Song / WeeksEnd wine

[Elie Poltorak]

Spent Shabos with Elchonon, who helped me finish the bottles I could only taste. I won't bother with TN's, as the medication I'm on (that prevents my consuming alcohol) totally messes with my ability to taste anything, so I'll just post general impressions:

'09 Ventura Merlot: C/* After their spectacular CF and very good CS, this was a huge disappointment. The wine has no focus whatsoever. The nose is dominated by oak. Midpalate runs off in different directions. Volatle acidity doesn't help the situation. Giving it time to breathe in a decanter only made things worse. The only saving grace is the nice, graphite-laden finish, with sikly tannins. Although the bottle doesn't mention it, the finish leads me to believe there's some CS lurking here (perhaps 15%). Anyhow, the $40 price tag is simply highway robbery.

'09 Tishbi Malbec: A-/*** WOW!!! What a wine. The nose bursts with animal notes--like a horse stable. Close your eyes and you'll hear hoofbeats all around you. Behind that is smoked meat and black fruit. Wonderfully bracing acidity. This is the first Malbec I've ever loved.

'07 Willm Riesling: A-/***

[Elie Poltorak]

They are sourced from entirely different places - but both are indeed made by Jeff Morgan. More on the Cuvee Chabad can be found here:

http://www.covenantwines.com/cuvee-chabad

David

Dave: I was told by the winemakers that they're made from the very same grapes. Merely different barrels.

[David Raccah]

Could be - both made by Jeff, but who knows...

[Yehoshua Werth]

Why $40 anyway?

But heard mixed opinions on the Merlot.. Some very good and some Lacking.. Maybe some serious bottle variation only on the Merlot...

Yes only heard and tasted good on the Cab and not yet tasted the CF...

[Elie Poltorak]

Why $40 anyway?

But heard mixed opinions on the Merlot.. Some very good and some Lacking.. Maybe some serious bottle variation only on the Merlot...

Yes only heard and tasted good on the Cab and not yet tasted the CF...

Purchased in Miami. How much do you sell it for?
The CS is nice. Very strong tannins. The CF was incredible when I had it a year ago in Israel, but when I had another bottle recently, it seemed to be fading prematurely. I have another bottle in Miami so I'll drink and report next time I'm down there.

[Elie Poltorak]

Glad to hear the Covenant Zin was so great. Just got it on Thursday and looking forward to comparatively tasting it with the Cuvee Chabad Zin...

Over the weekend we enjoyed:
Four Gates, Merlot, La Rochelle, 2007
Hagafen, Prix, Sauvignon Blanc, Moskovite Ranch, 2010
Ella Valley Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007
Ella Valley Vineyards, Chardonnay 2011
Carmel, Appellation, Cabernet Franc, 2007

Yossie:
Have you done this tasting yet?

[Stacey B]

Had the Domaine Ventura Rubens in November in was doing great, but in January had faded a bit.

[Yehoshua Werth]

Why $40 anyway?

But heard mixed opinions on the Merlot.. Some very good and some Lacking.. Maybe some serious bottle variation only on the Merlot...

Yes only heard and tasted good on the Cab and not yet tasted the CF...

Purchased in Miami. How much do you sell it for?
The CS is nice. Very strong tannins. The CF was incredible when I had it a year ago in Israel, but when I had another bottle recently, it seemed to be fading prematurely. I have another bottle in Miami so I'll drink and report next time I'm down there.

NOw for $30

[Isaac C]

So did anyone try the Cuvee Chabad yet? Is it the same wine as the Landsman?