Bordeaux Blend

This is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon 80%, Cabernet Franc 10%, Merlot 5%, and Petit Verdot (5%).  In Chile this qualifies as a Cabernet but in the EU it does not for example (must be 85%).  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, spice and smoke.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this is ripe with good black cherry fruit.  Light tannins.  Nice acidity.  Seems to be close to peak.  Nice finish.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  Drinks well on its own, this would work well with chili con carne.  

This is a joint project with Baron Philippe Rothschild and Conch y Toro.  It is one of the top reds made in Chile although not technically a  Cabernet with  66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Carménère, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.

All of Sauska's blends are named after prime numbers as a testament to their uniqueness.  The lower the number, the better the wine.  This one is a blend of 45% Cabernet Franc, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 21% Merlot.  It is aged 4 months in used French oak and two months is bottle prior to release.  Ruby in color with purple swirls, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, tobacco, plums and black pepper.  14% ABV.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, the cherries come thru along with the black pepper and slight tobacco underneath.  Nice balance.  Smooth and easy drinking.  Mild tannins.

A nice white from Bordeaux.  A blend of Sémillon 20%,  Sauvignon Blanc 40%, Sauvignon Gris 30%, and Muscadelle 10%.  Medium golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has a nice lemon streak with a Schist rock quality to it.  On the palate, this has a slightly oily texture.  Lemon fruit although there is a bit of a bitter quality especially on the finish.  Also a touch of lemon candy.  Drinking well now, but this probably should be consumed in the next year or so.  Nice on its own, it will work with lighter foods.  

I love Realm wines and this might be my favorite.  A blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Merlot.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, black cherries, slight chocolate and tobacco with some cedar.  This is a very accessible vintage for this wine.  Full bodied.  On the palate, cassis and black cherries, with some forest floor notes.  Firm tannins.  Nice balance.  Long finish.  This drinks very Bordeaux-like for a Napa Cab.  It will still mature and like improve over the next ten to fifteen years and drink well for another ten to fifteen after that.  A nice wine

Domaine du Castel is one of the best wineries in Israel.  This is their value wine made in both red and white.  Of course, this is the red and it truly is a very good value.  This was originally purchased for Passover 2020, but due to Covid, opened in 2021.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The  nose has black cherries and some cassis with a bit of dust and earthiness.  Medium bodied.  This drinks easily with light tannins and fresh black cherry fruit.  Good balance.  This probably should be consumed in the next few years, but for around $20, this is a nice Cab.  It graced our

This is a well endowed, Bordeaux blend from Napa.  It is full throttle and delicious although some may not like that style.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, plums, graphite, cedar, and anise.  Firm tannins.  Full bodied.  On the palate, the black raspberries come thru in spades with some underlying char and graphite.  Great lush texture.  15.6% abv.  Long finish.  No noticeable alcohol on the palate other than the texture.  This drinks better on its own right now, but would work with roasted meats or fowl.  Drink over the next few years to enjoy the

This is a very nice fruit forward Napa Cab.  Purple/ruby in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, chocolate, and tobacco.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, there is ripe cassis fruit, some oak showing and slight dry earthiness.  Nice finish.  This is easy going and will make nice drinking over the next ten years.  A great choice with a burger off the grill.  

This is a blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Malbec and 9% Petit Verdot and  always one of the stars of the Flora Springs portfolio.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, plums, a wet, rich earthiness and a sort of tree bark note that is intriguing.  Full bodied with firm tannins.  On the palate, black raspberries, and a lush chocolate milkshake with a touch of underlying earthiness.  This is a decadent wine that while still young is delicious.  Give it a few more years until maturity and the score should rise even higher.  Drink's great on it own, this will

This winery really stepped it up after the first couple of vintages and are producing some great wines.  Deep purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, graphite, slight cedar and baking spices.  Full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this is juicy with great cassis fruit.  A bit of underlying graphite and char.  Some complexity but more delicious than contemplative.  Nice finish.  This would match well with roasted or grilled meats or veggies but worked great with vegetarian chili.  Drink over the next ten to twelve years.