Israel
Aligote Winery
Port
Vitkin
Upper Galilee Cabernet Franc 2015
Amazing Cab Franc from this boutique winery in Judean Hills in Israel. Recommended by our server Maya at Onza as she just visited the winery and she was right. — 19 days ago
Domaine du Castel
La Vie Blanc du Castel Jérusalem-Haute Judée White Blend 2018
Haven't opened wine at home for a while.
Been to 'sommelier' which is 🇮🇱's biggest wine exhibition. Hundreds of wines for tasting. It was too much for me... Got stupidity drunk with not enough insights.
Last week went to a smaller festival In a big shop round my neighbourhood. Took it easy and slowly and had a few interesting reds, one more then the rest. Fetched a bottle will update.
Got this white blend ( chardonnay, gewurtzterminer and sauvignon blanc ) while staying at 'vineyards' boutique hotel close to the vineyard (duh).
This was bottled February 2019 and we are on the 17Th February. So straight from the vats it is.
Light pale straw 👁️
Grass, honeycomb, guava, melon, citrus and some herbs 👃
Grapefruit first then some 🍋and lime with tropical bitterness on the background 👄
Low to medium acidity .
Medium (almost light) 🎯
balanced and interesting.
They ripped me off at the hotel (paid 140 instead of 90 nis which is retail price). OK vfm on real price.
Paired ok-ish with traditional israely dinner = sourdough bread, tahini, omelette and a salad.
After 24 hours the wine stayed quite the same. Paired better with some Asian takeaway that included som tam salad, sate tofu curry and some 🍣 — 3 days ago
Cremisan Cellars
Star of Bethlehem Baladi 2015
Grape: Baladi, from West Bank, Palestine. Medium ruby color, tobacco and blueberry nose. The nose reminds me of a Rhône wine because of the gamy and fatty meat flavors. On the palate, it’s a good balance of fruit, tannin and acidity, but lacking length. The wine has the earthiness of a Bordeaux and game flavors of a Syrah. From @sommselect dot com: “From a 133-year-old winemaking monastery, made from Holy Land native grapes like Dabouki, Hamdani, Jandali, and Baladi. They are all planted in the Biblical Hills of Bethlehem and Hebron.” — 3 days ago
Aligote Winery
Merlot Red Blend 2012
It is time for #MerlotThursday!
Here is a great one from Israel.
Dark ruby in color with a reddish rim.
Fruity nose of blueberries, currants, vanilla, wood, spices, pencil lead, black pepper, leather, earth, wet leaves, black tea, vegetables, bitter herbs and black pepper.
Medium plus in body and smooth, with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, vanilla, licorice, earth, wood, spices, peppercorn, chocolates, tobacco, graphite, dark coffee and light vegetables.
Medium plus in finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.
This 7 year old Israeli Merlot is drinking very nicely now. Nicely balanced with earth notes and chocolates.
Needs 90 minutes to open up properly. Shows nice complexity and tannins after 3 hours in the decanter.
Good by itself and better with food.
Reminds me of a 10 year old Right Bank Bordeaux.
I had the 2009 not too long ago and this was just as good. Very tasty and enjoyable. Peaking now and will be good in the next 5 years.
Thank you David and Elvira for sharing this with me. I paired it with cheeses, crackers, nuts and dried fruits.
100% Merlot grapes are hand-picked and aged for 14 months in oak barrels. Not kosher.
14% alcohol by volume.
91 points.
$25. — 20 days ago
Yatir
Petit Verdot 2014
Dark ruby in color with a purplish rim.
On the nose blueberries, black currants, light vanilla, vegetables, bell pepper, dark coffee, licorice, oak, eucalyptus, black pepper, earth, river rocks, vinaigrette, wet leaves, leather, pencil lead and black pepper.
Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with plums, currants, sour cherries, wood, licorice, spices, vanilla, vegetables, tobacco, dark coffee, vegetables, earth, leather, graphite, vinaigrette and peppercorn.
Medium plus in finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.
This 5 year old Petit Verdot from Israel is drinking very nicely now. Nicely balanced with nice complexity and a great mouthfeel. Still young and needs another two years in the bottle to mature.
Needs 3 hours in a decanter to open up and show tannins and some complexity.
Good by itself or with food. I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats cheeses and olives.
A blend of 85% Petite Verdot and 15% Malbec. Aged for 12 months in oak barrels and then 24 in the bottle. Kosher.
15% alcohol by volume.
90 points.
$45. — 7 days ago
Givon
Galil Chardonnay Dry White 2016
Nice light cherry tasting - will drink again — 13 days ago
"Odedi"
Light amber in color with a wide brick/ yellow rim.
Strong sweet nose of Indian spices, coffee, mocha, tobacco, earth, honey, alcohol, caramel, vanilla, caramel, oak and black pepper.
Full bodied and bold with medium plus acidity and long legs.
Sweet on the palate with caramel, chocolates, coffee, peppercorn, spices, earth, light vegetables, mocha, peppercorn, earth, wood, vanilla, cloves, tobacco and espresso.
Long finish with tangy tangerine.
This Israeli port is just wonderful. Good by itself as a dessert. Well balanced and soft.
Although this is a non vintage, I'm pretty sure this has spent many years in neutral Oak barrels. Very interesting and complex. Loved it.
Paired very nicely with vanilla ice cream.
Thank you David and Elvira for sharing this delicious wine with me.
20% alcohol by volume.
96 points.
$25. — 2 days ago