Penfolds Grange Shiraz 2000, South Australia

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

Nose of black currants, blueberries, black cherries, light earth, tobacco leaf, cedar, light vanilla, licorice, eucalyptus, forest floor, mildew, black pepper and herbs.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, spices, oak, chocolates, vanilla, licorice, herbs, earth, light vegetables, tobacco leaf, eucalyptus, Indian spices and peppercorn.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 24 year old iconic wine from Australia is still drinking beautifully. Tasty and smooth with good structure and great complexity. A little bitter on the ending for me, though.

Feels like a 30 year old Left Bank Bordeaux. Might be a bit past its prime, but Interesting stuff nonetheless.

Robert Parker 93 points.

Needed 3 hours of airtime to open up properly.

It is delicious, but I expected more from it. Might just be this specific bottle. I’ve had a few different vintages of this great wine and it is always an experience.

Good by itself or with food, like a nice piece of steak.

100% Shiraz grapes from Barossa  Valley were aged in American oak barrels for 18 months.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

94 points.

$400.

Matar by Pelter Stratus 2017, Israel

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.

Shiloh Winery Legend Fiddler 2017, Israel

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Fruity nose of blackberries, black plums, light cedar, spices, licorice, light vanilla, tobacco leaf, black pepper and herbs.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and long legs.

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

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 7 year old Petite Sirah blend from Israel is still drinking very nicely. Fruit forward and rich. Complex and interesting.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after 30 minutes in the decanter.

I had it 2 years ago and it is still delicious. Alcohol is high, but it is well integrated by now. Spicy and tangy on the finish. 

Good by itself or with food. I paired it with a Lamb Loin with red wine and baby Bella mushrooms.

A blend of 51% Petite Sirah, 33% Petit Verdot and 16% Shiraz. Aged in French oak barrels for 15 months. Kosher and Mevushal.

15% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$40 (recent vintage).

Binyamina Winery The Hoshen Sapphire 2019, Israel

Dark ruby in color with a reddish rim.

Light nose with red and blue fruits, light oak, green pepper and dark chocolates.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with black plums, cherries, currants, light wood, spices, tobacco leaf, dark coffee, peppercorn, sweet chocolates, earth and light bell pepper.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This unique Cabernet Franc blend from Israel is fruity, with nice complexity and a soft mouthfeel.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after 60 minutes in the decanter.

Fruity, with nice bell pepper and earth notes throughout the mid palate and the finish. Elegant and spicy. Soft and smooth.

Drinking very nicely now, and would be nice to revisit it in 3 years.

Good by itself and good with food. Will pair nicely with lamb dishes.

A blend of 75% Cabernet Franc and 25% Shiraz. Kosher and not Mevushal.

14% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$45.

Carmel Winery Signature Mediterranean 4 Vats 2021, Israel

Purple in color with a wide reddish/ purple rim.

Sweet nose with red fruits, spices, light oak and chocolates.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with blueberries, currants, plums, cherries, light oak, dark coffee, pencil lead, earth, tobacco leaf, herbs, light vegetables and peppercorn.

Spicy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a very young red blend from Israel. Easy drinking right out of the bottle, and a nice sipping wine.

Fruit forward and interesting. Feels like a Cotes du Rhône red.

Would be nice to revisit it in a couple of years.

I paired it with cheeses, nuts and fresh berries.

A very unique blend of Caladoc, Carignan, Argaman, Grenache, Petit Verdot and Syrah. Aged for 8 months. Kosher and not Mevushal.

14% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$30.

Jascala Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Israel

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Full bodied with medium plus acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing black currants, plums, tobacco leaf, licorice, light oak, earth, cloves, herbs, spices, dark coffee, light vegetables, pencil lead and peppercorn.

Medium finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

This Cabernet Sauvignon from Israel is still young, but starting to drink nicely now. Rich yet elegant. Spicy and tangy.

A good quality wine that needs a couple of hours to open up properly.

This 9 year old will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 7 years.

A blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of Cabernet Franc and Shiraz. Aged in French oak barrels for 15 months. Unfiltered.

14.6% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$30.

Torbreck Vintners Run Rig Barossa Valley Shiraz 2002, Australia

99 POINT WINE

Dark ruby in color with a very short reddish rim.

Sweet nose with lots of black fruits, cedar, vanilla and chocolates.

Full bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and very fruity on the palate, with nice complexity and mouthfeel.

Showing black currants, plums, cedar, cooked cherries, spices, licorice, cola, chocolates, tobacco leaf, black pepper, barnyard, earth, light vegetables and pencil lead.

Tangy finish with soft tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a delicious Shiraz from the Barossa Valley. Extracted, bold and rich.

This 21-year-old is drinking beautifully now. Drinking at its peak, and will continue to drink nicely in the next few years.

Robert Parker 99 points.

A good quality wine that very aged nicely. Fruit forward and elegant. Good stuff.

A blend of 97% Shiraz and 3% Viognier. Aged for 30 months in new French oak barrels. Unfiltered and unfined.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$200.

Greenock Creek Vineyard & Cellars Roennfeldt Road Shiraz 1996, Australia

Here is a delicious 100 point wine from Australia.

Deep inky in color with a short brick rim. Not showing age much.

Strong sweet nose of black fruits with tobacco, raisins, dried fruits, oak, licorice, eucalyptus, light vinaigrette and peppercorn.

Full bodied and elegant with medium acidity.

Dry on and fruity on the palate with black currants, plums, cooked cherries, oak, light vanilla, earth, tobacco leaf, herbs, peppercorn, pencil lead, dark coffee and dark chocolates.

Short finish with soft tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a delicious Shiraz from Barossa Valley. Rich and elegant, with nice complexity and mouthfeel.

A good quality wine that needs a couple of hours to open up properly.

This 27 year old is still drinking very nicely. Past its prime, but still very enjoyable.

Robert Parker 100 points.

Good by itself or with food. A good sipping wine.

100% Shiraz grapes were aged in American oak barrels for 3 years.

15.2% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$300.

Possums Mclaren Vineyard Shiraz 2002, Mclaren Vale, Australia

This 21 years old Shiraz from Australia has seen better days. It is a few years over the hill, but still enjoyable.

Full bodied with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing black fruits with wood, earth, mildew, vinaigrette, tobacco leaf, dark coffee, peppercorn, chocolates, spices, wet leaves and herbs.

Showing nice complexity with a nice mouthfeel.

Good right out of the bottle and good by itself.

Grapes were aged in American oak barrels for 18 months.

15% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

Penfolds Wines Bin 60A Cabernet Shiraz 2004, South Australia

#AgedWineTuesday

Dark purple in color with a purplish rim.

Gorgeous nose of black currants, cooked plums, figs, dried fruits, cedar, light vanilla, turmeric, fennel, chocolates, tobacco, licorice, peppercorn, coffee, herbs and Mediterranean spices.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity, elegant and smooth.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, vanilla, spices, espresso, tobacco leaf, earth and dark coffee.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy pomegranates.

This 18 year old Cabernet Sauvignon blend from Australia is drinking so nicely now. Fruit forward and concentrated.

Showing great complexity, especially on the nose. Spicy and interesting. Rich, yet elegant.

I did not decant it, but left it in the bottle to open up. Delicious right out of the bottle, and better after 30 minutes of airtime.

Loved the nose here, and kept smelling on it for a while.

Wine enthusiast 96 points. Robert Parker 99 points.

Thank you John for sharing this with me.

Nicely balanced and good by itself as a sipping wine.

A blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon and 44% shiraz. Aged for 13 months in new American Oak barrels. Bottled in April 2008.

13.5% alcohol by volume.

94 points.

$650.