2022 Tzora Vineyards Judean Hills, Israel, Judean Hills, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$32.00USD

This is a proprietary blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petite Verdot and Merlot from Israel.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is deep and complex with cassis, black raspberries, char, moist earthiness, and spice.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Nice balance.  On the palate, this has ripe black cherry fruit along with plums, spice, slight chocolate and char.  Long finish.  This is tasty and drinks easily on its own and will work well with many foods.  It should be a natural with Brisket (the Jewish kind).  It is Kosher.  Drink over the next three to five years.  

2021 Yatir Mt. Amasa, Israel, Judean Hills, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

This is a blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Shiraz, 12% Tanat, 11% Malbec, 7% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc from Israel.  It is certified Kosher.  Purple in color with a thin ruby rim.  The nose is nice with cassis, black cherries, plums, spice and slight chocolate.  Medium to full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, nice black cherry fruit with some cassis and spice.  Long finish.  This is drinking well now and should continue for the next few years.  It is nice on its own but will work well with food.  A good wine to serve with Roasted Chicken.  

2023 Domaine du Castel 'C' Blanc du Castel, Israel, Judean Hills, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2023
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$60.00USD

This is 100% Chardonnay grown in the Judean Hills just west of Jerusalem.  Deeper golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with lemons, roasted almonds and a touch of buttered popcorn.  Medium to full bodied.  Good balance.  On the palate, lemons and spice with a touch of melon.  Good finish.  It seems like this went thru partial (or maybe full) malolactic fermentation.  The resulting wine is approachable but will likely mature over the next three to five years.  Drink over the next ten.  This is nice on its own but will work well with Matzoh Ball soup.  

2015 Opus One, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$325.00USD

This is a blend of 81% cabernet sauvignon, 4% petit verdot, 7% cabernet franc, 6% merlot and 2% malbec from Napa.  Perhaps the "weakest" of the 8 vintages tried at this tasting, it is still an outstanding wine.  Ruby/purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with cassis, black cherries, tobacco, spice and an interesting minerality.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, cassis, cherries, spice and a slight caramel note.  Long finish.  Nice on its own or with food.  This worked well with vegetarian Lasagna.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  

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