Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Covenant – Cabernet Sauvignon – 2023
Napa Valley, California 🇺🇸

Overview
A bold, expressive Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from Covenant, crafted in a richer “valley-floor” style with generous ripeness and concentration. This bottling shows Covenant’s signature combination of power and polish, made entirely from Cabernet Sauvignon and produced as a Non-Mevushal and vegan-certified wine, an excellent option for those seeking upscale kosher reds with true Napa character.

Aromas & Flavors
Black currant, blackberry compote, cassis, baking spice, cedar, a touch of mocha, and subtle graphite. Ripe yet not overdone, the fruit leads, but there’s enough structure to keep it focused.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied, plush, and deeply fruited. Smooth tannins wrap around the palate with richness and warmth, supported by balanced acidity. The finish is long, dark, and satisfying, classic modern Napa Cab energy.

Food Pairings
Ribeye steak, lamb chops, brisket, barbecue short ribs, mushroom-braised dishes, or aged cheddar.

Verdict
A powerful, fruit-driven Cabernet Sauvignon with unmistakable Napa Valley boldness. Approachable now, yet structured enough to improve with short-term aging. A high-impact, Non-Mevushal kosher Cabernet that easily stands toe-to-toe with many mainstream Napa labels.

Did You Know?
Covenant was founded by Jeff Morgan, a chef-turned-winemaker who helped redefine the identity of premium kosher wines in California. His stylistic goal has always been simple: make world-class wines first, that also happen to be kosher. — a month ago

"Odedi"

9.1

#KosherWineSunday

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim. A very pretty color.

Fruity nose and medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing blueberries, sweet plums, cooked cherries, light oak, spices, chocolates and licorice.

Nice length on the finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a very tasty 8 year old Marselan from Israel. Nicely aged now, and drinking better than when I last had it four years ago.

Elegant and nicely balanced. Fruit forward and easy drinking. Spicy and entertaining.

Needed 45 minutes to open up and show the beautiful nose. What a great surprise.

Wine Enthusiasts 90 points.

Drinking at its peak now, and will continue to drink nicely in the next few years.

Good by itself as a sipping wine.

100% Marselan grapes from the Galilee were aged in French oak barrels for 16 months. Kosher.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$25 (at release). — 3 months ago

"Odedi"

9.2

#kosherWineSunday

Inky in color with a short purple rim. Not showing age at all.

Fruity nose of blackberries, black plums, cedar, tobacco, chocolates, coffee, cola, vanilla, licorice and spices.

Full-bodied, bold and smooth, with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and very fruity on the palate with black currants, black plums, blackberries, licorice, chocolates, cedar, tobacco, spices, light earth and herbs.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and cherries.

This is a delicious Syrah blend from Israel. Rich and extracted. Fruit forward and elegant.

This 6 year old is showing a soft mouthfeel, and in your face kind of wine. Nicely balanced with nice complexity.

Good right out of the bottle and easy drinking. Good by itself as a sipping wine.

A blend of 85% Syrah, 12% Petite Sirah and 3% Petit Verdot. Aged in French oak barrels for 14 months. Kosher and not Mevushal.

14.6% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$55. — 4 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

The Cave – Red Blend – 2020
Galilee, Israel 🇮🇱

Overview
A powerful Bordeaux-inspired blend composed of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, and 9% Petit Verdot, sourced from high-elevation vineyards in the Upper Galilee. Aged 24 months in French oak inside the historic Carmel Mountain cave, a naturally cool, humidity-stable cellar that shapes the wine’s depth and structure. Mevushal / Kosher for Passover.

Aromas & Flavors
Dark mulberries, black plum, and blackberry compote meet cedar, mahogany wood, espresso, and subtle graphite. The Petit Verdot adds an herbal-floral edge, giving the wine both muscle and nuance.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied with firm, assertive tannins and a deep, wood-toned intensity. Concentrated, layered, and long, with an oaky spine that lingers on the finish.

Food Pairings
Braised lamb shoulder, smoky short ribs, aged Gouda, slow-roasted brisket, or charred portobello mushrooms.

Verdict
One of Israel’s most characterful red blends, bold, structured, and cellar-worthy. The interplay of fruit density, mineral tension, and pronounced oak makes this a standout Mevushal wine for those who appreciate power and polish. Cheers!

Did You Know?
The Cave winery ages its wines in a 250-year-old man-carved cave in Carmel Mountain, originally quarried in the 18th century and repurposed in the 19th century as a brandy cellar. Its natural insulation provides ideal conditions for long élevage, giving these wines their signature depth and aging potential. — a month ago

"Odedi"

9.3

#KosherWineSunday

Inky in color with a short reddish rim.

Fruity nose of blue and black fruits with mediterranean spices, light cedar, chocolates, tobacco, herbs, light earth and black pepper.

Full-bodied and elegant with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruit forward on the palate with black currants, black plums, blackberries, cedar, vanilla, leather, spices, light earth, chocolates, coffee and peppercorn.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This 6 year old Cabernet Sauvignon from Israel is drinking wonderfully now. Rich and elegant. Fruit forward and easy drinking. Nicely balanced and soft.

Good right out of the bottle and better after 2 hours of airtime.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 10 years.

Complex and engaging. Tangy and spicy.

Interesting, and good by itself as a sipping wine.

Aged in French oak barrels for 18 months. Kosher.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$50. — 3 months ago

"Odedi"

9.1

#kosherWineSunday

Dark ruby in color with a reddish rim.

Fruity nose of blueberries, black plums, cherries, spices, light oak, diet cola, light bell pepper, chocolates, black pepper and herbs.

Full bodied and elegant with medium acidity and long legs.

Very dry on the palate with black currants, plums, cooked cherries, oak, licorice, light vanilla, tobacco, dark chocolates, green vegetables, light earth, herbs and black tea.

Nice length on the finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a very tasty 9 year old Cabernet Sauvignon from Lake County in California. Fruit forward and spicy.

Good right out of the bottle, and gets earthier and spicier as it opens up.

I had this vintage 5 years ago and it is drinking so much better now. Will not improve from this point on, so drink up.

Easy drinking and good by itself or with food.

Kosher and Mevushal.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$50 (current vintage). — 4 months ago

Harvey Raben

9.1

This is a very concentrated wine with lots of black fruit and spices. The palate is complex and layered. The blend of Merlot and Cabernet carries the day.The. Petit verdot provides substantial color making this wine opaque. — 9 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Razi’el – Red Blend – 2021
Jerusalem – Haute Judée (Judean Hills), Israel 🇮🇱

Overview
A beautifully crafted Mediterranean red blend dominated by 70% Syrah, 25% Carignan, and 5% Grenache, grown at high elevation (≈700 meters) in the Judean Hills near Jerusalem. Hand-picked fruit, fermented with care, and aged 18 months in French oak, this bottling is a striking example of how Israel’s terroirs can mirror, and sometimes rival, the finesse of top Rhône estates. A Not “Mevushal” wine.

Aromas & Flavors
Dark berries, plum skin, violets, roasted herbs, cracked pepper, and a touch of smoky mineral. The Carignan brings juiciness and lift; the Grenache contributes subtle red-fruited charm.

Mouthfeel
Silky yet structured, expressive yet refined. Medium-plus body with excellent balance and tension. The finish is long, smooth, and beautifully integrated, remarkably elegant for a warm-climate blend.

Food Pairings
Lamb shawarma, herb-roasted chicken, grilled eggplant, beef kebabs, mushroom ragù, or Provençal stews.

Verdict
A sophisticated, Rhône-inspired red with Israeli soul. Juicy, polished, and impressively detailed, far more refined than many expect from the region. This is a world-class offering and a standout in the Kosher category. A Not “Mevushal” wine that truly delivers.

Did You Know?
Razi’el is produced by the Ben Zaken family of Domaine du Castel, one of Israel’s most influential wineries. Planted in limestone-rich, high-altitude vineyards, the site naturally channels a Rhône-like profile, cool nights, rocky soils, and intense sun exposure working together to produce wines of concentration and elegance. — a month ago

"Odedi"

9.2

#KosherWineSunday

Ruby in color with a wide reddish rim, and medium plus intensity.

Fruity nose of black currants, cooked plums, licorice, light wood, tobacco, chocolates and black pepper.

Medium plus in body and elegant, with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with blueberries, blackberries, black plums, cooked cherries, oak, licorice, light vanilla, herbs, tobacco, peppercorn, dark chocolates and light earth.

Tangy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This Israeli Cabernet Sauvignon based blend is drinking beautifully now. Complex and engaging. Fruit forward and elegant. Soft and smooth.

Easy drinking and good right out of the bottle, and better after an hour of airtime.

This 6 year old is delicious right now, and drinking at its peak. Will continue to drink nicely in the next few years.

I had it a 3 years ago, and decided to wait for another 3 years and let it mature. That was a good choice, as it is drinking so much better now.

A great sipping wine. Delicious stuff.

A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 20% Shiraz and 10% Petit Verdot. Grapes are grown in the Galilee region, and aged for 16 months in oak barrels. Kosher and Mevushal.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$100. — 3 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

8.9

A Kosher, Organic, Vegan Malbec of Tupungato’s Region Argentina. Aromatic, Plummy, Ripe Raspberry, a bit earthy. On the palate, soft dry and medium-bodied and a medium plus acidity with subtle tannins.
Mouthfeel is on the velvety, mild spices, and medley of berries on the finish. Absolutely casual and easy to drink for a fraction of the cost. It’s the least complex in its price point. Cheers and had it on Malbec world day. Cheers! — 9 months ago