Saturday, April 26, 2008

Kinarty Winery

The Sea Of Galilee is a beautiful and historically important place. On this lake's shore, almost one hundred years ago, Jewish pioneers built their first cooperative farming village "Kvutzat Kinneret". This is the cradle of the Kibbutz. The most successful form of a socialist farming community. It was nice to sample a bottle of wine from the newly founded Kinarty Winery from Kvutzat Kinneret. The 100 years old vision of Israeli agriculture is taking a new and interesting direction in the form of growing high end grapes and producing excellent wine.

Kinarty Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Nice red/purple color, both body and color are medium. Plums, blueberries, chocolate merge nicely into this round and friendly wine. The wine is a bit too sweet, lacking acidity. Nice, medium finish. Very Good (86)

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Chateau Hallet Sauternes 2005

I've had a number of absolutely delightful dry whites from the 2005 Bordeaux vintage, and have very much enjoyed the remarkable combination of freshness and depth they have. In February I got my first chance to try a 2005 Sauternes, and in this wine at least, I dare say you see at least some of that same delightful character - I'll definitely be looking foward to tasting other Sauternes of the vintage. And at $15 per half bottle, this one is a great value.

Chateau Hallet Sauternes 2005
My first taste of a Sauternes from this heralded vintage. Apricot, tropical fruits, then loads of candied fruit and honey. Medium bodied, with nice balance. Definitely reminds one of the delightful freshness and depth that the dry whites of the vintage have. Should drink very nicely for the next 5 years or so. (2/16/08) Excellent/Exceptional (89 - 91).