WTN Hagafen and Domaine Netofa

[Pinchas L]

Hagafen Cellars Prix Chardonnay 2006 - Having eight bottles in the cellar, I was interested in knowing how the wine is doing, whether it can continue to cellar until a special occasion comes along. It has a delicate nose of pears which follows through on the palate, where it is complimented by subtle vanilla. The fruit is precise, albeit not very prounounced. Overall, the wine is very much in a delicate and elegant style that is different from the other high-end kosher Chardonnay. I'm gambling that it will cellar well for up to two more years, by when I expect to use it. 13.5% AbV and $36 at the winery.

Hagafen Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 - The freshness of its fruit surprised me. The fruit was tangy, juicy and full of life, with silky tannins, oak that is fully integrated, and good acidity. I had hoped to see secondary characteristics develop and come to the fore, but that is still a ways off. This experience is at odds with that which I had with a bottle of 2000 vintage two years ago, that was flat. Go figure. The food pairing was not optimal, as its juiciness would probably go best with a steak done rare, but on its own it was very enjoyable. I will point out that the cork was perfect, with just some crystalization on its bottom, but no sediment whatsoever. This experience gives me some needed confidence in cellaring these wines for the long term. 13.5% AbV and current releases cost $45.

Domaine Netofa Latour 2009 - This is a Rhone blend of Syrah and Mourvedre. Drinking it side by side with the Hagafen Cabernet Sauvignon did not do it justice as it paled in comparison. It has a nice cherry core, wrapped by a layers of smoke and some spice, but lacking depth and particularly acidity. Its restrained fruit and style makes for a food friendly wine. I spoke of drinking it side by side with the Dalton's Rhone blend of the Alma series, though not quite side by side, I had the Alma only several weeks ago, and I recall it having more exuberant fruit, but more importantly possesing livlier acidity and a fuller mid-palate. In the US the Latour sells for considerably more, a price differential I don't think is justified. I will probably redo the experiment, but I am currently favoring the Alma. 13.5% AbV and sells for $44, though it occasionally goes on sale for somewhat cheaper.

-> Pinchas

[Yehoshua Werth]

Alma for $44.00 Scratching HEad
This seems Out of line...

[Pinchas L]

Alma for $44.00 Scratching HEad
This seems Out of line...

Hi Yehoshua,

It should be quite obvious that I am stating the price for the Latour.

-> Pinchas

[Yehoshua Werth]

still a little high

[Pinchas L]

still a little high

Yehoshua,

The point I'm making is that the Latour is retailing at a significant premium to the Alma, and that I get nothing in return. In fact, I probably prefer the Alma to the Latour, outright. Do you dispute that?

Best,
-> Pinchas

[Yehoshua Werth]

The Alma prob has more potential to age due to the Vionier and also enhances the flavour profile alot! The Dalton selection is just more over the top.

The Latour is a more subtle and meant to be alah Rhone' style and winemakers backround leading up till now.

The question with both being young wines is how they age and what one expects from the wines themselves.

Happy thoughts and good liquid

[Andrew Breskin]

Subtle doesn't have to mean flat. That's what I found with Latour Netofa. By contrast, Flor del Flor is subtle, yet complex. Totally different wine, but the point is not to make "subtle" or "elegant" a euphemism for one dimensional.

Edit: And great notes, Pinchas.

[Yehoshua Werth]

agree-

Pinchas.. Did you drink the Alma side by side also with a big CAB?

[Pinchas L]

agree-

Pinchas.. Did you drink the Alma side by side also with a big CAB?

Hi Yehoshua,

No. I drank the Alma on its own. However, I would like to mention that this was my second time drinking the Latour, the first was during Passover when I drank it without a bigger wine to overshadow it, and my impressions are consistent. Nonetheless, bringing to market quality Rhone blends, is a trend I favor. The Latour is one of the first to hit the market, followed by the Alma, and then by the Le Mourre De Isle from the 2010 vintage, a Cotes Du Rhone I have not had yet, recommended by Shawn Johnson, who has been following this trend closely, always ahead of the curve.

-> Pinchas

[David Raccah]

The Le Mourre De Isle was ahead of all of those wines, it was first released in 2007 or so. Also, there have been Cote s Du Rhone that Royal brought in for many years, none that great, but they have existed. Finally, Herzog is starting to push these blends now as well, with the PS and the GPS.

David

[Isaac Chavel]

The Le Mourre De Isle was ahead of all of those wines, it was first released in 2007 or so.

yup, first drank this wine (2009 vintage) this summer at the winery in Provence. Hot afternoon, sitting under the tress, overlooking the vineyards, and drinking the lovely dry rose. had the red for dinner.

[Jon Tabak]

I'm personally a fan of the Domaine St Benoit Laureline Chateauneuf du Pape 2005, which is one of the ones that Royal imports. I also think that the Weiss' Power to the People 2009 is a great new world Rhone. Here are my notes on these two wines:

http://www.kosherwino.com/index.php/2011/05/19/domaine-saint-benoit-laureline-chateauneuf-du-pape-2005/
http://www.kosherwino.com/index.php/2011/05/10/shirah-power-to-the-people-syrah-2009/

While I haven't had a chance to write up my notes on the Latour Netofa 2009, I can say that I didn't find it to be nearly as good as these two.

Best,
Jon

[Yossie Horwitz]

I second the Domaine St. Benoit vote - really nice wine. My note is below.

Domaine St. Benoit, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Laureline, 2005: A fantastic Rhone blend of Grenache, Syrah and other grapes. This powerful wine shows good tannins and structure with some nice fruit underneath. The slightly spicy wood makes itself felt nicely without being too overpowering and allows the notes of herbs, smoked meat, anise, minerals and red fruit (primarily raspberries) to shine through. As time goes on you will find hints of rose petals, mocha and chocolate shine through before coming into a long slight bitter finish which rounds out and complete this delicious wine which is drinking amazing well right now. A complex wine that will excite and reward you over the time you allow it to develop in your glass.

[Gabriel W]

I'm also a fan of the Laureline. Does anyone know if there have been more vintages of it produced and if they were any good?

[David Raccah]

2007 Domaine l’Or de Line Chateauneuf de Pape – Score: B+ to A-
Would love to know how Herzog pulled this one off, and who is the negotiant for this wine. I found a lovely write-up about the winery and the name, anyway, on to the note (http://www.chateauneuf.dk/en/cdpen36.htm).

The nose on this light gold colored wine is hopping with lemon, goose berry, mineral, apple, and white peach. The mouth on this medium bodied wine carries the nose, with white peach, goose berry, green apple, and mineral. The mid palate is round, balanced, but still bracing with acidity, and mineral. The finish is long with clean yet round flavors of apple, peach, and a hint of spice. Quite a nice wine.

2007 Domaine des 3 Cellier Chateauneuf du Pape – Score: B to B+
The nose on this light garnet colored wine is rich with ripe raspberry, candied fruit, spice, and smoky notes. The mouth on this medium bodied wine is rich with candied red fruit and ripe raspberry. The mid palate is packed with nice balanced acid, spice, and smoky notes. The finish is long with more of the same, raspberry, candied fruit, spice, and smoky notes.

[David Raccah]

There is a 2007 vintage of the Benoit wine:

http://kosherwinerack.com/products.php? ... -Pape-2007

[David Raccah]

Where did you guys buy the wine Domaine St. Benoit Chateauneuf du Pape? Royal imports the wine, but did not show it at the last few years in Oxnard. I did not find it at the usual wine stores. The kosher wine rack, liquors galore?

David

[Yossie Horwitz]

I bought it a few years ago from kw.com. Not sure who was "responsible" for it. Will check my offsite cellar next time I'm there and see if the label has any helpful information.

[David Raccah]

No worries Yossie, I know that Bokobsa is the negotiant and that Royal imports it. I did not know that kw had it a few years back.

Thanks