1980 Vintage Port

1980 Smith Woodhouse Vintage Port;

Ruby with brick rim, red and darker berries on the nose, anise and some VA. Leaner style body, elegant, more dried fruits on the palate, cherry stone finish. 90

Lets leave the gentlemen to their Port

1994 Smith Woodhouse Vintage Port;

(Demi) Deep ruby, pink rim. Blackberries, blueberries, dark and deep flavour profile, mocha, chocolate, magnificent. Fresh acidity, rounded and very well balanced, intense and refined, very long. This will age gracefully for a long time still. For now, 94

TBA for those who love sweets, not wine

1999 Alois Kracher Nr.3 Chardonnay Welschriesling Trockenbeerenauslese;

Amber, raisins and sweet, simple minded, acidity tries, but never manages the residual sugar level, fruity, not that long. 84

An example of how even very great winemakers can't turn stone into gold. Welschriesling (and (sweet) Chardonnay) will never be great sweet wines in my book. They lack the acidity required, and the nuances of flavours. The wine gets to be boring, almost cloying, lacking complexity and refinement.

98 Tissot Vin Jaune

1998 Tissot Vin Jaune Arbois;

Golden, some VA, apples and yellow plums, some deliberate oxidation. Dry, minerals and stony, good acidity, a bit lean body, long length. 93

92 Montille

1992 Montille Pommard 1er Cru Les Rugiens;

Ruby, floral, mint, herbs, green and vegetal. Those of you thinking 04 Burgundy is vegetal, should try this one. Unripe strawberries getting more intense with air, lean and acidic style. A bit short fruit with acidity lingering on, this is not for everyone. 89

By this state I fell of the wagon considering the exact menu, but somewhere around here we had a delicious game and chanterelle dish, Norway's best food and restaurant critic RR probably have all the details.

1990 PdB Montestefano

Nylund and Størkersen in action, while Karl Kristian is relaxing in the kitchen :)

1990 Produttori del Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano;

Ruby, brick rim, tomato soup, leather and VA on the nose. Good acidity, lean, almost rustic, lacks intensity and feels boring. 86

First of all, Produttori never excites me (except for one 1947 a few years back), I find them rustic and lacking in nuances and body. But I expect this bottle was not fully optimal.

76 Amarone

1976 Masi Amarone Classico;

Brick with brown hue, coffee and oxidation, leafy and dry, dusty and bouillon, faulty by storage.

1990 Ch.Filhot

1990 Château Filhot;

Golden, floral, apricots, quite intense and more youthful than expected. A bit edgy and raw, seems typical of the house, slightly bitter finish. 88

Working well with the Foie Gras, but a Sauternes with a fruitier style would work even better.

89 Dr.Loosen EP Auslese

Karl Kristian in action, virgin lobsters naturel

1989er Dr.Loosen Erdener Prälat Riesling Auslese;

Pale golden, botrytis, honey, minerals, pineapples, apricot stones and some petroleum. Complex and layered. Beautiful balance, acidity feels lower than it is, very elegant, good length. 93

Bought at Weinhause Porn in Bernkastel this summer, from a huge Mosel collector, KK told us. Seems to be at peak now, if you wan't the fresh fruit in the wine, as well as aged nuances. Gorgeous with the virgin lobsters as the wine have shed a lot of its residual sugar by now.

96 Heidsieck

1996 Charles Heidsieck Brut Millesime;

Pale golden, tiny bubbles. Lovely minerality, lime and fresh, youthful. Gorgeous and pure, high and lively acidity, beautiful balance, long length. 94

Served with lobster on toasted bread

Gentlemen's evening at Karl Kristian's

2007 Vincent Paris Granit Blanc;

Pale golden, floral and tropical, almost a hint of flor, beeswax and stones. OK acidity, some bitter tones, not that refreshing. 88

1938 Massandra Krim White Muscat

1938 Masandra, Krim White Muscat;

Gold-orange, grapey aromas, some VA and orange peel, lemon and grapefruit, layered. Nice acidity, lively enough if not that high, stunning raisins, gorgeous balance, lemon and raspberries, very long finish. 93

Served blind I was on Muscat at once, but place and age, forget it....

An enormous thank to the Wichstrøm Winebar for the generosity of opening such rare and special wines, and the curiosity to actually get hold of these rarities, for the superb lamb, the fantastic chantrells, and to all the guests for a truly remarkable evening.

1975 Château d'Yquem

1975 Château d'Yquem;

Golden, botrytis, apricots, orange bitter tones, fresh, superb refinement, layered and nuanced, not imposing at all, opens up beautifully, seductive and never big, alluring, enormous length, getting even longer after more air. Impressive in a very unexpected way. Wow! It's so tender, yet so layered and long lasting. Still fairly youthfull. 96-98

76 Salvatore Murana Creato

1976 Salvatore Murana, Creato, Passito di Pantellaria;

One of only 1500 half bottles made, and according to Lars who served it, only made in this vintage!

Brown with yellow-green rim, massive density, thick viscosity, chocolate and orange. Nice acidity, a bit oxidative, massive sweetness, prunes, good length. 88

Served blind, I was in PX land......

76 Engelmann Riesling BA

1976er Weingut Carl Fritz Engelmann Erben Hallgarten, Hallgartener Jungfer Riesling Beerenauslese;

Golden with orange hue, intense and cinnamon, plums and apricots, tropical and floral, stunning nose. Quite intense, good acidity but much more single minded on the palate unfortunately, good length. 88

I've experienced 76's that is actually far better the day after, I don't know if this one had any left in it so someone could try it.....

1959 Moulin Touchais

1959 Moulin Touchais;

Golden, yellow stone fruits and minerals, good acidity, not that sweet, elegant, camphor, balanced, good length. Good but lacks some excitement. 86

Served blind, I was no where near on age or place, I was on some nineties Alsace Pinot Gris or something. The oldest I've had of this wine before is the 86 and 88, both having crazy high acidity, so this never crossed my mind. Very interesting wine to taste. This estate is well known (for those who actually know about it) for their late releases.

94 Muga Torre Muga

1994 Muga Torre Muga;

Ruby, leather, tobacco, some VA, after a few minutes, cork even here.

94 Muga Prado Enea

1994 Muga Prado Enea Gran Reserva;

Ruby, garnet rim, blueberries and vanilla, elegant but slightly boring. Lacks the somewhat vibrancy of the 01. 89

01 Muga Prado Enea

Is it enough chanterell's?

2001 Muga Prado Enea Gran Reserva;

Ruby, blueberries, anise and vanilla. Lively acidity, elegant, ripe tannins, good length. 90

01 Muga Rserva

2001 Muga Reserva;

Ruby, pure vanilla nose, elegant fruit on the palate, good acidity, ripe tannins, fruit driven, elegant and good length. 89

95 Costers del Siurana

1995 Costers del Siurana, Miserere;

VA and alcohol, towards undrinkable if you're not into SM..... This is advanced self torturing.....

95 L'Ermita

1995 Alvaro Palacios L'Ermita;

Bouillon and cooked plums, tired, to hot storage.....

91 Rotllan Torra

1991 Rotllan Torra Gran Reserva;

Ruby, straw and raspberries, touch of brett., lean and quite simple. 81

00 Clos Mogador

2000 Clos Mogador;

Ruby, coffee, massive and ripe, touch of VA, pure fruit and palate, then more cooked and coffee in the finish, massive tannins, good length. 89

Oh, my boring little Pingus......

1998 Pingus;

Served blind, ruby, garnet rim, vanilla, violets and elegant, if a bit closed on the nose. Very elegant fruit, high of ripe tannins, lively acidity, quite boring even if it doesn't sound like it in the tasting note, gives little of any interest, not very long. Spain somewhere? Max €20 of the shelf? 86-87

I knew this one was in the flight, but I thought the wine turning out to be Condado de Haza was the Pingus, and that did not impress me much either..... Second time I try Pingus, I've tried 04 as well, and that did not spark any interest either. What a waste of money. In Norwegian I will refer to it from now on as Pingle (weak).

04 Condado de Haza Robles Frances

2004 Condado de Haza Reserva Seleccion Robles Frances;

Ruby, coffee, intense, alcohol over tones, sweet, huge, massive. Ripe, good acidity, ripe tannins, Port like, some bitter stuff in the finish, good length. 89

96 Alion

1996 Bodegas Alion;

Just slightly corked, overshadowing some nice tea and blueberry elements. There was quite a high number of corked wines in this tasting.....

95 Pesquera Janus

1995 Pesquera Janus Gran Reserva;

Ruby and a bit cloudy. Leather, coffee, dark feel to it, ripe. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, more elegant palate than nose suggest, lively fruit driven but a bit short. I remember it as vastly better.... But so many 95's from Spain is far from were they started out now. 88

02 Pesquera Millenium Reserva

2002 Pesquera Millenium Reserva;

Ruby with brick rim, some vanilla, stone minerals, coffee and black fruits. Good acidity, ripe tannins, long and very elegant. Pure fruit. 91

1968 CVNE Imperial

1968 CVNE Imperial Gran Reserva;

Pale brick, gives me little on the nose, fresh acidity, nothing much after that......

76 Faustino 1

1976 Faustino 1

Ruby with orange rim, slightly oxidized and tired, flat with ok acidity, drying. I have had two better bottles, the last one last year. This one 72

1970 Berberana Gran Reserva

1970 Berberana Gran Reserva;

Ruby with orange rim, sediments. Earthy, leaves and pure strawberries, eucalyptus whiff and leather. Lean and not the highest acidity, a bit different from the others in that regard, feels almost flat, but concentrating I find it's more integrated in the body and it's actually there. Good length. 86

1964 Viña Pomal Gran Reserva

1964 Viña Pomal Reserva Especial;

I've never heard of this house, pale ruby, broad orange rim, sediments. Strawberries, smells of old Burgundy, fresh acidity, lean body, elegant, good length. a bit simple, falling apart after fifteen minutes or so in the glass. 87 at best.

1928 Paterina Gran Reserva

1928 Paternina Ollauri Gran Reserva;

Brown-red with orange rim, oxidized and Madeira light, this was served blind, and with aromas of Madeira or maybe sherry, but to red colour and totally wrong texture and structure, this was any ones guess. Turned out to be a tired old Rioja, the oldest I've tasted, and even if very tired indeed, a very cool experience. Thanks to Wichstrøm!

1959 Talbot

1959 Château Talbot;

Pale ruby, brick rim, vanilla and red berries, cherries, leather, rather simple, lacks fruit. After about ten minutes in the glass cork shows up, what a shame.

Served blind and I wasn't even close to Bdx at first, then I thought maybe St Julien or Margaux actually, but then the cork started overshadowing the nuances. I was never on anything as old as 1959, maybe except for the colour.

1967 Vega Sicilia

1967 Vega Sicilia Unico;

Again superb A level fill, up in the neck, ruby with orange rim. Mature nose, earth, licorice and cherry stones. Fresh acidity, tannins are letting go, dry leaf, still very enjoyable, but it has started its decline. 86

1968 Vega Sicilia Unico

1968 Vega Sicilia Unico;

A level fill, up in the neck, ruby with thin brick rim. Layered, seductive, flirting, amazing nose, superb palate, stunning balance, lively, vibrant, and very long length. 95 (But, it starts to fall apart after about 25-35 minutes in the glass and should be enjoyed while it has all it's layers and nuances. Invite guests and let them have one glass each).

1980 Vega Sicilia

1980 Vega Sicilia Unico;

Ruby with thin brick rim, flirting nose, layered and indescribable, a bit lean for Vega, but takes it back in pure elegance, a bit acidic finish. 92

85 Vega Sicilia

1985 Vega Sicilia Unico;

Ruby with brick rim, sediments, floral, layered, complex, still slightly rough and edgy (this gave way after half an hour) tobacco and leather. Fresh and high acidity, ripe tannins, performing better now than a bottle a year or so back. Long length. 94

1986 Vega Sicilia

1986 Vega-Sicilia Unico;

Oxidized caused by bad storage.

1968 Castillo Ygay

1968 Marques de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva;

Ruby core, orange rim, lots of sediments. Leather, anise, floral, red berries. Fresh acidity, tannins, gone, tastes like and old and drying Sauternes with apricots and peach stones, even raisins in the finish, long length. 92-93

Interesting to see how linear the style of these wines have been for four decades.

78 Castillo Ygay

1978 Marques de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva;

Bright ruby, brick rim, dusty, tomatoes, slight of oxidized overtones, some oxidated red berries. Fresh acidity, again lean, the 78 does not impress much, yet again. 85

1987 Castillo Ygay

1987 Marques de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva;

Bright ruby, garnet rim, closed and lean nose, lean, acidic and lacks fruit on the palate, short except for the acidity that seems to play in its own game..... 80

1989 Castillo Ygay

1989 Marques de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva;

Bright red, garnet watery rim. More seductive nose than the two former, the barrel has let go and floral notes, lovely blueberries, leather, anise and cherry stones opens up. High acidity, somewhat volatile on the high notes, ripe tannins, lean with acidic finish. 90-91

94 Castillo Ygay

1994 Marques de Murrieta, Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva;

Bright red, vanilla, floral, hyacinth, closed, needed time to open, but the oak hasn't quite let go yet either. Fresh acidity, lean, wood tannins, refreshing if lean finish. 87

01 Castillo Ygay

Rune shows someone who have just tasted through many Priorats.....

2001 Marques de Murrieta, Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva;

Bright ruby, vanilla and barrel overshadowing some licorice and blueberries. Fresh acidity, lean body, ripe tannins, a bit woody and edgy now, fresh finish. 88

05 Juve Y Camp Gran

2005 Juve Y Camp, Gran;

Pale golden, tiny bubbles, somewhat tropical, nuts and caramel, elegant mousse, fresh acidity, a bit bitter finish and quite long, but I had it in a Burgundy glass, and that did not work in the wines favour. 88-89

Served totally blind, I was for a while on Franciacorta before nailing the producer. This was quite a nice start for the magnificent Lars Wichstrøm Spanish wine extravaganza.

Pictures will follow as soon as I find the cable.....

2010 Bordeaux retasted in August

2010 Château Pontet-Canet;

Intense and layered nose, complex, cassis, gorgeous balance, texture and structure, extremely long. 96-98

2010 Château Montrose;

Rich with intense fruit on the nose, lovely balance, texture and structure, playfull acidity, elegant fruit, very long, feels elegant for Montrose. 95-96

2010 Château Talbot;

Lost the greenness from June and April tastings, but still some herbs on the finish mixed with cassis. More together now, still slightly edgy but definitively on the right path. 89-92

2010 Château Lascombes;

Elegant with floral notes on the nose, pure fruit, balanced, good length, oak is a bit on the outside for now. 90-92

2010 Château Lagrange;

Spicy with herbs, elegant and pure palate and body, good length. 89-90

2010 Château d'Issan;

Fruity with flirting violets, red berries, elegant, pure and lovely acidity, long length. 90-92

2010 Château Haut-Bailly;

Fruit driven nose, a bit lean anonymous still, but it's shed the slightly hollow mid palate it had in April and June, lacks the energy of some 2010 Pessac's..... 90-91

2010 Château Ferriére;

Elegant fruit and violets, pure, elegant, nice balance, lively, lovely length. For those who appreciate classical elegance. 90-92

2010 Château Haut Bages Liberal;

Fresh and elegant nose, nicetexture, fresh acidity, fruity nose, blackberries finish. 91-92

2010 Château Grand Puy Lacoste;

Blackcurrant's, some barrel, classic but not that intense on the nose, elegant, nicely balanced, a bit shut, nuanced, long length, but doesn't excite me as much as many tasters. 92-94

2010 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge;

Graphite and smoky minerals and stunning acidity and balance, long. 93-95

2010 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc;

Grapefruit, minerals and citrus, fresh acidity, mouthwatering, holding back at the moment, elegant, very long. Showed better in April and June. 93-94

2010 Château Clerc Milon;

Fresh feel Pauillac, and that gorgeous acidity, stunning balance, elegant fruit, long length, must be the best Clerc Milon ever. 93-95

2010 Château Giscours;

Intense and fruit driven, fresh and lively acidity, lovely texture and length. 92-94

2010 Château Branaire Ducru;

Lovely and pure fruit, body feels leaner now than in June and April, very elegant. 90-91

2010 Château Beychevelle;

Fresh, coffee and spices, barrel showing. Elegant body, pure fruit, nice length but lacks a bit of excitement. 90-92

2010 Bordeaux retasted in June, Sauternes

2010 Château Bastor-Lamontagne;

Sweet and tropical, pure but on the simple and easy going side, nice length. 87-89

2010 Château Broustet;

Tropical and pineapples, sweet, fresh and lively, elegant, OK length. 88-89

2010 Château Coutet;

Intense nose, layered, complex, superb balance, long finish. Best Coutet yet? 93-95

2010 Château de Fargues;

Intense, pineapple, pure and complex, layered, stunning fruit, superb length, amazing. 95-96

2010 Château de Malle;

Pure fruit, simple but this year has gorgeous acidity- 88-89

2010 Château de Rayne Vigneau;

Fresh, lively, elegant, exotic, long length. 93-94

2010 Château Doisy-Daëne;

Pure and layered, stunning balance and texture, playful acidity, essence of elegance, long finish. 94-95

2010 Château Doisy-Védrines;

Closed nose, elegant, lively, fresh and long on the palate. 93-94

2010 Château Guiraud;

Floral and beeswax, beautiful balance, long, elegant and nuanced. 92-94

2010 Château La Tour Blanche;

Layered, perfumed, complex, beautiful acidity and balance, long. 93-94

2010 Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey;

Gorgeous nose, intense, layered, elegant, refined, long. 94-95

2010 Château Nairac;

Tropical, beautiful texture, gorgeous acidity, lively, playful, long. 93-94

2010 Château Sigalas Rabaud;

Fresh, lively, elegant, pure fruit, long finish. 92-93

2010 Château Suduiraut;

Layered, refined, gorgeous texture, balanced, refined, fresh and lively, showing way better than in April. 94-95

2010 Bordeaux retasted in June, Saint-Estèphe

2010 Château Cos Labory;

Strawberries on the nose, elegant, pure, lively feel, good length, feels more vibrant than most Cos Labory's I've tasted. 89-91

2010 Château de Pez;

Perfumed, layered, fresh and lively, elegant, beautiful texture, long. 91-93

2010 Château Lafon-Rochet;

Earl grey and fine fruits, nice texture and structure, balanced and long finish. 90-92

2010 Château Ormes de Pez;

Sweet high-notes, feels extracted, long and much fresher finish. 87-88?

2010 Château Phélan Ségur;

Elegant, fresh fruit and elegant texture, ripe style St.Estèphe, long finish. 91-92

2010 Bordeaux retasted in June, Pauillac

2010 Château Batailley;

Fresh, lively, leaner style, good length. 87-89

2010 Château Clerc Milon;

Closed nose, stunning mouth, fresh, pure, elegant, gorgeous texture and blanace, long and lively finish. 95-96

2010 Château Croizet-Bages;

Coffee, burnt barrel, nice fruit behind, good length 88-89?

2010 Château d'Armailhac;

Blackcurrant's, superb texture, fresh acidity, nicely balanced, long finish. 93-94

2010 Château Grand Puy Ducasse;

Elegant nose and texture, fruity, high of ripe tannins. 90-92

2010 Château Grand Puy Lacoste;

Spicy and floral Pauillac nose, beautiful texture and structure, elegant, superb balance, long length. 93-94

2010 Château Haut-Bages Libéral;

Ripe and feels slightly extracted, sweet fruit. 89-90

2010 Château Lynch-Bages;

Elegant and beautifully balanced, refined and seductive, long length. 92-93

2010 Château Lynch Moussas;

Herbal, elegant fruit, leaner style, nicely textured and structured. 89-90

2010 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron;

Typical and textbook Pauillac, quite intense, fresh and lively, layered and long. 93-95

2010 Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande;

Intense nose, layered and complex, incredibly refined and elegant, beautiful length. Fully back on track. Seductive. 95-96

2010 Bordeaux retasted in June, Saint-Julien

2010 Château Beychevelle;

Perfumed nose over blackcurrants, fresh fruit, balanced, nicely textured and elegant. Shows better now than in April. 89-91

2010 Château Branaire-Ducru;

A bit shut on the nose, astonishing fruit and balance on the palate, beautiful texture, one superb Branaire. 92-94

2010 Château Gloria;

Some herbs, fresh and somewhat lean for the vintage, lovely finish. 90-92

2010 Château Gruaud Larose;

Lovely nose, layered, and complex. Beautiful texture and structure, gives a statement, ripe tannins and very long length. 95-96

2010 Château Lagrange;

Fresh and fruity nose, lively and elegant on the palate, nothing of the herbs I normally associate with this estate, long length. 92-93

2010 Château Langoa Barton;

Elegant fruit and feels subtle and refined, easy to oversee in a tasting, long finish. 92-93

2010 Château Léoville Barton;

Perfumed, layered, fresh and lively. Superb balance with great aftertaste and length. 94-95

2010 Château Léoville Poyferré;

Deep ruby, leaner body but not intensity, fruit forward and long finish. 90-92

2010 Château Saint-Pierre;

Closed nose but lively freshness, layered, massive of ripe tannins, very long finish. 92-93

2010 Château Talbot;

Herbal high-notes and perfumed, elegant body anise over dark fruit, exotic finish. Difficult to taste. 90-92

2010 Bordeaux retasted in June, Margaux

2010 Château Brane-Cantenac;

Fresh nose, fruity and floral, lively with nice acidity, layered and long finish. 91-92

2010 Château Cantenac Brown;

Floral hints over blackcurrants, again lively palate, refreshing acidity, pure, elegant and long. 92-93

2010 Château d'Angludet;

Intense and concentrated nose, good acidity but on the sweet side on the palate as well, slightly extracted? 87-88

2010 Château Dauzac;

Sweet high-notes on the nose, simple fruit OK length. 86-88

2010 Château Desmirail;

Floral, elegant nose, intense fruit on the palate, all the right Margaux aromas, long finish. 92-93

2010 Château Ferrière;

Elegant and refined nose, violets. Balanced, leaner and more classic style, layered, lot's of soft tannins, good length. 90-92

2010 Château Giscours;

Elegant, fruity and floral, beautiful texture, nice acidity, beautiful length. 92-94

2010 Château Kirwan;

Floral, elegant nose, layered and refined feel to it, for once, there seems to be a lovely Kirwan, nice length as well. 90-92

2010 Château Labégorce;

Floral and fruity nose, fresh and lively, high of ripe tannins, long coffee finish. (From barrel) 90-92

2010 Château Lascombes;

Intense, fruity, very ripe, good length but warm finish. 89-90

2010 Château Marquis de Terme;

Herbal, eucalyptus and perfumed nose, sweet fruit, short for the vintage. 87-89

2010 Château Monbrison;

Elegant nose and body, lovely texture, ripe fruit. 88-89

2010 Château Prieuré-Lichine;

Intense fruit on the nose, more elegant palate with a surprising herbal finish. 88-90

2010 Château Rauzan-Gassies;

Somewhat closed nose, fresh and lively feel, ripe and still very elegant, soft tannins, long finish. 90-93

2010 Château Siran;

Floral high-notes, slightly sweet fruit, some alcohol in the finish, long length. 88-89

2010 Château du Tertre;

Floral, elegant. Fresh and lively palate, layered, long finish. Mouthwatering. 91-93