After learning more about his Jewish ancestry in Ukraine, Finger Lakes winemaker Bruce Schneider partnered with Chateau Chizay in western Ukraine’s Transcarpathia region to create Elijah’s Fifth Cup.
This wine is ok-ish. It is another "natural" wine that could have been much better with a little more "intervention". I am all for organic and sustainable but when the "natural" overrides the quality, there is an issue. Especially at $30 a bottle. Thei is a blend of 50% Alibernet, 25% St. Laurent, and 25% Blauer Portugieser.
Gitana means Gypsy. Made from the Rară Neagră grape, this is garnet in color, ruby at the rim. The nose is earthy and dusty with black and red raspberries and a hint of spice. On the palate, nice black raspberries. Lots of depth. Black cherries on the long finish. This is drinking well now. Very unique compared to the same old, same old grapes. Drink over the next five to seven years (maybe more). This ould be a nice match with roasted fowl or pork dishes. A really nice value!
This is Moldova's most famous wine. It was apparently Quenn Victoria's favorite and Queen Elizabeth gets a case every year. Who knew? If served blind, I would likely guess Bordeaux 5th growth or perhaps a Sonoma Cab (Beringer Knight's Valley Reserve?). Not to slight Modova as it would never enter my guessing knowledge. If there was a complaint that in a tasting of Moldovan wines, it is not exotic or unusual which is a bit un fair. It is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon 70%, Saperavi 25%, Rara Neagra 5%. It spends 18 months in French oak barrels. Inky purple in color, ruby at the rim, o
Lupi mean wolves. A very nice showing for this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Saperavi that was aged for a period of 10-12 months in 225l barrels and aged for at least 2 years in oak barrels from Krasnodar (Russia). Purple in color, garnet at the rim. The nose has black cherries with a hint of smoked tobacco ash. Very interesting. With air a bit of black coffee. Medium to full bodies. On the palate, black raspberries, cherries, a bit of dried currants and slight earthiness. Strong backbone of acidity. Long finish. A really interesting wine with depth and complexity. Tast
This white wine seemed to be a love it or hate it wine when tried amongst a small group of tasters. Made from the Fetească Albă grape. This is 8 years old. The label carried a Decanter Awards Silver Medal sticker from 2014. Deep golden in color, clear and bright. The nose is more about minerals at this point with sea air and just a touch of cinnamon. Light to medium bodied. On the palate, slightly sour orange marmalade with just a hint of diesel. Nice acidity. The salinity comes back on the long finish. This probably needs to be consumed sooner than later. It would be nice to try
This is a white wine made in Moldova from the Viorica grape and vinified in stainless steel. Light yellow gold in color, clear and bright. The nose is very floral with a touch of lime peel. Light to Medium bodied. Oily texture. The floral quality continues to the palate. There is also a tart citrus note. Long finish. The wine has a familiar quality while at the same time being just a bit different. I would be happy to drink this on a nice summer day. Drink over the next couple years as floral notes usually fade (my first Viorica grape so just a guess). It drinks nicely on its own
This is a blend of Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc from Madiran in the southwest of France. Inky purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose has black raspberries and slight black cherries with some spice and minerality. Full bodied. Deep. Firm tannins. Black raspberry fruit mostly but some boysenberry as well over a mineral base. Clean. A bit of char on the finish. Delicious. This feels like further cellaring would be helpful but with some air, it drinks well. Drink over the next ten years. It would work with pork chops but also grilled meats and veggies.
This is a blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec, and 1% Petite Sirah. It is a nice value in California Cabernet. Purple in color with ruby swirls. Mostly opaque and bright. The nose is dusty with cassis and a bit of coffee. Medium to full bodied. On the palate, black cherries, some cherry pie filling, but also some tart cherries. With air, some dark chocolate and spices. There is oak on this but that will integrate with time. Nice finish. This drinks great on its own and will work with bolder foods. As it ages, it will be more
This is 100% Sangiovese grape from Tuscany grown near Sienna. It is unclear why this is not labelled as Chianti (though it probably could be), but no matter, this is very enjoyable. Delicious and punches way above its weight class. Ruby/purple in color, mostly clear and bright. The nose has bold cherry fruit with some tea leaves and a touch of wintergreen. On the palate, the cherries come thru with a bit of spice. Firm tannins. Black licorice on the finish. This is drinking well now but will certainly mature and possibly improve. It drinks well on its own, but wines like this are m
