Israeli Bordeaux Blend

It was my birthday so I went for an expensive wine as well as an el cheapo companion. We have reviewed several offerings from the Recanati vineyards in the Galilee region of northern Israel. This is their top-of-the-line representative, a Bordeaux blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Merlot. It is Kosher and comes in one of the heaviest bottles I have seen in a long time. The companion wine is a Kosher Argentine Tempranillo, the signature grape of Spain, costing less than a fifth of this pseudo-Bordeaux.

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.

Wine Reviewed
Recanati Special Reserve Galilee Israel 2007 13.9 % alcohol about $54.

Let’s start by quoting the back label. “Lenny Recanati proudly presents this limited production Special Reserve from the Mediterranean vineyards of Israel’s upper Galilee region. This singular red, matured 19 months in new French oak, is produced from a selection of the finest quality Cabernet Sauvignon with a small percentage of Merlot for added complexity. Captivating aromas of black plum and cherry build into an opulent palate of ripe berries, spice and lush velvety tannins. Our Special Reserve was handicrafted with great care – we hope that you will enjoy savoring it as we enjoyed creating it.” And now for my review. 

At the first sips this wine was powerful, balanced, and multilayered. The meal consisted of a cheese-less lasagna made with a mixture of whole wheat and spinach noodles, ground beef, salsa, and peas. In response the liquid was too acidic. But it did have lots of extract, chocolate, and balanced tannins. Chinese chili sauce tamed the acidity and the delicious chocolate and tannins melted together. Dessert was praline-filled Bitter-Sweet Swiss chocolate to which the libation responded with dark cherries and balanced acidity and tannins. It was very long. 

This review of an  Israeli Bordeaux Blend continues on my web site at

http://theworldwidewine.com/Wine_reviews/Monthly_expensive_wine_reviews/israeli_bordeaux_blend.php

An Argentine Tempranillo

Wine Reviewed
Emuna Tempranillo Mendoza Argentina 2011 13.1 % alcohol about $10.

Let’s start by quoting from their web site. “This wine is made with Tempranillo grapes, which are optimum for the making of wines with an exceptional structure and color as a result of the altitude and exceptional climatic conditions under which they grow… Wine – food connection : This is a suitable wine to accompany rice, peppers, stuffed potatoes, varenikes and other vegetable stuffed pasta. Recommendation : Tempranillo combined with Gefilte fish or Turkish rice is a good choice.” And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine was too acidic, in fact almost sour; its fruit was very much in the background. The meal consisted of a cheese-less lasagna containing a mixture of whole wheat and spinach noodles, ground beef, salsa, and peas, which brought down the liquid’s acidity but not enough. I added Chinese chili sauce and now our Argentine friend displayed some fruit and a low level of tannins. Dessert was praline-filled Bitter-Sweet Swiss chocolate to which the libation responded with not much fruit and some metal. It was round.

This review of An Argentine Tempranillo continues on my web site at
 http://theworldwidewine.com/Wine_reviews/Weekly_cheap_wine_reviews/Y2012/wine_lovers_bargain_review_arte.php
 

Red Varietal From Bierzo Spain

Wine Reviewed
Peique Tinto Mencia 2010 14 % alcohol about $15.

Let’s start with the marketing materials. “Tasting Note : Bodegas Peique’s 2010 Tinto is 100% Mencia sourced from 45-year-old vines and aged in barrel for 2 months. Aromas of earthy minerality, black cherry, black raspberry, and boysenberry compose the nose of this racy bargain-priced effort. Savory, ripe, and nicely proportioned, it will deliver enjoyment for another 4 years. Score – 89. (Jay Miller at the Erobert Parker web site, June 2011).” And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine was dark and sweet. It was long with good acidity and somewhat subtle. Japanese rice crackers sweetened this liquid to just the edge of unpleasantness. When paired with a bean-less beef chili the libation was very long and balanced accompanied by tobacco. Mashed potatoes imparted lots of fruit to this wine; but it was sweeter than I would like. Chinese chili sauce on the meat peppered the wine. The spiciness was well integrated into my glass and brought down that sweetness a notch. In the presence of fresh strawberries our Spanish friend was quite long for a somewhat muted wine. When degusted with Praline-filled bittersweet Swiss chocolate I found the drink dark with good acidity.

This review of a Red Varietal From Bierzo Spain continues on my web site at
 http://theworldwidewine.com/Wine_reviews/Near_weekly_15_dollar_wine_reviews/Y2012/red_varietal_from_bierzo_spain.php

A Castillian Red Blend

A Castillian Red Blend

Can you get a decent Spanish red at this price?...

Martinez Bujanda Vineyards

Of course over the years we have done several Spanish reds, as well as the occasional Spanish white. This is our first from Castillia in central Spain. It’s a blend of two major Spanish grapes, Tempranillo and Garnacha, called Grenache in lots of other places such as France. The Martinez Bujanda winery was founded by the present owners’ great grandfather Joaquin Martinez Bujanda in 1889. They have five vineyards for a total of 120 hectares (300 acres) in the Rioja Alavea and Rioja Alta regions of central Spain. This wine carries the Vino de la Tierra de Castilla Indicacion Geografica Protegida appellation, a basic appellation created in 2000. If you are in the Basque Country of northern Spain you might want to visit their wine museum in Oyon. The companion wine comes from a red grape indigenous to northern western Spain at twice the price.

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.

Wine Reviewed
Candidato Oro Bodegas Martinez Bujanda 2009 13 % alcohol about $8.

Let’s start with the marketing materials. “Tasting Note : Garnet red color; aromas of black cherry, overripe/roasted red fruits, game, chocolate and mint/herb notes; dry, medium-full bodied with sweet dark fruit flavors and oaky notes in the long finish. Serving Suggestion : Lamb, chicken parmegiano, roasted pork or aged cheeses.” And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine offered dark cherries and bright acidity with few tannins. Japanese rice crackers darkened the liquid a bit. When paired with a bean-less beef chili the libation was robust and hearty; its fruit expanded. Mashed potatoes rounded the wine and its acidity was quite pleasant. Chinese chili sauce on the meat integrated well into the wine. I was a good boy and so had two desserts. In the presence of fresh strawberries our Spanish friend remained dark. It tasted a bit burnt and did offer some oak. When degusted with Praline-filled bittersweet Swiss chocolate I had the sense of roundness and balance in my glass.

This review of A Castillian Red Blend continues on my website at
http://theworldwidewine.com/Wine_reviews/Weekly_cheap_wine_reviews/Y2012/wine_lovers_bargain_review_carb.php
 

An Organic Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.

Wine Reviewed
Natura Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 14 % alcohol about $11.

There were no marketing materials so let’s start with the back label. “This world-class Cabernet Sauvignon has notes of dark berries and cocoa. Produced from organically grown grapes. Organic viticulture brings forth the true characters of the vineyard terroir.” And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine was somewhat sweet but had good acidity and virtually no tannins. Japanese rice crackers rendered the liquid long. It came with plums and light tannins. The main dish was a boxed Baked Ziti Siciliano liberally doused with grated Parmesan cheese. The drink had good length, plums, and a tinge of oak. I was still getting sweet notes from the wine, perhaps because this tomato based dish was itself somewhat sweet. Fresh strawberries imparted a burnt taste to this wine. The second dessert of praline filled bittersweet Swiss chocolate muted the contents of my glass but I did notice some dark cherries.

This review of   An Organic Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon continues on my web site at http://theworldwidewine.com/Wine_reviews/Near_weekly_15_dollar_wine_reviews/Y2012/organic_chilean_cabernet_sauvignon.phphttp://theworldwidewine.com/Wine_reviews/Near_weekly_15_dollar_wine_reviews/Y2012/organic_chilean_cabernet_sauvignon.php

A Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine Reviewed
P.K.N.T. Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 13.5 % alcohol about $10.

Let’s start with the marketing materials. “Tasting Note : Inky purple; notes of black currant, plum and black cardamom on the nose; the palate is medium to full-bodied with soft tannins and jammy fruit character. Serving Suggestion : Serve it tonight with your favorite shepard’s pie recipe.”

And now for my review.
At the first sips this wine was sweet and grapey, two negatives in my book. Japanese rice crackers lengthened the liquid and brought out some acidity. Then came the main dish, a boxed Baked Ziti Siciliano liberally doused with grated Parmesan cheese. Now its acidity picked up and I got plums. The drink had fine length. Fresh strawberries darkened the wine. The second dessert of praline filled bittersweet Swiss chocolate muted the contents of my glass but I did notice some burnt taste.

This review of A Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon continues on my web site at  http://theworldwidewine.com/Wine_reviews/Weekly_cheap_wine_reviews/Y2012/wine_lovers_bargain_review_rvcc.php