Finds

Wines & spirits 2003

Australia
Oxford Landing Shiraz 2001 (e10.20, importer «Whitehall», tel. 238 8144)
Australian Shiraz is rarely disappointing. This is an example of a lively, bright young wine with ground black pepper and chocolate.

Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon 1998 ( «Yozhik» wine shop, Kutuzovsky prospect 8/1)
From Penfolds, the best known Australian winemaker that producers the most expensive Australian wine, Grange. This Cabernet Sauvignon is a textbook varietal wine with clean blackcurrant and black fruit notes. It is rather young at the moment, but will blossom in 3-5 years. Buy to keep and have patience — the reward will be worth it.

Bulgaria
Cabernet-Sauvignon Royal Reserve 1996 (240 r, importer «ÎÊ»)
This is a Bulgarian dry red wine from Domaine Boyar. Aged Cabernet Sauvignon shows finesse, balance and maturity. Good oak integration. A pleasant wine.

Chile
Tarapaca Syrah Reserva 2001 ($10.15, importer «Fort», tel. 777 8040)
The Chilean wine farm Tarapaca, with an impressive 129 years of history, has an outstanding oenologue, Sergio Correa. Not only did he master his skills in Medoc, but is the only foreigner whom the French invite to judge French wines in Bordeaux competitions. A beautiful bright colour with violet reflections, distinctive aromas of smoked meat, spices and black fruit, some vanilla notes and a lovely peppery aftertaste — this is what Syrah can be like in the hands of a master!

Casa La Joya Merlot Reserve 2000 Vina Bisquertt ($11.25, importer «Capital wine company» tel. 937 1264)
Wines from the Chilean Vina Bisquertt are new on our market. Four various samples tasted by us (Casa La Joya Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2003, Casa La Joya Carmener Gran Reserve 2003, Casa La Joya Merlot Gran Reserve 2001 and Casa La Joya Merlot Reserve 2000) have something in common, namely excellent handling of fruit and top quality. And, to provoke your interest, let me say that last year Casa La Joya Merlot Reserve 2000 was awarded a medal ‘For the best Merlot in the world’ in London.

Caliterra Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 Errazuriz & Mondavi (529 r, «Azbuka Vkusa» supermarkets)
The alliance between a leading Chilean wine producer Errazuriz and the best American winemaker, Robert Mondavi, led to creation of the Caliterra range, the name deriving from “calidad” (quality) and "tierra" (best soil). Undoubtedly, the wine reflects both. Deep intense colour and clean fruity aromas of balk berries, cherries, milk chocolate. Jammy and coffee notes. A wine with big presence.

tocornal Chardonnay D.O. Central Valley 2002 Vina Cono Sur (bag-in-box 3l 431.20 r, importer «Fort», tel. 777 8040)
An excellent option for a light summer picnic especially if you gather a big company. No, this is not a New World tropical toast with butter and vanilla sprinkle. On the contrary, tocornal Chardonnay will refresh with its lemon tones and will even leave a marked aftertaste which is usually not an attribute of bags-in-boxes.

La Mision Carmenere 2000 (e9.90, importer «Whitehall», tel. 238 8144)
Carmenere, the signature grape of Chile, in an excellent interpretation by William Fevre. This renowned French winemaker from Chablis found its second home in the Maipo Valley. The wine with smoky blackberries. Melted tannins. Heavenly…

Misiones de Rengo Chardonnay 2001 (193.38 r, importer «Magister Bibendi», tel. 105 5505)
Rather a refined Chardonnay from Chile with soft tropical fruit. In March this wine received 4 stars out of five from Decanter, an influential international magazine.

France
Dominique Piron Les Vignes du Vieux Bourg 1998 Moulin-a-Vent AOC (600 r, Davidoff boutique, Tverskaya, 23)
An expensive Beaujolais made in one of the best communes, Moulin-a-Vent. On the peak of development, it has a good structure and complex fruit and animal flavours with spices.

Pierre Dupond Beaujolais Nouveau 2003 (320 r, importer «Wine Planet» tel. 771 1400)
The wine clearly shows all typical traits of Beaujolais — floral aromas of violets and irises, fruit flavours of bananas, strawberries, raspberries with an acidity streak and some pepper in the aftertaste. Beaujolais Nouveau, as it should be!

Chateau Bastor-Lamontagne 1997 Sauternes AOC (1280 r, importer «Vintage-M» tel. 729 5672)
If the wine classification in Sauternes was reviewed then Chateau Bastor-Lamontagne would undoubtedly included in it. A good location (next to Suduiraut), fine winemaking bring an expected result. A fresh but rich wine with clean fruit and honey. A must for sweet wines lovers.

Chateau Picampeau 1997 Lussac Saint-Emilion AOC (410 r, importer «Vintage-M» tel. 729 5672)
This red wine is from the area adjacent to the famous Saint-Emilion appellation. Merlot dominates in the blend with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. A harmonious mature wine with an elegant bouquet of red spiced fruit. Silky tannins and a nice mouthfilling texture.

Caillou Blanc du Chateau Talbot 1999 (e32.60, importer «Simple» tel. 105 5544)
One of the oldest white wines of Medoc, Caillou Blanc is made following recommendations of the Bordeaux School of Enology (picking grapes at optimal ripeness, vinification and aging in barriques, aging on lees). As a result, we have an airy, elegant wine, full of stamina, with honey aromas and lanolin texture and a flattering long finish.

Pinot Noir Bourgogne Rouge 1998 Louis Max (500.78 r, importer «MB Group IMPEX» tel. 290 7670)
If you would like to try some Pinot Noir for the first time, then this wine is for you. Red berries bouquet — strawberries, raspberries and wild strawberries and a lasting redcurranty aftertaste. The ladies will be excited. Ans the curious fact is that Louis Max, the Burgundy wine house, was founded by a Russian nearly 150 years ago.

Montenegro
Vranac 1999 Plantaze (importer «ABC PRODUCT»)
This red dry wine from Montenegro which will ideally go with barbecues (barbecue-lovers, take notice). The local Vranac variety produces wine with distinctive smoky flavours. The main fruit are plum and blackcurrant with nice acidity.

Germany
Rheingau Schloss Johannisberger Riesling Eiswein 1993 Furst von Metternich-Winneburg’sche Domane (0.375 ml e59, Germany)
This German rarity caused a true excitement and reverence. Ice wines are not easy to find here, and we got a ten-year-old bottle from one of the best vineyards in the world. Breathtaking concentration of honey and apricots is balanced by impeccable citrus tone which makes the wine fresh and light. Never-ending finish. An ice perfection.

Niersteiner Pettenthal Riesling Auslese 1998 Rappenhof QmP (e33.80, importer «Whitehall», tel. 238 8144)
This luscious German Riesling is made for hedonists. Honey nectar that is fresh on the palate. The wine that should be kept for oneself.

Georgia
Odjaleshi 2000 Vazi-I (344 r, «Massandra» wine shop, tel. 284 5757)
A unique naturally sweet grape variety that grows at the west of Georgia. They say that Odjaleshi was enjoyed by the characters from Homer’s Iliad. Drinking easily, like French Beaujolais, but with bright cherry flavours. Meat will ruin this fragile wine, better have it with a fruit dessert.

Italy
San Vicenzo Veneto IGT 2002 Anselmi (e16, importer «Simple» tel. 105 5544)
An Italian Roberto Anselmi, Soave maestro, waved goodbye to this appellation in order to get full freedom and create wines which can show off the beauty of the Italian Garganega variety. So pay little attention to the IGT denomination and discover a bright wine with good structure and concentrated melon and peaches. A wonderful bouquet and finish.

Recioto della Valpolicella Classico DOC 2001 Domini Veneti (e28.75, importer «Simple» tel. 105 5544)
The history of this wine dates back to ancient Romans when it was praised by Latin poets. Made in the North-East of Italy from semi-dried grapes (Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara), this sweet red wine has an amazing concentration. Inky-ruby colour and a bouquet of arnica, blackberry jam, figs and raisins. Instead of traditional tea and biscuits try recioto and biscuits — the pleasure is guaranteed.

Luxemburg
Riesling Coteaux Schengen 1997 Grand Premiere Cru (356 r, «Aromatny Mir» wine shops)
Riesling from Luxemburg? Interesting… Apparently, there is room left for vineyards in this tiny country and its citizens top all the charts in wine consumption. So, green apples with slight petrol aromas on the nose and a nice taste of well developed Riesling with apples and honey.

New Zealand
Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2001 Mount Riley ($13, duty-free Sheremetyevo-2 airport)
A bright wine from New Zealand where Sauvignon Blanc found its second home. Apart from typical aromas of freshly cut grass, there is a good tropical pineapple on the nose. A fresh well defined tone of gooseberries creates a desire to stop all city business and rush to the countryside, closer to nature. A bright finish, like a good echo, repeats the desire...

Wairau Peaks Gewurztraminer 2001 (910 r, «Red and white» wine shop, Myasnitskaya street, 22/1)
To find a wine from New Zealand, let alone a Gewuztraminer, is a real luck. The Lynskeys couple (wife — a winemaker, husband — a former world champion in paragliding) made their first wine in 1998 and got a reputation of producers of elegant wines. This Gewurztraminer has a concentrated aroma of rose oil and quince confit, a taste of lychees and lemons. A nice aftertaste ending on a lasting lime note. An excellent wine.

Romania
Prince Matei Grand Riserva 1999 (660 r, importer «Fort», tel. 777 8040)
A Romanian red dry wine of premium quality. It is made by Italian Vinarte who work in Romania. The wine is made in Bordeaux style and has blackcurrant, cloves and smoked flavours. An endless aftertaste. A wine for connoisseurs.

Merlot Bonvino Villa Zorilor 2000 (170 r, importer «Fort», tel. 777 8040)
Another Romanian red dry wine from Vinarte which gives an excellent value for money. Cherries and blackcurrants. A long bright aftertaste with some peppery notes.

South Africa
Fleur du Cap Pinotage 1998 WO Coastal Region (420 r, importer «Vagr» tel. 105 3303)
Pinotage, a South African specialty grape, gives tasty black fruit and chocolate. This wine leaves a pleasant feeling thanks to its softness and easiness and some spicy tones of cinnamon and nutmeg.

Simonsig Chenin Blanc 2002 ($6.20, importer «Fort», tel. 777 8040)

Spain
Tio Pepe Fino Muy Seco Gonzalez Byass (680 r, «BonVi» shop, Pokrovka street 17/1)
To drink sherry in summer? Yes, if it is dry. Tio Pepe Fino Muy Seco, the most popular dry sherry in the world, best shows its character when chilled. Typical aromas of Flor yeasts which are responsible for this type of sherry and bone dry taste are the main features of this drink. Will match any starters, ideal with seafood.

Torres Vina Esmeralda 2001 Miguel Torres (376.40 r, «The Seventh Continent» supermarkets)
Miguel Torres, the grand winemaker of Spain, created an aromatic white off-dry wine with Moscatel and Gewurztraminer. The nose is dominated by typical Gewurztraminer roses and jasmine and exotic fruit. On the palate you find fresh mineral tones with some sweetness. Nice to drink on its own and with light starters, fish and seafood and even sweet and sour Chinese dishes.

Ceremonia Reserva DO Utiel-Requena 1996 Bodegas Gandia (1500 r, importer «Mosel» t. 385 5217)
One of the best reds of Spanish Valencia, to be remembered with wonderful maturity, expressive ripe black fruit and nice oak with lasting smoke and tobacco notes. This wine will become a feature when served with roasts.

El Manisero 2001 Bodegas Torroja (importer «Vastom»)
Summer is the time to drink refreshing roses, and we can’t leave out Spain, a traditional producer of this type of wine. A family-owned Bodegas Torroja from Valencia produces a balanced fresh wine with raspberry flavours and a nice combination of acidity and sweetness from local Bobal grapes.

Turkey
Villa Doluca 2002 (e4, duty-free Antalya, Turkey)
You will probably be surprised to learn that Turkey makes quality wines, but it is a fact. This dry rose wine will nicely refresh on a warm summer night. And sea aromas from the glass will certainly bring back to memories the best moments of your holiday in Turkey…

Uruguay
Don Pascual Chardonnay 2001 (222.72 r, importer «Magister Bibendi», tel. 105 5505)
In the ocean of vanilla-cream-tropical Chardonnays from the New World this wine from Uruguay can be called sophisticated. It was blended from three parts — one was made Chablis-style and was aged on the lees, the second was made from very ripe grapes and a small part was treated in the new oak. The result is a fresh elegant wine with pleasant mineral acidity, notes of tropical fruit and hardly noticeable vanilla.