Readers of this blog know I am a huge fan of the Tempranillo grape. I can appreciate it in almost any style from every-day drinking Elvi semi-crianza Herenza Rioja to the upscale Herenza Reserva, from the big bold Israeli 2016 Netofa Dor to the beautifully refined Yaacov Oryah 2011 Iberian Dream series. I have liked … Continue reading 2019 Faustino VI Rioja – and example of what is right… and wrong with Egoz-Muscat
Tasting Notes
An Evening with M & M Importers
Over the past year or so, I have been trying to sit down and write a full article on M&M Importers in the US. Besides being the US importer for IDS wines, they also have imported a number of French kosher productions on their own. Even more impressive, they have begun contracting their own kosher … Continue reading An Evening with M & M Importers
KFWE 2020 – Tel Aviv (Zur)
This year, life does not permit me to go on a full KFWE tour. Besides KFWE London conflicting with day one of Sommelier here in Israel, and KFWE Paris (Bokobsa really) conflicting with the second day of Sommelier, I need to be in NY the week after KFWE, which effectively rules out the rest of … Continue reading KFWE 2020 – Tel Aviv (Zur)
Taieb Wines in Israel
During my trip to Taieb last year, the topic of wines making their way to Israel came up. Only three of the wines that I tasted on that trip – the Joseph Mellot Sancere, the Chateau Castelbruck, and Chateau La Naud. Of those, the Mellot and Castelbruck are still on back (and inferior) vintages here, … Continue reading Taieb Wines in Israel
2017 Razi’el
Sooner or later, everything old is new again.Stephen King In 2015 after 23 years operating in their original location in Ramat Raziel, Castel opened its new larger facility in Yad HaShmona. Besides providing greater capacity, the new winery provided state of the art technology to aid in creating some truly excellent wines. It also created … Continue reading 2017 Razi’el
Israel’s Supermarket Revolution? Notes on 3 wines from Egoz-Muscat
Over the last few months, a number of friends have been talking to me about something that they describe as hopefully the beginning of a revolution here in Israel. Quality wine available at the supermarket – much like it is in every country in the world. The two wines that have been causing this commotion … Continue reading Israel’s Supermarket Revolution? Notes on 3 wines from Egoz-Muscat
Blind Tasting in August with a Focus on Beit El Winery
Just because I haven't been writing, it certainly doesn't mean I haven't been tasting. One of the more prolific episodes occurred near the end of August. A friend who is in the business asked if I would like to come by and blind taste a couple of wines that he was considering bringing into the … Continue reading Blind Tasting in August with a Focus on Beit El Winery
3 Wines from HaRoeh Winery
HaRoeh Winery is located on Moshav Kfar HaRoeh and is a stones through from both Vitkin and Recanati wineries just north of Netanya. It is run by winemaker Ehud Kave and is sort of at this point a large garagiste or ultra-boutique winery. The winery was started in 2010 an produced a single barrel of … Continue reading 3 Wines from HaRoeh Winery
Ya’acov Oryah 2019 Portfolio Tasting and a lot more
Note: Before I start, I just want to disclose that Ya'acov is a friend. While I don't believe that our friendship impacts my notes, I do want make sure that you kind readers have that information in hand when glancing through my scribbles. 2nd Note: Apologies in advance for the length of this post. I … Continue reading Ya’acov Oryah 2019 Portfolio Tasting and a lot more
2017 Vitkin Israeli Journey Red & Babi’s shloshim
This past month has been a little difficult personally. First and foremost, my grandmother Phoebe Davidowitz passed away. (While not at all wine related, out of respect for my grandmother you can find my hesped [eulogy] for her here). To top that off, 2 days before she died, my father while on his way to … Continue reading 2017 Vitkin Israeli Journey Red & Babi’s shloshim