July’s Wine

FRITZ HAAG – Riesling 2006

The full name is – FRITZ HAAG – Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese.

This one is for the sweet wine lovers, not the most exciting white I had, mainly because it lacks the crispness other white varietals have, but it’s definitely a fun wine to drink, especially during the hot Israeli summer evenings.

Pale straw in color, the nose reveals pineapple, lychee and some citrus peel. On the pallet distinctive honey and melon are present. Another flavor revealing itself only as an aftertaste is red grapefruit, which is an interesting taste for a white wine.

Tulip Black 2005

For a while now I have been wanting to taste this wine. In most wine tasting events this wine is referred to as “Premium”, something that arouse my curiosity. This Thursday, at NG, I finally had a chance to taste it.

The wine has beautiful Bordeaux color with ruby sidelines, on the nose cherry and some roasted wood are noticed and towards the ending some spices (pepper) as well. On the pallet plum with generous acidity, and strong barrel flavors end firm tannin.

After some 30 minutes the wine transforms to something entirely different. The nose is mostly of chocolate and the pallet shows cherry chocolate and some spices towards the end.

I would not yet give this wine the credit of a “premium”, however I have a feeling the 3-5 years from now this wine will develop a very interesting character. Those with patience will enjoy an excellent, old world style wine.

June’s Wine

Pelter – Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Now this wine gives a great way to start the monthly wine picks. Good wine, excellent value for money.

The first thing I noticed was the aroma bursting out of the bottle when I popped the cork. The color is very pale straw. The nose starts with some green apple, then comes roasted coconut and some grass. On the pallet there is no mistake – crisp crisp apple with some kiwi acidity and again grassy finish that linger on the sides of your tongue long after you finished.

Very interesting Savignon Blanc – Clear, Crisp & Refreshing.

May’s Wines

Johnny Q – Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2008

We had this wine as an aperitif in our Horizontal Wine Tasting that took place this Sunday. It was a lovely wine to start with, clear light yellow with green shading, with a nose dominated by guava. On the pallet distinct guava with a twist of lemon and some green apple as well. saddle refreshing acidity. Simple & Nice.

Golan Heights – Muscat 2006

This is one of the most fun Israeli wine I know, I cal it fun, since it’s not sophisticated or exiting in any way, however, it gives you great pleasure drinking it, especially in worm summer nights.

Pale golden in color and complimenting sweet floral blossom on the nose. On the pallet a range of sweet flavors, dominated by honey. Medium to Full body and very pleasing, good value for  money.

Miles – Sauvignon Blanc 2007

Light golden with green shades. The nose is strongly dominated by ripe guava . Starting with a sweet flavor of pineapple and even some green apple, then slowly the guava takes its place again with a saddle bitter after taste. This is a medium to light bodied wine, fun to drink.

Hardys – Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2008

This wine is another example, that you can fine great bargains when it comes to wine. For less the 10$ this wine is an excellent choice. It opens up with berry and a bit of vanilla on the nose, and plum on the pallet. As time goes by the wine opens up to show vanilla and cherry and even a bit of chocolate. Give this one 20 minutes before you start.

This wine is an excellent pick for you daily wine cup and would accompany any food nicely.

Golan Heights – Yarden – Mount Hermon White 2006

A very young wine dominated by melon flavors. On the pallet you can also taste a bit of peach. The wine ends with a bitter aftertaste. It is ready for drinking and it is very nice for cooking as well. For under 40 NIS (10$) it’s a catch.

Hardys Stamp of Australia Riesling Gewürztraminer 2008

This wine is an excellent pick amongst the affordable ones. Under 10$ it gives excellent value for money. On the nose you feel melon and fresh citrus. On the pallet one thing is very clear – crispness, this wine give a crisp sensation with litchi flavors, a bit of melon. Make sure to get it extra cold and you’ll benefit from a light but fun wine.

Enjoy.

Golan Heights – Yarden Chardonnay Organic Vineyard Odem 2007

I’ve heard some nice things about this wine, and yesterday, finely had the chance to try it. I can tell you without a doubt that this wine goes directly into my list of recommended Israeli wines, as it is one of the best Chardonnays produced in Israel.

Beautiful deep golden color. On the nose sweet blossom with honey and vanilla, and on the pallet generous velvet like butter with vanilla flavors. The buttery taste lingers nicely in your mouth long after the cup is empty.

This wine is approachable now and will cellar nicely as well. It is an excellent value for money and will give you great pleasure.

An interesting face about this wine – “Odem is the highest altitude and coolest wine vineyard in Israel. At just under 1,200 meters (4,000 ft) in elevation, this site has been producing outstanding Chardonnay since it was first planted in 1989. The vineyard has been farmed organically since 1998.” (From the winery’s website)

Sea Horse – Take Two 2006

This wine is somewhat “Unorthodox”, as it contains a bland of which I have yet to see anywhere else. With 30% Zinfandel 30% Primitivo 30% Carignan and 10% Petite Syerh this wine defiantly falls under the category of interesting.

The first thing noticeable when tasting this wine is a strong plum flavor, which later replaced with chocolate, tobacco and wood. As the wine opens up the chocolate takes a more dominant role. This odd combination of grapes created an odd flavor, somewhat unnatural, which left me wondering if I am not too much used to the Bordeaux bland that my plate will not take something that is significantly different.

May's Wines

Johnny Q – Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2008

We had this wine as an aperitif in our Horizontal Wine Tasting that took place this Sunday. It was a lovely wine to start with, clear light yellow with green shading, with a nose dominated by guava. On the pallet distinct guava with a twist of lemon and some green apple as well. saddle refreshing acidity. Simple & Nice.

Golan Heights – Muscat 2006

This is one of the most fun Israeli wine I know, I cal it fun, since it’s not sophisticated or exiting in any way, however, it gives you great pleasure drinking it, especially in worm summer nights.

Pale golden in color and complimenting sweet floral blossom on the nose. On the pallet a range of sweet flavors, dominated by honey. Medium to Full body and very pleasing, good value for  money.

Miles – Sauvignon Blanc 2007

Light golden with green shades. The nose is strongly dominated by ripe guava . Starting with a sweet flavor of pineapple and even some green apple, then slowly the guava takes its place again with a saddle bitter after taste. This is a medium to light bodied wine, fun to drink.

Hardys – Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2008

This wine is another example, that you can fine great bargains when it comes to wine. For less the 10$ this wine is an excellent choice. It opens up with berry and a bit of vanilla on the nose, and plum on the pallet. As time goes by the wine opens up to show vanilla and cherry and even a bit of chocolate. Give this one 20 minutes before you start.

This wine is an excellent pick for you daily wine cup and would accompany any food nicely.

Golan Heights – Yarden – Mount Hermon White 2006

A very young wine dominated by melon flavors. On the pallet you can also taste a bit of peach. The wine ends with a bitter aftertaste. It is ready for drinking and it is very nice for cooking as well. For under 40 NIS (10$) it’s a catch.

Hardys Stamp of Australia Riesling Gewürztraminer 2008

This wine is an excellent pick amongst the affordable ones. Under 10$ it gives excellent value for money. On the nose you feel melon and fresh citrus. On the pallet one thing is very clear – crispness, this wine give a crisp sensation with litchi flavors, a bit of melon. Make sure to get it extra cold and you’ll benefit from a light but fun wine.

Enjoy.

Golan Heights – Yarden Chardonnay Organic Vineyard Odem 2007

I’ve heard some nice things about this wine, and yesterday, finely had the chance to try it. I can tell you without a doubt that this wine goes directly into my list of recommended Israeli wines, as it is one of the best Chardonnays produced in Israel.

Beautiful deep golden color. On the nose sweet blossom with honey and vanilla, and on the pallet generous velvet like butter with vanilla flavors. The buttery taste lingers nicely in your mouth long after the cup is empty.

This wine is approachable now and will cellar nicely as well. It is an excellent value for money and will give you great pleasure.

An interesting face about this wine – “Odem is the highest altitude and coolest wine vineyard in Israel. At just under 1,200 meters (4,000 ft) in elevation, this site has been producing outstanding Chardonnay since it was first planted in 1989. The vineyard has been farmed organically since 1998.” (From the winery’s website)

Sea Horse – Take Two 2006

This wine is somewhat “Unorthodox”, as it contains a bland of which I have yet to see anywhere else. With 30% Zinfandel 30% Primitivo 30% Carignan and 10% Petite Syerh this wine defiantly falls under the category of interesting.

The first thing noticeable when tasting this wine is a strong plum flavor, which later replaced with chocolate, tobacco and wood. As the wine opens up the chocolate takes a more dominant role. This odd combination of grapes created an odd flavor, somewhat unnatural, which left me wondering if I am not too much used to the Bordeaux bland that my plate will not take something that is significantly different.