I had the wonderful pleasure of joining Lettie Teague, a columnist for the Wall Street Journal's On Wine, for a pre- Passover tasting. Here's an except from the piece and a link to the article:
The
2010 Domaine Netofa ($20) from Galilee, a Rhône-style blend of Syrah and
Mourvèdre, had lots of lush dark-berry fruit and spicy aromatic notes. Rabbi
Brenner took note of the rabbinical seal on the back label. The wine had been
approved by the Jerusalem High Council, he announced. "I recommend this wine
for all sects of Jews," pronounced Rabbi Brenner.
Of the two
Binyamina wines, we actually preferred the mevushal bottling of the 2009
Reserve Syrah, a grape that seems to do particularly well in Israel. At $19,
though, it wasn't equal to the great bargain that was the 2009 Yogev
Cabernet-Petit Verdot blend, a well-balanced, pleasant red with soft tannins
whose $12 price tag made it not only the best buy of the tasting but
"perfect for communal Seders," according to Rabbi Brenner. Rabbi
Brenner reserved his highest praise for the 2010 Recanati Wild Carignan Reserve
from Galilee, which, at $52, was also the most expensive red. It was also the
most polished—elegant and lush with penetrating dark-fruit aromas. Rabbi
Brenner's advice? "This is the wine you should serve when the Rebbe visits
your house."
For the entire article, click here.
