"Odedi"

9.1

It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!

Deep purple in color with a wide reddish rim.

Beautiful nose of black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, licorice, herbs, chocolates, light earth, garrigue and peppercorn.

Full bodied and soft, with medium plus acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with black currants, black cherries, plums, light oak, spices, coffee, licorice, tobacco leaf, light earth, chocolates, herbs and peppercorn.

Medium plus on the finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a very tasty Merlot based blend from Saint Emilion. Elegant and nicely balanced. Showing good complexity with a nice mouthfeel.

Needed 2 hours in the bottle to open up.

This 10 year old Merlot from the great 2016 vintage still feels young. Probably in its 'dumb phase' right now, and needs a few more years in the bottle to mature properly. Will continue to age nicely in the next 7 to 10 years.

Good by itself as a sipping wine, and better with food.

A blend of 87% Merlot and 13% Cabernet Franc. Aged in (50% new) French Oak barrels.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$125. — 2 months ago

"Odedi"

9.2

Pretty red color with medium intensity.

Fresh red berries on the nose with light milk chocolates.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with cherries, red currants, light earth, light wood, spices, coffee, herbs and dark chocolates.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This delicious 3 year old Grenache blend from Châteauneuf-du-Pape is starting to drink beautifully now, and will continue to age nicely in the next 15 years.

Still young, and from the great 2022 vintage. Showing good potential to become a 94+ point wine.

Rich and fruit forward. Complex with a soft mouthfeel. Soft, pure and elegant.

The high alcohol is very well integrated. Spicy and entertaining. Well structured and precise.

Good by itself as a sipping wine.

Grapes are grown on aged vines of more than 100 years old. A blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Cinsault and 20% Syrah. Aged in mostly concrete vats for 2 years. Syrah is aged in new French oak barrels.

16% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$125. — 9 months ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Ruby in color with light intensity and a wide reddish rim.

Fruity nose of red currants, cherries, earth, black coffee, chocolates, chalk and light oak.

Medium bodied with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with red fruits, earth, light wood, spices, coffee, dark chocolates, vegetables, herbs and black tea.

Medium finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a very tasty Barbaresco. Easy drinking and elegant, but not as smooth as I expected it to be.

This 5 year old feels like it needs more time in the bottle to mature properly. Will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years. Would be nice to revisit it in 5 years.

This Single Vineyard Nebbiolo is complex and interesting. Good by itself and better with food.

100% Nebbiolo grapes were aged for 2 years in large oak barrels. A small production of only 3,500 bottles.

14% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$80. — a year ago

"Odedi"

9.4

#AgedWineTuesday

Ruby in color with a wide reddish/brick rim.

Pretty nose of black fruits, tobacco, cedar and chocolate notes.

Full-bodied and elegant with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, cooked plums, cedar, tobacco, chocolates, peppercorn, herbs and spices.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon from the great 2007 vintage in Napa.

This 18 year old Single Vineyard Cabernet is drinking beautifully now. Nicely balanced and elegant. Fruit forward and rich.

Peaking now with great complexity and a great mouthfeel. Will continue to drink nicely in the next 5 to 10 years.

Needed 2 hours in the decanter to open up properly.

Thank you John for sharing this with me.

A great sipping wine that will also pair nicely with a big piece of steak.

100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were aged for 23 months in French oak barrels.

14.3% alcohol by volume.

94 points.

$130. — a year ago

"Odedi"

9.0

#KosherWineSunday

Pretty color of ruby/purple with a wide reddish rim.

Very aromatic nose of blue and black fruits, violets and chocolate notes.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with red currants, light oak, cherries, blueberries, licorice, chocolates and peppercorn.

Short finish with soft tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 7 year old Shiraz from Israel is still drinking nicely, although not at its peak anymore.

Needs an hour to open up properly, although good right out of the bottle too. The Syrah notes show up after 2 hours of airtime.

A tasty Shiraz that is lighter than I expected it to be. I liked the nose better than the palate at this point.

I had this vintage 3 years ago, and it is drinking better now. Rich, juicy and elegant.

100% Shiraz grapes from the Galilee were handpicked and aged for 14 months in oak barrels. Kosher and not Mevushal.

14% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$35. — 2 years ago

"Odedi"

9.2

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Dark ruby in color with a reddish rim.

Beautiful nose with lots of fruits, earth notes and chocolates.

Full bodied with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing blackberries, black currants, cooked plums, cedar, tobacco leaf, light earth, bitter herbs, coffee, dark chocolates, light vegetables and peppercorn.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This 4 year old Cabernet Sauvignon from Yountville in Napa Valley, is starting to drink very nicely now.

Still very young, but already approachable. Fruit forward, spicy and good by itself. Showing nice complexity with a nice mouthfeel.

Good right out of the bottle, and much better after 2 hours in the decanter.

Not "in your face" kind of wine. Feels like a blend of Napa Cabernet and Left Bank Bordeaux.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 7 to 10 years.

A blend of 98 % Cabernet Sauvignon with some Petit Verdot, Malbec and Merlot. Aged in (40% new) French and American oak barrels for 26 months. A small production of only 175 cases.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$79. — 3 years ago

"Odedi"

9.2

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Inky in color with a short purple rim.

Nose of blueberries, black plums, cooked cherries, black currants, cedar, licorice, light vanilla, tobacco, dark chocolates and black pepper.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with black currants, plums, cooked cherries, spices, licorice, cedar, light earth, light vanilla, chocolates, black pepper and coffee.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.

This 8 year old Napa Cabernet is still young, but already delicious. Rich and powerful, yet elegant, with a soft mouthfeel. Nicely balanced, fruit forward and complex.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after 2 hours in the decanter.

This Single Vineyard Cabernet needs another 5 years in the bottle to mature properly. Has good potential to become a 95+ point wine.

I've had a few vintages of this Cabernet Sauvignon and it is so much better with age.

Good by itself as a sipping wine, and paired beautifully with food too.

100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were aged in (70% new) French oak barrels for 20 months.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$200. — 3 months ago

"Odedi"

9.3

#KosherWineSunday

Inky in color with a short reddish rim.

Fruity nose of blue and black fruits with mediterranean spices, light cedar, chocolates, tobacco, herbs, light earth and black pepper.

Full-bodied and elegant with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruit forward on the palate with black currants, black plums, blackberries, cedar, vanilla, leather, spices, light earth, chocolates, coffee and peppercorn.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This 6 year old Cabernet Sauvignon from Israel is drinking wonderfully now. Rich and elegant. Fruit forward and easy drinking. Nicely balanced and soft.

Good right out of the bottle and better after 2 hours of airtime.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 10 years.

Complex and engaging. Tangy and spicy.

Interesting, and good by itself as a sipping wine.

Aged in French oak barrels for 18 months. Kosher.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$50. — 8 months ago

"Odedi"

9.4

#AgedWineTuesday

Dark ruby/ Inky in color with a reddish/ brick rim.

Beautiful nose of blackberries, black plums, cooked cherries, dried figs, cedar, licorice, chocolates, spices, light earth, black pepper, light vanilla, cola, light metals and black tea.

Full bodied and elegant, with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with black currants, black plums, stewed cherries, dried figs, cedar, vanilla, licorice, spices, herbs, light earth, chocolates, tobacco and black pepper.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

What a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. Rich and nicely balanced. Fruit forward, smooth and complex.

This 16 year old is drinking beautifully now. Elegant and robust at the same time, with a great mouthfeel.

Good right out of the bottle, and so much better after 2 hours in the decanter.

Drinking at its peak, and will continue to drink beautifully in the next 5 years.

I had a few vintages of this wine, and it is very consistent. A good quality wine.

Good by itself as a sipping wine or with food like a big piece of steak.

100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were aged in all new French oak barrels for 24 months. A tiny production of around 1,000 bottles.

14.8% alcohol by volume.

94 points.

$110. — a year ago

"Odedi"

9.2

Dark ruby in color with a very wide reddish rim.

Strong fruity nose with blue and black fruits, cedar, light vanilla, herbs, spices, licorice and chocolates.

Medium plus in body and elegant, with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with plums currants, blackberries, oak, licorice, light vanilla, tobacco leaf, herbs, light black pepper, earth, dark coffee and Mediterranean spices.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This young Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville is starting to drink very nicely now. Elegant, fruit forward and spicy. Easy drinking and engaging.

Still young and needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly. Will continue to age nicely in the next 8 years.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after an hour of airtime.

Good by itself or with food. I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.

A blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. Aged in (50% new) French Oak barrels for 22 months. A limited release.

14.7% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$135. — a year ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.4

Still fantastic just 2 barrels made. 750 bottles. 12.8%. What a wine. Meyer lemon, hint of peach, no buttery taste whatsoever! Almond blossoms. Hint of Jasmine. — 2 years ago

"Odedi"

9.6

#AgedWineTuesday

Here is a fabulous 99 point wine by Robert Parker.

Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.

Great nose of blueberries, blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, earth, vanilla, Mediterranean spices, espresso, cola, light herbs, chocolates, tobacco and black pepper.

Full bodied, smooth and elegant, with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, black cherries, figs, cedar, chocolates, vanilla, licorice, spices, tobacco, herbs, light earth, cola and peppercorn.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Napa Valley.

Showing nice balance and a great mouthfeel. Round and rich. Elegant and smooth.

This 22 year old still has a lot of power in it, and will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 10 years.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after 2 hours of airtime.

So soft and powerful, with a great nose. This is a gorgeous wine right now.

A blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot and 3% Malbec. Aged in all new French oak barrels for 24 months.

13.9% alcohol by volume.

96 points.

$250. — 3 years ago

Deborah M

9.3

Day 2. Different is trending here. Did a little digging and pulled this gem.

The 2009 Viña Tondonia Reserva, a blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacho and 5% each Mazuelo and Graciano, matured in used American oak barrels for six years.

Elegance and value. Lively and fresh. Lot’s of life left for this one. Not a bad start for the year.
— 3 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Deep Ruby with aromas of red fruits and herb floral notes, aged 2 years in large Slavonian oak barrels. On the palate flavors of cherry and raspberry with notes of oak, citrus, white flower and earthy spice. Fine tannins, medium+ finish ending with slightly smoky earthy oak character. Great value! — 5 months ago

"Odedi"

9.3

Dark ruby/ inky in color with a wide reddish rim.

Fruity nose with black currants, blackberries, black plums, stewed cherries, indian spices, cedar, light vanilla, licorice, eucalyptus, black tea, tobacco leaf and light lavender.

Full-bodied and elegant, with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with black currants, cooked cherries, plums, light cedar, herbs, dark coffee, light earth, spices, tobacco leaf, peppercorn, dark chocolates, licorice and light mint.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. Rich and fruit forward. Nicely balanced with a soft mouthfeel. Spicy and entertaining. Complex and interesting.

Needs 2 hours in the decanter to open up properly.

This 9-year-old Napa Cabernet is showing a beautiful and complex nose at this point.

I had this vintage a year ago, and it is already drinking better. Getting close to its peak, and will continue to age nicely in the next 5 years.

A great sipping wine, that will also pair nicely with a big piece of steak.

A blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Petit Verdot. Aged in (60% new) French oak barrels for 24 months.

14.6% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$110 (at release). — 6 months ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.8

Disg. 2/14 (07 base)…Always my favorite of the Lieux-Dits and without question one of the very best Blanc de Blancs Champagnes on the planet, it’s particularly special to have with some bottle age. It’s absolutely as stunning as hoped—rich and powerful with crazy depth to its layers with a deep, complex core of caramelized orchard fruit, roasted nuts, old rum barrels and candied white flowers, all with seamless integration. The palate is generous and detailed, with racy acids, waves of saline laced, chalky Le Mesnil minerals and a finish that just stays with you. A BdB benchmark, legendary bubbles. — 9 months ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Nose of red and black fruits with light wood, tobacco and chocolate notes.

Dry on the palate with sweet raspberries, cherries, light oak, licorice, chocolates, spices and earth.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This young Grenache blend is starting to drink very nicely now, with nice complexity and a soft mouthfeel.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 15 years.

Elegant and rich. Interesting and engaging. A very traditional Châteauneuf-du-Pape in style.

Well balanced and good by itself as a sipping wine. Will also pair nicely with food.

A blend of all 13 allowed grapes in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but mostly Grenache. Hand picked and whole cluster. Aged for 2 years in large French oak barrels.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$110. — a year ago

"Odedi"

9.2

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Inky in color with a reddish rim.

Pretty nose with cedar, chocolates, black fruits and spices.

Full-bodied with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, spices, licorice, chocolates, light vanilla, tobacco, black pepper, espresso and light cola.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and cherries.

This is a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from the problematic 2020 vintage in Napa Valley.

Complex and engaging. Elegant, rich and fruit forward. I really enjoyed the nose, once it opened up.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 7 to 10 years. Has good potential to become a 94+ point wine.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after 2 hours of airtime.

A great sipping wine. Nice to see low alcohol from Napa Valley.

Wine Enthusiasts 94 points. Wine Advocate 90 points.

A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 10% Malbec. Aged for 12 months in (40% new) French Oak barrels.

13.6% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$125. — 2 years ago

"Odedi"

9.2

Kukeri Wines Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Napa Valley, California

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Dark inky in color with a short purplish rim.

Light nose with blue and black fruits, oak, herbs, dark chocolates and coffee.

Full-bodied and smooth, with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, black cherries, cedar, licorice, light cola, coffee, peppercorn, dark chocolates, earth and tobacco leaf.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This young Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley is starting to drink nicely, but needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly.

Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel. Fruit forward and elegant. Chewy and opulent.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years. Has good potential to become 94+ point wine. Would be nice to revisit it in 5 years.

Rich and complex, but easy drinking, and a good quality wine. Spicy and tangy.

I've had a few vintages of this wine, and it is very consistent.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after 2 hours of airtime.

Good by itself or with food, and will pair nicely with a nice piece of steak.

A blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot. Aged in (40% new) American and French oak barrels for 15 months. A tiny production of only 3 barrels.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$80. — 3 years ago

"Odedi"

9.2

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix. Here is a delicious one.

Deep purple in color with a short purple rim.

Strong nose of black currants, plums, cooked cherries, violets, licorice, spices, chocolates, tobacco and herbs.

Full bodied and elegant with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and very fruity on the palate with blackberry pie, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, herbs, vanilla, spices, chocolates and black pepper.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This 6 year old Napa Cabernet is still young, but already very enjoyable, even by itself. Rich and extracted. Fruit forward, but calm.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after 2 hours of airtime.

Very flowery once it opens up. I liked the nose better than the palate. A very enjoyable wine.

This Single Vineyard will continue to age nicely in the next 7 to 10 years.

100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were aged in French oak barrels (40% new) for 26 months. A tiny production of only 5 barrels.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$95. — 3 years ago