"Odedi" 
Aligote Winery
Merlot Red Blend 2009
It's time for #MerlotThursday. Here is a beautiful one from Israel.
Ruby in color with a wide brick rim.
Interesting nose of blueberries, black currants, black plums, cooked cherries, vanilla, licorice, oak, dark chocolates, dark coffee, spices, earth, vegetables, wet leaves, light bell pepper, leather, vinaigrette, light mold and black pepper.
Medium plus in body and elegant, with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with black currants, plums, cooked blueberries, oak, vanilla, cloves, black pepper, coffee, tobacco leaf, earth, herbs, spices, dark chocolates, wet rocks and vinaigrette.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cranberries.
This 10 year old Israeli Merlot, is still drinking very nicely now, although it was better a few years ago.
Showing great complexity with a nice mouthfeel, but showing it's age. At a blind tasting I would call this a twenty-year-old right Bank Bordeaux.
Way better after 3 hours in a decanter, when it shows some tannins and complexity.
This is a wine to drink with friends and talk about. Very enjoyable with its elegance and complexity.
Grapes are hand-picked and aged for 14 months in Oak barrels. A very small production of less than a thousand bottles.
Thank you, David and Elvira for sharing this with me.
14% alcohol by volume.
91 points.
$25. — 4 days ago
Two Range
2 Napa Valley Red Blend 2015
Dark ruby in color with a reddish rim.
Fruity on the nose with blueberries, cherries, raspberries, black plums, earth, vanilla, licorice, spices, black pepper, dark chocolates, coffee and mocha.
Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity and long legs.
Dry and fruity on the palate with raspberries, plums, cherries, oak, strawberries, spices, tobacco leaf, earth, leather, coffee and peppercorn.
Medium on the finish with soft tannins and tangy cranberries.
This Napa Valley Red Blend is a little disappointing. Unbalanced yet drinkable, with mild complexity.
Might need another year in the bottle to mature. Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up.
13.5% alcohol by volume.
85 points.
$17. — 6 days ago
Zwebner Estate Vineyard
35.40.2 Judean Mountains Red Blend 2015
Zwebner Estate Vineyard 35.40.2 Red Blend 2015 Bethlehem, Israel
Dark ruby in color with a soft purplish rim.
Fruity nose of blueberries, black plums, sour cherries, sweet raspberries, vanilla, licorice, oak, leather, earth, pencil lead, wet leaves, alcohol, vinaigrette, dark chocolates, tobacco and peppercorn.
Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with raspberries, sweet strawberries, wood, spices, earth, vegetables, graphite, peppercorn, leather and tobacco.
Medium plus on the finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cranberries.
This is a very enjoyable GSM blend from Israel. Showing nice complexity with a nice mouthfeel.
Reminds me of a Spanish Garnacha blend.
I had it last year, and it is drinking nicer now. Would benefit from a few more years in the bottle.
Needs 90 minutes to open up properly and show complexity.
Good by itself or with food. I paired it with a charcuterie board of cheeses and meats.
A blend of 47% Syrah, 35% Grenache and 18% Mourvedre.
Grapes are grown in the Judean Mountains at 2500 feet elevation, and aged for 12 months in French oak barrels.
15.5% alcohol by volume.
91 points.
$40. — 2 days ago
Parducci
Reserve Mendocino Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
A nice Cabernet Sauvignon from Mendocino County, California.
Red and black fruits on the nose and palate, with earth notes and chocolates. Showing medium acidity with a nice mouthfeel.
Not very complex, but drinking very nicely now. Will be better in 3 years.
Good for everyday.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
85 points.
$13. — 5 days ago
Mark Herold Wines
Flux Grenache Blend 2015
A nice and fruit forward Rhône blend from California.
Showing red and black fruits with earth notes chocolates, tobacco, vegetables pencil lead and peppercorn.
Medium plus in body with medium acidity and nice legs.
A little bitter on the ending once it opens up.
Good right out of the bottle and gets earthier as it opens up.
15.5% alcohol by volume.
88 points. — 6 days ago
Turnbull Wine Cellars
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
It's time for my #FridayCabernetfix. This is a wonderful Cabernet from Napa Valley.
Dark ruby in color with a purplish rim.
Fruity nose with blackberries, black currants, cherry pie, cedar, vanilla, leather, spices, earth, chocolates, coffee, mocha, tobacco, licorice, peppercorn, cloves, beef jerky and black pepper.
Full bodied and bold with medium acidity and nice long legs.
Dry and extremely fruity on the palate with blackberries, black currants, sweet cherries, wood, licorice, earth, spices, chocolates, tobacco, mocha, coke, earth, light vegetables, pencil lead and peppercorn.
Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.
This is a great Napa Cabernet. Very enjoyable already, but will be so much better in 5 years. Well balanced with nice complexity and a great mouthfeel.
Extremely fruity right now, and needs some time to soften up and get more complexity.
Needs 90 minutes to open up properly and show tannins. Good enough to have all by itself as a sipping wine.
Good with food too, like a big piece of steak.
This is just delicious. Tasty, even though it is so young.
14.7% alcohol by volume.
93 points.
$50 — 3 days ago
Hugel et Fils
Classic Alsace Pinot Gris 2015
Pale lemon in color with a light golden tint.
Nose of lemons, grapefruits, light tropical fruits, pineapples, green apples, mineral and spices.
Full bodied and creamy, with medium plus acidity and nice legs.
Dry on the palate with lemons, citrus, green apples, pears, grapefruits, minerals, spices, vegetables, bitter herbs and black pepper.
Nice length on the finish with almonds.
This is a very enjoyable Pinot Gris from Alsace. Nicely balanced with nice complexity and a great mouthfeel, with a touch of sweetness on the mid palate that balances the acidity well.
Good by itself when not too chilled. A good sipping wine and good for parties, although not cheap.
Will age nicely in the next 5 to 7 years and show more complexity.
High alcohol for Pinot Grigio, but it gives it a nice mouthfeel. Easy to drink, so watch out.
Wine Enthusiasts 90 points.
I paired it with a margarita pizza on a nice afternoon.
14% alcohol by volume.
88 points.
$25. — 5 days ago
Orin Swift
Machete Napa Valley Red Blend 2012
This 2012 red blend from the house of Orin Swift is always enjoyable.
Unfortunately it wasn't stored properly and shows some over ripen fruits. However it is still very yummy. Showing black fruits with Oak vanilla spices, chocolates tobacco mocha coke earth.
Balanced with nice complexity and a great mouthfeel.
Spicy on the finish with fine tannins.
15.7% alcohol by volume.
92 points — 6 days ago
"Odedi"
Light straw in color with a golden tint.
Strong fruity nose of citrus, limes, wood, vanilla, spices, melons, light tropical fruits, wild flowers and honeysuckle.
Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity, crisp and refreshing.
Dry on the palate with citrus, lemons, green apples, grapefruits, bitter herbs, vegetables and white pepper.
Short finish with limes and bitter almonds.
This is a simple chardonnay from France. Smells like a California Chardonnay, and more Old World on the palate.
Needs 45 minutes to open up properly and show its pretty nose. Not as good right out of the bottle, so give it time.
Crisp and refreshing when properly chilled.
I paired it with a cheese plate with crackers and nuts.
12% alcohol by volume.
84 points.
$11. — 15 hours ago