Astrolabe Voyage Sauvignon Blanc 2009

6th and last bottle of this wine tasted. we finished the case very quickly:-) For tasting notes please refer to June 2014 tasting.

Císařské sklepy Horák Ryzlink rýnský 2011 pozdní sběr

2nd bottle of this wine tasted. For tasting notes please refer to July 30, 2014 tasting.

Yealands Estate Sauvignon Blanc Single vineyard Awatere Valley 2010

2nd bottle of this wine tasted. For label please refer to my first tasting on July 2013.

Astrolabe Voyage Sauvignon Blanc 2009

5th bottle of this wine tasted. For tasting notes please refer to June 2014 tasting.

Znovín Znojmo Zweigeltrebe 2011 výběr z hroznů

Variety: 100% Zweigeltrebe 

Country of origin: Czech Republic
Wine appellation: Moravia, Velké Pavlovice sub-appellation, Nosislav village, Přední hory vineyard
Vintage: 2011
Alcohol content: 13.0%
Color: deep ruby red
Bouquet: black sour cherries, blackberries, hint of plums and pepper

Taste: medium body, similar to nose there is black sour cherry as a major component of the taste profile more than decently followed by blackberries and hint of spiciness of wild forest fruits, pleasant acidity despite the wine being from very hot 2011 vintage, medium to longer nicely lingering finish
Recommended food pairing: game food
Overall score: 4+7+11+6+7=85
Price: CZK 180
Stopper: single piece cork

Very enjoyable wine despite from the wine being opened probably 3 years ahead of its good times it delivers nice fruit profile with some spiciness.

Znovín Znojmo Rulandské Modré 2009 výběr z hroznů

Variety: 100% Pinot Noir
Country of origin: Czech Republic
Wine appellation: Moravia, Znojmo sub-appellation, Slup village, Dívčí hora vineyard
Vintage: 2009
Alcohol content: 13.0%
Color: light garnet red with bricky meniscus
Bouquet: delicate and fruity with good bottle maturity, unoaked, small red pit fruit, wild forest strawberries, cranberries
Taste: medium body, granate apple, small wild sour cherries, hint of forest strawberries, cranberries, medium to longer nicely lingering finish
Recommended food pairing: game food
Overall score: 4+7+11+6+7=85
Price: CZK 190
Stopper: single piece cork
8th bottle of this wine tasted. this is really save bet for very nice Pinot for excellent price with proper bottle maturity. for previous tastings (one with pics) please refer here. Looking at the previous notes the wine misses the oak, which would kick it to another level. I discussed it with sommelier from Znovin and his answer was that Czechs are to conservative and prefer unoaked wine, I have nothing to add to this.

Luis Felipe Edwards Cimarosa Chardonnay Limited Edition 2013

2nd bottle of this wine tasted. For the notes please refer to my May 2014 tasting.

Ernest & Julio Gallo Family Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

4th bottle of 2006 vintage tasted. The notes are the same as in June 2014.

Luis Felipe Edwards Chardonnay Terraced Gran Reserva 2006

3rd bottle of this wine tasted. For tasting notes please refer to my June 2014 tasting.

Robert Mondavi Chardonnay Woodbridge 2005

6th bottle tasted. Tasting notes are the same as August 19, 2014.

Znovín Znojmo Terroir Lacerta Viridis Rulandské bílé 2011 pozdní sběr

Variety: 100% Pinot Blanc
Country of origin: Czech Republic
Wine appellation: Moravia, Znojmo sub-appellation, Šatov village, Na vinici vineyard
Vintage: 2011
Alcohol content: 11.0%
Residual sugar: 7.1g/l
Acidity: 6.1g/l
Color: light to medium yellow
Bouquet:  acacia flowers, white peach
Taste: medium body, round and denser profile, similar to nose there is white flesh peach, supported by hint of  grapefruit character, although dry, it feels slight residual sugar, medium to longer finish
Recommended food pairing: fruit salad
Overall score: 4+7+11+6+6+50=84
Price: CZK 150
Stopper: cork

2nd bottle of this wine tasted. First tasting was almost exactly one year ago in July 2013. Looking at the notes then the wine got less expressive and more subtle in the nose and rounder in the taste profile. I would prefer slightly drier style for Pinot Blanc.

Vinselekt Michlovský Sauvignon 2011 pozdní sběr

This was our best value white of last year. This is the 7th bottle of this wine tasted and please refer to my June 2014 tasting for the notes. Previous tasting were all last year.

Palacio de La Vega Cabernet Sauvignon Tempranillo Crianza 2008

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo
Country of origin: Spain
Wine appellation: Navarra
Vintage: 2008
Alcohol content: 13.5%
Color: medium ruby red
Bouquet: red sour cherries, black currant, hint of wood
Taste: medium body, quite fruity, similar to nose the dominant fruit profile is red sour cherry with slightly higher acidity, followed by black currant and at the end hint of black chocolate with still visible tannins, medium to long finish
Recommended food pairing: steak
Overall score: 4+7+11+6+7=85
Price: CZK 280
Stopper: cork

Despite 6 years old the wine has the best years ahead of it. It is Cab with the lively acidity most likely due to addition of Tempranillo grapes. At this point it needs to go with steak as there is still more fruit than I would prefer.

Vinařství Krásná Hora Zweigeltrebe Rosé 2013

Variety: Zweigeltrebe
Country of origin: Czech Republic
Wine appellation: Moravia, Velké Pavlovice sub-appellation, Moravská Nová Ves village, Vinohrady vineyard
Vintage: 2013
Alcohol content: 11.5%
Color: very pale church pink
Bouquet: lemon, red currant, light and fresh
Taste:light to  medium body, fresh zesty style, red currant, pink grapefruit,  medium to longer finish
Overall score: 4+7+11+6+6+50=84
Price: CZK 180
Stopper: screw cap

Fresh and zesty style of Rosé with vibrant acidity typical for 2013 vintage.

Robertson Winery Chenin Blanc 2007

6th bottle of this wine tasted. October 2013 tasting notes apply.

Bodegas Olcaviana Xintros Petit Verdot Merlot 2007

Variety: Petit Verdot, Merlot 

Country of origin: Spain
Wine appellation: Castilla La Mancha
Vintage: 2007
Alcohol content: 13.5%
Color: dark garnet red
Bouquet: canned fruit, cherries, hint of mulberry and violet with woody touch
Taste: medium body,  jammy, forest fruit preserve, hint of vanilla, nice matured, soft and sweet tannins, slightly lower acidity, medium to longer finish
Recommended food pairing: fuet
Overall score: 4+7+11+6+6=84
Price: CZK 220
Stopper: cork

Interesting wine for sure as I hardly had the opportunity to taste Petit Verdot being the major variety in the blend. Being blended wit Merlot I would guess Merlot on blind tasting with some more forest fruit flavor profile and hint of spiciness.

Viña Tarapacá Syrah 2003

Tasting my 5th bottle I have nothing to add to my June 2014 tasting.

Concha y Toro Sunrise Chardonnay 2011

Variety: Chardonnay
Country of origin: Chile
Wine appellation: Central Valley
Vintage: 2011
Alcohol content: 13.0%
Color: light to medium yellow
Bouquet:  clean, citrusy, green apple
Taste: medium body, citrusy, pineapple, similar to nose green apple, good acidity, brisk, not heavy rather fresher style, medium to longer finish
Recommended food pairing: chicken
Overall score: 4+6+11+6+6=83
Price: CZK 179
Stopper: cork
This is always save bet for unoaked Chardonnay for very good value. From my experience it goes to rounder style with aging. Check 2007 and 2005 vintages tasted on this blog. This time I would say there is zero oak in the wine. 

Robert Mondavi Chardonnay Woodbridge 2005

5th bottle tasted. Tasting notes are the same as August 19, 2014.

Robert Mondavi Chardonnay Woodbridge 2005

Variety: Chardonnay

Country of origin: USA
Wine appellation: California, Lodi
Vintage: 2005
Alcohol content: 13.5%
Color: straw yellow
Bouquet: overripe and also grilled pineapple, vanilla, toast bread
Taste: medium body, similar to nose the dominant fruit profile is tropical fruit with overripe pineapple playing major role, hint of vanilla, and wood, medium to longer finish
Recommended food pairing: smoked salmon
Overall score: 5+7+11+6+6=85
Price: CZK 250
Stopper: screw cap

4th bottle of this wine tasted. Due to Screw cap the wine is still in perfect conditions, for pictures please refer to my November 2013 tasting.

Misiones de Rengo Chardonnay Reserva 2009

5th bottle of the wine tasted, nothing much has changed from March 2014 tasting notes.

Astrolabe Voyage Sauvignon Blanc 2009

4th bottle of this wine tasted. For tasting notes please refer to June 2014 tasting.

Vinařství Přítluky Sylvánské zelené 2011 pozdní sběr

Variety: Sylvaner
Country of origin: Czech Republic
Wine appellation: Moravia, MIkulov sub appellation, Bulhary vineyard, Nad sklepy vineyard
Vintage: 2011
Alcohol content: 12.o%
Color: light to medium yellow
Bouquet: gooseberry, slight spiciness
Taste: light to medium body, lower acidity, quite neutral, grapes, gooseberry, flatter profile, medium finish
Recommended food pairing: fish

Overall score: 4+6+8+5+5=78
Price: CZK150
Stopper: plastic cork
Very Basic Sylvaner, good with food only. Not much in the nose or taste.

Milan Nestarec Muzika Nach Pinot Noir Zweigeltrebe 2011

I was looking fw to opening this wine. Remembering my last tasting in Feb 2014, my expectations were confirmed. The only problem is that I have only 2 more bottles:-).

Robert Mondavi Woodbridge Zinfandel 2005

Variety: Zinfandel
Country of origin: USA
Wine appellation: California - Nappa
Vintage: 2005
Alcohol content: 13,5%
Color: light to medium garnet red
Bouquet: expressive, fruity, clean, blackberries, raspberries, vanilla
Taste: medium body, raspberries, black sweet cherries, vanilla, very smooth, still pleasant acidity, sweet tannins, medium to longer finish
Recommended food pairing:
Overall score: 3+7+11+6+7 = 84
Price: CZK 199
Stopper: screw cap
Slightly paler in the color if you do not mind the color. Clean still fresh nose, typical commercial Californian Zin in the taste with good acidity.

Santa Rita Chardonnay 2006 Reserva

I very much like this Chardonnay. Excellent value/price and superb bottle maturity. 3rd and last bottle of this vintage tasted. For tasting notes please refer to my March 2014 tasting.

Astrolabe Voyage Sauvignon Blanc 2009

3rd bottle of this wine tasted. For tasting notes please refer to June 2014 tasting.

Saint Clair Family Estate Vicar's Choice Sauvignon Blanc 2009

This is the 4th bottle tasted of 2009 vintage, looking at my notes from May 2014 they are perfectly valid for today's tasting. I had for the first time this Sauvignon 2005. Looking back at my blog this is 22nd bottle of this Sauvignon of 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009 vintage;-)

Moravíno Valtice Chardonnay barrique 2012 pozdní sběr

Variety: Chardonnay

Country of origin: Czech Republic
Wine appellation: Moravia, Mikulov sub-appellation, Valtice village, Kamenné hory vineyard
Vintage: 2012
Alcohol content: 13.5%
Color: medium yellow
Bouquet: peach, pineapple, lime, hint of vanilla
Taste: medium body, quite citrusy, slightly unripe pineapple, lime, minerality, hint of hazelnuts, good acidity, medium to longer finish

Recommended food pairing: turkey, easily creme brulee
Overall score: 4+7+12+6+7+50=86
Price: CZK 199
Stopper: single piece cork
Comparing to unoaked version of Chardonnay from the same producer, but 2011 vintage tasted yesterday, this is for me more gentle in the nose, but with better profile in the mouth nicely combining acidity, lime and citrus fruit with a hint of oak.

Robertson Winery Chenin Blanc 2007

5th bottle of this wine tasted. October 2013 tasting notes apply.

Cono Sur Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Country of origin: Chile
Wine appellation: Central valley
Vintage: 2010
Alcohol content: 12.5%
Color: light yellow
Bouquet: gooseberry, white currant
Taste: medium body, lime, white currant, lime, pleasant acidity, medium to longer finish
Recommended food pairing: see food
Overall score: 4+7+11+6+6+50=84
Price: CZK 179
Stopper: screw cap
4th and last bottle of this wine tasted. For pictures please refer to my notes from June 2013.

Plantaže Crnogorski Vranac 2005

2nd bottle of this wine tasted.Tasting notes from October 2013 apply.

Traminer Aromatico 2013 DOC

Variety: 100% Gewurztraminer
Country of origin: Italy
Wine appellation: Alto Adige, Trentino
Vintage: 2013
Alcohol content: 12.5%
Color: light yellow, light ocre tones
Bouquet: quite aromatic, rose petal, lychee, spices
Taste: medium body, spices, lower acidity, lychee, mango, medium finish
Recommended food pairing: Asian food
Overall score: 3+6+10+5+5=79
Price: CZK 99

Stopper: plastic cork

Basic aromatic Traminer, reflecting the price.

Pavel Binder Cuveé Binder Elegance 2013 kabinet

Variety: 70% Rhine Riesling, 30% Gewurtztraminer
Country of origin: Czech Republic
Wine appellation: Moravia, Velké Pavlovice sub-appellation, Rakvice village,
Vintage: 2013
Alcohol content: 11.5%
Color: light to medium yellow
Bouquet: white flowers, apricot, roses
Taste: lighter to medium body, similar to nose there is apricot, followed by peach and orange supported by light spiciness and light honey type profile,  Residual sugar is nicely balanced by higher acidity, medium finish
Recommended food pairing: Asian dishes

Overall score: 4+7+11+5+6=83
Price: CZK 210

Stopper: plastic cork

Quite aromatic Cuvee with higher residual sugar, not on its own, but to accompany Asian dishes it would be good match.

Moravíno Valtice Chardonnay 2011 výběr z hroznů

Variety: Chardonnay
Country of origin: Czech Republic
Wine appellation: Moravia, Mikulov sub-appellation, Valtice village, Pod valtickou vineyard
Vintage: 2011
Alcohol content: 13.0%
Color: medium to straw yellow
Bouquet: tropical fruit, ripe pineapple, orange blossom
Taste: medium to fuller body, round, similar to nose tropical fruit such as pineapple and ripe papaya are quite dominant followed by hint of butter pear, lower acidity, medium to longer finish

Recommended food pairing: turkey, easily creme brulee
Overall score: 4+8+11+6+7+50=86
Price: CZK 199
Stopper: single piece cork

Chardonnay from very hot vintage shows characteristics for much warmer appellations than typical for Moravia. Round profile determines  it for food rather than on its own.

Robertson Winery Chenin Blanc 2008

4th bottle of this wine tasted. Tasting notes and scoring almost the same as in September 2013

Znovín Znojmo Kerner 2008 výběr z hroznů

4th bottle of this wine tasted. For tasting notes please refer to my notes from June 2014.

Tesco Finest Steillage Riesling 2007

5th bottle of this Riesling tasted. April 2014 tasting apply.

Herbarium Moravicum Rulandské bílé 2010 pozdní sběr

4th bottle tasted. For tasting notes please refer to my tasting from June 3, 2014.

Saint Clair Family Estate Vicar's Choice Sauvignon Blanc 2008

6th bottle of this wine tasted. The tasting notes are the same as in June 2014.

Saint Clair Family Estate Vicar's Choice Sauvignon Blanc 2008

5h bottle of this wine tasted. As mentioned yesterday, day before yesterday and 5 days ago when the fourth, third and second bottle was tasted the tasting notes are the same as in June 2014.

Podere Macinatico Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2013 DOCG

Variety: Vernaccia
Country of origin: Italy
Wine appellation: Tuscany
Vintage: 2013
Alcohol content: 13%
Color: pale yellow
Bouquet: quite closed, hint of citrus and white flowers and minerality
Taste: medium body, citrus, green apples, gentle acidity, white grapefruit at the end there is a bit of almond bitterness, medium finish
Overall score: 3+6+9+5+5+50=78

Recommended food pairing: fish
Price: CZK 129
Stopper: single piece cork

Not fan of this variety. Tried it again and the wine is drinkable, but nothing special. (The label is 2012 from internet, but tasted wine was 2013)

Saint Clair Family Estate Vicar's Choice Sauvignon Blanc 2008

4th bottle of this wine tasted. As mentioned yesterday and 4 days ago when the third and second bottle was tasted the tasting notes are the same as in June 2014.

Saint Clair Family Estate Vicar's Choice Sauvignon Blanc 2008

3rd bottle of this wine tasted. As mentioned 3 days ago when the second bottle was tasted the tasting notes are the same as in June 2014.

Vinice Hnanice Ryzlink rýnský 2010 VOC

2nd bottle of this Riesling tasted. My notes from December 2013 still hold.

Torre de Ferro Reserva Dão 2010 DOC

Variety: Alfrocheiro, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz
Country of origin: Portugal
Wine appellation: Dão
Vintage: 2010
Alcohol content: 13.5%
Color: darker ruby red
Bouquet: black sour cherries, marmalade, smoke
Taste: medium body, excellent balance between the fruit, acidity, tannins and barrel, similar to nose there are very overripe black sour cherries with stunning fruit character whilst keeping the mild (not disturbing) acidity in place supported by nice flavour of toast bread and hint of smoke meat, round mid profile is transformed nicely into medium to longer finish
Overall score: 4+7.5+11.5+6+7+50=86
Price CZK 80
Stopper: single piece cork

This wine deserves the Silver medal at the International Wine Challange. It is from the set of Spanish and one Portuguese wine clearly the best. While being very young  it is already amazing value wine and will only improve over the time. I will get one case to cellar.

Cimarosa Estate Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2013

6th bottle of this wine tasted this summer. For tasting notes please refer to June 2014 tasting.

Saint Clair Family Estate Vicar's Choice Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Tasting notes are the same as in June 2014.

Castillo de Alcoy Valencia Reserva 2010 DO

Variety: Monastrell, Tempranillo
Country of origin: Spain
Wine appellation: Clariano, Valencia
Vintage: 2010
Alcohol content: 13.5%
Color: light to medium ruby red
Bouquet: sour cherries, spices, red currant
Taste: medium body, similar to nose you can taste black sour cherries with typical cherry like fruitiness and acidity supported by spices, there are still young unsettled tannins, at the end the alcohol is slightly standing out, medium to longer finish
Recommended food pairing: fuet
Overall score: 3+6+9+6+6=80
Price: CZK 60
Stopper: cork
With Gold Medal from Concours Mondial Bruxelles the wine created expectations that were not delivered. However looking at the very cheap price the wine delivers good value for BBQ with non wine drinkers:-)

Domaine de Viranel Viognier 2012 AOC

Variety: 100% Viognier
Country of origin: France
Wine appellation: Languedoc
Vintage: 2012
Alcohol content: 13.0 %
Color: light  yellow
Bouquet: white flowers, apricot, orange peel, hint of lime
Taste: medium body, lime combined with apricot, white grapefruit, medium to longer finish
Recommended food pairing: matured cheese
Overall score: 3+7+10+6+6=82
Price: CZK 270
Stopper: plastic cork

Average Viognier that lacks a bit of complexity in the taste.

Caño Alta Expresión Tinta de Toro Viñas Viejas 2011 DO

Variety: Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo)
Country of origin: Spain
Wine appellation: Toro
Vintage: 2011
Alcohol content: 14.0%
Color: medium ruby red
Bouquet: very restrained, black sour cherries marmalade, hint of toast
Taste: medium body, predominantly fruit driven cherries sour cherries, round profile, higher acidity, alcohol is slightly standing out, at the end there is a feel of pink grapefruit, and alcohol, medium to longer finish
Recommended food pairing: fuet
Overall score: 4+6+9+6+6=81
Price: CZK 150
Stopper: single piece cork
I expected better wine than Bajoz Roble tasted a week ago, but the scoring is slightly lower and you can actually buy 2 bottles of Bajoz for the price of 1 bottle of Caño, yes the Bajoz is more fruity with visible vanilla tones (not yet integrated), but this wine is just OK without anything that would force you to stop and think about it.

Monte Plogar Cariñena Gran Reserva 2007 DO

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Garnacha
Country of origin: Spain
Wine appellation: Cariñena
Vintage: 2007
Alcohol content: 13.5%
Color: medium ruby red
Bouquet: cherries, black currant, spices, hint of cinnamon
Taste: medium body, cherries, sour cherries, spices, slightly higher acidity, medium to longer finish
Recommended food pairing: fuet
Overall score: 4+6+9+6+6=81
Price: CZK 70
Stopper: single piece cork
Quite average gran reserva with nothing extra to add.

Robertson Winery Chenin Blanc 2007

4th bottle of this wine tasted. October 2013 tasting notes apply.

Herbarium Moravicum Chardonnay 2011 pozdní sběr (Mikulov, lot: 2211131127)

Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Country of origin: Czech Republic
Wine appellation: Moravia, Mikulov sub-appellation
Vintage: 2011, lot: 2211131127
Alcohol content: 13.5%
Color: medium yellow
Bouquet: pear, ripe pineapple,
Taste: medium body, round, ripe pear, ripe pineapple, peach, lower acidity, slightly higher residual sugar, red apple, medium to longer finish
Recommended food pairing: cheesecake
Overall score: 4+7+9+6+6=82
Price: CZK 149
Stopper: cork
Chardonnay from hot vintage with round mouth profile, lower acidity and slightly higher residual sugar. It is different from Slovácko and Znojmo 011 vintages tasted previously. I do not like the level of residual sugar in this wine. Also the sugar level in grapes is most likely understated as pozdní sběr would not reach 13.5% alcohol level with residual sugar in the vines being left.

Astrolabe Voyage Sauvignon Blanc 2009

2nd bottle of this wine tasted. For tasting notes please refer to June 2014 tasting.

Viña Tarapacá Sauvignon Blanc 2011

Variety: Sauvignon

Country of origin: Chile
Wine appellation: Central valley
Vintage: 2011
Alcohol content: 12.5%
Color: light yellow
Bouquet: white currant, slight gooseberry tones, white grapefruit
Taste: medium body, white currant, zesty and good lime acidity, white grapefruit, medium to longer finish
Recommended food pairing: salad, fish
Overall score: 4+7+11+6+6=84
Price: CZK 100 (promotion)
Stopper: cork

Last (6th) bottle tasted from the case. First bottle was tasted in October 2013. It was very good value for the money Sauvignon where majority of the Moravian Sauvognons aspire to be, nothing great but fine. It is still very zesty and fresh and better than 2012 vintage tasted in July 2013. Chronological tasting here.