As any reader of this blog knows, I am a fan of most of Carmels' releases (outside of the Selected and Private Collection lines). I think they are usually well made and well priced - with some wines being outright QPR kings in their categories. Once such wine is the Carmel 4 Vats (a tasting … Continue reading 2017 Carmel 2 Vats Rosé
Tasting Notes
2016 Hajdu Clarksburg Teraldego
This might be the first time that I am writing about a Hajdu wine on this blog so a bit of an introduction is necessary. Jonathan Hajdu is the winemaker at Covenant Wines of California - that is his day job and he does it really well. On the side he also runs his own … Continue reading 2016 Hajdu Clarksburg Teraldego
2017 Barkan Reserve Pink Muscat Rosé
After tasting the Barkan Beta Series Rosé I felt sort of hopeful that things were indeed in turnaround at Barkan which is currently the number 1 wine producer (sales wise) in Israel. Sure, conceptually I knew that the more established lines within the Barkan brand would need to take more minor shifts forward. Still, as Rosés typically … Continue reading 2017 Barkan Reserve Pink Muscat Rosé
2017 Barkan Beta Series Vin Gris
Good things come to those who wait. Many of us have been waiting for quite some time for Barkan to return to its former heights of the aughts, with some having given up all hope. But a little over a year ago a amidst a bit of a shakeup in the local wine scene, … Continue reading 2017 Barkan Beta Series Vin Gris
2015 Avidan Nebbiolo
A friend of mine was caught driving in Tel Aviv during the recent torrential downpours. Rather than fight his way through traffic, he pulled over at the first wine store he found and decided to pass the time more enjoyably. As he weaved through the aisles, he came across a few that he had not … Continue reading 2015 Avidan Nebbiolo
2016 Flam Classico
Most years, I really enjoy the Flam Classico. Usually it is a well made wine that can hold for a number of years and is complex enough to remain interesting and approachable enough even on release for causal drinkers to enjoy. It 's not cheap - the price is usually 80-90 shekels a bottle, but … Continue reading 2016 Flam Classico
2017 Shiran The Conductor Rosé
During the mega-tasting I participated in a couple of weeks before Pesach, there were two bottles that seemed to be off. The first was the Herzberg Rosé which I had tasted at the winery and really enjoyed very much. The second was the Shiran Rosé which I had heard good things about but had not … Continue reading 2017 Shiran The Conductor Rosé
2017 Carmel Appellation Gewürztraminer
Last night I tasted the 2017 Carmel Appellation Rosé and was super impressed (notes to come eventually). I figured maybe they did a nice job on the Gewurtz as well. I was wrong. Sadly, while the price is OK (NIS 45), the wine itself falls flat in every area. The nose is very muted with … Continue reading 2017 Carmel Appellation Gewürztraminer
A Tale of 2 (2017 Tabor) Gewürzes
I though it might be interesting as a one off to review 2 wines at once - primarily because they are both the same varietal, produced by the same winery, in nominally the same style, at price points that are not magnitudes apart (though in actuality 1 does cost 40% less than the other). I … Continue reading A Tale of 2 (2017 Tabor) Gewürzes
2016 Elvi Herenza Rioja
Up front I am going to admit that I am a sucker for Tempranillo. It is one of my absolute favorite varietals. That preference brings with it a double edged sword - if the wine is good, I am likely going to LOVE it. If the wine is bad (or even just mediocre) - I … Continue reading 2016 Elvi Herenza Rioja