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A Domaine Roses Camille (AKA DRC) tasting in Paris with Christophe Bardeau – November 2023
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3 comments on A Domaine Roses Camille (AKA DRC) tasting in Paris with Christophe Bardeau – November 2023 -
IDS tasting of current releases in Paris – a second time – in Nov 2023
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Kosher French Wine, Kosher Red Wine, Kosher Rose Wine, Kosher White Wine, Kosher Wine, Wine, Wine TastingAlsace, Beaune Premier Cru, Blanc, Bourgogne, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chateau de Valois, Chateau la Tour de By, Chateau Labegorce, Chateau Larrivaux, Chateau Leydet-Valentin, Chateau Marquis d'Alesme Becker, Chateau Sainte Marguerite, Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, Chateau Tour du Barail, Chateau Tour du Bosquay, Chateau Trianon, Chateau-Lafon-Rochet, Clos des Lunes, Cuvee Fantastique, Cuvee Heritage, Domaine de Chevalier, Domaine Vacheron, France, Gevrey Chambertin, Gewurztraminer, Gustave Lorentz, Hautes-Cotes de Nuits, IDS, Jean Luc & Paul Aegerter, Les Vins IDS, Lune D’Argent, Merlot, Nuits Saint Georges, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru, Pessac-Leognan, Pouilly-Fuisse, Premier Cru, Riesling, Rose, Rouge, Sancerre, Sarga Muskotaly, Tokaj-Hetszolo, Virginie de Valandraud, wine -
France – November 2023 – Part 1 – Royal
The next four posts will deal with my yearly trip to France with my friend David Raccah of the Kosher Wine Musings blog. I have to say – this was a VERY hard trip to make. Until the day before I left, I was considering canceling due to the situation in Israel and feeling that it was not the right time to leave. That, coupled with the frightening news out of France of rising antisemitism left me with little desire to go. And to be honest, I was feeling fatigued. The news has so bleak and there was so much stress at the time, that I decided the night before, to not cancel my flight and meet David as planned. Luckily, he had not downgraded the room, and everything proceeded mostly as planned. My flight ended up being delayed by a few hours, and so the plans we had for the first day were trimmed a bit. This trip, unlike all of the trips prior, we decided that it was time for me to see France. Up until now, I had never seen the Louvre or the Arche de triumph or even the Eiffel Tower. All of that got corrected that first day when we packed in as much as we could in the time we had.
But this is not a tourism blog – it is a wine blog. So, let’s get to it. This trip basically consisted of four parts (outside of the touring above): Royal, IDS, Domaine Roses Camile (and all related wines) and the wines we tasted in the hotel. At this stage, I can basically close my thoughts on the 2021 vintage. It was just a big mess in Bordeaux. As noted last year, the small wines were pretty much uniformly disappointing with crazy green jalapeno notes in wines that were more often than not simply unpleasant to drink. Well, while the big wines faired far better, overall, it was still nothing to write home about. 2021 is just a big miss overall. Now, the real question is about 2022. Over the course of the last year, people have been talking about the 2022 vintages as being one of the absolute best. Reading the advance tasting notes of the big Bordeaux producers by the various well-known writers, it seemed that 2022 was universally lauded. So far, only the small wines for 2022 have been released. While Royal makes a few, most of what we tasted was in the hotel and will be covered by my wrap-up post. But – here’s a spoiler – for the small wines, while 2022 was MUCH better than 2021, it was no runaway success. We struggled to find wines that we could classify as winners. But that is for later.
Let’s get started with what is always a highpoint of my trip – our visit with Menachem Israelievitch of Royal wines. It is always a high point because Menachem isn’t only a professional, he is also a HUGE mensch. While presiding over the largest and most professional kosher production in Europe, he is also a warm wonderful down-to-earth guy, who it is a pleasure talking to and spending time with. Simply a pleasure. This year we tasted a staggering number of wines, 37 in all – I think that is a record. Here are the notes:
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Barons Edmond & Benjamin de Rothschild, Blanc, Bordeaux, Bourgogne Cote-D’Or, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chateau Dauzac, Chateau de Parsac, Chateau des Laurets, Chateau Gazin Rocquencourt, Chateau Giscours, Chateau Haut Condissas, Chateau LaGrange, Chateau Le Crock, Chateau Malmaison, Chateau Montviel, Chateau Moulin Riche, Chateau Pontet Canet, Chateau Riganes, Chateau Royaumont, Chateau Tertre, Clos De La Chaise Dieu, Clos Triguedina, Etoiles de Mondorion, Grand Cru Classe en 1855, Haut-Medoc, Lalande de Pomerol, Les Lauriers des Rothschild, Malbec, Malbec du Clos, Margaux, Medoc, Merlot, Monopole, Montagne Saint-Emilion, Pauillac, Pavillon de Leoville Poyferre, Pessac-Leognan, Philippe le Hardi, Pomerol, Prestige, Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion, Saint-Emilion, Saint-Estephe, Saint-Julien -
Paris tasting of Royal’s 2021 and other French wines – November 2023
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Aurore de Dauzac, Baron Edmond de Rothschild, Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cahors, Chateau Clarke, Chateau Dauzac, Chateau de Parsac, Chateau des Laurets, Chateau Fourcas Dupre, Chateau Gazin Rocquencourt, Chateau Giscours, Chateau Haut Condissas, Chateau LaGrange, Chateau Lamothe-Bergeron, Chateau Le Crock, Chateau Les Riganes, Chateau Montviel, Chateau Moulin Riche, Chateau Pontet Canet, Chateau Rollan de By, Chateau Royaumont, Chateau Tour Seran, Château Malmaison Baronne Nadine, Chevalier de Lascombes, Clos Triguedina, Domaine du Chateau Philippe le Hardi, Etoiles de Mondorion, Les Lauriers de Rothschild, Malbec, Merlot, Pavillon de Leoville Poyferre -
The 2024 kosher wine-tasting event season is upon us
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Another round of QPR (Quality to Price Ratio) Hits and Misses, Twelve QPR WINNERS – Dec 2023
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Israeli Wine, Kosher French Wine, Kosher Red Wine, Kosher Rose Wine, Kosher Sparkling Wine, Kosher White Wine, Kosher Wine, QPR Post, WineBarbera D’Asti, Barolo, Baron Edmond de Rothschild, Binah, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Capcanes, Castellare di Castellina, Celeste, Chambourcin, Chateau Bel Air Gallier, Chateau de Parsac, Chateau Les Riganes, Chateau Montviel, Chateau Moulin Riche, Chateau Roubine, Chateau Royaumont, Chateau Teyssier, Château Malmaison Baronne Nadine, Chianti Classico, Domaine du Castel, Drappier, ESSA Wine Co., Flam Winery, Granacha, Gruner Veltliner, Hans Wirsching, Harkham Winery, La Flor del Flor de Primavera, Le Nardian, Lion & Dragon, Lovatelli, Malbec, Merlot, Nebbiolo, Pavillon de Leoville Poyferre, Pescaja, Petit Verdot, Ramon Cardova, Razi’el, Reserve, Rimapere, Saint-Emilion, Samso, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Silvaner, Stella, Tenuta Monchiero, Terre Alfieri, Tuke, White Label -
California Dreaming – 2021 is quite the vintage
The 2020 fire-riddled vintage in much of Northern California has thankfully given way to a stunning vintage of 2021! After suffering drought, fire, and extreme temperature swings, Cali has been gifted a vintage that while low on yields, in some locals, is high on quality.
Tasting through much of Herzog Wine Cellars (it is really difficult at times to get wine), Covenant Wine, and Hagafen Wine Cellars, along with some Four Gates Wine as well, it is clear to see that 2021 is a true gift. The alcohol levels are all down, the acidity is brighter and the wines all show less oak and more balance. Herzog’s new winemaker, David Galzignato, has been championing different oak regiments but the vintage overall cannot be summed up with just the use of different oak. That can be said for all the wineries. The acidity shines and the fruit is balanced.
You can read more about the fabulous vintage here and here. Ok, on to the wine notes!
Wines in this post
The 2021 Herzog Napa wines were the best I have had in a long time. The Napa and the Rutherford wines were both lovely and I have never scored them this high. The 2021 Alexander Valley may well be the best one in a very long time, yes a bit better than 2014 and 2016.
Since I am posting about some 2021 California wines I thought I should also post the other wines I tasted at different wineries at the same time. Further, some of these wines were tasted at the wineries (like Hagafen and Covenant) and some were tasted at my home. The location is stated in the notes.
The wine notes follow below – the explanation of my “scores” can be found here and the explanation for QPR scores can be found here:
Hajdu Wines
2022 Hajdu Zinfandel, Ancient Vines, Califonia – Score: 90 (QPR: GOOD)The nose of this wine is ripe, with a bit of heat, nice fruit, strawberry, raspberry, good dirt, loam, and floral notes. The mouth of this full-bodied wine is ripe, layered, and a bit over the top, but controlled enough, with classic strawberry, cherry cola, smoke, black plum jam, rich tannin, mouth-filling, almost refreshing, with lovely acidity. The finish is long, ripe, layered, and jammy, nice! Drink until 2027. (tasted August 2023) (in Berkeley, CA) (ABV = 14.5%)
2022 Hajdu Grenache, Califonia – Score: 90 (QPR: GOOD)The nose of this wine is lovely, controlled, spicy, earthy, and smoky, with watermelon, root beer, and lovely red fruit. Nice! The mouth of this medium-plus bodied wine is ripe, layered, and not overly concentrated, with nice extraction, and good enough acidity, with lovely raspberry, cranberry, strawberry, ripe Kirsche cherry, mouth-draping tannin, and nice coffee. The finish is long, ripe, and controlled, with enough acidity, coffee, sweet tobacco, sweet spices, cinnamon, and cloves. Drink until 2027. (tasted August 2023) (in Berkeley, CA) (ABV = 14.5%)
2022 Hajdu Aglianico, Califonia – Score: 90 (QPR: GOOD)The nose of this wine is ripe, fruity, smoky, and spicy, with raspberry, Red Oolong tea, root beer, red floral notes, and smoke. The mouth of this medium-plus-bodied wine is ripe, with enough acidity, red floral notes, dark raspberry, intense tannin, strawberry, and raspberry jam, with plum, candied berry, and sweet spices. The finish is long, spicy, ripe, and floral, with sweet tobacco, and sweet spices. Drink until 2027. (tasted August 2023) (in Berkeley, CA) (ABV = 14.5%)
Covenant Wines
2022 Covenant Chardonnay Lavan, Sonoma Mountain, Sonoma County – Score: 92.5 (QPR: WINNER)The nose of this Chardonnay is lovely, showing melon, ripe peach, apricot, yellow apple, brioche, and bright fruit under a veil of smoke, oak, and sweet spices. Lovely! The mouth of this full-bodied wine is nice, with enough acidity, baked apple, smoke, brioche, elegance, smokey, and grippy, with a refreshing and captivating mouthfeel, rich, layered, and expressive, showing peach, melon, citrus, and sweet oak that lifts the wine and helps round out the lovely acidity, nice!! The wine is lush, balanced, elegant, round, yet acidic, tart, yet accessible, WOW! The finish is long, ripe, layered, and spicy, with sweet oak, more fruit, candied citrus, chamomille, and cinnamon/cloves. Nice!! Drink by 2027. (tasted August 2023) (in Berkeley, CA) (ABV = 13.9%)
2021 Covenant Solomon Cabernet Sauvignon, Lot 70, Napa Valley, CA – Score: 93 (QPR: GREAT)The nose of this wine is lovely, ripe, controlled, elegant, and new-world, with intense minerality, iron shavings, graphite, and black and red fruit, lovely! The mouth of this full-bodied wine is ripe, layered, elegant, and balanced, with lovely acidity, minerality, blackberry, cassis, plum, earth, smoke, and dense, with layers of concentration, extraction, and rich smoke. Bravo!! The finish is long, dense, ripe, elegant, mineral-driven, and smoky, wow! With scraping minerality, sweet tobacco, dark chocolate, leather, and sweet spices/smoke. BRAVO!! Drink until 2033. (tasted August 2023) (in Berkeley, CA) (ABV = 14.5%)
2022 Covenant Solomon Blanc, Bennett Valley, Sonoma County, CA – Score: 92 (QPR: GREAT)This is the 3rd year of this lovely wine, I think this one sits right between the 21 and 20 vintages, which means this is another WINNER. Bravo! The nose of this lovely wine is impressive with intense bright fruit, bright acid, tart lemon/lime, sweet orange blossom, lanolin, sweet bright pear, sweet Honeydew melon, and lovely oak influence. The mouth of this medium-plus bodied wine is intense, layered, and complex, with rich layers of tart orange, lemon/lime, melon, Asian pear, yellow apple, and piercing acidity, with an impressive expression, of fruit and oak, sweet oak, smoke, sweet mint, and sweet fruit. Bravo! Though I liked the wine at the start it felt a bit lacking with time. It may turn into what I hope, for now, a solid wine! The finish is long, tart, ripe, and fruity, with some oak influence, and hints of vanilla, but really the finish is a focus of acidity, melon, orange, and lemon, all wrapped up beautifully! Bravo!! Drink until 2030. (tasted September 2023) (in San Jose, CA) (ABV = 13.4%)
2021 Covenant Cabernet Sauvignon, Black Label, Napa Valley, CA (M) – Score: 92 (QPR: GREAT)WOW! This is the first Covenant Cabernet Sauvignon that is Mevushal! OK, there is a first for everything! Also, this is the first vintage of Covenant Cabernet Sauvignon using an amalgamated cork. Just wondering – I drove for this for so long, just wondering. At the start, the wine shows riper than I was expecting and used to from Covenant Cab, but with time it calms. The nose of this wine is ripe, dense, and fruity, with ripe purple and black fruit, dense smoke, tar, anise, chili pepper, white pepper, iron shavings, and an extremely spice-driven nose. The mouth of this full-bodied wine is on the edge of balance or anarchy. On one side, is an elegant bold wine showing dense fruit, with fruit focus, herbal notes, tart/sharp chili pepper, blackberry, blueberry, smoke, roasted herbs, anise, and a dense yet elegant mouth-draping tannin. On the other side is a wine that thankfully calms and becomes what I expect. The finish is long, fruity, ripe, dense, herbal, smoky, spicy, and mineral-driven, with lovely iron, graphite, intense and elegant mouth-draping tannin, juicy boysenberry, blackberry, Asian spice, cloves, vanilla, chili pepper, and anise lingering long. Lovely! Drink until 2030. (tasted September 2023) (in San Jose, CA) (ABV = 14.8%)
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Aglianico, Albarino, Alexander Valley, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Black Label, Brut, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, california, Chalk Hill, Chardonnay, Covenant Winery, Don Ernesto, Family Vineyard Red Blend, Grenache, Hagafen Winery, Hajdu Wines, Herzog Cellars Winery, Landsman, Late Disgorged, Lavan, Lineage, Lot 70, Marsanne, melange, Merlot, Napa Valley, Pinion, Pinot Noir, Prix Reserve, Rose, Rutherford District, Sauvignon Blanc, Shirah Winery, Solomon, Solomon Blanc, Sonoma, Sonoma-Loeb, Special Edition, Special Reserve, Syrah, Tasting Room Reserve, Warnecke Vineyard, wine, Zinfandel -
With a heavy heart – we must try to push on…
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Israeli Wine, Kosher French Wine, Kosher Red Wine, Kosher Rose Wine, Kosher Sparkling Wine, Kosher White Wine, Kosher Wine, Wine, Wine Tasting100 Tropez, Alexander Valley, Anfiteatro, Badagoni, Barons de Rothschild Edmond Benjamin, Binah, Blanc de Blanc, Brut, Brut Nature, Cabernet Sauvignon, Capcanes, Casa al Vento, Castellare di Castellina, Caves d’Esclans, Chateau Hauteville, Chateau Rollan de By, Chateau Roubine, Chianti Classico, Claudio Quarta Vignaiolo, Clos 15, Clos de Torribas, Crianza, Daleah Shomer, Donnalaura, Engel Wines, Falanghina, Gendraud Patrice, Georgian Royal Wine, Herzog Cellars Winery, I Sodi di S. Niccolò, Jacarando, Kakheti, Kamantarena Xynisteri, Les Roches, Marco Abella, Masseria Frattasi, Palavani, Paphos, Peraj Ha’Abib, Petit Chablis, Pinord, Reserva, Riserva, Rollan de By, Rose, Sancerre, Saperavi, Shimon and Company, Shirah Winery, Taburno, Terra di Seta, Tsinandali, Vallepicciola, Whispering Angel, Yamas -
Yavine Wines from the Loire and Languedoc Regions
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Catching up on Burgundy – Domaine de Montille, le Hardi and other high-end kosher burgundies on the market
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Aegerter, Aloxe-Corton, Beaune, Bourgogne, Burgundy, CĂ´te de Beaune Villages, Chambolle-Musigny, d’Ardhuy, Domaine Aegerter, Domaine Chantal Lescure, Domaine D’Ardhuy, Domaine de Montille, Domaine du Chateau Philippe le Hardi, Gevrey Chambertin, JP Marchand, Les Athets, Les Brouillards, Les Chalumeaux, Les Crais, Les Grands Epenots, Pommard, Premier Cru, Puligny-Montrachet, Volnay
