Who's Calling / WeeksEnd wine

[David Raccah]

No wine but beer - in this case Chimay Grande Reserve. Dark and intriguing.

I too had a bottle of he trapper monks lovely efforts. Though I did find it a bit hollow, in places.

David

[ChaimShraga]

I noticed a minute after pouring a glass to my wife that I described the wine to her simply as "you'll like it, it's very tasty", which is usually what I tell her when I serve a German Riesling.

Barkan, Assemblage, Eitan, 2008

Virtually half Syrah, half Merlot, with a little Cabernet Sauvignon tossed in. A pleasant nose of of ripe fruit, mostly red, with some leather for good measure. The palate is ripe and friendly, with balanced acidity and a dusty finish. A very honest wine and savory enough to tempt even me. (Apr. 1, 2012)

About 90 NIS. Certain people, of a mind not unlike my own, seemed to like the Eitan, so I knew I'd like it, but I really didn't expect to find another Israeli wine I'd ear mark for a re-purchase, especially when on discount. Even if the basic Yarden Cabernet was still being sold for a similar price, I'd pass it by for this.

[Adam M]

Barkan, Assemblage, Eitan, 2008

Even if the basic Yarden Cabernet was still being sold for a similar price, I'd pass it by for this.

Hi Chaim - to clarify, are you saying that you'd chose the Barkan over the Yarden for immediate drinking or for cellaring and drinking inside each wine's peak drinking window? It makes a difference, at least with the Yarden cab, which, in my experience, takes a good 5-8 (maybe 10) years to achieve its full glory.

[ChaimShraga]

For drinking, period.

[Adam M]

I'll take that to mean both of the alternatives that I posed. I find the yarden cab to be one of the best values on the kosher market in the world. But In my experience it only ascends to this pedastel after 8-10 years of proper aging, which allows the plumminess to integrate. I really don't enjoy this wine in the early term.

[Alek W]

Chaim, have you by chance tasted the other two of the Assemblage lineup?

[ChaimShraga]

I tasted the Reihan and didn't like it enough to buy. It seemed like a rehashing of the usual Cab with something else blend we find both locally and abroad. I plan to pick up a bottle of the Tzafit.

[ChaimShraga]

I'm drinking the Zafit now and this might be the wrong forum for this simile, but I suspect Catholics feel this way when the white smoke announces a new Pope.

[Alek W]

I'm drinking the Zafit now and this might be the wrong forum for this simile, but I suspect Catholics feel this way when the white smoke announces a new Pope.

Details to follow, I hope.

[Pinchas L]

I'm drinking the Zafit now and this might be the wrong forum for this simile, but I suspect Catholics feel this way when the white smoke announces a new Pope.

Quite appropriate on Easter Sunday.

-> Pinchas