Best Wines of 2012

Following on Adam's "edgy" top 2012 wine thread, I thought I would start a more conventional thread for folks to post their top wines of 2012. Following on Rogov's theme, I am posting two seperate top ten threads (in alphabetical order), one for the top 10 Israeli wines I tasted this past year and one for the top 10 kosher, non-Israeli wines. Feel free to post your own lists as you see fit! For those interested, this week's newsletter included a joint top list and a secondary list of the most exciting/interesting wines I tasted as well, each with full tasting notes, so feel free to check out my site.

Wines should include tasted and drunk and are not limited to kosher.

Top 10 Kosher Israeli Wines
Domaine du Castel, Grand Vin, 2009
Ella Valley, Vineyards Choice, Petit Sirah, 2008
Gat Shomron, Viognier, Ice Wine Style, 2009 (the Gewurztraminer as well)
Golan Heights Winery, Yarden, Blanc de Blanc, 2007
Golan Heights Winery, Yarden, Katzrin, 2008
Gvaot, Gofna, Pinot Noir, 2010
Psagot, Single Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009
Tzora, Or, 2008 (and 2011)
Yaffo, Carignan, 2009
Yatir, Forest, 2009

Top 10 Kosher Non-Israeli Wines
Brobdingnagian, Petite Sirah, 2010
Brobdingnagian, Grenache, 2010
Capcanes, Peraj Ha’abib, Flor de Primavera, Monsant, 2010
Château Léoville Poyferré, St. Julien, 2005
Covenant, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009
Drappier, Carte D’Or, Champagne, n.v.
Elvi, Clos Mesorah, 2009
Falesco, Marciliano, Umbria, 2006
Four Gates, Cabernet Franc, 2007
Four Gates, Merlot, M.S.C., 2008

Aaah, here we go!

Having not tasted so many non-israeli wines this year, I will stick to one top-10 list for Israelis wines and a top-5 for wines from abroad that I've tasted for the 1st time :

Top-10 Israeli wines first tasted in 2012:

GHW, Yarden ROM 2008
Carmel, Limited Edition 2008
GHW, Yarden Blanc de Blancs 2007
Recanati, Mediterranean Reserve, Petite-Sirah/Zinfandel 2010
Gvaot, Masada 2010
Yatir, Forest 2008
Gat Shomron, Ice Wine Viognier 2009
Gvaot, Pinot Noir 2010
Kinor David, Sherry Andalousie 2003
The Cave, 2008

Top-5 Kosher wines from the world except Israel first tasted in 2012:

Château Pontet-Canet Pauillac, 2003
Covenant, Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Château Léoville-Poyferré Saint Julien, 2005
Herzog, Special Reserve Edna Valley Syrah 2005
Herzog, North Coast Generation VIII Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

Best,

GG

So - other than Gabe, nobody had any top-notch wines this year?

OK, Yossie, I'll be a good citizen. Off the top of my head, the "discoveries"?

2010 Psagot Cabernet Franc
2009 Dalton Alma SMV

2009 Karmei Yosek, Bravdo, Cabernet Sauvignon, although truth be told, I once drank it in Angelico back in, maybe Summer 2011, and did not have it again until this Fall. So maybe it qualifies as a "new" wine.

Isaac

I dont get this ? are you just saying wines tasted first in 2012 ?

To me thats a weird list.. bc I only started going wine gaga in '12

so youd have:

Tura mountain peak '09?
gush cf '07
tishbi estate malbec '09? (gab? i was wAYYY gone on the far end by the time we reached tishbi malbec)
KD port / sherry
yarden '08 katzrin.. agree loved this
shira power to the people
livni sdei kalev '09 (thanks gab)

The rest i just need to retaste or check out other years / vintages

I simply don't have the time or energy to go back and look through my TNs so I'll just jot down what pops to mind as the best wines I tried for the first time this year. I'll add an asterisk next to wines I found super-interesting, in addition to being fabulous.

Best wine of the year is a 3 way tie between wines from the 3 primary regions producing kosher wine:
*Domain Roses Camille '06*
*Four Gates Cabernet Franc '07*
GHW Red Katzrin '08 (which I unfortunately can't purchase due to Shmitta)

2nd place--once again a tie between 3 regions-this time substituting Spain for France:
*Kinor Dovid Shir Hama'alot K'port 8 year*
Capcanes Peraj '09
*Shirah Coalition '10*

I won't bother ranking the rest but these are the wines that really stand out to me from this past year in no particular order (from memory, so I may be off on one or two vintages).

*Four Gates Pinot Noir '09*
Four Gates Cabernet Sauvignon '09
Four Gates Syrah '09
*Shirah Bro.Dieux* '10
Shirah McGinley Syrah '09
Shirah Thompson Syrah '09
*Flam Rose '11*
*Flam Blanc '11*
Castel Grand Vin '09
Yatir Forrest '09
Domaine Ventura Cabernet Franc '09
*Gvaot Herodian Pinot Noir '10*
*Gvaot Chardonnay/Cabernet Sauvignon blend '10?*
Landsman Pinot Noir '11
Covenant Cabernet Sauvignon '09
Covenant Lavan '10
Bravdo Coupage '10
Bravdo Shiraz '10
GM Yiron '09
*Willm Riesling '07*
Psagot Cabernet Franc '09 and '10
Psagot Edom '09
Vignobles David Reserve '10
Dalton Alma SMV
*Recanati Wild Carrignon '09*
Elvi In Vita '11
Or Haganuz Reserve '09
Gush Etzion Cabernet Franc '09
Tzuba Metzuda '09
Ella Valley Sauvignon Blanc '10
Ella Valley Cabernet Franc '09

I'm sure I missed a couple so I'll post when I remember.

Oh and I might as well create an "Award" for best QPR of the year!
Here we have a tie between Israel, Spain, and... (surpise!) France. Unfortunately, California doesn't seem to be leading in the QPR department. Although it's way ahead of France (with a very few exceptions--as almost all French wines are WAY overpriced), it lags behind Israel and Spain.

Recanati Shiraz '10-QPR
Elvi In Vita '11-QPR
Vignobles David Reserve '10-QPR

Ok, something is not right here. I paid a visit to Psagot earlier this week. Like many others on the forum, over the past couple of years I have become quite a fan of Cabernet Franc, and considering the numerous glowing reports on the Psagot CF, I was looking forward to tasting it at the winery.

I hoped to like it. I really WANTED to like it. But, when it was poured, and after the first sip, both my wife and I looked at each other and simultaneously said, "eh, nothing special." I really loved the single vineyard Cabernet (and despite the heft price, took some home) and the Edom was also high on the list, as well. But, looking back here on the forum, and seeing the number of times the Psagot CF is mentioned as an excellent CF, I'm starting to think that I might have tasted it from a bottle that had simply been open too long, and that I need to try again.

Gabriel, if you have any in stock, next time I swing by, I just might take home a bottle to give this one another shot.

Shabbat shalom,

Mark

Ok, something is not right here. I paid a visit to Psagot earlier this week. Like many others on the forum, over the past couple of years I have become quite a fan of Cabernet Franc, and considering the numerous glowing reports on the Psagot CF, I was looking forward to tasting it at the winery.

I hoped to like it. I really WANTED to like it. But, when it was poured, and after the first sip, both my wife and I looked at each other and simultaneously said, "eh, nothing special." I really loved the single vineyard Cabernet (and despite the heft price, took some home) and the Edom was also high on the list, as well. But, looking back here on the forum, and seeing the number of times the Psagot CF is mentioned as an excellent CF, I'm starting to think that I might have tasted it from a bottle that had simply been open too long, and that I need to try again.

Gabriel, if you have any in stock, next time I swing by, I just might take home a bottle to give this one another shot.

Shabbat shalom,

Mark

Mark,
Its about the years.. I find the '10 too young.. as a rule im notorious on '10 wines.. i go for '07-09

Hey all, a newbie here and my first posting. Really got going in late 2012, so there is limited amount I was able to try. Here is what I drank & liked most. (Can't remember the years for all)

Israeli Wines:
Castel - Grand Vin 2006
Castel - Grand Vin 2009
Castel - Petit Castel 2009
Tzora Misty Hills 2006
Barkan Superior - Pinotage 2007
Psagot - Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Recanatti - Wild Carignan
Dalton - Shiraz Reserve 2009
Shiloh Legend (Non-Mevushal)
Yatir Forest 2009
Barkan Altitude 720
Yarden Chardonnay - Odem Vineyards 2008
Galil Yiron 2007
Galil Meron 2008
Carmel Mediterranean 2007 & 2008

Non Israeli Wines:
Capcanes - La Flor Del Flor 2010
Herzog - Clone # 6 Single Vineyard Cab Sauv
Herzog - Warneke Vineyards
Goose Bay Pinot Noir Special Reserve
Laurent Perrier Champagne (Rose)
Covenant Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Welcome to the forum Josh! Nice list... Hope you top it in 2013!

Welcome Josh! I see you didn't waste any time and went straight for the creme de la creme!

Hi Yossi,

Sorry for being a bit late to the party. I haven't tasted enough wines to justify multiple lists, split between Israeli and non-Israeli wine, therefore I've compiled a single list of my top ten wines. These are not necessarily wines I've drunk for the first time in 2013, for the simple reason that I want the list to capture those wines that have blossomed with bottle age. However, these are wines that are appearing in my top ten list for the first time. I'd also like to note that this list is compiled from memory without resorting to all of my tasting notes, and that the order is random.

1. Prix Hagafen Syrah 2001
2. Tishbi Malbec 2009
3. Asif Viognier 2008
4. Hagafen White Riesling Devoto Vineyard 2009
5. Castel Grand Vin 2006
6. Prix Hagafen Sauvignon Blanc 2008
7. Ramot Naftaly Petit Verdot 2009
8. Four Gates Chardonnay 2007
9. Shirah Bro Deaux 2010
10. Hagafen Prix Chardonnay Hall Vineyard 2006

There you have it.

Best,
-> Pinchas

I drank a lot of good wine in 2012, but if I close my eyes and think about truly memorable experiences, here's what comes to mind:

1. 2000 Chateau Leoville Poyferre
2. 1995 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte
3. 2000 Capcanes Flor de Primavera
4. 1997 Herzog Special Edition Chalk Hill Cabernet Sauvignon
5. 2003 Yarden Elrom Cabernet Sauvignon
6. 2010 Covenant Solomon Lot 80 Cabernet Sauvignon (barrel sample)
7. 2008 Yarden Elrom Cabernet Sauvignon
8. 2003 Chateau Lafon Rochet
9. 2008 Herzog Clone Six Cabernet Sauvignon
10. 2001 Chateau Piada Sauternes

I drank a lot of good wine in 2012, but if I close my eyes and think about truly memorable experiences, here's what comes to mind:

1. 2000 Chateau Leoville Poyferre
2. 1995 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte
3. 2000 Capcanes Flor de Primavera
4. 1997 Herzog Special Edition Chalk Hill Cabernet Sauvignon
5. 2003 Yarden Elrom Cabernet Sauvignon
6. 2010 Covenant Solomon Lot 80 Cabernet Sauvignon (barrel sample)
7. 2008 Yarden Elrom Cabernet Sauvignon
8. 2003 Chateau Lafon Rochet
9. 2008 Herzog Clone Six Cabernet Sauvignon
10. 2001 Chateau Piada Sauternes

Man, what an elitist list!!!

Elie - That's how I roll But you're right...I should probably make a top 10 of cru bourgeois I drank in 2012.

Elie - That's how I roll But you're right...I should probably make a top 10 of cru bourgeois I drank in 2012.

LMAO!!!

Gamliel Kronemer's top ten - I wonder why he does not lurk around here anymore:

http://www.thejewishweek.com/food-wine/ ... -good-year

Gamliel Kronemer's top ten - I wonder why he does not lurk around here anymore:

http://www.thejewishweek.com/food-wine/ ... -good-year

Another vote for the 2004 Chateau de la Tour Clos Vougeot:
Chateau de la Tour, Burgundy, Clos-Vougeot Grand Cru, 2004: This ruby-to-garnet-colored, full-bodied wine is as elegant as a true Burgundy should be. Look for a floral nose of strawberries, cherries and oak, with a hint of herbs de Provence. The flavor is restrained, yet complex, with elements of cherries, strawberries, mellow oak, and hints of strawberry eau de vie. This is one of the best kosher Burgundies I have ever tasted.
Score A/A-.

Look, like I stated on my blog - that wine is the MOST infuriating kosher wine out there, sometimes it tastes like liquid gold and sometimes like liquid "@#%$@". However, for the 2004 vintage it was quite nice. Time will tell if it too will continue its long and storied past of going DOA fast. My notes on this particular wine, from the last tasting at Andrew's place:

http://kosherwinemusings.com/2012/08/16 ... he-drinker

David

Yossi,

I don't have specific wines, rather 2 wineries/labels that made the greatest impression in 2012:

1) Domaine Roses Camille - In 2012 I tasted both the 2005 and 2006 vintages. My palette believes these to be the absolute best kosher Bordeaux wines. I found the underlying theme with both to be excellent balance, perhaps better than any wine I've ever tasted. As I didn't taste these blind I came away thinking the 2005 was better, however, I'm sure the price difference between the 2005 and 2006 was a factor. I recommend both wines.

2) Brobdingnagian Wines - Jonathan Hajdu is making excellent wines. In 2012 I tasted almost all his 2010 wines with great satisfaction. I also revisited some of his earlier vintages and they continue to excel while aging in the bottle. The 2007's are particularly amazing.


Best,

Michael