The Best Kosher Wines For The High Holy Days Slideshow
Segal's 2006 Argaman, "Rehasim Dovev (Upper Galilee)
Talk about Old World wine! This cuvee, from one of the best names in modern Israeli wine, is 100 percent argaman: the only indigenous grape to Israel. That's right! It really does exist. Quite full, with dark brooding fruit, tannins for days, and a loooong finish. Aged on a combination of argaman and merlot skins. Rare, unusual. — Victoria Levin, beverage director and GM of at Tangled Vine Wine Bar and Kitchen
Binyamina 2009 Reserve Late Harvest Cluster Select Gewürztraminer (Galilee)
This is a stunning, well-balanced, late-harvest selection that's sure to be a welcome addition to any dessert course. Notes of ginger and sweet baking spice lift the baked-apple, peach, and apricot-preserve fruit core. A kiss of honeyed sweetness and a soft, candied orange-peel flavor lingers on the close. Ample acidity keeps the palate fresh and lifted. Royal Wine Corporation. — Lauren Buzzeo, Wine Enthusiast magazine
Domaine du Castel 2010 C Blanc du Castel Chardonnay (Judean Hills)
Castel's blanc is always a well-made selection, and the 2010 carries on that tradition. With 12 months spent in French oak, this is a rich and rounded chardonnay that exhibits excellent balance and structure, matching bright acidity and refreshing sweet citrus flavors with lush notes of wood-grilled apple, orange creamsicle, crushed yellow flower, and peach pit nuttiness. Accents of woody spice and lime zest carry onto the long finish. Royal Wine Corporation. — Lauren Buzzeo, Wine Enthusiast magazine
Covenant 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley, Calif.)
The top tier of kosher wines, this new release is made by Napa Valley-based wine writer/winemaker Jeff Morgan. Deep aromas of dark fruits, dark chocolate, and cigar box. Concentrated flavors of blackberry jam, dark cherry, licorice, black currant, and toasted walnuts. In the mouth, these flavors meld together with balanced acidity, chewy tannins, rich texture, fine French oak, and a long velvety finish. The result is a powerful wine that is worthy of aging or decanting before serving. — Christopher Sawyer, likelii.com
Celler de Capcanes 2010, Peraj Petita (Montsant, Spain)
That's right, a Kosher, delicious wine from eastern Spain in the land surrounding the famous Priorat. From the prominent Capcenes crew – the good kind of Co-op, holding on to traditions in their old vines. Garnacha, Carignan, Tempranillo. Seductive, with spicy jammy fruit. A sensual treat. — Victoria Levin, beverage director and GM of at Tangled Vine Wine Bar and Kitchen
Domaine du Castel 2009 Red Wine, Petit Castel (Judean Hills)
Sophisticated bordeaux-style wine with complex flavors of ripe blackberry, cassis, cherry, black currant, and licorice. The firm tannins are balanced with a burst of lively acidity, and a long, generous finish. — Christopher Sawyer, likelii.com
Recanati 2010 Shiraz (Galilee)
Scents of licorice root, bramble, and a soft menthol note grace this balanced Shiraz's black cherry, raspberry, and boysenberry fruit. This is medium weight, with moderate tannins and an approachable structure. A note of roasted espresso bean and a hint of chicory carry through the long finish. Mevushal. Palm Bay Imports. — Lauren Buzzeo, Wine Enthusiast magazine
Golan Heights Winery 2008 Yarden El Rom Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Galilee)
A stunning and balanced Cab, the El Rom Vineyard boasts ripe blackberry, cherry and cassis aromas and flavors, dusted with accents of cedar, cocoa powder and cigar box spice. Round and hedonistic in the mouth with seductive dark fruit and a mocha-driven finish, this wine is approachable now but can also stand some years in the cellar. Yarden Wines, Inc. — Lauren Buzzeo, Wine Enthusiast magazine