This friday, I came a bit late. My friends just finished a bottle of Serafin Gevrey Chambertin 1999 , so I suggested opening a bottle of Serafin, Charmes Chambertin 2001. I've had a bottle of the 2004, a year ago, and liked it very much and the 2004 didn't dissapoint either. Some brett in the nose at the beginning was replaced soon by a nose of red fruits, especially strawberries, in the mouth it was only medium bodied but it filled the mouth , with great balance, nice mid palate presence and long aftertaste. An elegant wine (in the good sence of the word). Score : 93-94.
Later on I was suggested a glass of Trio 2006, a new Israeli wine made by 3 cousins of the the Shaked family (Oran, Kobi & Tal). The grapes were sourced from the Judea hills and are mostly Cabarnet Sauvignon. The nose is quite closed with some black fruits emerges. In the mouth its medium to full bodied , very fruity, some green notes and medium finish. not very sophisticated but a very nice wine for everyday. Score - 88.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Lunch in Catit
2 days ago, I had a lunch in Catit with a good friend. It was my first time there , after I heard many praises , and they were all right ; it was probably the best meal I've had in Israel , and it was just a lunch. I can't imagine how a dinner there would be. There were so much tastes and flavours in each course and the place and service were also wonderful.
and there was also a wine ..... Pichon Baron 1990.
I've had it for the first time in 2002, and it was one of the greatest wine memories i've ever had , and probably the first great Bordeaux I had. When I tasted it in 2002 it had an intense aroma of very ripe black fruits with some tobacco notes full bodied, leading to very rich and fruity palate with long, long finish (At least this is my memory).
This time it was quite different - young ruby colour, Aromas of wet stones, tobacco and some black sherries in the background that emerged from time to time. In the mouth it was medium to full bodied , very smooth and round, very elegant with a sweet flavours of fruits and well integrated wood , and long and sweet aftertaste. Overall it was an excellent wine, very enjoyable but my strong memories of the first bottle that was close to perfect caused me a slight dissapointment. Score (my friend agreed with me fully) : 94-95
and there was also a wine ..... Pichon Baron 1990.
I've had it for the first time in 2002, and it was one of the greatest wine memories i've ever had , and probably the first great Bordeaux I had. When I tasted it in 2002 it had an intense aroma of very ripe black fruits with some tobacco notes full bodied, leading to very rich and fruity palate with long, long finish (At least this is my memory).
This time it was quite different - young ruby colour, Aromas of wet stones, tobacco and some black sherries in the background that emerged from time to time. In the mouth it was medium to full bodied , very smooth and round, very elegant with a sweet flavours of fruits and well integrated wood , and long and sweet aftertaste. Overall it was an excellent wine, very enjoyable but my strong memories of the first bottle that was close to perfect caused me a slight dissapointment. Score (my friend agreed with me fully) : 94-95
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Spanish Evening
Two days ago, I've had another evening of spanish wines, tasted blind. we tasted 3 bottles. 2 were nice but nothing special, but the third was very good : dark ruby, very nice, sweet nose of ripe black fruits and candies. medium to full bodied, rich, fruity with some notes of licorice and medium aftertaste. Score - 93 . The name is Enate - Riserva especial, 1998. Never heard about it before. It comes from an appelation called Somontano, north-west from Barcelona. Imported by Anavim.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Some wines during the weekend
This weekend unfortunately I got a mild flu. My little daughter managed to do what 1000 patients didn't , and delievered me her viruses, nothing truely severe but it was enough to impair my sense of smell. Even though, I didn't surrend, and with the help of Pseudo-Ephedrine (Sinufed) I tried some wines:
On Friday with my Friday's group I had the Domaine de la Mordoree - Lirac, Cuvee Reine de bois 2005. The nose was a bit closed (and so was my nose) with hints of blackberries , cassis and some spices, In the palate it was medium to full bodied, still tannic but with good mid-palate persistance and quite long aftertaste. for about 125NIS (32 US$) I think it's a very good value. Score 90-91. We also oppened a bottle of La Spinneta - Barbera , Vignetto Gallina 2004, that was dark coloured with a strong nose of espresso (even my dumb nose couldn't ignore it) and some black fruits in the back. Again medium to full bodied with good acidity , smoother tannins but less mid-palate persistance and shorter after taste. Overall a very nice wine , very modern style , I would score it about the same (But it's more ready today).
Today (Saturday), my family celebrated my nephew first Birthday. I brought 2 bottles. First was the Barkan Superiour 2003, that has a lovely nose of very ripe blackberries , cassis and tobacco (reminded me a bit the Altitude 720+ , 2003, from the same producer). In the mouth it was less impressive. medium bodied , smooth but with a bit thin mid palate and a nice but quite short aftertaste. Score 88-89 (92-93 for the nose, 86-87 for the mouth). Later Came the Golan heights, Yarden Cabarnet 2003, that was the opposite, quite closed nose , but fuller bodied, more tannic with more persistance and longer aftertaste. Score- again 88-89 (Lesser nose, better palate) . I must mention that I tasted the Yarden, Cabarnet about twice before and it was better. More fragarant nose, smoother and sweeter tannins . most probably my flu didn't help. I think I have 1 or 2 , more bottles, so I'll try one next year.
On Friday with my Friday's group I had the Domaine de la Mordoree - Lirac, Cuvee Reine de bois 2005. The nose was a bit closed (and so was my nose) with hints of blackberries , cassis and some spices, In the palate it was medium to full bodied, still tannic but with good mid-palate persistance and quite long aftertaste. for about 125NIS (32 US$) I think it's a very good value. Score 90-91. We also oppened a bottle of La Spinneta - Barbera , Vignetto Gallina 2004, that was dark coloured with a strong nose of espresso (even my dumb nose couldn't ignore it) and some black fruits in the back. Again medium to full bodied with good acidity , smoother tannins but less mid-palate persistance and shorter after taste. Overall a very nice wine , very modern style , I would score it about the same (But it's more ready today).
Today (Saturday), my family celebrated my nephew first Birthday. I brought 2 bottles. First was the Barkan Superiour 2003, that has a lovely nose of very ripe blackberries , cassis and tobacco (reminded me a bit the Altitude 720+ , 2003, from the same producer). In the mouth it was less impressive. medium bodied , smooth but with a bit thin mid palate and a nice but quite short aftertaste. Score 88-89 (92-93 for the nose, 86-87 for the mouth). Later Came the Golan heights, Yarden Cabarnet 2003, that was the opposite, quite closed nose , but fuller bodied, more tannic with more persistance and longer aftertaste. Score- again 88-89 (Lesser nose, better palate) . I must mention that I tasted the Yarden, Cabarnet about twice before and it was better. More fragarant nose, smoother and sweeter tannins . most probably my flu didn't help. I think I have 1 or 2 , more bottles, so I'll try one next year.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Wine Route - Winter Catalogue
Last week Wine Route published their second Winter Catalogue.
Last year their catalogue was sensational , featuring many excellent new wineries from Chateauneuf du Pape , Burgundy and Piedmont such as Roger Sabon , Pierre Usseglio, Vieille Julliene, Marcoux, Clos du Caillou , Girardin, Joseph Roty, Serafin , Paolo Scavino, Bruno Giacosa , La Spinetta and more.
This year there aren't so many new names (few from Burgundy, Sandrone from Piedmont, Mordoree from Cdp) , and for me the highlights are mostly the Chateauneufs from the superb 2005 vintage. After the dramatic raise in the prices of Bordeaux wines at the last few years , and the outrageous prices of Burgundy wines, the Rhone valley (especially CdP) remained one of the very few wine areas when you can still find magnificent wines at reasonable prices. In the catalogue you can find wines that score around 95 from most serious wine critics (I know scores aren't everything, but they are some kind of an indicator) for less than 300NIS , for instance , the Vieux Telegraphe Le Crau (a consistent and reliable performer), Roger Sabon -Cuvee Prestige, Vieille Julliene regular CdP and Marcoux regular Cdp .
I was expecting for 2004 Barolos that didn't arrive yet but in my opinion the Barolo Percristina from 2001 is a steal for 359NIS. The bric del fiasc from Scavino and the Ciabot mentin Ginestra from Clerico are also very interesting.
Burgundy wines aren't usually my cup of tea , but even I , couldn't ignore the Dujac Clos de la Roche 2005. A grand cru that earned high scores at a relatively reasonable prices. There are also some very interesting Mersault wines from various producers.
From Bordeaux , I haven't noticed something new, but in a few month the 2005 will arrive and my bank acount is going to suffer a lot.
Last year their catalogue was sensational , featuring many excellent new wineries from Chateauneuf du Pape , Burgundy and Piedmont such as Roger Sabon , Pierre Usseglio, Vieille Julliene, Marcoux, Clos du Caillou , Girardin, Joseph Roty, Serafin , Paolo Scavino, Bruno Giacosa , La Spinetta and more.
This year there aren't so many new names (few from Burgundy, Sandrone from Piedmont, Mordoree from Cdp) , and for me the highlights are mostly the Chateauneufs from the superb 2005 vintage. After the dramatic raise in the prices of Bordeaux wines at the last few years , and the outrageous prices of Burgundy wines, the Rhone valley (especially CdP) remained one of the very few wine areas when you can still find magnificent wines at reasonable prices. In the catalogue you can find wines that score around 95 from most serious wine critics (I know scores aren't everything, but they are some kind of an indicator) for less than 300NIS , for instance , the Vieux Telegraphe Le Crau (a consistent and reliable performer), Roger Sabon -Cuvee Prestige, Vieille Julliene regular CdP and Marcoux regular Cdp .
I was expecting for 2004 Barolos that didn't arrive yet but in my opinion the Barolo Percristina from 2001 is a steal for 359NIS. The bric del fiasc from Scavino and the Ciabot mentin Ginestra from Clerico are also very interesting.
Burgundy wines aren't usually my cup of tea , but even I , couldn't ignore the Dujac Clos de la Roche 2005. A grand cru that earned high scores at a relatively reasonable prices. There are also some very interesting Mersault wines from various producers.
From Bordeaux , I haven't noticed something new, but in a few month the 2005 will arrive and my bank acount is going to suffer a lot.
Domaine de la Mordoree - CdP Cuvee Reine de Bois , 1999
Today I had it over a lunch with Kobi Shaked (From Wine Route , who lately started to import it) at Rokah 73 restaurant . Very dark coloured. It has a very nice aromas of black fruits mostly black sherries and some flowers. In the mouth it was fantastic- medium to full bodied , rich, fruity, spicy, with great balance, good acidity and long and sweet finish. Gorgeous wine. Score - 95-96
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Premium Australian wines tasting - Mersch
Among the new small boutique importers that emerged at the last year or two, Mersch is Certainly one of the most interesting. Mersch imports mainly small Australian wineries, some of them among the top names in quality terms.
Although my personal taste leans more towards old world wines (but usually those with a bit new world style) , I never say no to an oppurtunity to taste good Aussie wines , and the Penfolds Grange 1998 is one of the greatest wines I had the pleasure to taste.
Yesterday I participated in a special tasting of Mersch that included some of their top wines :
The wines :
1. Tscharke - The Curse 2006 - this is a 100% Zinfandel from the Barossa valley. Dark ruby. Aromas of black fruts with some blue-berries , it is full bodied and rich but the mid-palate is not very prominent. a nice bitterness is felt all the way to the medium finish. Nice but not great. Score : 91-92
2. Kallesle - Greenock Shiarz 2006 - Again dark ruby (actually most of the wines were so). Nose of blackberries and some raspberries that became more deliniated and purer as the the time went on. Full bodied, smooth , with low acidity and medium-long aftertaste. Well made wine , but again nothing spectacular . Score 92-93
3. Kaesler - The Bogan shiraz , 2005 - Black coloured. Lots of black fruits combined with earthy notes, spices and black pepper. Full bodied , chewy, nice bitterness and long aftertaste. very good . The tasting has began. Score - 95-96
4. Noon - Eclipse 2005 - A bled of Shiraz(35%) & Grenache(65%) , this one, is one of my favourites. I had the 2004 and liked it very much. The colour is medium Ruby. Bursting aromas of black cheries, raspberries , later some notes of tea emerged . Full bodied, rich but at the same time quite elegant, very well balance of sweetness and acidity, and long and sweet aftertaste. Love it. Score : 95-96
5. Colonial Estate - Emigre 2005 - A special blend of 30% Shiraz, 30% Grenache, 20% Cabarnet Sauvignon, 15% Mourvedre and some Carignian and Muscadel. Deep ruby, Nose of black fruits and pepper, it is Full bodied and chewy with black pepper and well integrated bitternes, quite old world . The aftertaste is medium to long and quite nice. Score : 94-95
6. Colonial Estate - The Exile Shiraz 2005 - A blend of 85% Shiraz, 10% Mourvedre & 5% Grenache , from old vines. In the begining the nose had a lot of black fruits but heavy & unfocused. With time in the glass the fruit became more deliniated and riper and also more elegant. In the mouth very rich with black fruits, licorice, bitterness and long aftertaste. A very impressive mouth.
Score : 95-96
7. Greenock Creek - Alices Shiraz , 2005 - 100% Shiraz. Inky black colour. High toned nose of very ripe blackberries and cassis. In the mouth it is simply unbelieveble. huge concentration and richness , but extremely balanced with super long aftertaste. score : 97-98
8. Standish - The Standish Shiraz, 2003 - What a mistake it was , to put this wine , right after the Alices. The nose is old world and very sophisticated with Wet stones, Dump earth, and a bit red and black fruit in the background. Then the Fruit became more pronounced and was accompanied by a notes of Earl Grey Tea. Later on some blueberries appeared. Simply stunning. In the mouth however it suffered compared to the Alices Shiraz. Only medium body, a bit tannic, less rich, and shorter aftertaste compared to the former wine. Score : 97-98 for the nose, 91-92 for the palate. Overall : 94-95
9. Kalleske - Johann Georg Shiraz , 2005 - very dark ruby, almost inky. Aromas of blackberries, combined with coffee and some candies. Full bodied , rich , a bit tannic, some well integrated bitterness and quite long aftertaste. Score - 95-96.
Overall:
Very good tasting with great wines. The wines that stood out for me were the Noon Eclipse, both Colonial estate, the Greenock Creek and the Standish (mainly the nose).
I think the Noon Eclipse, Kaesler - The Bogan & Greenock Creek - Alices Shiraz , represent a terrific value, and are a must buy , for any Australian wines lover.
The Standish , suffered from its proximity to the Alices, but I think it will be very interesting to follow it in the future. For the nose guys it is also a very interesting option.
The Colonial estate wines are very good , and less new worldish (The proprietor is actually scotish, who also has estates in Bordeaux). Irrespective of their price, they are very good.
For those who seek the rich, blockbuster shiraz with lots of fruit and concentration, the Kaesler, Greenock Creek and the Kalleskies (especially the Johann Georg) are the answer.
Some of the foods were made by a small Catering based in Nes-Ziona , called Aya & mother Cooks. The name is a bit uninspired but their food was very promising.
Although my personal taste leans more towards old world wines (but usually those with a bit new world style) , I never say no to an oppurtunity to taste good Aussie wines , and the Penfolds Grange 1998 is one of the greatest wines I had the pleasure to taste.
Yesterday I participated in a special tasting of Mersch that included some of their top wines :
The wines :
1. Tscharke - The Curse 2006 - this is a 100% Zinfandel from the Barossa valley. Dark ruby. Aromas of black fruts with some blue-berries , it is full bodied and rich but the mid-palate is not very prominent. a nice bitterness is felt all the way to the medium finish. Nice but not great. Score : 91-92
2. Kallesle - Greenock Shiarz 2006 - Again dark ruby (actually most of the wines were so). Nose of blackberries and some raspberries that became more deliniated and purer as the the time went on. Full bodied, smooth , with low acidity and medium-long aftertaste. Well made wine , but again nothing spectacular . Score 92-93
3. Kaesler - The Bogan shiraz , 2005 - Black coloured. Lots of black fruits combined with earthy notes, spices and black pepper. Full bodied , chewy, nice bitterness and long aftertaste. very good . The tasting has began. Score - 95-96
4. Noon - Eclipse 2005 - A bled of Shiraz(35%) & Grenache(65%) , this one, is one of my favourites. I had the 2004 and liked it very much. The colour is medium Ruby. Bursting aromas of black cheries, raspberries , later some notes of tea emerged . Full bodied, rich but at the same time quite elegant, very well balance of sweetness and acidity, and long and sweet aftertaste. Love it. Score : 95-96
5. Colonial Estate - Emigre 2005 - A special blend of 30% Shiraz, 30% Grenache, 20% Cabarnet Sauvignon, 15% Mourvedre and some Carignian and Muscadel. Deep ruby, Nose of black fruits and pepper, it is Full bodied and chewy with black pepper and well integrated bitternes, quite old world . The aftertaste is medium to long and quite nice. Score : 94-95
6. Colonial Estate - The Exile Shiraz 2005 - A blend of 85% Shiraz, 10% Mourvedre & 5% Grenache , from old vines. In the begining the nose had a lot of black fruits but heavy & unfocused. With time in the glass the fruit became more deliniated and riper and also more elegant. In the mouth very rich with black fruits, licorice, bitterness and long aftertaste. A very impressive mouth.
Score : 95-96
7. Greenock Creek - Alices Shiraz , 2005 - 100% Shiraz. Inky black colour. High toned nose of very ripe blackberries and cassis. In the mouth it is simply unbelieveble. huge concentration and richness , but extremely balanced with super long aftertaste. score : 97-98
8. Standish - The Standish Shiraz, 2003 - What a mistake it was , to put this wine , right after the Alices. The nose is old world and very sophisticated with Wet stones, Dump earth, and a bit red and black fruit in the background. Then the Fruit became more pronounced and was accompanied by a notes of Earl Grey Tea. Later on some blueberries appeared. Simply stunning. In the mouth however it suffered compared to the Alices Shiraz. Only medium body, a bit tannic, less rich, and shorter aftertaste compared to the former wine. Score : 97-98 for the nose, 91-92 for the palate. Overall : 94-95
9. Kalleske - Johann Georg Shiraz , 2005 - very dark ruby, almost inky. Aromas of blackberries, combined with coffee and some candies. Full bodied , rich , a bit tannic, some well integrated bitterness and quite long aftertaste. Score - 95-96.
Overall:
Very good tasting with great wines. The wines that stood out for me were the Noon Eclipse, both Colonial estate, the Greenock Creek and the Standish (mainly the nose).
I think the Noon Eclipse, Kaesler - The Bogan & Greenock Creek - Alices Shiraz , represent a terrific value, and are a must buy , for any Australian wines lover.
The Standish , suffered from its proximity to the Alices, but I think it will be very interesting to follow it in the future. For the nose guys it is also a very interesting option.
The Colonial estate wines are very good , and less new worldish (The proprietor is actually scotish, who also has estates in Bordeaux). Irrespective of their price, they are very good.
For those who seek the rich, blockbuster shiraz with lots of fruit and concentration, the Kaesler, Greenock Creek and the Kalleskies (especially the Johann Georg) are the answer.
Some of the foods were made by a small Catering based in Nes-Ziona , called Aya & mother Cooks. The name is a bit uninspired but their food was very promising.
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