Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Armagedon 2017 – Hevron Heights Winery
Judean Hills, Israel 🇮🇱

Overview
A bold red blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, and 5% Syrah, aged for 24 months in French oak. Produced by Hevron Heights Winery, this wine reflects the unique terroir of the Judean Hills — one of the oldest winemaking regions in the world, now regaining global recognition for producing structured, world-class wines.

Aromas & Flavors
Deep and concentrated, with aromas of ripe blackcurrant, plum, and dried herbs, layered with espresso, cedar, and a touch of vanilla from the extended oak aging. The palate shows dark fruits, cassis, blackberry compote, and hints of spice and earthy tobacco.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied, robust, and structured with firm tannins and notable concentration. The finish is long, lingering with both fruit and savory oak-driven notes. Still youthful but beginning to soften beautifully.

Winemaking Notes
Carefully selected fruit, traditional vinification, and extended oak maturation (24 months in French barriques) yield a wine that balances richness with complexity. Built for longevity.

Food Pairing
Pairs perfectly with roasted lamb, beef short ribs, or spiced Mediterranean dishes. Also a great match with aged cheeses.

Verdict
A powerful, age-worthy red from the Judean Hills, Armagedon 2017 showcases both the depth of the blend and the rising reputation of Israel’s terroir. A bottle that commands attention and rewards patience. Cheers! — a month ago

Tyler Felous

9.8

Absolutely loved this. The weight was notable. Beautiful minerality and fruit. Classic reisling drank alongside caviar for 35th birthday. — 2 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.4

The 2017 Barbaresco Ronchi is darker, richer and more potent than the straight bottling, but ultimately the two wines aren't as different as they have been or should be. I imagine at least some of that is attributable to the vintage. Black cherry, smoke, tobacco, licorice and leather all meld together nicely. The heat of the vintage is a bit more evident here, but is also nicely balanced. The 2017 finishes with notable substance and power. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, February 2022)
— 4 years ago

Jay Kline

9.1

The Valmaggiore MGA is notable for being a distinctive hillside in Roero, just outside of the Barolo zone. The soils are sandy and make for a more elegant expression of Nebbiolo d’Alba. The 2023 pours a pale garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of tart and ripe red fruits: raspberry, strawberry, red flowers, and exotic spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. If you want your Nebbiolo fix but don’t wanna shell out for Barolo or Barbaresco, this is a smart choice. Drink now through 2033. — 7 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

1982 vintage. Above average fill. Cork 98% saturated. Decanted and throwing a mix of chunky and sandy sed. Tasted after 15 minutes. Dark-fruited nose. Still medium body. Any overt fruit is gonzo and this specimen ended up as more muscular than remembered with notable balance. Tannic skeleton definitely in place. Least favorite 1st growth overall but this was a great showing. In a sweet spot currently and likely to hold here without drop off for another 4-5 years. 6.1.24. — a year ago

Deborah M

9.4

Friday wine. This was a easy choice for National Women’s History month. An iconic winemaker. A true trailblazer. Exceptional wines. An endless amount of superlatives that can go with Cathy Corison. Her wines are described as having both elegance and power.

2013 Corison Cabernet was perfection in my glass last night. Winemaker notes describe the wine as having aromas and flavors tend toward the dark end of the Cabernet fruit spectrum with blueberries, black cherries, blackberries and dark plums all singing in close harmony. Complexing notes include tobacco, baking spices, chocolate, and savory herbs including sage, thyme and basil. Floral notes of violets and rose petals play with a notable stony minerality in the aromas and long finish. 13.5%ABV. I described this wine as being both elegant and stunning.

Grateful for the women who busted through those glass ceilings. Grateful for the trailblazers. — 3 years ago

Vanessa

9.2

This Lagier Meredith Syrah (2016) is stunning!!

It presents red, black, and blue fruit characteristics, such as fresh mulberry, redcurrant, strawberry preserves (like fruit-on-the-bottom yogurt), black cherry, cassis, ripe blueberry, next to black tea, anise, fennel, clove, cardamom, nutmeg, vanilla, cacao, crushed white and black pepper, and earthy, potting soil notes.

On the palate it’s dry, smooth, and balanced with a lingering finish. Alcohol (14.5% ABV) and tannins are notable and well-integrated.

This wine hails from higher elevation sites of Mount Veeder in Napa Valley and is delicious! — a year ago

with Deked1

Delectable Wine

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9.6

Tasted at the maison, the 2015 is rich, dense and explosive, with tremendous textural intensity and also a good bit of energy to back it up. Citrus confit, spice, ginger, chalk and dried flowers abound in a Champagne endowed with tremendous aromatic presence in a style that offers notable richness, but lighter than vintages such as 2012. There is a bit of the savoriness that is such a signature of the year, but it is nicely integrated in the wine’s fabric. Two later tastings in my office strongly suggest the 2015 has already started to shut down a bit, which is a shame, as it may be hard to read for some time to come. Dosage is 7 grams per liter. Disgorged: November 2022. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2023) — 2 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.2

The 2020 Red Wine (Contra Costa County) is notable because of its complexity. Nothing in particular stands out, all the elements are so harmoniously put together. Red/purplish fruit, lavender, spice and menthol are some of the notes that open with a bit of air, but more than anything, I admire the energy and delineation leading into a finish of real substance. The blend is 65% Carignane and 35% Mataro. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2023) — 3 years ago

Gene Buonviri

8.9

The Guigal family owns some of the best vineyards in the Rhône Valley and makes some of the best wines. This wine is an excellent introductory wine for the Rhône Valley. This wine is an excellent value for the region considering it is from one of the world’s most notable producers. Deep dark red, aromatic spices and dark fruit. Do Not turn away from this wine! — 4 years ago