4/3/2021 - sivarw wrote:

Superb. See Yagil’s TN. Pretty consistent.

12/4/2020 - sivarw Likes this wine:

Ron Slye summed it up well. Fantastic. Aged superbly. All the characteristics of a developing Claret. If you held on to it, you’ve experienced VFM first hand.

8/25/2020 - sivarw Likes this wine:

Tzafririm Patom 2013 (Syrah/CS, 75/25). Appearance dark garnet towards violet, semi opaque med+ visc. Nose dark berries, red fruit, pepper, cassis, spice, cloves. Mouth bold tannins, marked acidity, complex and balanced, long finish, consistent forward to back palate, med+ body, mostly raspberry, plum and spice. Opened two hours prior to enjoying. Has further aging potential.

8/21/2020 - sivarw Likes this wine:

Appearance light straw, med+ visc, clear. Nose... ahh the nose... that first intake resulted in a fairly vocal ‘wow’. Pear, lychee, pink lady, pomelo, elderflower and much much more. Had to pry my nose out of the bowl so I could actually move on to the tasting. Mouth med body, precise, med+ acidity, long finish, super fresh, citrus, green apple, unripe peach, minerality, a touch of salinity. Fantastic.

3/3/2019 - sivarw Likes this wine:

A blend of Cab Franc, Merlot and Cab Sauv (70/20/10) from unirrigated vineyards, aged 12 mo. in French and American oak (separately, married pre-bottling). Appearance garnet, a slight orange meniscus beginning to show, semi-clear, med plus viscosity (14.5 ABV). On the nose a nice mixture of spices (tobacco, fennel and rosemary) and fruit (forest berries, cherry and plum), more chilli pepper than green pepper and a touch of earth/tar and maybe leather... but far more going on there as the wine developed (one of the reasons I bought the wine at the time was the complex nose). Mouth med body, long finish, bracing acidity and gripping tannins. Flavors of tobacco, pepper, fresh herbs and tart strawberry. Very interesting wine, seems still young but yet approachable. Must be revisited in a few years!

9/3/2018 - sivarw Likes this wine:

Appearance deep dark garnet, opaque, med viscosity (15 abv). Nose packed with black cherry, raspberry, mint, tobacco and eucalyptus. Mouth mostly the raspberry and freshness of eucalyptus, med plus acidity, med minus tannins, med body and finish. Went quite well with a veal and truffle charcuterie. Non-Rioja/Ribera Spain needs to be explored more... thoroughly enjoyable wine.

8/21/2018 - sivarw Likes this wine:

Classic left bank Bordeaux blend, aged 24 months. Appearance dark garnet towards ink, very opaque with an amber rim showing its age, med. plus viscosity. Powerful nose exploding with pretty much the whole spectrum, from forest berries (mostly plum and black currant) to chocolate to leather and tobacco to fresh gravel to a little mint and an herb I can’t quite place (similar to black pepper, Mom thinks bay leaf...). Mouth well balanced, soft tannins, med. acidity, a finish that loves to stick around and flavors of mostly plum and raspberry as well as that peppery fresh sensation . Super drinkable wine, definitely in its window and starting to show some vague tertiary notes but could go longer.

8/21/2018 - sivarw Likes this wine:

Appearance a brilliant bright straw with med viscosity. Somewhat repressed but complex nose packed with citrus, minerals, honeysuckle and almonds. Med. plus body, med. plus acidity, lovely lingering finish... won’t go away... flavors of mostly citrus and some interesting salinity and tart nectarine. Splendid wine, went perfect with the fish, plus enjoyed its evolution as wine warmed and let forth some sweet aromatics. Well done!

7/13/2018 - sivarw Likes this wine:

Appearance dark garnet with a lovely amber ring, opaque and super viscous (15 abv). Nose a blend of leather, jerky, tobacco and gravel along with blackberry, black cherry, eucalyptus, fennel, black pepper, cloves and well... lots going on in there. Mouth bracing acidity, med. tannins, med+ body, flavors mostly the berries, earth and some coffee ending with a nice long finish. Drink up but let it breathe for a while.

6/15/2018 - sivarw Likes this wine:

One of Zeev Dunie’s artworks, a Mediterranean blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre (72/16/12, 18 mo. french oak). Lovely reddish garnet with developing amber-brown hues, med. plus viscosity a slightly cloudy appearance. Nose showing some age and full of tertiary aromas of chocolate, cinnamon, leather, cardamom and cloves alongside jammy fig, cherry, raspberry and black pepper. Mouth med minus body, high acidity, bold tannins and a long bittersweet finish with flavors of raspberry and sour plum. This wine packs a punch and as the wine’s namesake St. Exupery put it - “you risk tears if you let yourself be tamed”. Well this wine is anything but tame. Yowza.

6/8/2018 - sivarw Likes this wine:

Brilliant light straw appearance, med viscosity (less than expected from a 14%). Nose somewhat complex, not the warm climate notes I was expecting, instead lots of honeysuckle, anise, white pepper, lime, almonds though peach & apricot notes made a fleeting flyby as the wine warmed. Med plus oily body, impressive acidity for a Vio, the heat felt mostly on the long and lingering finish. Flavors of tart nectarine and apricot (there ya go...), salinity, flint, pepper and tangerine. This wine could just as well be enjoyed during winter with a nice chicken roast or even oriental type cuisine. Squeezing out a Viognier from that southern terroir is impressive.

3/14/2018 - sivarw Likes this wine:

With a crimson & earthy tone, this 10 year old has visually aged sooner than anticipated though the med. plus viscosity bodes well. The inhaled nose, not a powerful one, suggested ripe plums and cherries intertwined with wisps of craisins, licorice, tobacco, cloves and black pepper. The body full and long, retained a nice tannic structure joined by marked acidity and the heat alluded to earlier. Noted a bitterness of the early stages, one that dissipated to allow a fairly enjoyable, if somewhat unsophisticated experience. Drink up.

2/10/2018 - sivarw Likes this wine:

Medium garnet, Med plus viscosity, the amber hues creeping along the meniscus and a touch opacity. Nose of red fruits (which is odd for our warm climate), leather, plum, chocolate, very pleasant, a touch Sarsaparilla. Started out as a Syrah then upon taking a breath, forth came the CS. Mouth more fruity than nose mostly on the midpalate, Med tannins, Med acidity, long finish, heat as bottle says but mostly back mouth burn, Med body. Pleasant wine, within its drinking window.

1/21/2018 - sivarw Likes this wine:

A special edition, the result of a collaboration between winemaker David and associates from the wine retail industry. Been a while since I have crossed paths with Tulip and then recently a delicious White Tulip 2016 and now this lovely CS blended with a little PV. Beautiful deep deep purple ink color, the PV bolstering even more that which the CS lends, nice legs, med. Plus viscosity. Nose fairly classic with all the dark berries, some raspberry, a host of dried herbs, black pepper and some coffee. Mouth med. plus body, very bold tannins (maybe that was a blending goal), nice heat, med. plus acidity, long finish and flavors of mostly the berries and not much each. Still young and probably in its early drinking window but very enjoyable after about an hour plus of breathing.

1/21/2018 - sivarw Likes this wine:

Still in its drinking window, but probably towards the end, needed only half an hour to open. Nose and palate so characteristic of the winery, a fruitier interpretation of the CS. Medium body, still a nice acidity, medium minus tannins, semi-long finish. Mostly forest berries and some sour cherry, chocolate as well and a tad tar. Basically delicious.

12/9/2017 - sivarw Likes this wine:

Always nice to come back to a favorite. Light straw color, brilliantly clear with medium viscosity. Nose dominant with pineapple, grapefruit, some apples and pears and a hint of almond in the back. Mouth was mostly grapefruit and starfruit, some pear and lime, perfect balance between the body of the Chard. and the refreshingly crisp acidity of the SB, medium finish. Perfect match for tonight's fish.

10/22/2016 - sivarw Likes this wine:

Deep murky reddish-brown hues, medium viscosity. Age showing on the nose but fruit still coming through strong, some tabbaco and chocolate. Medium bodied, tannins almost gone, nice fruit, light acidity, medium finish.

8/29/2016 - sivarw Likes this wine:

My notes seem kinda redundant since Ouriel gave such a great impression. I'll emphasize my surprise at the relative complexity to what domestically are usually very straight forward warm-climate fruity gewurtz's. This wine seem to have taken it to the next level. If 2015 was a bad climate, 2016 won't be much better so here's hoping 2017 brings out an even better expression.

8/22/2016 - sivarw Likes this wine:

Fabulous. The quality of the raw materials really shines through 10 years later.

8/5/2016 - sivarw Likes this wine:

Perdera is an unusual red blend by Argiolas of Sardinia made from Bovale Grande (Carignian), Bovale Sardo (Graciano) and Monica (a local variety) the latter being the bulk of the wine as mandated by the Monica Di Sardegna DOC. Dark reddish-brown, murky and deep with medium viscosity, so not an overly impressive sight. However, nose clean and pleasant with cherries, tart berries, subtly spice (cinnamon) and a touch of earth. Mouth medium dry, medium-light tannins, medium plus acidity, medium body, mostly red fruits. So the Carignian to bolster the acidity and the Granciano to beef up the aromas bring the Monica from a rather simple table variety to an interesting blend which can go pretty well with any Italian dish (we enjoyed with some Lumaconi pasta).

6/7/2016 - sivarw wrote:

Yowza, these guys know how to white!
Clear, light golden straw, medium viscosity.
Nose very attracted be and powerful with a mixture of citrus (lemon, lime, grapefruit), tropics (pineapple, kiwi), pear, apple, lichee and tart white cherry. Palate with a massive burst! Medium-dry, light acidity, medium plus body, medium alchohol, long finish. Generous flavors with the citrus being dominant and some apricot. Wow. Can't wait to try their other whites.

6/5/2016 - sivarw wrote:

Deep garnet color, cloudy and those initial orange rim hues that I keep getting on these Aussie reds. Long long legs, clinging to the bowl, downwards at a turtle's pace. Attracted be and powerful nose, warmer climate evident on the nose with all kinds of dark berries, cherry and plum, some kind of lavender or other flower, (tabac?) but none of the oak or earth you might get from TN's place of birth. Got some heat as well. Palate medium-bodied, medium-plus acidity, nibbly tannins, medium alchohol, long finish, slight aftertaste. Fruit less apparent, tangier and more leathery than nose. Interesting interpretation of this varietal.

6/3/2016 - sivarw wrote:

First time trying the white sister of the Tag Adom. 85% Chardonnay barrel fermented and aged blended with 15% Viognier from steel. Appearance clear, golden yellow with medium viscosity on the bowl. Nose clean and attractive, initially fruit but quickly overwhelmed by the oak which pretty much remained dominant over time, fruit that did manage to come off was mostly lemony citrus and herby of medium-minus intensity. Mouth dry and tart, medium body, oily, medium-plus acidity and a long finish. Alcohol very present and favors mostly oak and citrus. Didn't pair well with a Salmon dinner. Bottom line, kinda unbalanced, oak-dominated, Viognier fruit all but disappeared but a higher serving temperature helped smooth out the overall experience. Reasonable VFM but less impressive than its red sibling.

5/20/2016 - sivarw Likes this wine:

Funky name for a funky GSM. Clear garnet of medium intensity, orange rimmed, medium plus viscosity. Very attractive nose, pleasant and fruity with figs, raspberry, plum, cherry, leather, black pepper, licorice and cloves (yup, pretty well oaked). Mouth dry with medium-plus body and acidity and medium tannins, less fruit more spices and herbs, nice heat with 14.5%, pretty well balanced and a medium-long finish.

5/2/2016 - sivarw Likes this wine:

Another one from this boutique winery in central Israel. A blend of 40% CS, 40% Merlot and the rest Shiraz, PS, CF and PV from various regions, 18 mo. in french oak. Dark red leaning towards crimson with and evident orange rim, opaque and a little dull, medium coating of the bowl. Nose a mixture of all the varietals (occasionally the Shiraz screams out and then the CS and Merlot calm it down) with all types of berries, a nice amount of spice predominantly tobbaco and cloves, almost no heat. Mouth still with firm tanins and marked acidity, some heat, the fruit and spice less apparent so a little unbalanced but a nice long finish. Not bad.

4/22/2016 - sivarw wrote:

Meh... Nothing special... Maybe a bad bottle...

4/22/2016 - sivarw Likes this wine:

Decanted for about an hour. Appearance showing some age but still fairly young. Nose opened up after another half hour to reveal the usual red fruit, spices, black pepper etc. though a little heat coming off (15%). Mouth great with all the tones of the nose and medium plus acidity, soft tannins, medium finish. Still a great wine but sliding. Open it if you got it.

4/14/2016 - sivarw Likes this wine:

Dark ruby, opaque, outer rim leaning to orange (seems to be something prominent in the Aussie Shiraz's I've been tasting), nice thick legs, thick coat on the wall. Fruit is very evident in the nose though not jumping out, black cherry, plum, twizzlers, other than a hint of nutmeg not picking up much spice or oak like other notes mentioned. Got some heat on it (at 14.5% makes sense) but it calmed downed after a while. Once again though a let-down in the mouth, nose had me hopeful but mouth failed to verify and deliver. Soft tanins, fairly round, full bodied, medium acidity, medium finish.

4/3/2016 - sivarw Likes this wine:

Color dark ruby towards garnet with initial orange at the edge, medium intensity, opaque. Nose fruit forward, red fruit dominant (cherry, raspberry, cranberry), slight mintyness and sage, a touch of vanilla from the oak, medium viscosity, legs match the ABV. Mouth a little out of balance, acidity getting in the way of the fruit so hard to confirm the nose and something tingly that lingers on the palate. Started off good, mouth disappointed.

3/24/2016 - sivarw Likes this wine:

Opened this one based on a recent review of a friend. Needed a while to open up and should improve over the next hour. Almost clear, bloody reddish and light orange hues with nice legs (15%). Initially powerful nose mellows out to reveal red fruit, spice (nutmeg?), licorice, cherries and wet earth. Spice more dominant in the mouth, medium tannins and acidity and a nice long finish. Not bad, expected more but not bad, so maybe open em if you got em.

3/18/2016 - sivarw Does not like this wine:

Another Aussie... Though highly awarded a few years ago hasn't really stood the test of time (this bottle anyway). Dark and cloudy-dull with prominent reddish-brown age rings, normal viscosity. Weak nose, aerating dispersed some of the initial age aromas and brought out a little of the red fruit, baked, dried plum etc. Mouth out of whack... Not even going to get into it... Bummer ���� I'll let it breather for a while and we'll see.

3/4/2016 - sivarw Likes this wine:

Appearance cloudy and impenetrable with reddish-garnet hues leading out to an age-showing slightly orange rim. Nose full of dark fruit, cassis and tingly eucalyptus, without any tertiary aromas. Nice burst with a mouthful parallel to the nose aromas, a little grip and medium acidity followed by a surprisingly lengthy finish (not getting any spice or oak). Have to say the vintage and appearance had me a tad worried but the wine actually came through, holding on well, still in it's drinking window me thinks. Whaddya know...

2/29/2016 - sivarw wrote:

Tscharke 'The Potter' (inspired by winemaker Damien's wife Eva and her profession) Garnacha 2011 from the Marananga region in the Barossa Valley of Australia. Reddish-brown color with orangey rims, cloudy and pale... So off-the-bat seemed like a miss... However, the nose was pretty pleasant with dark fruit, dried cherry and prunes but tertiary nutty aromas definitely present... Mouth very little acidity, light body with soft tannins, tangy-fruity flavor, medium finish but most evident is the slightly stingy sensation and a feel as if it's starting to come apart. Oh well, should have opened sooner (though inly got it a few months ago...).

2/19/2016 - sivarw wrote:

Peak in 2012? Nooooo.... This baby is alive and kicking. But I'll admit, it's probably the time to crack 'em if you got 'em. All the hallmarks of a CS.

2/8/2016 - sivarw Likes this wine:

First time trying a white from NZ. A Marlborough region Sauvignon Blanc by the Durvillea Winery, in our neck@of the woods courtesy of the Mersch guys. A pale yellow appearance, clear and watery. Nose both tropical (passion fruit) and citrusy (grapefruit) with a hint of pear (love that). In the mouth medium-dry with lemon-fruitiness. Light bodied, medium acidity and medium finish. Pretty balanced for my taste, alc. just right. Went well with a baked Salmon and kale salad dinner. NZ - well done!

11/18/2015 - sivarw Likes this wine:

Amazing... Still alive... Ever so slightly sliding but still very much in the game... Interesting green notes develop in the glass... Over time the mellowness of the Merlot comes out...
Anyway, great garnet color, mid claridy (yup), not a 10-yo scheme... Red fruit and plums on the nose cloves and choc (FR, US cask mix) medium body, light tanins medium acidity and a fruity burst. In another lifetime!!!

8/15/2015 - sivarw Likes this wine:

Still alive. Typical old world Bordeaux style CS, though definiltly showing signs of aging, predominantly in the opaque amber nature of the outer rings and a color darker than you'd expect from a 7 yr old. All the usual spices, earthy, minerals and less fruity. Very well balanced and surprisingly soft tanins and faint acidity. The last of its kind, almost a shame to open.

7/27/2015 - sivarw Likes this wine:

Such fun!!! The newly formed Avidan winery under the auspices of the Trio Winery (which itself is within the Ramot Naftaly Winery) and their talented winemaker Amit Toledo.
Outstanding VFM. No point in even getting into the tasting notes.. At approx 50 nis in Derech Hayayin for a red blend 12-mo aged wine, this ones a no brainer! Grab one!
(if you insist on the notes - deep deep garnet, blood-cloudy, all manners of sweet fruits on the nose aside from the berries (even picked up some smoked honey), almost no evidence of the CF green pepper, light-medium body, marked sweetness, light tannins and acidity for a CS and an easy finish).

1/17/2015 - sivarw Likes this wine:

Dull and almost cloudy, but deep color, with a half violet half garnet appearance, and an apparent oily viscosity. An appealing bouquet which intrigues the expectant palate suggesting dried-plum, cranberry (?), something tropically unidentifiable and a rum-raisin trail-off. Unexpectated palate of a less-fruity sensation than anticipated. Medium-dry, minimal acidity with medium tanins and a light body, low alcohol presence but with a medium finish. Perhaps a while longer, say 2016-2017.

12/21/2014 - sivarw Likes this wine:

Dull but deep garnet color, momentarily overpowering nose, medium-dry and balanced acidity with dry tanins and medium body, spices mix with herbs and a moist grassy undertone, ending with a rather short finish.

9/10/2014 - sivarw wrote:

Definitely needed 2.5-3 hours to really open up... Good call Issac C