Presented by KosherEye.com

from Daniel Rogov, Wine Connoisseur, Critic, Author

From the KosherEye "chat" with Daniel Rogov, a list of wine suggestions – Some best value for money wines/wineries and luxury value.

Now you don't have to try and remember which wine, from what country, that Rogov suggested. Just print this list and take Rogov with you to the wine store.

•  The two countries currently producing the best kosher wines are the U.S.–California,  including Napa and Sonoma, and  Israel – wines from the Golan Heights, Upper Galilee and Judean Hills.

•  Other countries that produce good kosher wines are:
 ·  Argentina
·   Chili
·   France
·   Hungary
·   Italy
·   Spain

Best Value Wines:
•  Israel: 
High quality, phenomenal buys for the money from the following wineries:
Tabor Winery, Golan Heights Winery and Galil Mountain

•  California:
Royal Wine company:  The Baron Herzog  (not the Reserve because they cost more) wines are excellent; Cabernet and Pinot, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc.  Jeunesse is also a bargain.

Hagafen Winery:  The Don Ernesto wines are a very good value for the money.

•  South America and Europe:
Tierra Viejo and Terrenal; Sara Bee has a Muscato that sells for $5.00 at Trader Joe's!

The above wines are ones that you would drink now and enjoy - they are not meant to be keep for long periods of time - drink with a year.

Luxury Wines and a brief description:
California:
•  Hagafen, Cabernet Franc, Prix Reserve, Napa Valley, 2007: Oak-aged for 19 months in French and American barriques and blended with 4% Merlot. Full-bodied, dark royal purple in color, with silky-smooth tannins and sweet-and-spicy cedarwood all in fine balance with acidity and a generous array of red plums, black and red cherries and tobacco. From mid-palate on a tantalizing note of basil. Powerful but elegant and with a finish that goes on and on. Approachable and enjoyable now but best 2012–2019, perhaps longer. $36  Score 92.

•  Herzog, Cabernet Sauvignon, Special Reserve, Warnecke Vineyard, Chalk Hill, 2007: Dark garnet toward royal purple in color, full-bodied with soft tannins and spicy wood in fine balance with fruits. An almost floral nose yields comfortably to clean notes of blackcurrants, blackberries and espresso coffee and, from mid-palate on, hints of licorice and baking chocolate. Drink now – 2014.  $75 Score 91.

•  Herzog, Cabernet Sauvignon, Special Reserve, Alexander Valley, 2008: Deep garnet with a robe of royal purple, full-bodied with generous tannins and spicy oak in fine balance with fruits.  On the nose and palate an abundance of blackberries, currants and black cherries, those yielding at one moment to notes of espresso coffee and at another to a hint of bittersweet chocolate.  Drink now -  2016. $35.  Score 90.

•  Covenant, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2007: Made entirely from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, dark ruby toward royal purple in color, full-bodied and well extracted, showing gently gripping tannins and opening beautifully in the glass. On the nose and palate currants, plums and cassis, those complemented by notes of mixed spices, sweet cedar wood and light smoky oak. Drink now – 2023. $88. Score 93..

•  Covenant, Red C, Napa Valley, 2007: Riper and more fruit-forward than the Covenant. Garnet to royal purple, medium- to full-bodied, with soft tannins integrating nicely to highlight blackberry and black cherry fruits, those on a tantalizing spicy background. Soft and round but with plenty to grab the attention. Drink now – 2013. $45. Score 90.

Israel:
•  Barkan, Cabernet Sauvignon, Superieur,  2006: A full-bodied blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot aged for 18 months in primarily new French barriques. Dark ruby toward garnet, opens with generous oak and firm tannins, those subsiding in the glass and opening to reveal a light note of vanilla from the wood and then traditional Cabernet blackcurrants and blackberries, those along with notes of blueberries and mint and at what one moment seems to be a hint of lead pencils and another a cigar box note. Well crafted. Drink now – 2013. $55.  Score 90.

•  Carmel, Limited Edition, 2005: A Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Cabernet Franc (65%, 17%, 15% and 3% respectively). Dark ruby toward garnet, medium- to full-bodied, with generous soft tannins and reflecting its 15 months in barriques with light toasty and spicy oak. Blackberry and black cherry fruits on first attack, yielding to blackcurrants and appealing hints of lead pencil and vanilla and, on the moderately long finish, a near-sweet and elegant tobacco note. Drink now – 2013. $100.  Score 92.

•  Domaine du Castel, Grand Vin, 2007: The by-now traditional Grand Vin blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, that flushed out with Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. Full-bodied, dark and well extracted, firm on opening but yielding comfortably in the glass to reveal gently caressing tannins, notes of spicy oak and generous blackcurrant, blackberry and blueberry fruits, those supported by notes of mocha, orange peel and black olives. On the super-long finish a tempting note of licorice. Long, generous and coherent. Drink now – 2015. $65.  Score 93.

•  Segal, Cabernet Sauvignon, Unfiltered, 2007:  Perhaps the best of Segal's unfiltered Cabernet Sauvignon releases to date.  Dark garnet, full-bodied, with a black fruit and spicy nose, showing firm tannins that yield comfortably in the glass to reveal on first attack blackberries and bitter-sweet chocolate, those followed by notes of red and black currants, those matched nicely by notes of cloves, dill and black olives all lingering nicely on a long and generous finish.  Approachable and enjoyable now but best from 2012 - 2017, perhaps longer.  $70. Score 92.

•  Yatir, Yatir Forest, 2007: Dark garnet toward royal purple, a full-bodied, softly tannic blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Petit Verdot and 7% each of Malbec and Merlot, those reflecting 16 months development in barriques with notes of spicy cedarwood and of roasted almonds. On first attack blackcurrants and blackberries, those making way for purple plums, bittersweet chocolate and licorice. On the long and generous finish tannins and fruits rise comfortably together. Approachable and enjoyable now but best 2012 – 2021. $80.  Score 93.