Assorted Wines Recently Enjoyed (or just consumed... )

I've been trying to break the routine and try wines that I would ordinarily have no reason to buy. I pretty much know what I like and stick to it-- Bordeaux, bigger Israeli red wines, dark Syrahs, the occasional Pinot Noir, and simple white wines. So, in the spirit of learning, I tried a few unusual wines and was pleasantly surprised.

2007 Flechas de los Andes Gran Malbec -- Argentina: This is a collaboration of several large French winemakers who decided to throw a bone to the kosher consumer and let us have something else from South America that isn't Tierra Salvaje, Valero, or Alfasi (not that there's anything wrong with those). Anyway, the wine is inky purple and smells very grapey and leathery. The palate was all tannin when I first got started but kind of evolved into some other dark berries as well as plenty of great earthiness and other manly funk. This is a great wine to drink and should be enjoyed now and onto the next five or so years. Don't get freaked out by the idea of drinking a 2007 red -- they're two seasons ahead of us down there. Keeping it exotic, the Malbec was served with BBQ Bison and minute steaks. (non Mevushal)

2007 Hagafen Roussanne -- Lodi, California: This grape is a big one in the Rhone Valley in France and is making a second home for itself in Central California. This wine started with a heavy alcoholic and petrol nose which made me put this into the fridge until it simmered down. Later, another glass was had more inviting aromas of nectarine and candied citrus rind. It was very enjoyable to drink and still had a very nice amount of acidity even after I let the bottle breathe for an extended period of time. This wine is certainly spicy and is meant for food. If you are tired of Chardonnay and Sauv Blanc, give this a try. That said, the Hagafen Sauv Blanc is exceptional, and the organic Riesling isn't bad either. (Mevushal)

And because I'll drink anything if it's free:

2003 Weinstock Central Coast Cabernet: This wine hails from the glory days of Weinstock. Back when you could get a delicious Napa cabernet for under $20. Well those days are over, and this wine isn't from Napa anyway. It's still holding on-- tannins are virtually gone but the wine is soft and medium bodied and hasn't soured yet. This wine probably cost $7 on release and hasn't spoiled 4 years later, so mark that as a victory in my book. (Mevushal)

2003 Yarden El Rom Cabernet

After two months underground studying for the CA Bar Exam, I am back online.

Celebrated the exam's conclusion with a bottle of 2003 Yarden El Rom Cabernet, that I had purchased in Israel at the Yarden Winery. I didn't have the greatest expectations for this bottle for a few reasons. First, I wasn't sure if it would survive the trip across the world, even though it has been stored in my cellar ever since. Also, I was worried about the sugary goodness that plagues (I think) younger Yarden cabs.

The was thick and black, and smelled very much like the regular bottling. It did have a liqueur element to it but the most remarkable thing about the smell and taste is the intensity. This wine really tasted like two or three bottles of regular cabernet compressed into one. The El Rom must be a remarkable vineyard and I see why they are making a single vineyard version. 2003 wasn't my favorite Yarden vintage in general, even though they were quite proud of it. I can't wait to try to the 2004 El Rom. This is certainly one to seek out.

2003 Yarden El Rom Cabernet Sauvignon: Medium sweet aromas of cherry and blackberry with some oak and spice. The wine is pretty much black and extremely viscous. Peppery flavors upfront but they yield to eastern spice. Very smooth even though it's still quite tannic, but it goes down a little too quickly for an expensive bottle. One of the more potent bottles of kosher wine I have had occasion to drink-- much more masculine than the top tier Bordeaux. Drink over the next 5 years, but very good now.