Freddy R. Troya

9.5

The Cave – Red Blend – 2020
Galilee, Israel 🇮🇱

Overview
A powerful Bordeaux-inspired blend composed of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, and 9% Petit Verdot, sourced from high-elevation vineyards in the Upper Galilee. Aged 24 months in French oak inside the historic Carmel Mountain cave, a naturally cool, humidity-stable cellar that shapes the wine’s depth and structure. Mevushal / Kosher for Passover.

Aromas & Flavors
Dark mulberries, black plum, and blackberry compote meet cedar, mahogany wood, espresso, and subtle graphite. The Petit Verdot adds an herbal-floral edge, giving the wine both muscle and nuance.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied with firm, assertive tannins and a deep, wood-toned intensity. Concentrated, layered, and long, with an oaky spine that lingers on the finish.

Food Pairings
Braised lamb shoulder, smoky short ribs, aged Gouda, slow-roasted brisket, or charred portobello mushrooms.

Verdict
One of Israel’s most characterful red blends, bold, structured, and cellar-worthy. The interplay of fruit density, mineral tension, and pronounced oak makes this a standout Mevushal wine for those who appreciate power and polish. Cheers!

Did You Know?
The Cave winery ages its wines in a 250-year-old man-carved cave in Carmel Mountain, originally quarried in the 18th century and repurposed in the 19th century as a brandy cellar. Its natural insulation provides ideal conditions for long élevage, giving these wines their signature depth and aging potential. — 2 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Located halfway up the hill dominating the principal valley of Barolo, supported by steep slopes lined by orderly vineyards, lies the 15th century Abbey of Annunziata. Medium Ruby with aromas of ripe berry fruits with earthy herb notes, aged for 12 months on oak. On the palate flavors of cherry, strawberry and raspberry with sweet vanilla spice. Fine tannins, vivid acidity, medium+ finish ending with earthy fruit character. Good value, Barolo like without $$! — 3 years ago

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

9.4

Great value at $50.00 from K&L
Web notes,

The owner of this Chateau, Calon Segur takes some of it name Calon from the word 'calones' which were small transport skiffs that used to haul goods up and down the Gironde river. Back then boats were the best mode of conveyancing wine plus preferable to the reluctant donkey and other landlubbing transports. This fact is a big reason for this region's long successful trading history. Much to the dismay of more land locked wine making regions, Bordeaux enjoyed direct access to the water. Happily shipping great wines such as Chateau Capburn Gasqueton for centuries. As this red wine was transported away from the port, the owners would farewell it's strawberry and raspberry driven fruit flavours bound for distant thirsty lands. It's beautiful chalky tannins and fine oak would be missed as they were well on the way to our store's shelves, cellars and tummies. Hence raise a big cheers to the diminutive but very essential Calons! (And amazing value Bordeaux reds)
Chateau Capburn Gasqueton is situated in St Estephe, on the left bank of Bordeaux, France. Grapes have been grown on the property's grounds since the 12th century. However, the 18th century saw it's elevation into quality wine production when Nicolas-Alexandre, owner of Latour, Lafite and Mouton bought the Chateau along with Chateau Calon Segur. From 1894 to 2012 the Gasqueton family owned the Chateau - producing wines of great finesse and elegance. In 2013 the French insurance company Suravenir bought Chateau. Since then they have heavily invested in upgrading the estate whilst ensuring they preserve this historic and treasured wine producer. Its vineyard comprises of 62% Cabernet, 37% Merlot and a petite drop of 1% Petite Verdot! — 3 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

8.9

Château de Lamarque “Héritiers des Marquis d’Evry” 2021
Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷

Overview
This vintage is a classic Bordeaux blend—Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot—sourced from a historic Haut-Médoc château with roots stretching back to the 15th century. It’s the “second wine” of Château de Lamarque, offering approachability while retaining estate quality. The appellation’s gravelly terroir and structured style are evident in every sip.
 

Aromas & Flavors
Rippling with blackcurrant and cassis, the wine is wreathed in cedar, tobacco, and earthy undertones. On the palate, dense fruit and toast meld with a hint of spice—classic left-bank elegance with that savory Médoc streak.
 

Mouthfeel
Medium to full-bodied with refined tannins and vibrant acidity. A balanced structure makes it satisfying now, while promising graceful evolution over the next 5–10 years.
 

Winemaking Notes
The estate cultivates a blend of vines: roughly 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot. Fermentation occurs in hidden concrete vats, followed by aging—with about 25% in new French oak barrels.
 

Food Pairing
Perfectly paired with robust fare: beef steaks, roast lamb, silverside, game, and dishes enveloped in rich, savory sauces.


Verdict
A solid Haut-Médoc “second wine” that mirrors the terroir and tradition of Château de Lamarque at a more accessible level—classic, savory, and beautifully balanced. Cheers!
— 5 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Estate dates back to Crusades & Scottish navigator, George Smith, owner in the 18th century. Blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot aged in 20% new oak, deep Ruby with aromas of dark berry, herbs and earthy spice. On the palate flavors of plum, cherry & currant with notes of pepper, tobacco & cacao notes. Soft rich full tannins, long finish ending with fruit, earthy and mineral character, needs a little more time. — 3 years ago

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

9.6

Nice 👍🏼
Dark Web info

Château La Louvière has many fascinating facets. The sumptuous architecture of the château building dates from the late 18th century, but winegrowing here goes back more than 700 years. The first vines were planted circa 1310, although modern winemaking dates from the 17th century and was handed down by able monks from the Carthusian monastery in Bordeaux, who had acquired considerable talent as viticulturists and winemakers. The people who produce the wine in the 21st century have inherited these time-honoured methods, adding just the right amount of innovation and modernity to make the utmost of the outstanding terroir. La Louvière's red wine has a dark colour and an elegant bouquet with delicate hints of oak...

— 3 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Torres family has been related to wine since 17th century when their ancestors first planted vines in the Penedès, a winegrowing region dating to the days of the Phoenicians. Deep Ruby with aromas of jammy fruit, pepper and toasty cedar. On the palate this blend of Cariñena, Garnacha and Syrah shows black currant, jammy blackberry and pepper, vivid acidity with fine grainy tannins, long finish ending with fruit, spice, oak and earthy character. Nice. — 6 months ago

David Kline

9.5

Black cherry and plum tart emerging through aromas of violets dotting brown breads, shiitake and black oak. Cinnamon, cedar and clove coalesce. Raspberry reduction with currants. Hints of mints. Tart cherry palate brings cherry reduction and black currants, tons of dark cedar wrapped cigar, tart blackberry, peppercorn and cinnamon stick. Green notes suggest this is still young and half-blossomed despite the quarter century. Grainy tannins, though rounded.



#pontetcanet #chateaupontetcanet #pauillac #appellationpauillaccontrôlée #1999 #1999bordeaux #bordeaux #misenbouteilleauchâteau #leftbank #leftbankbordeaux #bordeauxrouge #grandcruclasséen1855 — 3 years ago

Vanessa

9.1

Clos Roquète is a white Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine produced by Frédéric & Daniel Brunier of Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe with a fascinating history to tell…  

Châteauneuf-du-Pape (CNdP) is a highly-esteemed commune located in the Southern Rhône of France. It gets its name, “new castle of the Pope,” because the Pope spent his summers there in the 14th Century when the papacy was relocated to nearby Avignon.
 
This wine is made from 35% Clairette, 35% Roussanne, and 30% Grenache Blanc (all local, white varieties), each adding a unique aromatic and structural dimension. It was aged 11 months in oak prior to release, lending richness and texture.
 
Despite its rich, creaminess, it also has aromatic lift with notes of lemon peel, ripe cantaloupe, white peach, apricot, next to notes of white blossom, vanilla, honey, fennel, and petrichor (a fancy word for the smell of warm, wet pavement like after a summer rain).  

We’re excited to pair this with a lemon, garlic, and herb roasted shrimp over spiralized zucchini noodles.
 
Cheers to beautiful wines that tell stories and share histories! — 3 years ago

with Deked1

Sipping Fine Wine

9.6

The Antinori family of Florence, one of the world's oldest and most distinguished wine producers, has lived in Tuscany since the 14th century. Blend of 80% Sangiovese, 15% Cab Sauv & 5% Cab Franc. Deep Ruby, aromas of black berry fruit aromas with herb, mint and sweet spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry and cherry with cacao, vanilla and aromatic spice. Fine graceful tannins, long finish, well balanced, savory ending with oak and juicy earthy mineral tones. Very Nice! — 3 years ago