Nr
1: Château Canon-La Gaffelière St.-Emilion 2010
Since he took charge
at Canon-La Gaffelière in 1985, Stephan von Neipperg, of German nobility yet a
rebel in Bordeaux, has elevated quality by focusing on terroirand
thinking outside the box. He was one of the first to hire consultant Stéphane
Derenoncourt. Grapes for this wine, a blend of 55 percent Merlot, 35 percent
Cabernet Franc and 10 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, are destemmed and go mostly
uncrushed into oak vats, triggering a slow initial fermentation. The wine aged
in barrel for 17 months.
Tasting Note: This takes the power of the vintage and
puts it in its pocket for later, preferring instead to let mouthwatering briar,
loganberry, mulberry and blackberry fruit strut its way forward, enlivened with
roasted wood spice and supported by suavely but thoroughly embedded iron-tinged
structure. Should cruise for two decades. Best from 2016 through 2035. –James
Molesworth
Nr 96028 in Systembolaget
Cost in Sweden: 899 SEK
Nr 2: Domaine Serene Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Evenstad Reserve 2010
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Domaine Serene
founders Ken and Grace Evenstad own 700 acres of land in Oregon’s
Willamette Valley, with 180 already producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and
more to come. The plentiful estate vineyards allow Serene to pick and choose
grapes for this red, the winery’s flagship. In 2010, eight of the vineyards
contributed to this vibrant Pinot, the highest-scoring Evenstad yet.
Tasting Note: A vibrant, focused and deliciously
complex red, offering raspberry, cherry, cinnamon, mocha and subtle sage notes
rolling through the long and expressive finish. Deft. Drink now through 2020. –Harvey
Steiman
Not available in Sweden
Nr 3: Hewitt Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford 2010
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Grapes for this red
come from a historic site located at the base of the Mayacamas Mountains on the
western edge of Napa Valley. Named for its former owners, the 60-acre Hewitt
Vineyard was originally planted in the 19th century, and its fruit has been the
backbone of many great Cabernets. Winemaker Chris Cooney, under the tutelage of
Napa wine veteran Tom Rinaldi, sorts the grapes first as clusters, then as
individual berries, to achieve this plush, full-bodied Cabernet.
Tasting Note: Deliciously pure, rich and deep, featuring
tiers of spicy red berry, blackberry, and red and black licorice flavors, with
pretty wilted rose scents and a long seamless finish that slowly reveals an
underlying tannic grip. Drink now through 2026. –James Laube
Not available in Sweden
Nr 4: Kongsgaard Chardonnay Napa Valley 2010
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John Kongsgaard is at
the top of the Chardonnay game in California, with wines that feature balance,
grace and elegance. Refining his winemaking style over the years, he focuses on
low yields and barrel fermenting with native yeasts. Kongsgaard, now with his
son Alex by his side, lets this wine age in barrel for two years, which adds
nuance and gives the wine a chance to settle naturally, so that it can be
bottled unfiltered.
Tasting Note: A tour de force that stretches the range
of flavors, rich and laden with roasted, smoky marshmallow, showing tiers of
marmalade, tangerine, roasted fig and fig tapenade, sailing along seamlessly
through the finish. Drink now through 2019. –James Laube
Nr Systembolaget: unkown however imported by Divine
Cost in Sweden: 899 SEK
Nr
5: Giuseppe Mascarello & Figlio Barolo Monprivato 2008
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The Mascarello family
has grown grapes in Barolo for generations, founding its winery in 1881.
Winemaker Mauro Mascarello and son Giuseppe ferment their Nebbiolo in oak
vats, leaving it on the skins for roughly three weeks and then aging it
three years in large oak casks. Monprivato is a top site covering a
south-facing slope just outside the town of Castiglione Falleto,
featuring white and gray marl soils that create wines of great perfume and
structure, but also elegance.
Tasting Note: Detailed and fragrant, offering floral,
strawberry, cherry, licorice and spice flavors, this is elegant and underlined
by a strong mineral streak. Well-proportioned, picking up intensity and
complexity on the long, savory finish. Extremely fresh and classy. Best from
2016 through 2035. –Bruce Sanderson
Nr 71101 in Systembolaget
Cost in Sweden: 749 SEK
Assembled by:
Alexander Yü
