Wine for Passover 2015

Our home
Tasted Saturday, April 4, 2015 - Sunday, April 5, 2015 by Loren Sonkin with 329 views

Introduction

This past Friday, my wife and I hosted Passover at our home. We didn't really care if the wines were kosher, however, there were a few.

Flight 1 - Waiting for the crowd to arrive: (1 Note)

  • NV Champagne Lallier Champagne Grand Cru Grande Réserve 91 Points

    France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

    (4/4/2015)

    Such a great value in Champagne. Light golden in color. Lots of small bubbles. This is lean and clean. Green apples on the nose. No toast or brioche. Just fruit and minerals. Has a Chablis like quality. Refreshing. There did seem to be the slightest hint of sweetness on this that I had not noticed in prior bottles. Not an issue, but there. Drunk, without food, as an aperitif, it was a nice way to welcome our guests.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

Flight 2 - With the Seder: (1 Note)

  • 2009 Agur Special Reserve 90 Points

    Israel, Judean Hills

    (4/4/2015)

    A Bordeaux blend made in Israel that we had brought back a few years ago. This was our Passover Seder wine. Purple in color. The nose is nice with plums, some cassis, some cherries and a bit of tobacco. On the palate, this seems mature. Tannins resolved. I doubt it get better from here. There is fruit left along with a nice complexity. Nice acidity and actually was ok with the horseradish and the Charoset. Elijah seemed to like his as well.

    Read 1 Comment / Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

Flight 3 - With homemade Matzo Balls soup: (1 Note)

  • 2010 Rhys Chardonnay Horseshoe Vineyard 93 Points

    USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

    (4/4/2015)

    On pouring I was a bit worried. This is deep golden in color, looking much older than I expected. The nose was clean though with nice minerality, some red apples, and some pineapple. Great texture. Showing some complexity but still young on the palate. Worked beautifully with some home-made matzo ball soup.

    Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

Flight 4 - With Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Salad with Maple Walnuts: (1 Note)

  • 2013 Dönnhoff Oberhäuser Leistenberg Riesling Kabinett 91 Points

    Germany, Nahe

    (4/5/2015)

    Very nice match for a beet & goat cheese salad. Light golden in color. The nose has nice pineapples with wet rocks. This bottle seemed to have a bit of spritz on it which I had not noticed in prior bottles. Odd. Screw capped. On the palate, there is a bit more than a hint of sweetness but not overt. Nice fruit. Good texture. Great value.

    Post a Comment / 3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

Flight 5 - With Levantine Pilaf, Green Beans, Tzimmis, and Sauteed Mushrooms: (5 Notes)

  • 2012 Teperberg Meritage kosher 87 Points

    Israel, Judean Hills

    (4/5/2015)

    Technically, the only Kosher for Passover wine on the table. Purple in color. The nose has dark cherries, some plums and a bit of cassis. Dusty. On the palate, this is nice. Drinks like Bordeaux. Fruit, earthy with some dusty oak. Nice finish.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2010 Covenant Cabernet Sauvignon Kosher 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (4/5/2015)

    Certainly one of the best Kosher wines out there. The nose has cassis, blueberries and some dark cherries. Also, coffee and charred wood. On the palate, this is a big, fruity oaky Cal Cab. It is delicious and drinks well. Nothing really different than a typical very good Cal Cab. Nice texture. Lots of red and purple fruits on the palate. Nice finish.

    Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2007 Sineann Pinot Noir Resonance Vineyard 90 Points

    USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

    (4/5/2015)

    In a good place right now. Ruby in color. The nose has cherries and a slight earthy funk. On the palate, lots of cherry fruit left, but showing nice layered complexity. Good acidity. drinks easy but has some interest. No hurry, but not sure if this improves much.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2009 SonkinCellars Persona

    USA, California

    (4/5/2015)

    Drinking well now IMO. It was very cool to be able to open a bottle of our own wine at our own Seder. First time we had done this.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2011 Hobel Wine Works Cabernet Sauvignon Engelhard Vineyard 91 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (4/5/2015)

    Drinking well. Purple in color. The nose has cassis, oak and a slight bit of an herbal note. On the palate, there is a nice juicy acidity. Medium tannins. Worked well with food. Got a lot of compliments.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

Closing

And some flourless Chocolate Torte to finish.

Happy Passover to All (or Easter or whatever)!

×
×