A Kosher Spanish Tempranillo

Mati Kosher Tempranillo

Elvi wines claims a heritage going back to 1492. They have been doing Kosher wine since 2003. While their vineyards are located in the Montsant wine region of Catalonia in northeastern Spain they also source grapes from several other regions. This wine carries the prestigious Rioja DOC (Denomacion de Origen Calificada) appellation signifying that it comes from one of Spain’s top wine regions. The co-producer is Bodegas Castillo de Sajazarra, named for a Fourteenth Century castle; one really worth visiting if you are in this great wine region. The companion wine is another Kosher for Passover Tempranillo, one coming from Argentina at about two-thirds the price.

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

Wine Reviewed

Elvi Wines Mati KP Rioja DOC 2010 13.5 % alcohol about $15.

Let’s start by quoting the marketing materials. “Description : This full-bodied Tempranillo is intense with dark fruit flavors and hints of herbs and cassis leading to a lengthy, poised finish.” And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine was mouth filling offering light tannins and good acidity. Wasabi-dusted peanuts perked up the acidity and now I tasted black cherries in my glass. The main dish was homemade fried turkey breast right off the skillet. The libation was long and responded with a multilayered burnt taste accompanied by some oak and dark cherries. Sautéed snow peas and mushrooms provided the liquid with some iron and a great balance between its acidity and tannins. This fine meal terminated with bittersweet chocolate but unfortunately only a little fruit remained in the wine.

This review of a  Kosher Spanish Tempranillo continues on my web site at
http://theworldwidewine.com/Wine_reviews/Near_weekly_15_dollar_wine_reviews/Y2013/kosher_spanish_tempranillo.php

Revisiting An Argentine Tempranillo

Revisiting An Argentine Tempranillo

Can you get a decent Argentina Tempranillo at this price?...

You just can’t get many Kosher wines for $10 any more in our neck of the woods. And this wine was Kosher for Passover to boot, which definitely implies additional processing costs. By the time I realized that today’s wine was no newcomer, it was too late to get another for this column. I didn’t feel like tossing a perfectly good wine down the sink and there is no way that I’ll be drinking three wines at a time. The Marumatok winery has been producing kosher wine since 2007. They are located in Argentina’s major wine region, Mendoza. The companion wine is another Kosher for Passover Tempranillo, coming from the grape’s stomping grounds, namely Spain, one costing at about half again as much. (I am making no claim about the vinification process).

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

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 sweet offering perky acidity. It was grapey. Then came Wasabi-dusted peanuts and now I tasted black cherries in my glass but it the wine rather thin. The main dish was homemade fried turkey breast right off the skillet. The libation responded with sharp, refreshing acidity and some plums. Sautéed snow peas and mushrooms sweetened the liquid a bit and it was fairly deep. This delicious meal terminated with bittersweet chocolate. Bye-bye wine.

This review of a Kosher Argentine Tempranillo continues on my web site at
http://theworldwidewine.com/Wine_reviews/Weekly_cheap_wine_reviews/Y2013/wine_lovers_bargain_review_raat.php

An Israeli Red Bordeaux Blend

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

Dalton Canaan Red Kosher 2011 14 % alcohol about $15.

In the absence of marketing materials let’s start by quoting the side label. “Red Canaan, a blend of several varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petite Syrah, is a medium bodied red wine bursting with flavours of forest fruit, berries and hints of vanilla and cloves. Canaan is an easy drinking wine and can be enjoyed with most types of food. Recommended serving temperature 16-18ºC (61-64º F).” And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine was long and well balanced. When paired with slow-cooked round steak offered great length. I got black cherries but it was a bit too sweet. Chickpeas brought out round plums in the blend. The accompanying potatoes gave the libation round plums. When I doused a generous amount of Chinese hot sauce on the meat the drink thinned but was still semi-powerful. Fresh pineapple took away almost all the acidity in my glass, replaced by some metal.

This review of An Israeli Red Bordeaux Blend continues on my web site at http://theworldwidewine.com/Wine_reviews/Near_weekly_15_dollar_wine_reviews/Y2013/israeli_red_bordeaux_blend.php

A Mendoza, Argentina Cabernet Sauvignon

A Mendoza, Argentina Cabernet Sauvignon

Can you get a decent Argentina Cabernet Sauvignon at this price?...

Since I have been running this column for several years, it should be no surprise that I’ve done several Argentinian Cabernet Sauvignons. And this is not our first wine from the popular Mendoza region. The web site for Finca Flichman (does that sound Argentinian is in Spanish only. Their vineyards occupy 350 hectares (about 900 acres) in the Maipu and Tupungolo subregions of Mendoza. Tupungolo has a high elevation and consequently its fruit is harvested 16 to 20 days later than in Maipu. Where do today’s grapes come from? Silly boy, at this price they come from wherever production peaked. The winery was purchased in 1997 by Sogrape, a huge Portuguese conglomerate. The companion wine is an Israeli red blend (Cabernet Sauvignon +) costing about 50% more.

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

Wine Reviewed
Misterio Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 13.5% alcohol about $9.

Let’s start with the marketing materials. “Tasting Note : Deep ruby red colour with an intense note of cassis, dried herbs and black pepper; dry, medium to full bodied; ripe fruit flavour with silky tannins in a long finish. Serving Suggestion : Excellent with grilled or roasted meats or poultry.” And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine was round but too sweet. It displayed good acidity and light tannins. When paired with slow-cooked round steak its sweetness was dominant but this wine was oaky. Chickpeas darkened the Cab, which became a tad less sugary. The accompanying potatoes gave the libation round acidity. When I doused a generous amount of Chinese hot sauce on the meat the drink became acceptably dry – or almost and it was nicely long. Fresh pineapple took away the acidity in my glass, replaced by a burnt taste.

This review of a Mendoza, Argentina Cabernet Sauvignon continues on my web site at http://theworldwidewine.com/Wine_reviews/Weekly_cheap_wine_reviews/Y2013/wine_lovers_bargain_review_macs.php

A Dalton Israeli Merlot

A Dalton Israeli Merlot

Very recently I reviewed an upscale Israeli Chardonnay that wasn’t Kosher. Now I am changing the grape color, changing the price range, and changing the wine’s Kosher status while keeping its country of production. The Dalton winery was established in 1995. They went very quickly from 20, 000 to 800, 000 bottles a year. The vineyard is located about 800-900 meters (more than 2500 feet) above sea level on a volcanic plateau. The tasting room is open six days a week and the winery’s web site has lots of interesting links. Today’s companion wine is a Chilean wine at less that half the price.

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

Dalton Winery Safsufa Vineyards Merlot KPM 2010 14.5% alcohol about $22.

There were no marketing materials so let’s start with the back label. “From a selection of our finest vineyards, this Merlot is a soft smooth wine with a deep purple color and a vibrant bouquet of cherries and homemade jam. The nose is further balanced by spicy shades of vanilla and turmeric. Serve at 16-18 degrees C (about 61-64.5 degrees F).” And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine offered plums and some metal. It provided a good balance of acidity and tannins. When paired with crunchy coated Cuban-style peanuts the liquid lengthened. Its acidity stepped up without overdoing it. The meal’s centerpiece, a barbecued chicken leg, rendered the wine long. There was some metal and good, really grease-cutting, acidity in my glass. In the face of fried rice the Merlot was dark and mouth filling, dark and long. Dessert was a square or two of Praline filled Bitter-Sweet Swiss chocolate, which rendered out Israeli friend round and dark. 

This review of A Dalton Israeli Merlot continues on my web site at http://theworldwidewine.com/Wine_articles/Elsewhere_wine_articles/dalton_israeli_merlot.php

A Santa Carolina Chilean Merlot

Santa Carolina Chilean Merlot

Over the years I have reviewed lots of Chilean reds including many in this $10 column. This is our second review of a wine from the Santa Carolina winery whose vineyards are located in the Rapel Valley. In case you don’t remember this valley stretches about 60 miles (100 kilometers) from the Pacific Ocean to the Andes mountains. The winery itself was founded in 1875 and a mere two years later they built wine cellars that are still in use. They take unprestigious Carmeniere red grape and make a $100 wine that merited a 92 from the prestigious Wine Spectator. I don’t know whether it’s the $100 or the Carmeniere grape that scares me more. Today’s companion wine is an Israeli Merlot at over twice the price of its Chilean cousin.

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

Wine Reviewed
Santa Carolina Merlot D. O. Valle del Rapel 2012 12.5% alcohol about $9.

Let’s start with the marketing materials. “Tasting Note : Deep brick red colour; Rich, plumy, blackberry fruit aromas and flavors with notes of cedar, earth and spice; Dry medium-bodied with moderate tannins. Serving Suggestion : Beef and pepper stir fry; Roast beef; Lamb.” And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine displayed good power but it was short and slightly sweet and offered light tannins. When paired with crunchy coated Cuban-style peanuts the liquid’s sweetness remained while its acidity went soft. The meal’s centerpiece, a barbecued chicken leg, brought plums to the fore of my glass and the tannins increased. In the face of fried rice the Merlot weakened at first and I tasted some berries. Dessert was a square or two of Praline filled Bitter-Sweet Swiss chocolate, which rendered our Chilean friend upbeat, long, and dark.

This review of a Santa Carolina Chilean Merlot
continues on my web site at http://theworldwidewine.com/Wine_reviews/Weekly_cheap_wine_reviews/Y2013/wine_lovers_bargain_review_sccm.php

A Lebanese Red Blend

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

Wine Reviewed
Chateau Ksara Reserve du Couvent 2009 13% alcohol about $15.

Let’s start with the marketing materials. “Description : This wine won a Silver Medal at the 2011 Decanter World Wine Awards. Tasting Note : Well made wine with pronounced blackcurrants on the nose with a hint of spice and menthol. Still very young but great potential. Score – 4 Stars (out of 5). Decanter World Wine Awards, 2011).” And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine was very, very long. It was mouth filling and multilayered. When I nibbled on Japanese rice crackers black cherries joined into the mix. The meal consisted of ground beef with salsa sitting on a bed of whole-wheat pasta. This libation offered delicious acidity and menthol. It was so long. A generous portion of Chinese hot sauce brought out the taste of metal in the juice. It was dark but still too sweet. Fresh blueberries for dessert removed that sweetness from this libation whose power remained.

This review of a Lebanese Red Blend continues on my web site at
http://theworldwidewine.com/Wine_reviews/Near_weekly_15_dollar_wine_reviews/Y2013/lebanese_red_blend.php