What follows are some random musings and notes about the Kosher Food and Wine Experience hosted by Royal Wines on February 11th. I didn’t take any precise notes because I feel like that venue is not really a great place to fairly evaluate a wine, but is best used to get a sense for where things in the industry are going in general, and to compile a mental list of the wines you will taste under better conditions later.
- The event itself was extremely well run and well stocked with new and interesting wines–so kudos to Royal for a running a tight ship! I did think that there were not as many new releases as there were in past years, but there were still enough to keep it interesting.
- The European wines are king. The French, Italian, and Spanish wines that were brought to the show were the highlight for sure. The lot of foreign wines included many new QPR options that are truly excellent. To name a few: Chateau Malmaison, 2016 is a beautiful, clean and elegant Bordeaux that can be had for in and around $30; Chateau Saint Corbian 2016 is an interesting wine from the left-bank Bordeaux appellation of St. Estephe, which showed nicely; all of the wines from Elvi wines, including in particular the new Herenza Crianza 2014 Rioja and the new vintage of the Elvi InVita white, deliver great bang for the buck; Terra di Seta wines produced by Danielle de la Seta are amazing QPR-really earthy, and interesting wines that could be a change up from the all too frequent fruit forward wines that we are accustomed to; and the new Albarnio from Ramon Cardova produced from the Rias Baixas appellation famous for green and snappy albarino was also great!
- Vitkin is one my favorite Israeli wineries. Royal has started to import more of their wines over the last number years and they represent everything that wines from Israel should be: fruity, but with character. The wines are laced with garrigue and green pepper notes that make them more than the usual generic Israeli wines. Try the Grenache Blanc, Grenache Noir, Cabernet Franc, and Petite Sirah in particular.
- Carmel is also producing some really nice, albeit more conventional wines from Israel. A wine that I think is a sleeper for many, is the Single Vineyard Admon Vineyard Chardonnay, which I have always liked, and continues to impress in recent vintages. However, I did think that their uber expensive Limited Edition did take a step back.
- The new runs of the Drappier Champagnes and Rothschild champagnes are really nice, although I did not care for the Rothschild Rose.
- Some of the new high end California wines did not do it for me. In particular the 2015 Terra Gratia, and the 2015 Padis Vineyard Brilliance I thought were terrible.
- On the other hand, the Herzog Chalk Hill wines were great. If you can afford them, buy them.
- My favorite wines of the show regardless of retail price were the Chateau Malartic Lagraviere 2016, Chateau Guiraud Petie Guiraud Sauternes 2017, and the Chateau Fayat 2015 Pomerol.
- My Favorite QPR, vinesforvalue qualifying wines were: Elvi Herenza Rioja Crianza 2014, Terra di Seta–everything, Ramon Cardova Albarino, Carmel Admon vineyard chardonnay and malbec, and Tabor Adama Sauvignon Blanc 2018.
Thanks Guys!