Get Together / WeeksEnd wine

[Harry J]

bsd
If we all get together and everyone brings some of their best,w'ell have quite a party.If we bring materials,w'ell have a fantastic structure.
Predicated of course on a giving that comes from the heart.And one thats fueled by an excitement in giving to a group as opposed to self serving.
And imagine if one whose heart was wise enough to discern the purity of motivation was able to gauge the intentions within each item and place it accordingly, how strong the structure would then be.
Have a good one; h

[Gabriel W]

I'm going to call you Reb Harry from now on.

I had Lips Of Faith's La Folie, a sour ale and a Brett beer from them too called Biere de Mars. Both are amazing. La Folie is a fortune though. Shimon and I have really gotten into sour ales lately. Also had some homebrew: a european hopped dark Belgian ale with rye malts. The rye flavor and the dark malts taste really good, but the hops get in the way. I think we'll try to make it again without the hops.

Hope to drink some good wine this Shabbat... then, my wedding!

Shabbat Shalom
Gabe

[Isi M]

2001 Yarden Cabernet Sauvignon : a beauty with a bit of future
2002 Yarden Cabernet Sauvignon : at its peak, no where to go, good

[Andrew Breskin]

Hope to drink some good wine this Shabbat... then, my wedding!

Shabbat Shalom
Gabe

Mazal tov! What are you pouring at the wedding?

[Gabriel Geller]

Hi Harry, shavua tov!

Tasted on Thursday the Wine's Secret (Sod Haya'in) Rubens 2003, a micro production (200-300 bottles) by the owner of the Sod Haya'in shop in Tirat Yehuda, close to Shoham. Has aged very nicely and could still be cellared for 1-2 years. A classic bordeaux-blend of CS-Merlot aged for 18 months in French oak barrels dark, almost impenetrable garnet, full-bodied and well extracted with on the nose and palate cassis and blackberries, tar and licorice with a bit of spicy oak and heavy though not yet fully integrated tannins rising on the long finish. I was impressed.

As well, we also opened a Gat Shomron Merlot NV (2006/07) that was also full-bodied with dark and red fruit on the nose and then on the palate starting with blackberries, raspberries, black cherries, oak and oriental spices with mouth-coating tannis as well on the long and mouth-filling finish. Well done.

Friday, I was at the Carmel Winery in Zichron Yaakov and tasted some of the Appellation series wines such as the Petite Sirah and Carignan '08. The Carignan was a very nice surprise and I really enjoyed it (not quite like the Recanati but far more than the Binyamina), the PS was solid as always though nothing like the '05 which I've fallen in love with... As well, I was given a tasting of the Carmel Brandy 120' which is AMAZING, absolutely spectacular, fruity, spicy, oaky, nutty ( )... I've been lucky enough to have had some of the best K cognacs available on the market such as the Dupuy and Louis Royer XO, and the Carmel 120' beats them hands down!

Friday night and shabbat lunch:

Binyamina, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2006: A great wine that is now at its peak so I'd suggest to drink up if you still have some of it left. Dark ruby toward garnet, very fruit-forward with on the nose ripe raspberries and blackberries and some red currants as well, all of that showing also on the palate with lightly spicy oak and Mediterranean herbs in good balance with the tannins that have now fully integrated making way for a round, long and mouth-filling finish. A delight.

Hevron Heights, Jacob 2010: A dessert Muscat wine that I loved when I tasted it at IsraWinExpo last month, quite thicker than a moscato of course and a lot better and complex than the Yarden with on the nose and palate apricots and peaches, honey and tropical citrus fruit and some nice floral notes as well with an expected and deliciously long finish. A great dessert wine that was fully enjoyed by all over strawberries and a pear-almonds-chocolate pie made in Heaven...

Hevron Heights intends on releasing an Ice wine soon that I've tasted at Sommelier in Tel Aviv last November and which I truly loved so looking forward to that!

Best,

GG

[Alek W]

Started on Thursday with a frustrating experience:

Jascala Shiraz 2007 - I have tasted this wine for the first time last November, and was surprised to read in Rogov's guide "Plenty of red fruits and earthy minerals here but the wine is marred by an excess of volatile acidity that gives the wine too close a resemblance to vinegar. Score 70". There was no excessive volatile acidity in the bottle I have tasted, and so I decided to buy 2 bottles. The first one was finished in December, it was less attractive than at the first tasting, but still fine, with earthy minerals not typical to Israeli Shiraz. However, the second bottle was very close to Rogov's description, so most of it went to the sink

Teperberg Silver Late Harvest Riesling 2009 - I know this wine quite well with all its advantages and disadvantages, however, this bottle was different, almost dead, as if it was opened a week ago...

On Friday, the picture was very different:

Recanati Reserve Cabernet Franc 2006 - starts with a green note but then opens and reveals plenty of fruit. Very good.

Clos de Gat, Harel, Merlot 2005 - not a typical Israeli Merlot. Interesting, but not as good as one expects after Rogov's praises.

Finally, on Saturday:

Galil Mountain Alon 2009 - a clear successor of their Shiraz-Cabernet. Apparently, will be better in a year or two.

Dalton Zinfandel 2007 - a lovely wine! It's a pity that it is dicontinued.

[Gabriel Geller]

Dalton Zinfandel 2007 - a lovely wine! It's a pity that it is dicontinued.

What do you mean by "discontinued"? There were an '08 and '09 and now the '10 was just released and is great (IMHO)!

[Jeff Adler]

Hi Harry

Shavua Tov

We had "leftovers" from our Recanati wine tasting on Wednesday night

2009 Reserve Cab
2009 Reserve PS-Zin
2010 Sauvignon Blanc

Very nice indeed

[Bill Coleman]

We drank two bottles of Galil Mountain Shiraz Cabernet:

2007 - 58% Shiraz, 42% Cabernet
2008 - 50% Shiraz, 50% Cabernet

Interestingly, I purchased both at Binny's, a general liquor chain in Chicago. The 2008 is shmittah wine, can't buy it at the kosher outlets. And the 2008 was noticeably superior to 2007, although we couldn't tell whether the credit the vintage or the difference in the blends.

[E Segel]

Barkan Superieur Pinotage 2007, was excellent and the best Pinotage I've tasted to date. The Reserve is very good as well (had it a few weeks ago, don't remember the vintage) but the Superieur has more character. Not sure it justifies the 2.5x multiple in price though...

[Gary J]

Despite Harry's friendly "nudging" I'm not a big weekend wine poster. But this past Friday night's elaborate Shabbos tasting dinner merits being written about.

Kiddush was made on grape juice (yes, Kedem of course) for the friend's kids whom we were with. \

Challah was good but I had very little as I wanted to preserve the precious real estate in my belly.

OK, here's what commenced...

First course
Tuna Tar Tar, smoked paprika, with roasted garlic basil pesto sauce
Wines: Laurent Perrier rose' Champagne & Rose de Clarke

Second course
Assortment of charcuterie, including steak tar tar, various pates,
sausages, and olives Wines:
Close Vougeot Grand Cru & Pacifica Pinot Noir

Third course
Gnochi with duck ragu and veal bacon
Wines: 1999 Herzog Reserve Chardonnay & 2009 Herzog Reserve Chardonnay

Main course
Double cut porcini mushroom encrusted prime rib steaks

Sweet breads, coriander, cumin and a touch of raw sugar

Smoked turkey breast with maple glaze

African couscous with harissa and soy sauce

Grilled Brussels sprouts

house salad - mesculin, roasted shitake mushrooms, lemon
vinaigrette

potato kugel

Wines: 2004 Chateau Giscours, 2005 Carmel Limited Edition, 2006 Yatir Forest, 2007 Capcanes La Flor del Flor

Dessert
pecan bars Wine: Chateau Piada Sauterne

This meal was on par with some recent culinary adventures enjoyed with Adam M that are truly fit for a king - SPECTACULAR!

[Alek W]

What do you mean by "discontinued"? There were an '08 and '09 and now the '10 was just released and is great (IMHO)!

If you visit their site at http://www.dalton-winery.com/products/d ... &lang=eng# you'll find two different Zinfandels: one under Special, and the other one under Dalton. They told me at the winery that these two are different wines, the first being discontinued after 2008.

[Stephen Weil]

Isi Hi
re the Yarden 01 02
Did you let them stand or anything special?

I had a 2007 Cab Frank from Ella which was excellent dont know what likely drinking window is but cant see it getting better than now.
also 2T and T2 with a port style from Ruth Still not found a better one in Israel to my liking

Have a good week

Steve

[Gabriel Geller]

They told me at the winery that these two are different wines, the first being discontinued after 2008.

Got it Alek. Actually Dalton has released as well a single vineyard Zin, the Zinfandel Safsufa Vineyard which is of course pricier (can't recall how much exactly it sells for but will inquire with the supplier later this week). Interesting to notice that the regular Zinfandel is made from the Safsufa grapes as well (that's what's stated on the label) but the supplier told me that some of the grapes come also from other vineyards. I wonder how different they are and I'll try to obtain a bottle for the sake of tasting.

[Isi M]

re the Yarden 01 02
Did you let them stand or anything special?

I opened them 2 hours before drinking, no decanting.

Special ? ... both were empty very quickly...but not sure this is very special !

[Adam M]

Started our first of many bottles of the 2007 Capcanes La Flor de Flor based on a comment from a friend that I confirmed with Jurgen Wagner which is that the grenache that is used in this wine, which consists of some of the highest quality grenache on the market today, does not have the tannin structure that facilitates long term cellaring. 4-7 years from the vintage is the anticipated peak window. The wine was drinking very well. It was light bodied (I've read a TN on cellartracker authored by an active forumite indicating that this wine is full-bodied; my impression was the polar opposite. It was one of the lightest high-quality reds I've ever drank) and floral yet complex. It went well with some semi-soft and aged artisanal cheeses that we had on Friday. On PS on this wine: when I and many others think of this wine, we think of the "100 year-old vines" from which these grapes are purportedly grown. When I read the label of the the bottle more carefully, however, I noticed that the description says that the vines are "up to" 100 years old. I couldn't help but think of those clothing stores in certain parts of NYC that hold sales stating "up to 90% off," which is based on a single item that is 90% off with the rest 10%-20% off. Technically correct, although in spirit of questionable intention. I have every hope and expectation that a meaningful portion of the grapes used in the Capcanes wine were indeed from 100 year-old vines. But it would be helpful if this were clarified; otherwise, I suppose that one could reasonably hold out some doubts...

Also had the 2010 Carmel Kayoumi reisling, which went well with the artisanal cheeses.

[Pinchas L]

Hi Harry,

Flam Blanc 2010 - In preparation for the 2011 vintage, I chose to try another bottle of the previous vintage for comparison sake. Cohesion would be my word of choice, if my description of the wine was limited to a single word. Every facet of this wine contributes to the same storyline. The light straw color, the relatively low alcohol content--12.5%--and the linear citrus notes make this the perfect choice for starting a meal; either as an apertif or as an accompaniment to a light first course. The Sauvingnon Blanc is dominant, but the Chardonnay provides sufficient backbone for the wine not to be wimpy. A chalky minerality is present to elevate the wine, buttressing its fruitiness. The wine doesn't tire the palate, making it so easy to go through a bottle in no time. Sauvingnon Blanc makes up 67% of the blend, with Chardonnay making up the remaining 33%.

Flechas Des Los Andes Malbec 2009 - This Argentinian wine exudes warmth. The spices are nutmeg and cardamom, and the fruit is rich in prune. The tannins are silky, and the oak influences are restrained. An alcohol content of 14.5% contributes to its warmth, but does not make it taste alcoholic or hot. While it is not overly complex, it provides a nice change of pace from my usual reds, whether Bourdeax, Burgundy or Rhone.

Weinstock Cellars Petite Syrah 2010 - Those looking for a big powerful wine with searing tannins will be dissappointed, but it is nonetheless a pleasant wine. A reasonable amount of chocolate is outdone by strong notes of raspberry that dominate the finish. 13% AbV.

Best,
-> Pinchas

[Andrew Breskin]

Wines: 2004 Chateau Giscours, 2005 Carmel Limited Edition, 2006 Yatir Forest, 2007 Capcanes La Flor del Flor

Sounds like a great evening. I didn't know there was a 2004 Giscours-- maybe '03? How was the '05 Carmel Ltd holding up?

[Elie Poltorak]

Petit Castel '09, Cabcanes Peraj ha'abib '09, and Covenant Lavan '09 brightened my shabbos. The PC was still rather tightly wound.

Adam: What cheeses did you have with the Flor de Flor? It would never occur to me to pair such a light-bodied, delicate, nuanced wine with cheese. (I certainly agree that's it's the lightest-bodied high-end red I've ever tasted.) As a matter of fact, I haven't had luck pairing it with any food without overwhelming the wine. Not that I mind drinking wine by itself...

[Alek W]

Actually Dalton has released as well a single vineyard Zin, the Zinfandel Safsufa Vineyard which is of course pricier (can't recall how much exactly it sells for but will inquire with the supplier later this week).

This is not listed on their site. I think that the one that is discontinued is exactly the single vineyard Zin. They used to sell it for 100+NIS, but now one can get 2 bottles for 140 NIS.

Interesting to notice that the regular Zinfandel is made from the Safsufa grapes as well (that's what's stated on the label) but the supplier told me that some of the grapes come also from other vineyards.

This is exactly what Moshe Haviv told me.

[YoelA]

Somek 2008 Adom (blend of syrah, carignan, malbec and mourvedre). Was the best that I tasted at the winery 2 months ago. Rogov gave it only an 85. I would give it a few points more. It's not especially complex but a well-put-together blend that went very well with meatballs in tomato sauce and harissa the next day.

Gary: how was the Clos Vougeot? It's been panned by everyone on this forum from Rogov on down.

[Gary J]

Wines: 2004 Chateau Giscours, 2005 Carmel Limited Edition, 2006 Yatir Forest, 2007 Capcanes La Flor del Flor

Sounds like a great evening. I didn't know there was a 2004 Giscours-- maybe '03? How was the '05 Carmel Ltd holding up?

It certainly was (a great evening)!

Maybe you are right, maybe it was '03. Not sure...

'05 Carmel LE was actually most universally praised among the reds we had. Was showing beautifully. That said I had a bottle about 2 months ago that seemed to be pre-maturely aging, so I've had 2 since just in case & both have shown much better than the one that seemed to be prematurely aging.

[Gary J]

Somek 2008 Adom (blend of syrah, carignan, malbec and mourvedre). Was the best that I tasted at the winery 2 months ago. Rogov gave it only an 85. I would give it a few points more. It's not especially complex but a well-put-together blend that went very well with meatballs in tomato sauce and harissa the next day.

Gary: how was the Clos Vougeot? It's been panned by everyone on this forum from Rogov on down.

Clos Vougeot has been hit or miss the 4-5 times I've tried it over the past 2+ years. Some bottles terrible & 1 that was amazing. On Friday night it started off with lots of FUNK, but that mostly blew off after 2-3 minutes and it was pretty good. Definitely not clean pure fruit...a little animalistic but after the initial stink blew off we all really enjoyed it. But that is really what Pinot Noir is. It is a grape that can go through many stages and show differently every time one tastes it. This is part of the lure of great Burgundy...complexities to rival 1st growth Bordeaux.

[Gabriel Geller]

Actually Dalton has released as well a single vineyard Zin, the Zinfandel Safsufa Vineyard which is of course pricier (can't recall how much exactly it sells for but will inquire with the supplier later this week).

This is not listed on their site. I think that the one that is discontinued is exactly the single vineyard Zin. They used to sell it for 100+NIS, but now one can get 2 bottles for 140 NIS.

Their website is not being updated regularly enough (a well-known and widely spread issue with most Israeli wineries). It is a new wine and the supplier (Hascotit) tried and pushed so I would order a case of it but I told him I'll consider it for my next order. I don't however know which vintage it is, probably 2010 as well but 2009 is not impossible either. With that said, the 100+ shekel price tag would make sense, I think it would go for something like 110-130 shekel.