Our Passover Wines

[Gabriel Geller]

Perhaps judicious blending with the Syrah can resolve some of the lackluster qualities.

How about making a Cab/Zin/Syrah blend? I'm a big fan of the Herzog so perhaps you could create an even greater one instead of producing a varietal Zin?

[Jonathan K]

Four Gates Chardonnay 2009- once I got over the very un-chardonnay like nature of this wine, I really warmed up to it. Tropical fruits dominate with a decidedly pineapple core and lip-smacking acidity. By the time the bottle was empty, I was in love. Perhaps the mouthfeel was Chardonnay but otherwise if tasted blind I'd have never guessed.

Four Gates Pinot Noir 2009-Stylistically similar to prior non-vintage efforts, the highly extracted nature of this wine provides a very different experience. While the nonvintage versions have always reminded me of a simple red Burgundy, this extracted model bursting with cherries is Californian all the way, and a superb example of fruit-forward Pinot.

[Craig Winchell]

Hi Gabriel, it could be that we will do so with part of it. As you know, I was engaged by the winery immediately before crush of 2010, and the vineyards were in piss-poor condition, owing to the lack of upkeep due to (previous owner's)bankruptcy, coupled with lack of water due to drought. This is high desert, not a place where vines can successfully be dry-farmed. We brought in a crop, which is success enough. We made, for the most part, decent wine, sometimes better. The vineyard is planted to Cab, Merlot, Syrah, Zin, Sangiovese and Chard. It is unsuited to Zin, Sangiovese and Chard. The Cab, Merlot and Syrah are all superior. You know, one does what one can do. I want to make varietal Cab, Merlot and Syrah. Depending on how much I have of those, I can use anything to improve the Zin. In the past, everything has been varietally labeled. we are doing some proprietary blends of the older nonkosher wines, and could find ourselves doing it, I suppose, with some of the kosher product as necessary. However, the limited number of kosher Zins in the marketplace means the probability of absorbing another, if good. Therefore, my desire to improve this as varietal.

[David Raccah]

Four Gates Chardonnay 2009- once I got over the very un-chardonnay like nature of this wine, I really warmed up to it. Tropical fruits dominate with a decidedly pineapple core and lip-smacking acidity. By the time the bottle was empty, I was in love. Perhaps the mouthfeel was Chardonnay but otherwise if tasted blind I'd have never guessed.

Four Gates Pinot Noir 2009-Stylistically similar to prior non-vintage efforts, the highly extracted nature of this wine provides a very different experience. While the nonvintage versions have always reminded me of a simple red Burgundy, this extracted model bursting with cherries is Californian all the way, and a superb example of fruit-forward Pinot.

I totally agree that the Chard is unique, and last month it tasted 100 percent Ike viognier, if I wise blind tasting. However, it has turned the corner, but needs a bunch f time to fully open. Personally, I am not sure if it will ever taste 100 percent chard, but I like it all the same. The Pinot is a bigger wine than normal, but lovely all the same.

[YoelA]

I posted notes on our wines on Harry's seder thread

[Gabriel Geller]

This is high desert, not a place where vines can successfully be dry-farmed. We brought in a crop, which is success enough. We made, for the most part, decent wine, sometimes better.

How, in your opinion Craig, do you think varietals such as Carignan, Petite Sirah and Cabernet Franc would do in SoCal? I was actually wondering as the soil and "view" in that area reminds me a lot of the Judean Hills...

[Craig Winchell]

Gabriel, like many areas of California, SoCal is a mosaic of microclimates and soil types. More important, however, is that despite an environment conducive to fruit production, the available resources, including the best land, are being devoted to human population development. Thus, whole tracts of wonderful vineyards, oranges, etc. have been pulled for housing, and water is used for human needs. There were beautiful head trained, spur pruned Zin vineyards in Cucamonga, etc., no longer present as anything but a historical footnote. So the question is not whether hot-climate vines can grow well in SoCal, but whether they can grow in the only land left undeveloped, using resources as yet not earmarked for the human population. Carignan and Petite Sirah could grow successfully almost anywhere. Cabernet Franc requires a relatively cool climate, being a relatively early ripening variety (relative to, say, Cab Sauv). But in the high desert (and we are at 2800 ft.), there isn't always enough water in the aquifer, and certainly wasn't the past couple of years. So the answer is... with enough water. In lower land like Cucamonga and the Inland Empire, it is likely that once established, a quality vineyard could be dry-farmed (for certain grapes). Closer to San Diego, or more coastal regions, or in parts of Santa Barbara County, Cab Franc could do very well.

[Gabriel Geller]

Thanks for enlightening my lantern Craig!

Does anyone here know approximately how old are the Petite Sirah Vineyards of Dalton and Recanati? As I love the Carmel Appellation PS, I thought that being made of old vines (30-40 y.o. in this case), that criteria was perhaps essential to make a good Petite Sirah, at least in Israel. But since I like as well both the Dalton and the Recanati PS-Zin (95% PS), I was wondering if they were made also from relatively old "bush" vines like Carmel's... I actually found much similitude between the Dalton '10 and the Carmel '08.

[Harry J]

after the sriousness of the first 2 nights tried the yarden mt hermon WHITE 2011 that was as written here in the forum not bad at all. Also gamla moscato 2011 that was delicous.h

[Bill Coleman]

We drank the following:

2009 Dalton Zinfandel
2010 Weinstock Alicante Bouschet
2009 Power to the People [arrived erev yom tov]
2010 Eagles Landing Pinot Noir [Sta. Rita Hills]

2011 Red C
2008 Golan Chardonnay

also served 2010 Moscato di Carmel and Kedem Grape Juice

Forgot to add:

2010 Agur Rosa - refreshing!

[Andrew Breskin]

We ended up drinking:

2010 Shirah Counterpunch: very approachable and food friendly. Delicate and balanced, almost like a Pinot with more oomph.
2010 Shirah Coalition: intriguing nose of grenadine, crushed rock, and herbs. Wow, very unique and delicious.
2004 Capcanes Peraj Ha'Abib: Excellent bottle with plenty of life left. Elegant and shows that these wines can still mature very well in less than great vintages.
2010 Chateau Thenac Fleur de Perigord: Super plush and inviting. Stole the show, what a surprise.
Louis de Sacy Brut: not a whole lot of fruit, which would be ok if there were other elements to counter this absence. There were not. Was a bit of a let down.
Louis de Sacy Rose: something is a bit off with this wine; the best way I can describe it would be to compare to a red wine that was green or under ripe. Bubbles were a bit aggressive and interfered with tasting the wine.
2005 Yarden Blancs de Blanc: surprisingly (or maybe not) the best sparking wine at the table even though it was the least expensive. But it is significantly more fruit forward which does tend to please the crowds a bit more.
2005 Herzog Reserve Chenin Blanc Late Harvest: a bottle purchased at the winery on release. Wow. Still kicking and better than ever. I was beside myself. I wish this wasn't my last bottle!

[Yossie Horwitz]

For the first days we enjoyed:

At the two Seder Meals
Ella Valley Vineyards, Cabernet Franc, 2009 (Multiple bottles for the 4 cups)
Capcanes, Peraj Petita, 2008 - amazing and showing right now much better than the 2009 (Multiple bottles for the four cups)
Psagot, Single Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007 (with the meal). Drinking amazingly but needed 1/2 an hour or so to open in the glass.
Hagafen, Prix, Cabernet Sauvignon (MJT Block), 2002 (with the meal). Terrific and still rich, dark, deep and dense. Have one regular format and one magnum left. i'd drink and regular bottles over the next two years and the magnum should last another 3-4 (assuming good storage)

Other Meals
Ella Valley Vineyards, Chardonnay, 2009 (Multiple bottles). Along with the Odem Organic, my favorite Israeli oaked Chard.
Brobdignagian, Syrah, 2007. I'm glad I waited on this wine which was great right now.
Four Gates, Cabernet Franc, 2006. A perfect Cabernet Franc.

[Jon Tabak]

2000 Chateau Leoville Poyferre
2009 Psagot Edom
2003 Covenant Cabernet Sauvignon
2003 Chateau Leoville Poyferre
2003 Chateau Lafon Rochet
2008 Yarden El Rom Cabernet Sauvignon
2005 Yatir Forest
2010 Eagle's Landing Pinot Noir
1997 Herzog Chalk Hill Cabernet Sauvignon
2003 Chateau Pontet Canet
2004 Chateau Pontet Canet
2009 Shirah McGinely Syrah
2005 Domaine St Benoit Laureline Chateauneuf du Pape
2003 Galil Mountain Yiron

[Gary J]

1997 Herzog Chalk Hill Cabernet Sauvignon

Very impressive list Jon. Can I come over next Passover?

Quick question...was this wine mevushal? How was it?

Thanks!

[Jon Tabak]

Hi Gary,

'97 Chalk Hill was not mevushal. This particular bottle was bad, but I've had two others that were really good. The '94 & '96 Chalk Hills that I had this past summer were both mevushal and fantastic.

The best bottle of wine that I drank over passover, by far, was the 2000 Chateau Leoville Poyferre. Absolutely outstanding.

Best,
Jon

[Gary J]

'97 Chalk Hill was not mevushal. This particular bottle was bad, but I've had two others that were really good. The '94 & '96 Chalk Hills that I had this past summer were both mevushal and fantastic.

So you are saying that a 15 & 17 year old mevushal wine was not only not BAD, but it was "fantastic"? That is AWESOME! I love hearing it.

The best bottle of wine that I drank over passover, by far, was the 2000 Chateau Leoville Poyferre. Absolutely outstanding.

Very cool. Don't think I've ever had the 2000 vintage.

In general though, do you find the pleasure you gain from the Leoville's increases as they are given time to breath and open up?

Thanks Jon!

[David Raccah]

Hey quick question Bill and Jon - did you BOTH like the 2010 Eagle's Landing Pinot? A few of us had it on Purim and it was a total loser, we could not give it away!! I gave it a B and that was being VERY generous! (yeah Yeah Gary) in my opinion of course!

http://kosherwinemusings.com/2012/03/11 ... -the-ugly/

[Jon Tabak]

David - On the contrary...I had it four times so far and each time it was exceptional. I think it could use some more time, but it is elegant, complex AND has great structure...this one will definitely age. But what you've reported worries me a bit because I found there to be a lot of bottle variation with the previous vintage. Funny thing is that I had a problem with the 09 Four Gates Pinot Noir...

[Jon Tabak]

Gary - Yep, that's what I was saying. I was really blown away by the '94 Chalk Hill. Would love to retaste (hint, hint). I find that the '03 & '05 Leoville need time to breathe.They are deeper and more concentrated; the '00 is certainly more approachable and elegant in comparison. '01 & '02 are already raisiny and dying.