Beginning / WeeksEnd wine

[Harry J]

BSD
Imagine the most noble grape possible,processed by the greatest vinter ever; aged in barrels of a wood that would impart the most subtle yet exquisite nuances. Can one fathom the folly of partaking of such an elixir before its proper time.
There are times we want very much to say or do-
yet if we would wait just a little longer
it can make all the difference.
Have a good one; h

[Birger Vejrum]

Hi Harry,

I hope you are well.

Fratelli Grasso in Treiso, Barberesco Sori Valgrande 2006 tonight.

All the best
Birger

[Gabriel Geller]

Hi Harry, shavua tov!

Well, I did follow your advice for lunch as I had a wine which was at its peak. I don't know whether Ernie Weir is the best winemaker in the world but he certainly is quite an excellent one for sure! American wine shabbat for me!

Friday night:

B.R. Cohn, Cabernet Sauvignon, Trestle Glen Estate Vineyard 2008: Deep garnet in color with a concentrated nose bursting with ripe blue fruit and lightly toasted oak, followed on the palate of this medium to full-bodied wine by cherries, black currants, red plums, cigar tobacco with slightly sweet and spicy wood as well as hints of bitter dark chocolate rising with almost integrated tannins on the averagely long finish. Nice, clean and smooth. For some reason I did expect a bit more complexity and perhaps something different yet this is a fine CabSav and I can but only say a big thank you for this unexpected yet greatly appreciated birthday gift given to me a few months ago by one of our fellow members here.

Shabbat lunch:

Hagafen, Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2003: Dark garnet with on the nose ripe black currants, blackberries and vanilla, full-bodied with on the palate bright black fruit alongside sweet cherries, toasty cedar wood, milk chocolate and soft silky tannins on the long almost creamy finish. Delicious, clearly at its peak, throwing a bit of sediment but definitely not over the hill yet I'd drink any bottle left within the next 6-9 months. Now, just for you all to be jealous (Joel D Parker, Chaim and all the folks living nearby - if you're interested please read carefully): I paid only 59 shekels for this bottle! Yes! 15 US DOLLARS for a Hagafen Cab! (bought 2 in addition to the Pinot '06 I had over sukkot). Available at Mandel's Drinks 200 Ben Yehuda St. Tel Aviv.

Best,

GG

[Isaac Chavel]

Hi, Harry, shavu'a tov,

Nice one.

2009 Psagot Edom.

Hi, Birger, been awhile.

A good week to all,

Isaac

[Isaac C]

Yarden Syrah 2005 - excellent as always - this one did taste a little differently than others - it smelled and tasted a little too aged when poured initially but that blew off pretty quickly and the wine was delicious - full bodied and very intense, dark fruits, with a very nice long finish.

[YoelA]

Invited to dinner at friends last night; was served 2007 Mt. Hermon red. Label said it was a Bordeaux blend; unfortunately, as I had expected, over the hill.

[Shawn Johnson]

Saslove Marriage 2010- perfect with the roast my wife made for Shabbat

Vignobles David Cotes du Villages Reserve 2010- superb

Good week to all.

[Yehoshua Werth]

BS"D

Shavua Tov Harry

2009 Shirah - Power to the People (at my table all were impressed and smelled an tasted over and over Love the JAM and smooooth subtle spice BIG.
2011 Weinstock Petite sirah
2005 Sforna Monastrell Dolce
2009 Yarden Cabernet Sauvignon please wait 3+ hours in decanter

[Pinchas L]

Hi Harry,

Asif AvantGarde 2009 - This dry wine is a blend of five different varieties, and each makes itself felt at different times. Overall I found the austerity of the Sauvingnon Blanc (30%), Chardonnay (21%) and Semillon (7%) to dominate the opulence of the Gewurztraminer (30%) and the Viognier (12%). This wine is constantly morphing, assuming different guises every time I have it. At this juncture and with this meal it didn't go all that well. 13.5% AbV. C+/**

Hagafen Syrah 2003 - At first the high astringent notes were the only perceptible ones, but eventually the oak began contributing its bass line, and raspberry fruit filled in the middle registers with its melodious notes. Nonetheless, I still felt the astringency to be too much for me. 13% AbV. C+/**

Best,
-> Pinchas

Grading for quality: A - marvellous, B - good/intriguing, C - mediocre/uninspiring, D - subjectively flawed, F - objectively flawed
Grading for value: *** - it's a steal, ** - it's a reasonable deal, * - you've been robbed

[Philip Aron]

Hi Harry,

Dalton, Carbernet Sauvignon, 2011 "D" , IMHO the very best CPP product of its type on the local market. Paid 55 NIS.

Note: A fair price from a wine dealer, selling the products of a winery with the stated aim of offering good products at a fair price. Three satisfied partners in one operation.

[Steven B]

Hi Harry.

Ella Valley Cabernet Franc 2009- Amazing, well structured and with just enough green to keep things interesting. Must buy more.

[Harry J]

Hi; very much enjoyed Dalton shiraz 09. H

[Z Spigelman]

Hi Harry.
Friday night we celebrated our daughter's engagement with Gvaot Masada 2007, Glenlivet 18 year and some Cava.
Shabbat lunch - Barkan Assemblage Reichan 2008 and Trio The Spirit of Jerusalem Heights 2010.
Shavua tov.
Zvi

[Gabriel Geller]

Hi Harry.
Friday night we celebrated our daughter's engagement with Gvaot Masada 2007, Glenlivet 18 year and some Cava.
Shabbat lunch - Barkan Assemblage Reichan 2008 and Trio The Spirit of Jerusalem Heights 2010.
Shavua tov.
Zvi

Mazal Tov!

[Stacey B]

Friday night: Gvaot Herodian Cab 2010, Barkan Superieur Cab 2006, domaine Ventura Cab Franc 2009
Shabbat day Bravdo Coupage 2009
Tonight: alexander Sandro 2008

[Yossie Horwitz]

Golan Heights Winery, Gamla, Nebbiolo, 2008
Saslove, Marriage, 2010

[Elie Poltorak]

Mazal Tov Zvi! May it be a binyan adei ad!

As usual, began with 2011 Flam Rose (A-/**) for kiddush. It proved so popular with my guests that I had to open a second bottle.

2009 Dalton Wild Yeast Viognier: A/*** This is the wine that keeps on giving. Every bottle is a new experience as it slowly matures from the super-floral light wine it was in its youth to a more honeyed form. Still retains bright floral notes and stone fruit.

2005 Yarden Blanc de Blanc: A-/*** Opened a bottle to celebrate my son's birthday. Yum!

2006 Covenant Red C: B+ to A-/** Unfortunately, I felt this wine to be just beginning to slip past its prime. Don't get me wrong--there's no sign of oxidation or spoilage--it's just that I liked this wine far better in its youth. The bold spiciness I loved it for has settled down and now it's more of a typical well-balanced cabernet that is very good but doesn't stand out the way it used to.

2009 Yarden Cabernet Sauvignon: ? Try as I might, I couldn't get this wine to open up even by the end of the meal. I would've loved to try it the next day, but my guests were all too happy to finish it.

2011 Alfasi Sauvignon Blanc Late Harvest: B-/*** A very reasonably priced dessert wine with nice fruit but it had a faint unpleasantly bitter finish.

[Jeff Adler]

Friday night - Galil Mountain Yiron 2008 - Simple pleasure
Shabbat Lunch - Covenant Sauvignon Blanc 2011 - Very much enjoyed this vintage over the previous one.

[gaston k]

Fri Night - Dalton Zin 2010, very nice with Roast
Sat Lunch - Bartenura Valpolicella and a Duvel

[R Liberman]

Hi Harry,

Friday night: Tulip Just Merlot 2012 - Well balanced tannins - a delicious Merlot!
Shabbat Lunch: Prix Chardonnay (2010?) - At first, I wasn't sure this was better than the regular Hagafen Oak Knoll Chardonnay which is one of our favorites. However, once it opened up, it was a different story. Deliciously delightful!

[Elie Poltorak]

Once again, I missed the Peraj Petita--this time a 2010 (B+/***). (I use my postings here to periodically update my cellartracker with wines drunk on shabos, so I have to correct any mistakes ) Still rather closed--needs another 6 months or so to open up.

[Marc G]

2000 Haut Breton Lariguadiere - What a surprise. Very nice wine still drinking well.
2005 Herzog Alexander Cab

[Jonathan K]

At a shul event, Baron Herzog Zinfandel 2008 and Chardonnay 2008. Terrific values a year ago at under $10/bottle. These are losing their charm and developing some stewed flavors. Still just fine to wash down pasta salad and cholent, but I am glad we are about out.

[Birger Vejrum]

Hi, Birger, been awhile.


Isaac

Hi Isaac,

I am still here but do not post much.

All the best
Birger