This was a really fun night with some interesting wines. Before we get there, a comment on the food. Uri cooked alone tonight – Bracha needed a break after doing one these dinners so recently. While some of the dishes were more rustic than usual – they were excellent and this was one of the best “food paired  to the wine” successes we have had yet. Seriously  – people could not get enough! When the food compliments the wine (and vice versa) things just go to a different level. Often times,while both the food and wine are excellent, there is a lack of synergy – especially when the chef doesn’t know the wine list until a couple of days before the event. This on the other hand – WORKED. My personal favorite was likely the Lamb and Gnocchi with the Goose breast a close second. Kudos Uri! Now on to the wine!

Note: I have a cold. I am omitting my note concerning nose as my nose wasn’t doing it’s job.

Golan Heights Winery, Yarden, Brut, Rosé, 2011  – This is the first time that this showed well at an RCC. Happy we took a chance (it bombed the last 2 times) . The 2012 is making its way out now, so hopefully we’ll get to that one soon – as there is definitely bottle variation here. Bubbles were nice this time around. Cherries and strawberries with a touch of yeastyness and nice acid keeping it fresh. This was yummy.

Barkan, Merlot, Reserve, 2008 – After last month’s success with 2007 Barkan Reserve series wine, I decided to let another in. Again – nice to see that a NIS 70 bottle of wine can go the distance. Seemed a touch flat on open, but improved with a couple of minutes of air. Obviously the tannin is soft an well integrated. Flavorwise mostly sour cherry and maybe tart currant – not a tremendous amount of depth acquired with age – but  its nice to see that 10 years ago for a very modest price you could buy you a wine that would last. Wish it were so today.  I understand that there was a lot of this that was released to duty free in Ben Gurion. It is NOT worth the price. This was nice as a curiosity at RCC – not really for buying now seriously.

Carmel, Shaal, Merlot, 2010 – Bad bottle.

Covenant, Red C, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2008 – This was not really meant to go the distance – and it sorta showed.  Mostly licorice and plum in the mouth. Tannin was soft but present with enough acid to hold it together for now. But this one is fading fast.

Carmel, Sumaka, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012 – This bottle tasted very different from a bottle of this that I had last week. I think it was off. Had a metallic thing going on.

Carmel, Kayoumi, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2011 – Was hoping to be able to compare ’11 Kayoumi to the ’12 Sumaka  – i have a theory that outside of the late Harvest Gewurtz out of Sha’al. that the other Single Vineyard Carmel wines are really not up to the same quality as what we (used to) get out of Kayoumi. That was not to be, but this Kayoumi is holding nicely. . Nice controlled fruit with a touch of wood. Mostly cherry. Some tobacco. Medium + acidity and still mouth coating tannin show  this wine is still youthful with plenty of time ahead. Nice stuff.

Herzog, One Over XII, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007 – It was a Cab Sav sorta Night. When someone suggested this as a possible bottle, I had a hard time saying no. It’s an experimental one off as far as I know. it spent 55 months (4 and half years – do the math) in oak. So I’ll say that for the time it spent in wood, I was expecting more of an oak-bomb. The oak is certainly there, but it was less overpowering than I would have thought. What was missing sorta was the fruit which was on the back -palate for the most part with a decent creamy chocolate finish.   I am guessing that this wine might have been much nicer a year or 2 ago where perhaps the fruit was more prominent and might have balanced out the wood. At this point, I would say its past peak now – but super-interesting nonetheless

Golan Heights Winery, Yarden, Petit Verdot, 2012 – This showed really well. Nice spice. Controlled fruit and oak. Muscular. Good new world PV.

Yaacov Oryah, Iberian Dream, Gran Reserva, 2011 – This wine is at peak and has not changed in about a few months. Previous notes stand.

Carmel, Kayoumi, Shiraz, 2012 – Getting closer to where it should be, but not there yet. Last time I had it was about a half year ago – then it wasn’t really approachable even with a four hour decant. This time or sat for 3 and started showed better. Still needs more time to come together, but it shows real promise.

Flam, Noble, 2011 – Hopy Crap! Once of the best bottles that Israel has to offer IMHO. Really top notch. Decanted for 3 hours or so, and could have used more – this wine is still a baby. Both on the nose (yeah – it came through even with the cold) and in the mouth great mushroom and earth with nice layers of red fruit and spice to dig through. The oak which used to be much more prominent has integrated nicely. Listen, this wine is really one of the best – I am happy that I got to taste again to see where it’s up to (it’s been about a year and half), and it has progressed nicely – but drinking it now really is not doing it justice. Give it another year or two.

Dalton, Anna, Liqueur Muscat, NV – First time at an RCC – previous note on this one stands too. Went beautifully with the desert.

Chodesh Tov!