Annual Pessach Kosher Wine Buying Guide – Part I
http://www.yossiescorkboard.com/
Under $17.99
While this list includes many good, enjoyable wines, as a general rule, the wines in this price range are not complex, cellar worthy or sophisticated (with very few exceptions). As oak barrels are a significant component of a wine’s cost, this list has plenty of white wines that typically spend little or no time in oak, resulting in lower prices. As a result of recent vintages, former Safe Bet Wineries such as Recanati, Galil Mountain or Dalton cannot be bought blindly (although you are more likely than not going to end up with a quality wine, especially if it isn’t an “older” vintage). Additionally, due to their [unfortunately] lower popularity, the more esoteric varietals like Petite Sirah, Carignan, Petit Verdot, Barbera and Gewürztraminer tend to be “cheaper” relative to their quality, making them good places to look for bargains. Most of the wines on these lists qualify as YH Best Buys (wines I consider a particularly good way to spend your hard-earned cash).
(1) Barkan, Classic, Pinotage, 2011
(2) Baron Herzog, Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi, 2010 (US)
(3) Bartenura, Ovadia Estates, Rosso di Montepulciano, 2011 (US)
(4) Beit El, Cliff View, Carignan, 2012
(5) Binyamina, Reserve, Chardonnay (unoaked), 2012
(6) Capcanes, Peraj Petita, 2012 (both the mevushal and non-mevushal versions) (US)
(7) Carmel, Appellation, Chardonnay, 2012
(8) Carmel, Appellation, Petite Sirah, 2009 (the Cabernet Franc is another winner)
(9) Carmel, Single Vineyard, Late Harvest Gewürztraminer, Sha’al, 2009
(10) Château de Valmer, Vouvrey, 2012 (US)
(11) Dalton, “D” Series, Pinot Gris, 2013 (the Fume Blanc is also worthy)
(12) Dalton, “D” Series, Petite Sirah, 2012
(13) Dalton, “D” Series, Rosé, 2013
(14) Domaine Netofa, Basse Galilee, White, 2013
(15) Domaine Netofa, Basse Galilee, Rosé, 2013
(16) Elvi, Cava, Brut, n.v. (US)
(17) Galil Mountain, Ella, 2012 (the Alon is also nice)
(18) Galil Mountain, Viognier, 2012 (unoaked version)
(19) Golan Heights Winery, Gilgal, Syrah, 2010
(20) Golan Heights Winery, Golan, Moscato, 2013
(21) Golan Heights Winery, Yarden, Sauvignon Blanc, 2013 (the Gewürztraminer is also good)
(22) Goose Bay, Reserve, Sauvignon Blanc, Fume, 2012
(23) Hagafen, Sauvignon Blanc, 2012 (US)
(24) Hagafen, Riesling, Lake County, 2012 (US)
(25) Herzog, Special Reserve, Late Harvest Chenin Blanc, 2006 (US)
(26) Montefiore, White Blend, 2013
(27) Porto Quevedo, Ruby Port, n.v.
(28) Recanati, Rosé, 2013
(29) Recanati, Yasmin, White Blend, 2013
(30) Teperberg, Terra, Gewürztraminer, 2012
(31) Vignobles David, Le Mourre de L'Isle, Cotes du Rhone, 2012 (the mevushal version is also worthy) (US)
(32) Weinstock, Cellar Select, Petite Sirah, 2011 (the series recently made a qualitative quantum leap forward)
(33) Weinstock, Cellar Select, Zinfandel, 2010 (the 2010 Cabernet Franc is worth searching for as well) (US)
$18-29.99
This price range is the sweet spot for me. As the prices of kosher wine continues to rise to ridiculous levels, there are a number of wineries that maintain a tremendous level of quality without pushing prices out of the reach of most people. While the majority of truly great kosher wines remain in next week’s price categories of $30 and beyond, there are plenty of great ones here. In general, I find Ella Valley, Dalton, Carmel, Herzog Special Reserve and the Golan Heights Winery to be consistent players in this field of $30 and under, notwithstanding the fact that they all also have more expensive terrific wines as well).
(1) Agur, Rosa, 2012
(2) Bat Shlomo, Chardonnay, 2012 (IS)
(3) Bazelet HaGolan, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2010
(4) Ben-Haim, Reserve, Cabernet Franc, 2010 (IS)
(5) Binyamina, Reserve, Late Harvest Gewürztraminer, 2012
(6) Carmel, Kayoumi, White Riesling, 2012
(7) Carmel Single Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sumuka, 2010
(8) Château Royaumont, 2011 (US)
(9) Covenant, Red C, Sauvignon Blanc, 2013 (US)
(10) Dalton, Alma, SMV, 2010
(11) Dalton, “D” Series, Zinfandel, 2012
(12) Dalton, Single Vineyard, Sémillon, Elkosh, 2012
(13) Domaine Netofa, Tinto, 2012
(14) Ella Valley Vineyards, Cabernet Franc, 2009
(15) Ella Valley Vineyards, Sauvignon Blanc, 2012
(16) Elvi, Herenza, Rioja, Crianza, 2008 (US)
(17) Flam, Blanc, 2013 (the 2012 and Rosé are also great)
(18) Four Gates, Chardonnay, 2010 (US)
(19) Galil Mountain, Meron, 2009
(20) Golan Heights Winery, Yarden, Blanc de Blanc, 2007
(21) Golan Heights Winery, Heightswine, 2011
(22) Gush Etzion, Loan Oak, Cabernet Franc, 2010
(23) Hadju, Makom, Grenache Blanc, 2013 (US)
(24) Hagafen, Dry White Riesling, Coombsville, 2012 (US)
(25) Hagafen, Roussanne, Lodi, 2011 (US)
(26) Herzog, Special Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, 2010 (US)
(27) Herzog, Special Reserve, Chardonnay, Russian River, 2011 (US)
(28) Jezreel Valley, Chardonnay, 2012 (the 2012 Rosé is also quite nice) (IS)
(29) Kishor, Kishor Vineyard, Rosé, 2012 (IS)
(30) Lewis Pasco, Pasco Project #1, 2012
(31) Lueria, Gewürztraminer, 2012 (try the Rosé too)
(32) Lueria, Rosso, 2011
(33) Psagot, Cabernet Franc, 2011
(34) Psagot, Edom, 2010
(35) Porto Cordovero, Ruby Port, n.v.
(36) Recanati, Mediterranean Reserve, Petite Sirah, 2012
(37) Recanati, Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2011 (the 2010 Cabernet Franc as well)
(38) Recanati, Reserve, Chardonnay, 2012 (IS)
(39) Shiloh, Barbera, 2011
(40) Shirah, Vintage White, 2013 (US)
(41) Teperberg, Reserve, Merlot, 2009 (The Cabernet Sauvignon too. Merlot from the Shomron is amazing)
(42) Teperberg, Terra, Malbec, 2011
(43) Trio, Spirit of Alona, 2012 (IS)
(44) Tulip, White Tulip, 2012 (the 2012 White Franc also)
(45) Tzora, Judean Hills, 2012
(46) Tzora, Neve Ilan, Chardonnay, 2012
(47) Tzora, Shoresh, 2011
(48) Vignobles David, Le Mourre de L'Isle, Reserve, Cotes du Rhone, 2011 (US)
(49) Zimbalista, Chardonnay di Zimbalista, 2012 (IS) (the Moscato is also good)
http://www.yossiescorkboard.com/
Under $17.99
While this list includes many good, enjoyable wines, as a general rule, the wines in this price range are not complex, cellar worthy or sophisticated (with very few exceptions). As oak barrels are a significant component of a wine’s cost, this list has plenty of white wines that typically spend little or no time in oak, resulting in lower prices. As a result of recent vintages, former Safe Bet Wineries such as Recanati, Galil Mountain or Dalton cannot be bought blindly (although you are more likely than not going to end up with a quality wine, especially if it isn’t an “older” vintage). Additionally, due to their [unfortunately] lower popularity, the more esoteric varietals like Petite Sirah, Carignan, Petit Verdot, Barbera and Gewürztraminer tend to be “cheaper” relative to their quality, making them good places to look for bargains. Most of the wines on these lists qualify as YH Best Buys (wines I consider a particularly good way to spend your hard-earned cash).
(1) Barkan, Classic, Pinotage, 2011
(2) Baron Herzog, Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi, 2010 (US)
(3) Bartenura, Ovadia Estates, Rosso di Montepulciano, 2011 (US)
(4) Beit El, Cliff View, Carignan, 2012
(5) Binyamina, Reserve, Chardonnay (unoaked), 2012
(6) Capcanes, Peraj Petita, 2012 (both the mevushal and non-mevushal versions) (US)
(7) Carmel, Appellation, Chardonnay, 2012
(8) Carmel, Appellation, Petite Sirah, 2009 (the Cabernet Franc is another winner)
(9) Carmel, Single Vineyard, Late Harvest Gewürztraminer, Sha’al, 2009
(10) Château de Valmer, Vouvrey, 2012 (US)
(11) Dalton, “D” Series, Pinot Gris, 2013 (the Fume Blanc is also worthy)
(12) Dalton, “D” Series, Petite Sirah, 2012
(13) Dalton, “D” Series, Rosé, 2013
(14) Domaine Netofa, Basse Galilee, White, 2013
(15) Domaine Netofa, Basse Galilee, Rosé, 2013
(16) Elvi, Cava, Brut, n.v. (US)
(17) Galil Mountain, Ella, 2012 (the Alon is also nice)
(18) Galil Mountain, Viognier, 2012 (unoaked version)
(19) Golan Heights Winery, Gilgal, Syrah, 2010
(20) Golan Heights Winery, Golan, Moscato, 2013
(21) Golan Heights Winery, Yarden, Sauvignon Blanc, 2013 (the Gewürztraminer is also good)
(22) Goose Bay, Reserve, Sauvignon Blanc, Fume, 2012
(23) Hagafen, Sauvignon Blanc, 2012 (US)
(24) Hagafen, Riesling, Lake County, 2012 (US)
(25) Herzog, Special Reserve, Late Harvest Chenin Blanc, 2006 (US)
(26) Montefiore, White Blend, 2013
(27) Porto Quevedo, Ruby Port, n.v.
(28) Recanati, Rosé, 2013
(29) Recanati, Yasmin, White Blend, 2013
(30) Teperberg, Terra, Gewürztraminer, 2012
(31) Vignobles David, Le Mourre de L'Isle, Cotes du Rhone, 2012 (the mevushal version is also worthy) (US)
(32) Weinstock, Cellar Select, Petite Sirah, 2011 (the series recently made a qualitative quantum leap forward)
(33) Weinstock, Cellar Select, Zinfandel, 2010 (the 2010 Cabernet Franc is worth searching for as well) (US)
$18-29.99
This price range is the sweet spot for me. As the prices of kosher wine continues to rise to ridiculous levels, there are a number of wineries that maintain a tremendous level of quality without pushing prices out of the reach of most people. While the majority of truly great kosher wines remain in next week’s price categories of $30 and beyond, there are plenty of great ones here. In general, I find Ella Valley, Dalton, Carmel, Herzog Special Reserve and the Golan Heights Winery to be consistent players in this field of $30 and under, notwithstanding the fact that they all also have more expensive terrific wines as well).
(1) Agur, Rosa, 2012
(2) Bat Shlomo, Chardonnay, 2012 (IS)
(3) Bazelet HaGolan, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2010
(4) Ben-Haim, Reserve, Cabernet Franc, 2010 (IS)
(5) Binyamina, Reserve, Late Harvest Gewürztraminer, 2012
(6) Carmel, Kayoumi, White Riesling, 2012
(7) Carmel Single Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sumuka, 2010
(8) Château Royaumont, 2011 (US)
(9) Covenant, Red C, Sauvignon Blanc, 2013 (US)
(10) Dalton, Alma, SMV, 2010
(11) Dalton, “D” Series, Zinfandel, 2012
(12) Dalton, Single Vineyard, Sémillon, Elkosh, 2012
(13) Domaine Netofa, Tinto, 2012
(14) Ella Valley Vineyards, Cabernet Franc, 2009
(15) Ella Valley Vineyards, Sauvignon Blanc, 2012
(16) Elvi, Herenza, Rioja, Crianza, 2008 (US)
(17) Flam, Blanc, 2013 (the 2012 and Rosé are also great)
(18) Four Gates, Chardonnay, 2010 (US)
(19) Galil Mountain, Meron, 2009
(20) Golan Heights Winery, Yarden, Blanc de Blanc, 2007
(21) Golan Heights Winery, Heightswine, 2011
(22) Gush Etzion, Loan Oak, Cabernet Franc, 2010
(23) Hadju, Makom, Grenache Blanc, 2013 (US)
(24) Hagafen, Dry White Riesling, Coombsville, 2012 (US)
(25) Hagafen, Roussanne, Lodi, 2011 (US)
(26) Herzog, Special Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, 2010 (US)
(27) Herzog, Special Reserve, Chardonnay, Russian River, 2011 (US)
(28) Jezreel Valley, Chardonnay, 2012 (the 2012 Rosé is also quite nice) (IS)
(29) Kishor, Kishor Vineyard, Rosé, 2012 (IS)
(30) Lewis Pasco, Pasco Project #1, 2012
(31) Lueria, Gewürztraminer, 2012 (try the Rosé too)
(32) Lueria, Rosso, 2011
(33) Psagot, Cabernet Franc, 2011
(34) Psagot, Edom, 2010
(35) Porto Cordovero, Ruby Port, n.v.
(36) Recanati, Mediterranean Reserve, Petite Sirah, 2012
(37) Recanati, Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2011 (the 2010 Cabernet Franc as well)
(38) Recanati, Reserve, Chardonnay, 2012 (IS)
(39) Shiloh, Barbera, 2011
(40) Shirah, Vintage White, 2013 (US)
(41) Teperberg, Reserve, Merlot, 2009 (The Cabernet Sauvignon too. Merlot from the Shomron is amazing)
(42) Teperberg, Terra, Malbec, 2011
(43) Trio, Spirit of Alona, 2012 (IS)
(44) Tulip, White Tulip, 2012 (the 2012 White Franc also)
(45) Tzora, Judean Hills, 2012
(46) Tzora, Neve Ilan, Chardonnay, 2012
(47) Tzora, Shoresh, 2011
(48) Vignobles David, Le Mourre de L'Isle, Reserve, Cotes du Rhone, 2011 (US)
(49) Zimbalista, Chardonnay di Zimbalista, 2012 (IS) (the Moscato is also good)
