Castel in Magnum

[Menach N]

Rogov hi
What would the drinking window be with the Castel Grand Vin 2003-2005 in a magnum format ?
Please and Thank you
best regards
Menach

[Daniel Rogov]

Menach, Hi....

I'll have to do some guesswork here as I have not tasted these wines in other than regular format bottles. More than that, I do not know how Castel's bottling line is set up for corking of large format bottles. Thus....keep in mind that my projections are merely guesses and could be off in one direction or the other. You might do well to send an email to the winery. I'm sure their predictions will be for longer drinking windows but striking a mean between the estimate of the critic and the producer might be interesting.

2005 - In regular format bottles now-2013; in magnum 2010-2016
2004 - In regular format bottles now-2012; in magnum 2010-2015
2003 - In regular format bottles now-2011; in magnum now-2012

Best
Rogov

[Menach N]

Thank you Rogov !
would be so kind to give me their email adress. Pls & thnks.
in the 2003 1 year differance btween regular and magnum ?? seemes a bit little, no? i thought usually its atleast 3 yrs,

Ciao
Menach

[Billy M]

I recently picked up a 2003 magnum in exchange for 2 regular bottles and I had expected the life to be a bit longer as well. Must admit surprise at UberGeek's reply

[Daniel Rogov]

Keep in mind that I said that my estimates were largely "guesstimates", but those are based to some great extent on the reality that the Grand Vin wines of Castel are not aging as well as many (including myself) had originally anticipated. More than that, in predicting maximum drinking windows, I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Best email for the winery is castel@castel.co.il

Best
Rogov

[EY Han]

I also have a Castel Grand Vin, 2003 that I have been intending to open very soon, so all this information of this TNR is very helpful! I am intending to open my magnum of the 2004 vintage until at least 5 more years probably…

Best wishes,
E.Y.

[Michael P]

Menach, Hi....

I'll have to do some guesswork here as I have not tasted these wines in other than regular format bottles. More than that, I do not know how Castel's bottling line is set up for corking of large format bottles. Thus....keep in mind that my projections are merely guesses and could be off in one direction or the other. You might do well to send an email to the winery. I'm sure their predictions will be for longer drinking windows but striking a mean between the estimate of the critic and the producer might be interesting.

2005 - In regular format bottles now-2013; in magnum 2010-2016
2004 - In regular format bottles now-2012; in magnum 2010-2015
2003 - In regular format bottles now-2011; in magnum now-2012

Best
Rogov

Would the 2002 be now-2011?

[Gary J]

Would the 2002 be now-2011?

2002 was a problematic vintage in Israel and I would guess that the drinking window is accelerated...

[Daniel Rogov]

Gary, Hi....

2002 was indeed a problematic vintage in Israel (what I often refer to as the "2002 Curse") and an interesting year for Castel because this was the year that they released two Grand Vin editions - the "regular" edition and their first kosher edition.

For the regular edition - drink up.
For the kosher edition - drink now or in the next year or so

And that true no matter what the format.

Best
Rogov

[Stephen W]

I have a 2002 magnum VC Cab from Ella Valley .
What is the opinion on this?

[Mike BG]

2002 was indeed a problematic vintage in Israel (what I often refer to as the "2002 Curse") and an interesting year for Castel because this was the year that they released two Grand Vin editions - the "regular" edition and their first kosher edition.

For the regular edition - drink up.
For the kosher edition - drink now or in the next year or so

So does one call that "the kosher blessing"?

[Daniel Rogov]

I have a 2002 magnum VC Cab from Ella Valley .What is the opinion on this?

Steve, Hi....

Relating to the 2002 Vineyard's Choice Cabernet Sauvignon of Ella Valley Vineyards:

In regular format: Drink now
In magnum format: Drink now-2012.

Best
Rogov