Shavua tov Harry! The week before Purim... Will be hectic... hopefully.
Looks like Josh didn't want to make it a chazaka this past Friday, wrong call given what we had on tap...
Friday night:
Flam, Rosé 2012: As with its previous vintage, made of 100% Cabernet Franc juice, it is also slightly brighter with a light salmon pink, almost orange-ish color. The nose on this wine is a classic fresh strawberries along flowery and citrus notes. Light in body with notes of strawberries, peaches, pink grapefruit, stony minerals and good acidity but without the bitterness of the 2011 that I disliked and a refreshing wine that would highlight any warm summer afternoon. 12.5% Abv.
Flam, Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve 2010: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Merlot from the Dishon vineyard and Kerem Ben Zimra in the Galilee as well as 6% Petit Verdot from the Mata vineyard located close to the winery in the Judean Hills' Ella Valley, 16 months in french oak barrels. The first kosher vintage for this wine and what a wine! WOW! Dark, almost impenetrable garnet towards purple in color, with on the nose freshly crushed forest berries, plums, herbs and dark chocolate. Full-bodied with on first attack spicy and juicy red, blue and black forest berries, juicy purple plums followed on the mid-palate by dark cherries and a hint of green olives and licorice, with a melting pot of cigar tobacco, dark chocolate, peppermint, spicy vanilla and toasted oak with nice, balanced acidity and firm yet plush and velvety tannins lingering all the way on the very long, elegant and seemingly endless finish. Beautiful balance and structure, a luxurious wine that will probably age well for a decade at least. Without a doubt one of the very best wines in Israel, what a joy that everyone can finally enjoy them as well. 14.5% Abv.
Shabbat lunch:
Flam, Blanc 2012: 55% Sauvignon Blanc and 45% Chardonnay, both from the Judean Hills and unoaked. A beautiful inebriating nose of tropical fruit such as mangoes, pineapple, lemon, ripe apples and honeydew. Light straw in color and medium-bodied with on the palate juicy tropical and citrus fruits, stony minerals and hints of freshly cut grass with nice acid and a light sense of sweetness on the fairly long finish. Delightful and beautifully crafted. 13% Abv.
GMW, Meron 2009: A blend this year of 72% Syrah, 19% Petit Verdot and 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged 16 months in french oak barrels. Deep purple in color with on the nose black raspberries, almost jammy blueberries, saddle leather and wet forest floor. Full-bodied with on the palate ripe forest berries, loamy dirt, roasted coffee, licorice, plums, with sweet cedar wood, chocolate and nice acidity, silky tannins rising on a long finish. Absolutely delicious and IMHO better than the Yiron of the same vintage, fantastic QPR. 15.5% Abv.
Tura, Portura 2008: From a bottle having been opened more than 6 months this Port-style wine made of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon was kicking and very good with notes of blackberries, prunes, figs, nuts and chocolate. Might very well be the best Portura I've tasted so far.
Wishing you all a great week!
Best,
GG