by Daniel Rogov » Mon Aug 25, 2008 4:43 pm
Menachem, Hi....
No one will have to wait. Tasting notes will be posted according to special tastings on my part as well as to requests (as always).
As to recommendations.....here are a few. I'll have to let you check prices yourself as those can vary enormously from locale to locale and even from store to store....
Best
Rogov
Chateau Labegorce, Margaux, 2004 (Kosher Edition): Think of this as the younger brother of the non-kosher edition if you will – younger, ready to drink earlier but reflecting much the same personality. Medium- to full-bodied, with firm tannins only now starting to recede and opening in the glass to reveal blackberry, raspberry, black cherry and white chocolate all leading to an appealing After-8 minty note. A generous wine, but not one for long term cellaring. Drink now-2012. Score 89. K (Re-tasted 3 Aug 2008)
Chateau Pontet Canet, St. Julien, 2004 (Kosher Edition): Medium- to full-bodied, showing traditional Caberent Sauvignon blackberry and black currant fruits, those complemented comfortably by hints of spices, minerals and licorice. Long and near-elegant. Best 2010-2014. Score 91. K (Tasted 3 Aug 2008)
Chateau Peyrat-Fourthon, Haut-Medoc, 2003 (Kosher Edition): Dark garnet, this traditional Bordeaux blend (55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot) shows full-bodied, with soft, gently mouth-coating tannins and light hints of spicy wood highlighting blackcurrant and blackberry fruits, those complemented nicely by hints of bitter-sweet chocolate and tobacco. Long, round and generous. Drink now-2011, perhaps longer. Score 90. K (Tasted 5 Jan 2008)
La Demoiselle d'Haut-Peyrat, Haut-Medoc, 2003 (Kosher Edition): The second wine of Chateau Payrat-Fourthon but with no need at all to feel second-class. Garnet towards royal purple, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot,Cabernet Franc and PetitVerdot (55%,36%, 5% and 4% respectively), almost but not quite a twin to the first wine, this one showing medium- to full-bodied, with good balance between soft tannins, wood, acidity and fruits. Opens with blue- and blackberries, goes on to show blackcurrants and chocolate and on the medium-long finish, a hint of espresso coffee. Drink now-2010. Score 88. K (Tasted 5 Jan 2008)
Chateau Labegorce Zede, Margaux, 2001 (Kosher Edition): A kosher wine that has beguiled in the four times that I have tasted it, that because it has always shown better than the regular (i.e. the non-kosher edition) and because it seems to show positive and unanticipated developments in the bottle each time I taste it. Full-bodied, with fine balance between gently mouth-coating tannins and dusty oak. Opens to reveal a complex array of blackcurrant, blackberry and purple plums on a spicy and vanilla-rich background. Generous and long and perhaps finally showing its best. Drink now-2011. Score 90. K (Re-tasted 12 Jun 2008)
And one from Sauternes
Chateau Piada, Sauternes, 2006 (Kosher Edition): Not the superb 2001 but a wine that stands quite comfortably on its own. Medium- to full-bodied, with light botrytis influence, generously sweet and with good balancing acidity. Opens to reveal citrus peel and butterscotch, those yielding to show notes of summer fruit-flavored marzipan. Approachable now but best from 2011. Score 90. K (Tasted 6 Aug 2008)