine with a perfect balance between power and elegance. The wine is still young but nevertheless its aroma is generous and open with hints of black currants, plum, black cherries, strawberries, coffee and some white pepper. The aroma is clearly dominated by the Merlot grape. The flavour is complex and powerful, but thanks to the wine’s silky tannins the wine feels nuanced and elegant. Château de Rochemorin has a really good balance between acidity and fruitiness which makes it to a pleasure to drink. This is a wine that can be aged for 3 to 5 years (i.e. 2023 to 2025), but why wait? It should be served at 18 to 19°C in Bordeaux glass, if possible, from Orrefors, Kosta Boda, Spiegelau or Riedel. The wine’s tannin structure makes it to a fantastic food companion. Such a nuanced and tannin rich wine as this one will go very well with a classic Swedish plankstek (fillet of beef with bearnaise sauce, duchess potatoes, grilled tomatoes and asparagus wrapped with bacon on a wooden platter) or with grilled lamb topside roast with creamy potato gratin and red wine sauce. Château de Rochemorin 2015 is a blend of 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon. The vines have an average age of 20 years. The soil consists of gravel mixed with sand and in some places also with clay. The harvest is done manually or by machine depending on the vintage. All grapes are machine sorted on arrival at the winery. After the mechanical sorting, the destemming and the pressing, it is time for fermentation/maceration. The fermentation / maceration takes place in stainless steel tanks, which have a patented cap-breaking up/cap-submerging system (pigeage), at a controlled temperature between 28 and 30°C. The wine is aged in French oak barrels (30 to 40% new) for 12 months and then in bottles for a few weeks before it is released on the market.
The world's wines
Here presents the wines that have got at least 3,0 NJP of possible 5,0 NJP and which do not exit at Systembolaget (a government owned chain of all liquor stores in Sweden that has a strict monopoly status on alcohol sales to consumers in Sweden, except for restaurants and bars), but they should definitely be there. Or should be at least be available to Swedish restaurants through some wine importer. Note that NJP apply only to the below described vintages.
Morlet Family Vineyards, Cœur de Vallée, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2014, red dry blend wine, Oakville, Napa Valley, North Coast, California, USA, 4,0 NJP of 5,0 NJP (90 points of 100 points) (02-05-2020 by Nenad Jelisic)
This wine benefits a lot from decanting. Its aroma richness, flavour richness and complexity are strongly favoured by it. The aroma is wonderful, sweet spicy and complex with sweet spices, cocoa-rich dark chocolate, sweet tobacco, dried dark cherries, crème de cassis and dried plums. The flavour is complex and sweet spicy with cocoa-rich dark chocolate, sweet spices, dark ripe cherries, sweet tobacco and black pepper. The interplay between tannins, acidity and fruitiness is really good. Morlet Family Vineyards Cœur de Vallée Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 will developed for at least 10 years i.e. until at least 2030. It consists of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Cabernet Franc. The soils on which the grapes for this wine grow consists of alluvial soils. The grapes for the wine are harvested by hand. After careful selection in both vineyards and winery, careful destemming and crushing, the wine is fermented/macerated with natural yeast in stainless steel tanks and puncheons (600 litres oak barrels). After the fermentation and the maceration, the wine is aged in new barriques (225 litres oak barrels) for 16 months and finally in bottles for a few weeks. The wine is not filtered. Morlet Family Vineyards Cœur de Vallée Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 should be served at 18 to 19°C in Bordeaux glasses, if possible, from Orrefors, Kosta Boda, Spiegelau or Riedel. Start by serving it at 16°C (when room temperature is over 20°C or outdoor temperature is over 23°C) and then enjoy it when it starts to grow in the glass. If the wine would be drank today, it should be decanted for at least two hours. It should be enjoyed with reindeer stew with buttery mashed potatoes or with wild stew (wild boar, deer and moose or any of these) with chanterelles or porcini and jasmine rice or with burgundy meat stew (boeuf bourguignon) or with Swedish meatballs with cream sauce and buttery mashed potatoes or with hard cheeses such as Västerbottensost, Grana Padano and Parmesan. Morlet Family Vineyards Cœur de Vallée Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 is a really good wine, but if you want to get in the wine heaven, you have to taste the Morlet Family Vineyards Passionnément Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, which is a 100 Cabernet Sauvignon-wine that got 5,0 NJP of 5,0 NJP (100 points of 100 points) of NJ Wines in November 2018.
Steyer, Sauvignon, 2018, white dry wine, Radgona-Kapela, Podravje, Slovenia, 4,0 NJP of 5,0 NJP (90 points of 100 points) (02-02-2020 by Nenad Jelisic)
This wine and Edi Simcic Sauvignon 2016, which was chosen as the wine of the month in August 2019, are the two best Sauvignon Blanc-wines that NJ Wines tasted in 2019. The wine is very fresh, very aromatic and a brilliant school example how a really good Sauvignon Blanc-wine should smell, taste and be. Aroma of black currant leaves, green tomatoes, yellow apples and yellow pears. Very fresh flavour of green tomatoes, citrus fruits and green apples. Really good balance between the sweetness and the acidity. Steyer Sauvignon 2018 fits perfectly as an aperitif, especially during hot summer days. Its high acidity will certainly increase appetite. It will fit really well with grilled white fish such as cod, turbot, plaice and halibut or with fresh oysters or with fresh tagliatelle pasta with the delights of the sea (crayfish, mussels and octopus) or with pizza Frutti di Mare or with grilled chicken with white wine sauce, lemon juice and cooked small fresh potatoes. Steyer Sauvignon 2018 should be drunk at 8 to 10°C from, if possible, glasses like Difference Crisp from Orrefors or Veritas from Riedel or Esprit from Peugeot or Atelier from Luigi Bormioli. The wine’s soil consists of sandy clay, vines are 15 years old and grapes come from two vineyards that both are located at a height of about 260 meters above sea level in the appellation Radgona-Kapela. The grapes are hand-harvested and carefully selected in both the vineyards and upon arrival at the winery. After the destemming and crushing process, the grape must, which consists of pulp, skins and seeds, goes in the press machine where the grape must is cold macerated for about 12 hours under a temperature around 10°C. When the pressing is completed, the must is poured in stainless steel tanks where it is fermented under a controlled temperature between 15 and 20 degrees. After the fermentation, the wine is aged on its lees in the same stainless steel tanks that it was fermented in. After the aging, the wine is easily filtered, bottled and then aged for a few weeks before it is released on the market.
Edi Simcic, Kozana, 2015, white dry wine, Goriska Brda, Primorje, Slovenia, 4,5 NJP of 5,0 NJP (95 points of 100 points) (02-01-2020 by Nenad Jelisic)
If NJ Wines has to choose two best Chardonnay-wines from all that NJ Wines tasted in 2019 then NJ Wines chooses this wine and Morlet Family Vineyards Ma Princesse 2015. Edi Simcic Kozana 2015 is a big, complex, buttery, flavourful, fresh and concentrated wine with a very long and mineral aftertaste. In both the aroma and the flavour, one finds ripe tropical fruits, nectarines, freshly baked brioche, sweet spices, among which are vanilla most prominent, and minerals. The interaction between the wine's acidity, sweetness, minerality and fruitiness is really good. As with their Sauvignon 2016, which were chosen by NJ Wines as one of the Top 10 Wines of the Year 2019, Aleks and his father Edi with this wine confirm again that they belong to the absolute best wine producers in Slovenia or better to say that they belong to the absolute best wine producers in the whole former Yugoslavia. Aleks and Edi really allow the nature (their grapes and terroir) to "talk" in their wines and it definitely feels when one tastes their wines. In addition, Aleks and Edi create wines with great aging potential that will only get just better over the years. The grapes for the wine are hand harvested. Vines are 23 years old. The soil on which the grapes grow consists of various forms of weathered flysch (called local opoka), which consists of thin and cyclically repeated sedimentary layers of limestone, mudstone and sandstone, and marl (clayey soil that contains plenty of calcium carbonate). The soil such as this is both mineral rich, and has very good drainage properties that means that the vines have to go very deep to find water. A combination of all of the above mentioned factors does that Edi Simcic Kozana 2015 has a clear mineral aroma, flavour and aftertaste. The wine is first macerated for about 2 hours in press and then fermented in 70% used and 30% new 225 litre oak barrels (barriques) from France under a temperature between 22 and 24 degrees for about 25 days. After the fermentation, the wine is aged in the same oak barrels as it had been fermented for about 10 months. After the aging, the wine is bottled and aged for about 12 more months. It should start to drink at about 8°C from large Burgundy glasses, if possible, from Orrefors, Spiegelau or Riedel. It can be enjoyed as a wonderful aperitif or with creamy shellfish and fish gratin or with grilled salmon, if possible, not farmed salmon, with white wine sauce and buttery mashed potatoes or with Bouillabaisse. Edi Simcic Kozana 2015 will develop for at least 10 years, i.e. until at least 2030. I would not be surprised at all if the wine within a few years would reach 5,0 NJP of 5,0 NJP (100 points of 100 points).
More abut wine - Appellations and wines
Appellations and wines, Champagne (20-12-2019 by Nenad Jelisic and Robert Jonasson)
Champagne is a French wine region that is known for its sparkling wines. It consists of five wine districts: 1. Aube (also known as the Côte des Bar, 7,721 ha or 23% of the district's area planted with grapes), 2. Côte des Blancs (4,351 ha or 13%), 3. Côte de Sézanne (1,944 ha or 6%), 4. Montagne de Reims (7,959 ha or 24%) and 5. Vallée de la Marne (11,593 ha or 34%). It has 32,173 ha under vine. There are 324 villages in Champagne and all are classified in percentage (80 to 100%) according to Echelle des Crus, where the best vineyards receive 100% of the maximum price for the grapes. The region has 17 Grand Crus-villages, all of which are classified as 100% and all are located in the three most famous wine districts. 9 of those are located in Montagne de Reims, 6 in the Côte des Blancs and 2 in the Vallée de la Marne. The best Chardonnay grapes are grown in Côte des Blancs and many claim that the majority of the best vineyards are lying on the middle slopes of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. The best Pinot Noir grapes are grown on the southern slopes of Ambonnay and Bouzy and the northern slopes of Verzenay and Verzy. Champagne annually produces 385 million bottles i.e. the average yield is incredible high, 86 hl/ha.
Champagne grapes, Pinot Noir (13,091 ha, 39%), Pinot Meunier (10,742 ha, 32%) and Chardonnay (9,735 ha, 29%). There are also 91 ha planted with Arbanne, Petit Meslier, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc.
Champagne grapes, only Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier (red grapes) and Chardonnay (white grape) are allowed to be used for the production of Champagne.
Champagne soils, 75% of the soils are composed of calcareous soil (chalk, marl and limestone). This type of soil provides good drainage and also explains why certain Champagne wines have a distinct mineral taste. Two different chalks occur: Belemnite chalk and Micraster chalk, where Belemnite chalk, which dominates in most of the Grand Cru-villages, has more lime and thanks to it gives the grapes higher acidity. The chalk acts as a natural reservoir (it holds 300-400 liters of water per cubic meter), which gives the vines enough water even in the driest summers. The effort, which is required from the vines to utilize this water, puts the vines at a moderate water stress during the growing season, helps the grapes to achieve the delicate balance between ripeness, acidity and taste. In some areas of the Champagne region, chalk rich soils give way to areas that have a greater proportion of marl, clay and sand as in the Vallée de la Marne (west of Châtillon-sur-Marne) and in the hills surrounding Reims (Saint-Thierry, Vallée de l'Ardre and Montagne Ouest). The marl dominates in the vineyards of Côte des Bar (Bar-sur-Aube and Bar-sur-Seine). While wine district Aube differs from other districts (areas) by the calcareous soil mixed with clay rich in fossils of small oysters, so-called Kimmeridgian soil.
Champagne the best vintages to date are 1804, 1811, 1825, 1834, 1846, 1858, 1862, 1870, 1874, 1880, 1884, 1892, 1898, 1899, 1914, 1921, 1947, 1949, 1955, 1959, 1961, 1964, 1966, 1976, 1979, 1982, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1995, 1996, 2008 and 2012.
See 686 tasted and rated Champagnes and 45 best
Appellations and wines, Barolo (25-05-2019 by Robert Jonasson and Nenad Jelisic)
Barolo is both an Italian DOCG-appellation, which belongs to the Piedmont (Piemonte) wine region, and a DOCG-wine, one of Italy's most exclusive and best red wines. The appellation has 2,161 ha planted with Nebbiolo grapes, which can only be used for Barolo-wines. Barolo extends over 11 municipalities: Barolo, Castiglione Falletto, Cherasco, Diano d'Alba, Grinzane Cavour, La Mora, Monforte d'Alba, Novello, Roddi, Searralunga d'Alba and Verduno; the most known of them are: Barolo, Castiglione Falletto, La Mora, Monforte d'Alba and Searralunga d'Alba. The allowed yield is 56 hl/ha, while the average is 48 hl/ha. The minimum age for aging is three years, two of which must be in barrel. Barolo may be designated as Riserva if it was aged in barrel for at least four years. Barolo may be also designated as Riserva Speciale if it was aged in barrel for at least five years. There are two schools: 1. modern school and 2. traditional school. The modern school ferments at a lower temperature and allows the grape skins macerate (i.e. let the grape skins remain in the must and leach) in maximum two weeks. The traditional school ferments at a higher temperature (up to 30ºC) and allows the grape skins macerate for three to four weeks, and ages wines in "botti" for many years (8 to 10 years).
Barolo’s aroma and flavour are complex with blackberries, ripe dark and bright cherries, plums, violets, roses, red currants, liquorice and tar. As the wine matures new aromas and flavours are created as mushrooms, currants, tobacco, leather, decayed leaves, peppery notes and truffles.
Barolo's best vintages to date are 1958, 1971, 1978, 1982, 1985, 1989, 1990, 1996, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010 and 2016.
See 151 tasted and rated Barolo wines and 6 best
Appellations and wines, Bordeaux (15-02-2018 by Robert Jonasson and Nenad Jelisic)
Bordeaux is a French wine region, which is divided into three wine areas. The first wine area is located on the Garonne and Gironde river's left bank and it is called the Left Bank. The second wine area lies between two rivers, the Garonne and Dordogne, and it is called Entre-Deux-Mers, the area "between two seas". The third wine area is located on the Dordogne river's right bank and it is called the Right Bank (also called Libournais). The first wine area (Left Bank) is divided into two wine districts: Medoc and Graves, there also Sauternes and Barsac are embedded. The second wine area (Entre-Duex-Mers) is divided into nine appellations. The third wine area (Right Bank) is divided into whole series of individual appellations, the most famous between them are Pomerol and Saint-Emilion, which together form the Libournais.
Bordeaux's best vintages to date are 1900, 1904, 1906, 1914, 1918, 1924, 1926, 1929, 1945, 1947, 1949, 1953, 1959, 1961, 1962, 1982, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1996, 2000, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2016 and 2018.
See 691 tasted and rated Bordeaux wines and 36 best
More abut wine - Wine producer profile
Wine producer profile: Domaine Parent (01-12-2019 by Nenad Jelisic and Robert Jonasson)
Domaine Parent is a producer in Pommard, in the heart of Côte d’Or in Burgundy in France, dating back to the 17th century. Domaine Parent is currently run by the sixth generation of Parent; Anne Parent and her sister Catherine Fages-Parent. Anne and Catherine took over the company from their father, Jacques, in 1998. Domaine Parent currently owns about 10 hectares of vineyards, mainly in Pommard. It produces 15 red wines and only 3 white wines. The heart of the production at Domaine Parent is their fine series of wines from Premier Cru vineyards in Pommard. A total of 6 different Pommard Premier Crus are produced. The wines from the vineyards north of the road Rue de la Refène are experienced as more powerful while the wines from vineyards south of the road are experienced as more elegant, e.g. Pommard Premier Cru Les Epenots. The reason why the wines are experienced so different is the soil. The soils vary in the vineyards of Pommard, but consists mainly of red clay, dolomitic limestone and marl. On the north side of the road, the soil is red colored by iron oxide, which makes the wines more powerful.
Wine producer profile: Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (24-07-2018 by Nenad Jelisic)
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, which was founded 1869, is one of the world's most famous winery, and is located in the French wine region of Bourgogne. The winery has 7 fantastic vineyards: Echézeaux (4,67 ha), Grands Echézeaux (3,53 ha), La Tâche (6,06 ha), Montrachet (0,67 ha), Richebourg (3,51 ha), Romanée-Conti (1,81 ha) and Romanée Saint Viviant (5,29 ha). They together cover 25,51 hectares. All seven are classified as Gran Cru-vineyards. Besides Montrachet, which belongs to both the appellation Chassagne-Montrachet and the appellation Puligny-Montrachet, all other belong to the appellation Vosne-Romanée. In addition to the aforementioned vineyards, the winery rents three vineyards that are located in the French appellation of Aloxe-Corton and who are also classified as Grand Cru-vineyards: Bressandes (1,19 ha), Clos du Roi (0,57 ha) and Renardes (0,51 ha). They together cover 2,27 hectares. The vineyards: La Tâche and Romanée-Conti are 100% owned (so-called monopol) by the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti.
Wine producer profile: Ridge Vineyards (05-03-2017 by Robert Jonasson and Nenad Jelisic)
High up in the Santa Cruz Mountains, with a magnificent view over the San Andreas Fault, lies Ridge Vineyards. Ridge Vineyards is a legendary wine estate in California, which was founded in 1960. The winery and the vineyards are located at Monte Bello Ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains appellation (AVA). Monte Bello Ridge lie at an elevation of about 800 m above sea level. The history of the Ridge Vineyards and Monte Bello Ridge began long before when Osea Perrone planted vineyards near the top of Monte Bello Ridge in 1885. In 1892, Perrone’s company Monte Bello Winery produced the first vintage from the Monte Bello Ridge vineyards. During Prohibition, the property was abandoned, and it was not until the 1940s when a man named William Short bought the abandoned winery and some of the vineyards that surrounded it. In 1949, William Short replanted Cabernet Sauvignon and planted the first vines of Chardonnay in the Monte Bello Ridge vineyards.
The world's restaurants
Here presents the restaurants that is considered to be the world's best restaurants. The restaurants, which NJ Wines has visited, tried their food and wine as well as rated food’s quality, food's taste, how the food is presented and looks, wine selection, decor, atmosphere, service and cleanliness. (NJP = Nenad Jelisic Points)
The Veranda, Grand Hôtel, Stockholm, Sweden, 4,0 NJP of 5,0 NJP (23-11-2019 by Nenad Jelisic)
There are not so many restaurants in the world that are located in a capital city and have such a fabulous view as this restaurant and the restaurant's big brother the Cadier Bar, which is on the opposite side of it. The view of the Royal Palace, the Old Town and the boats on Stockholm's current. Both restaurants are located in Sweden's most exclusive and very beautiful Grand Hôtel in Stockholm. While the Cadier Bar, which is named after Régis Cadier (French chef and hotel founder), is a restaurant where one comes mainly to be seen, and drink champagne, cocktail or beer, The Veranda is a restaurant where you come to eat good food and drink good wines. In the Cadier Bar, one can also order good food, the food comes from the same kitchen that makes food for the Veranda. During all years, which I have been visited the Cadier Bar, it has seemed that the visitors of the Cadier Bar are there to drink something or to take something that fits well with champagne or coffee. In addition to these two restaurants, the hotel has two restaurants of renowned Swedish chef Mathias Dahlgren: Matbaren (see my article from 05-11-2017) and Rutabaga.
The Flying Elk, Stockholm, Sweden, 2,0 NJP of 5,0 NJP (18-08-2019 by Nenad Jelisic)
A new Stockholm-restaurant-disappointment again, but it is not as big as the one with the Matbaren, Mathias Dahlgren at the Grand Hôtel, which got 1,0 NJP of 5,0 NJP on my last visit, the third visit. I think that the problem with The Flying Elk's low rating lies in the fact that Björn Frantzén's small restaurant empire has become too big too quickly. So fast big that Björn has transferred control and management of his new restaurants to significantly less talented part-owners/managers. Then, their poor management and control has led to that cooks, sommeliers and waiters have stopped caring or that they had employed the cooks, the sommeliers and the waiters who would absolutely not be employed. I assert this because Björn Frantzén, one of Scandinavia's absolute best chefs, would never allow that the food, the wines and the service would end up on this level, 2,0 NJP of 5,0 NJP. It is a pity that it is so as I wrote because Björn is really passionate about food and cooking and it proves his relatively short and very successful chef-history. Björn took his first steps as a cook through the practice at the restaurant Edsbacka krog (Edsbacka Wärdshus) in Sollentuna, Sweden. Then he worked among others at the restaurant Chez Nico (Nico Ladenis, London, UK, three Michelin stars) and the restaurant Arpege (Alain Passard, Paris, France, three Michelin stars). In 2008, together with pastry chef Daniel Lindeberg, he opened the restaurant Frantzén/Lindeberg in Stockholm. The following year, the restaurant got its first Michelin star and two years later it got its two Michelin stars. In 2013, Björn and Daniel went separate ways and the restaurant was renamed to Frantzén. In 2018, the Frantzén became Sweden's first restaurant to be awarded three stars in Guide Michelin. In 2019, Guide Michelin confirmed the restaurant's three star status. Today, besides The Flying Elk and Frantzén, Björn also runs Catering Frantzén, Studio Frantzén, Corner Club and Gaston vin. In addition to all this, Björn has managed to write a book together with Daniel Lindeberg, see above, (Frantzén/Lindeberg, 2012) and a book together with Göran Lager (The Flying Elk, 2016) and two own books (Glow with Björn Frantzén, 2014 and Björn Frantzén prepares food for peckish diabetics and other people, 2017). To achieve all this and be 42 years old is absolutely incredible.
Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, London, UK, 5,0 NJP of 5,0 NJP (18-12-2018 by Nenad Jelisic)
What food! What wines! What a service! What a sommelier! What a restaurant! I have difficulty to find words about how impressed I was when I visited this fabulous restaurant on the 2nd November 2018. The restaurant, owned by internationally well-known chef Gordon Ramsay, belongs to 1 of 3 London restaurants that have 3 Michelin stars. There can not be so many food interested persons in the world who do not know who Gordon Ramsay is. He has participated in many food programs such as: Gordon Ramsay's Home Cooking, Hell's Kitchen, MasterChef, Ramsay's Best Restaurant, Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares, The F Word and this year came the Gordon Ramsay's 24 Hours to Hell and Back program. Since 1996, Ramsay has written 25 books. The latest book came out this year and it is called Gordon Ramsay's Ultimate Fit Food. Gordon Ramsay's (Gordon Ramsay Group’s) restaurant empire has 35 restaurants and 7 Michelin stars, with restaurants from Europe to the United States and the Middle East. Of these 35 restaurants, 15 are in London. His internationally most famous and most exclusive restaurant is Restaurant Gordon Ramsay and it is his only restaurant with 3 Michelin stars. The restaurant was founded in 1998 when Gordon Ramsay was 31 years old. In 2001, the restaurant got 3 Michelin stars and it has retained them since then. The restaurant is decorated in a modern and elegant style. It is located on 68 Royal Hospital Road in Chelsea in London.
All you need to know about Gevrey-Chambertin (15-06-2020 by Nenad Jelisic)
Here presents excerpts from NJ Wines’s extensive wine glossary. You can read about other exciting wines, appellations, wine districts, wine regions, etc. by clicking above on the "Wine glossary and wine facts".
Gevrey-Chambertin, a French appellation that belongs to the wine district Côte de Nuits, which belongs to the Burgundy wine region. The appellation has the most Grand Cru vineyards in all France, 9, and moreover has 26 Premier Cru vineyards. All nine Grand Cru vineyards have their own appellations and are located at about 300 meters above sea level. The following nine Grand Cru vineyards belongs to the appellation: Chambertin (12,9 ha), Chambertin-Clos de Bèze (15,4 ha), Chapelle-Chambertin (5,5 ha), Charmes-Chambertin (30,8 ha), Griotte-Chambertin (2,7 ha), Latricières-Chambertin (7,3 ha), Mazis-Chambertin (9,1 ha), Mazoyères-Chambertin (1,45 ha) and Ruchottes-Chambertin (3,3 ha). Of all wines that come from Burgundy, Gevrey-Chambertin wines vary mostly both in quality and style. Chambertin Clos de Bèze and Chambertin belong to two of best Grand Cru vineyards in Gevrey-Chambertin appellation. The wines from Chambertin are more concentrated and tannic than ones from Chambertin Clos de Bèze while those from the Chambertin Clos de Bèze are more complex and have more finesse. Although Chambertin is called the "King of Wines", Chambertin’s 23 producers do not always produce wines that fully lives up to that reputation. From Mazis-Chambertin come several wines of the highest quality. Wines, characterized by richness of colour, flavour and tannins, concentration and large body. The wines from Griotte-Chambertin are characterized by slightly greater flavour and complexity but slightly shorter aging potential than those from the Chambertin Clos de Bèze. The lightest and most delicate wines come from Chapelle-Chambertin. The following Premier Cru villages belong to the appellation: Au Closeau, Aux Combottes, Bel Air, Champeaux, Champonnet, Cherbaudes, Clos des Varoilles, Clos du Chapitre, Clos Prieur, Combe aux Moines, Craipillot, En Ergot, Etournelles Saint Jacques, Fontenys, La Bossière, La Perrière, La Romanée, Lavaux Saint Jacques, Le Clos Saint Jacques, Les Cazetiers, Les Corbeaux, Les Goulots, Petite Chapelle, Petits Cazetiers, Plantigone (Issarts) and Poissenot. To the best Premier Cru villages belong: Aux Combottes, Combe aux Moines, Etournelles, Lavaux Saint Jacques, Le Clos Saint Jacques and Les Cazetiers. Many wines, which come from the best Premier Cru vineyards, are significantly better than those that come from the Grand Cru Chambertin vineyards. The appellation has 410 ha. Of those, 88,45 ha are Grand Cru, 86 ha are Premier Cru and 235 ha are Gevrey-Chambertin Villages. The average yield is about 42 hl/ha. A Grand Cru wine should be drunk 8 to 20 year old (some Grand Cru wines can be drunk 30 to 40 years old), a Premier Cru wine 5 to 12 years old and a Villages wine 4 to 9 years old.
Gevrey-Chambertin grapes, Pinot Noir.
Gevrey-Chambertin soils, mixed soils. On top of the limestone is a layer consisting of marl (clayey lime-rich soil), gravel and clay.
Gevrey-Chambertin the best vintages, 1929, 1966, 1969, 1978, 1990, 2005, 2010, 2015 and 2016; not 2017 and 2018.
