Baturrica Gran Reserva 2006

Variety: Tempranillo
Country of origin: Spain
Wine appellation: Tarragona
Vintage: 2006
Alcohol content: 13.0%
Color: medium ruby red
Bouquet: intense black sour cherry with hint of black chocolate and oak
Taste: medium body, overripe black sour cherries, good acidity, oak, nice tannins, black chocolate, medium to longer finish
Recommended food pairing: salami
Overall score: 4+6.5+10+6+6.5=83
Price: CZK 79
Stopper: single piece cork

Amazing value wine, quite simple though, despite 24 months in barrel there is huge fruit. What do u want for this money???

Bajoz Tinta de Toro Roble 2013 DO

Variety: 100% Tempranillo 

Country of origin: Spain
Wine appellation: Toro
Vintage: 2013
Alcohol content: 13.5%
Color: medium ruby towards crimson red
Bouquet: very fruity, black sour cherries, plums, vanilla
Taste: medium body, similar to nose the wine is predominately fruity with sour cherries being the dominant fruit, slightly astringent and with younger tannins, at the mid profile suported by hint of plum tones with vanilla, medium to longer finish
Recommended food pairing: streak
Overall score: 3+7+10+6+6=82
Price: CZK 79
Stopper: cork

Slightly harsher tempranillo, but for fantastic price, I remember 10 years ago buying this brand with my friend at one of the first vinotekas in Prague 6 (although it was crianza) for CZK 299.

Pazo de Barrantes Albariño 2009 DO

Variety: 100% Albariño

Country of origin: Spain
Wine appellation: Rías Baixas
Vintage: 2009
Alcohol content: 13.5%
Color: medium yellow
Bouquet: herby, dry lemon crust
Taste: medium body, reasonable acidity, dry lemon crust in sugar, slightly steely, white grapefruit, nice mid profile transforms only to medium finish
Recommended food pairing: pork
Overall score: 4+7+11+5+6=83
Price: CZK 290
Stopper: single piece cork

Not bad wine, but following the Lahofer Riesling you realize how Moravia is underrated region for white wines for those winemakers who can make the proper whites. I admit I could downgrade the scoring tasting it in this sequence.

Stanislav Mádl Rýnský ryzlink 2012 pozdní sběr

3rd bottle of this Riesling tasted. Looking at my most recent notes from May 2014 nothing has changed.

Vinařství Lahofer Ryzlink rýnský 2011 pozdní sběr

Variety: 100% Riesling
Country of origin: Czech Republic
Wine appellation: Moravia, Znojmo sub-appellation, Dobšice village, Lampelberg + U Hájků vineyard
Vintage: 2011
Alcohol content: 13.0%
Residual sugar: 3.6 g/l
Acidity: 6.9 g/l
Color: medium yellow
Bouquet: mineral, linden tree blossom, lime

Taste: medium to full body, nicely mineral, citrus fruit, lime, very zesty, good acidity, nice longer finish
Recommended food pairing: fish
Overall score: 4+7+12+7+7+50=87
Price: CZK 180
Stopper: single piece cork

2nd bottle of this wine tasted after the first tasting in May 2013. The wine has much gentle nose now being one year on bottle with mineral and limey character in the taste and excellent long finish. It will only improve in the cellar.

Robertson Winery Chenin Blanc 2007

3rd bottle of this wine tasted. Looking back at October 2013 tasting the wine surprisingly did not move much from then.

Císařské sklepy Horák Ryzlink rýnský 2011 pozdní sběr

Variety: 100% Riesling

Country of origin: Czech Republic
Wine appellation: Moravia, Slovácko sub-appellation, Čejč village, Hrubé vineyard
Vintage: 2011
Alcohol content: 13.0%

Residual sugar: 1.7 g/l

Acidity: 5.9 g/l
Color: light to medium yellow
Bouquet: light citrus tones, hint of apricot
Taste: medium body, lime, citrus tones, very dry, good acidity, medium to longer finish
Recommended food pairing: pate
Overall score: 4+7+11+6+6+50=84
Price: CZK 180

Stopper: cork

quite nice citrus style Riesling with slight apricot tones. 

Chateau Valtice Ryzlink rýnský 2009 pozdní sběr

Variety: 100% Rhine Riesling
Country of origin: Czech Republic
Wine appellation: Moravia, Mikulov sub-appellation, Valtice village, Jižní svahy vineyard
Vintage: 2009
Alcohol content: 12.5%
Color: medium yellow
Bouquet: lemon crust, hint of bottle aged tones
Taste: medium body, similar to nose there is dry lemon crust, apple stew, lower acidity, medium to longer finish
Recommended food pairing: schnitzel
Overall score: 4+6+9+6+5=80
Price: CZK 160
Stopper: cork
One discovery from my cellar clearly did not make it to the end:-). Already behind its zenith.

Davinus Veltlínské zelené 2013 kabinet

Variety: 100% Gruner Veltliner
Country of origin: Czech Republic
Wine appellation: Moravia, Znojmo sub-appellation
Vintage: 2013
Alcohol content: 12.%
Color: pale yellow
Bouquet: lime, zesty, meadow flowers
Taste: medium body, lime, very crunchy acidity, hint of spiciness, medium finish
Overall score: 4+7+11+6+6+50=84
Price: CZK 169
Stopper: screw cap

Very refreshing and quite zesty GV from Lahofer bottled for Davinus. it has higher acidity so typical for 2013 vintage. 

Arthur Metz Gewurztraminer Veilles Vignes 2012

Variety: 100% Gewurztraminer
Country of origin: France
Wine appellation: Alsace
Vintage: 2012
Alcohol content: 13.0%
Color: light to medium yellow
Bouquet: light, rose petal, ripe green melon, hint of litchi
Taste: medium body, similar to nose dominant fruit is litchi, ripe white pear, lower acidity and to me slightly higher residual sugar, medium finish
Recommended food pairing: Asian food
Overall score: 4+7+10+6+6=83
Price CZK 150

Stopper: single piece cork

Lighter in color and less complex Gewurztraminer. Reasonable value.

Ernest & Julio Gallo Family Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

3rd bottle of 2006 vintage tasted. The notes are the same as in June 2014.

Domaine Christian Moreau Père et Fils Chablis Vaillon Cuvée Guy Moreau 2011 Premier Cru

Notes from May 2014 remain valid.

Znovín Znojmo Chardonnay Terroir Club 2011 pozdní sběr

3rd bottle of this wine tasted. Same as yesterday when we drank the 2nd the notes are the same as in May 2014.

Penfolds Rawson's Retreat Chardonnay 2009

3rd bottle of this wine tasted. May 2013 tasting notes apply.

Vino Hort Merlot Rosé 2013 pozdní sběr

3rd bottle of this wine tasted, tasting notes from May 10, 2014 are still valid.

Vinařství Halm Frankovka 2006 výběr z hroznů

Variety: Blaufrankisch
Country of origin: Czech Republic
Wine appellation: Moravia, Velké Pavlovice sub-appellation, Velké Pavlovice village, Lizniperky vineyard
Vintage: 2006
Alcohol content: 13.5%
Color: medium still slightly ruby red with lighter meniscus
Bouquet: red pit fruit, cherries jam, red bell pepper
Taste: medium body, rounder profile, sour cherries, proper bottle maturity, slight spiciness and good acidity and light tannins, longer finish
Recommended food pairing: pork
Overall score: 4+7+11+6.5+6.5=85
Price: CZK 200
Stopper: single piece cork

I am not huge fan of Frankovka generally but this is one of the better Frankovkas I ever tasted. I would say the lovers of Frankovka would score it much higher. I bought the case 6 years ago at tasting in Grebovka and what is amazing that the wine now looks like it starting to be drinkable with very good acidity, light tannins and nice longer finish despite having 8 years of age it keeps slight ruby hue.

Znovín Znojmo Chardonnay Terroir Club 2011 pozdní sběr

The notes are the same as in May 2014.

Robertson Winery Chardonnay 2008

Variety: Chardonnay

Country of origin: South Africa
Wine appellation: not stated
Vintage: 2008
Alcohol content: 13.0%
Color: medium yellow
Bouquet: tropical fruit, mainly pineapple and melon, light touch of vanilla and bottle maturity
Taste: light to medium body, similar to nose main fruit is pineapple with citrus acidity, lightly oaked medium to longer finish
Overall score: 4+7+10+6+6 = 83
Price: CZK 159
Stopper: cork

Citrusy lightly oaked Chardonnay. This is the 3rd bottle of this vintage tasted, previously tasted in October 2013  and in September 2013.

Hardys Stamp of Australia Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Variety: Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon
Country of origin: Australia
Wine appellation: South Eastern Australia
Vintage: 2011
Alcohol content: 12.5%
Color: light to medium garnet red
Bouquet: spices, pepper, canned forest fruit marmalade
Taste: medium body, similar to nose there are canned blackberries, black currant complemented with spices, lighter tannins, alcohol slightly standing out at the end, medium to longer finish
Recommended food pairing: BBQ
Overall score: 3+7+9+6+6+50=81
Price: CZK 150
Stopper: cork

Very basic Aussie blend of Shiraz and Cab Sauv with alcohol not incorporated in the body of wine. Could not imagine the wine being young, probably undrinkable. 

Vinselekt Michlovský Malverina 2009 Organic

Variety: 100% Malverina

Country of origin:Czech Republic
Wine appellation: Moravia, Mikulov sub-appellation, Perná village, Purmice vineyard
Vintage: 2009
Alcohol content: 13.0%
Color: medium yellow
Bouquet: apricot, melon, orange
Taste: medium body, quite fruity, and zesty with honey accompanying the minerality and acdity, lemon orange and medium finish
Recommended food pairing: Schnitzel
Overall score: 4+7+11+6+7=85
Price: CZK 250
Stopper: single piece cork

The nose and the overall profile is very different from 2005 vintage tasted recently. Major reason is completely different appellation used for this vintage (Mikulov) compared to 2005 vintage (Slovacko). Also the oak is almost non visible here.

Vinařství Popela Perná Aurelius 2005 výběr z hroznů

Variety: 100% Aurelius (Neuburger x Riesling)

Country of origin: Czech Republic
Wine appellation: Moravia, Mikulov sub-appellation, Perná village, U spálené hospody vineyard
Vintage: 2005
Alcohol content: 14%
Color: medium yellow,  I expected darker given the vintage
Bouquet: honey, dry lemon crust in sugar, hint of hey and bottle maturity
Taste: full body, round profile, full mouth feel, similar to nose there are tones of honey, dry fruits, lemon crust, slight residual sugar with still lighter acidity,at the end the alcohol is slightly standing out, medium to longer finish
Recommended food pairing: sweet & sour Asian dish
Overall score: 4+7+12+6+7=86
Price CZK 159 in 2008
Stopper: cork

4th bottle of this wine tasted.The wine developed to fuller and rounder style with visible bottle maturity tones in the noise and taste, but not in the color. For comparison check me previous tasting from 2 years ago.

Dr. Pauly Bergweiler Riesling 2011

Variety: Riesling

Country of origin: Germany
Wine appellation: Mosel
Vintage: 2011
Alcohol content: 12.0%
Color: light yellow
Bouquet: lime, zesty, fels mineral and fresh
Taste: medium body, very zesty and limey, hint of lemon crust, lime, white grapefruit, good acididity, slight "sparkling" feel, medium to longer finish
Recommended food pairing: trout
Overall score: 4+8+12+6+7=87
Price: CZK 375
Stopper: screw cap.

Very fresh and lime character Riesling, slight residual sugar is balanced by quite high acidity so the wine feels dry.

Vinselekt Michlovský Malverina 2005 Organic

6th and last bottle of this wine tasted. No change from my February 13, 2014 tasting notes. Excellent bottle maturity, corked soaked almost all through, but the wine is very mineral and herby. yummie!

Trapiche Oak Cask Chardonnay 2012

Variety: Chardonnay
Country of origin: Argentina
Wine appellation: Mendoza
Vintage: 2012
Alcohol content: 14.0%
Color: light to medium yellow
Bouquet: grilled pineapple, vanilla, toast
Taste: medium to fuller body, round, ripe pineapple, similar to nose, grilled pineapple with vanilla and light hazelnut tones, medium to longer finish
Overall score: 4+7+12+6+7=86
Price: CZK 199
Stopper: single piece cork

Sure candidate if I have taste for oak Chardonnay. This wine has the best times ahead of it. I have 2 more bottles so lets see the progress. 3 wines of 2007, 1 of 2008 and 1 of 2009 were tasted previously on this blog.

Peter Mertes Gold Edition Bernkastel-Kueser Riesling Feinherb 2010 Kabinett

Variety: Riesling

Country of origin: Germany
Wine appellation: Mosel
Vintage: 2010
Alcohol content: 9.5%
Color: medium towards straw yellow
Bouquet: very gentle, linden tree flowers,apricot, slight benzin tones
Taste: light  body, hint of lemon crust infused with sugar, residual sugar is slightly offset by higher acidity from cold 2010 vintage,  medium to longer finish
Recommended food pairing: trout
Overall score: 5+7+11+6+7=86
Price: CZK 200
Stopper: single piece cork

Comparing to Trocken version tasted in June 2014 this one has more residual sugar. However given the cool 2010 vintage it does not feel as sweet as the Auslese 2011 (hot vintage) tasted earlier today. My preferred is the Trocken 2010 vintage.

Peter Mertes Gold Edition Piesporter Riesling 2011 Auslese

Variety: Riesling

Country of origin: Germany
Wine appellation: Mosel
Vintage: 2011
Alcohol content: 9.0%
Color: light to medium yellow
Bouquet: linden tree flowers, hint of honey and lime marmalade
Taste: light body, linden tree honey, hint of minerality and light acidity not making it overly sweet, medium finish
Recommended food pairing: cheesecake
Overall score: 4+7+11+6+6=84
Price: CZK 200
Stopper: single piece cork

Sweeter style of Riesling from hot vintage. I would prefer less residual sugar and more acidity.

Víno Marcinčák Sauvignon Blanc 2013

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Country of origin: Czech Republic
Wine appellation: Moravia, Mikulov sub-appellation, Novosedly village, Růžová hora vineyard
Vintage: 2013
Alcohol content: 13.0%

Residual sugar: 5.8 g/l

Acidity: 8.3 g/l
Color: pale to light yellow
Bouquet: white currant, lime
Taste: medium body, white currant, lime, higher acidity, at the end of the mouth profile there is white grapefruit, medium to longer finish 

Recommended food pairing: on its own, or fish
Overall score: 4+7+11+6+6=84
Price: CZK 199
Stopper: screw cap

Sauv Blanc with very high acidity due to 2013 vintage, it was selected in the best 8 wines of V8 association. I miss the grassy and nettle element visible in cool climate regions in Chile and some some regions in NZ.

Vajbar Dornfelder rosé 2013 pozdní sběr

For tasting notes and scoring please refer to July 4, 2014 tasting.

Vinařství Maděřič Pálava 2013 pozdní sběr

Variety: 100% Pálava
Country of origin: Czech Republic
Wine appellation: Moravia, Velké Pavlovice sub-appellation, Velké Bílovice village, Obory vineyard
Vintage: 2013
Alcohol content: 11.5%
Residual sugar: 18.9 g/l
Acidity: 7.3 g/l
Color: light to medium yellow
Bouquet: roses, lime, flowers
Taste: light to medium body,lime, white peach, tangerine, slightly unripe (juicy and slightly acidic) pineapple, medium to longer finish
Recommended food pairing: Asian dishes
Overall score: 4+7+11+6+6=84
Price: CZK 195
Stopper: cork
Very light bodied and fresh citrus style Palava, not very heavy neither in nose nor taste, rather refreshing, despite having 19 grams of residual sugar due to higher acidity and fresh young character it does not feel dull and sweet.

Vinařství Maděřič Rulandské šedé 2013 pozdní sběr

Variety: 100% Pinot Gris

Country of origin: Czech Republic
Wine appellation: Moravia, Velké Pavlovice sub-appellation, Velké Bílovice village, Obory vineyard
Vintage: 2013
Alcohol content: 13.0%
Residual sugar: 11.9 g/l
Acidity: 8.1 g/l
Color: light to medium yellow
Bouquet: nice, orange peel, lime, citrus fruit, hint of orange marmalade
Taste: medium body, similar to nose there si nice combination of lime and orange citrus fruit with light residual sugar similar to ones of the spicy orange marmalade, medium to longer finish
Recommended food pairing: pumping risotto
Overall score: 4+8+11+6+7=86
Price: CZK 195
Stopper: cork

Out of the 6 wine tasted this one is the best. the fact that the wine has residual sugar is OK  as I like it in PG variety anyway, moreover here the sugar is nicely balanced by very high acidity (8.1g/l)!! making it nicely balanced. This is definitively the wine for further bottle ageing.

Vinařství Maděřič Sauvignon Blanc 2013 pozdní sběr

Variety: 100% Sauvignon Blan

Country of origin: Czech Republic
Wine appellation: Moravia, Velké Pavlovice sub-appellation, Moravský Žižkov village, Slovenské vineyard
Vintage: 2013
Alcohol content: 12.5%
Residual sugar: 8.2 g/l
Acidity: 7.8 g/l
Color: light to medium yellow
Bouquet: white currant, gooseberry, white dead nettle flowers
Taste: medium body, similar to nose, white currant is dominant fruit, followed by gooseberry supported by lime and citrusy tones, light residual sugar is balancing the higher acidity, at the end there is white grapefruit, medium to longer finish
Recommended food pairing: fat pork for sure
Overall score: 4+7+12+6+6=85
Price: CZK 195
Stopper: cork
This wine got the Big gold medal from San Francisco recently so I was full of expectations. Somehow they were not met, the wine is nice, although classified as semi dry due to very high acidity it feels dry. I lack a bit of grassy element that I like so much. also the nose is a bit restrained.