Thursday, March 24, 2011
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Squires Scores from Parker's Wine Advocate- Erle Wines
2007 Erle Family Winery Sauvignon Blanc Aroyo Vineyards 88 Mature $25
The 2007 SAUVIGNON BLANC AROYO VINEYARDS is modestly grassy and crisp, with ripe fruit. This won’t likely remind anyone of Loire Sauvignon Blanc. Those who prefer them austere, herbaceous and pungent should look elsewhere. This laid back, crowd pleaser has some typicity and brightness, though, and it is quite tasty. It was the wine I most enjoyed drinking of the Erle lineup this issue. Drink now-2010.
2007 Erle Family Winery Merlot Aroyo Vineyards 87 Early $28
The 2007 MERLOT AROYO VINEYARDS has 10% Argaman in it—an Israeli-developed hybrid that crosses Carignan and Sousao (from Portugal). Pleasing and pure, this nicely balanced young Merlot has a soft texture, some grapiness and ripe tannins. It has a certain brightness around the edges that makes it a little lively. It is not particularly deep or long, but it is a tasty and encouraging early release that is a pleasure to drink and easily the best of the Erle wines reviewed this issue. Drink now-2014.
2007 Erle Family Winery Argaman Aroyo Vineyards 85 Mature $28
The 2007 ARGAMAN AROYO VINEYARDS is an Israeli-developed hybrid that crosses Carignan and Sousao (from Portugal). Those are two pretty difficult grapes to work with. Even the Portuguese think twice before using a lot of Sousao in table wines. This nonetheless works pretty well. Very dark, with less apparent acidity than I thought it would have given the grapes in question, this shows straightforward, grapey fruit with pleasant flavors. It has modest structure and concentration, making it best as an everyday wine for early consumption. Drink now-2012.
2007 Erle Family Winery Carignan Aroyo Vineyards 83 Mature $28
The 2007 CARIGNAN AROYO VINEYARDS is from a 30 year old vineyard. Israel has been struggling to find a niche beyond famed international grapes (like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot); some have pointed to Carignan, which I suspect will be a difficult project. This is light and straightforward, without much depth or concentration, but it manages to feel relatively full on the first attack. There is not much structure, and there is a certain iodine note on the finish. This is pleasant enough for its intended purpose—a light, easy drinking wine. Drink now-2011.
Ari Erle wears a lot of hats—he makes this wine in Israel, makes a Hopland Syrah under the Erle Family Winery brand in California, works at O'Shaughnessy Winery and once worked at Colgin Cellars—and for good measure, his company imports these and other Israeli wines. This is a new winemaking venture that should be quite interesting, but Erle needs to build on these early releases.
Importer: IsraelWineCompany.com, tel: (707) 307-4303
To buy any of these wines click HERE
The 2007 SAUVIGNON BLANC AROYO VINEYARDS is modestly grassy and crisp, with ripe fruit. This won’t likely remind anyone of Loire Sauvignon Blanc. Those who prefer them austere, herbaceous and pungent should look elsewhere. This laid back, crowd pleaser has some typicity and brightness, though, and it is quite tasty. It was the wine I most enjoyed drinking of the Erle lineup this issue. Drink now-2010.
2007 Erle Family Winery Merlot Aroyo Vineyards 87 Early $28
The 2007 MERLOT AROYO VINEYARDS has 10% Argaman in it—an Israeli-developed hybrid that crosses Carignan and Sousao (from Portugal). Pleasing and pure, this nicely balanced young Merlot has a soft texture, some grapiness and ripe tannins. It has a certain brightness around the edges that makes it a little lively. It is not particularly deep or long, but it is a tasty and encouraging early release that is a pleasure to drink and easily the best of the Erle wines reviewed this issue. Drink now-2014.
2007 Erle Family Winery Argaman Aroyo Vineyards 85 Mature $28
The 2007 ARGAMAN AROYO VINEYARDS is an Israeli-developed hybrid that crosses Carignan and Sousao (from Portugal). Those are two pretty difficult grapes to work with. Even the Portuguese think twice before using a lot of Sousao in table wines. This nonetheless works pretty well. Very dark, with less apparent acidity than I thought it would have given the grapes in question, this shows straightforward, grapey fruit with pleasant flavors. It has modest structure and concentration, making it best as an everyday wine for early consumption. Drink now-2012.
2007 Erle Family Winery Carignan Aroyo Vineyards 83 Mature $28
The 2007 CARIGNAN AROYO VINEYARDS is from a 30 year old vineyard. Israel has been struggling to find a niche beyond famed international grapes (like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot); some have pointed to Carignan, which I suspect will be a difficult project. This is light and straightforward, without much depth or concentration, but it manages to feel relatively full on the first attack. There is not much structure, and there is a certain iodine note on the finish. This is pleasant enough for its intended purpose—a light, easy drinking wine. Drink now-2011.
Ari Erle wears a lot of hats—he makes this wine in Israel, makes a Hopland Syrah under the Erle Family Winery brand in California, works at O'Shaughnessy Winery and once worked at Colgin Cellars—and for good measure, his company imports these and other Israeli wines. This is a new winemaking venture that should be quite interesting, but Erle needs to build on these early releases.
Importer: IsraelWineCompany.com, tel: (707) 307-4303
To buy any of these wines click HERE
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Castel grows up!
This is an interesting article and tasting notes by Daniel Rogov in Haaretz Newspaper about Castel Winery (Which we sell here) and some others...
Wine and Spirits / A micro-winery grows up
Wine and Spirits / A micro-winery grows up
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
The Latest Erle Wines have arrived in the U.S.
They just landed at the port in Oakland and will soon be ready to ship. You can purchase them here
I have attached here a description of all the Erle Wines:
Erle, Argaman, Aroyo Vineyards, Sharon, Israel, 2007
Argaman (means deep red in Hebrew) is the only unique Israeli wine grape varietal. It is a special hybrid developed by the Israeli Wine Institute between Carignan and the Portugese varietal of Souzao. This varietal is known to be very dark and is usually used as a blender.
Tasting Notes:
Deep, dark, succulent, purple ink color. Dark fruits, plum, pepper/jerky aromas. Sweet viscous, long and fat flavors.
Retail Price: $28
Erle, Merlot, Aroyo Vineyards, Sharon, Israel, 2007
This merlot is planted on a southern facing slope with great drainage. The vines were dry-farmed, and leaves were pulled to allow full sun penetration.
Tasting Notes:
Nice, dark red, purple hue. Deep bramble, blackberry aromas, with roasted herbs, tobacco and spicy cinnamon. Thick, rich and sweet vanilla character in the mouth with a touch of peppery spice.
Retail Price: $28
Erle, Carignan, Aroyo Vineyards, Sharon, Israel, 2007
Carignan used to be one of the most widely planted grapes in the world; probably because of its huge crop load. Most likely, the difficulty in balancing this vine and making a good wine has led to most of these vineyards being torn-out. This vineyard is over 30 years old and produces great fruit. I made this wine in a light, easy drinking style. It should go well chilled with a BBQ on a hot summer day.
Tasting Notes:
Medium to light ruby color. Aromas of rose hip, red fruit, creamy vanilla, roasted coffee, cedar, cigar box, tobacco smoke. Very creamy mouth feel with strawberry shortcake on the finish.
Retail Price: $28
I have attached here a description of all the Erle Wines:
Erle, Argaman, Aroyo Vineyards, Sharon, Israel, 2007
Argaman (means deep red in Hebrew) is the only unique Israeli wine grape varietal. It is a special hybrid developed by the Israeli Wine Institute between Carignan and the Portugese varietal of Souzao. This varietal is known to be very dark and is usually used as a blender.
Tasting Notes:
Deep, dark, succulent, purple ink color. Dark fruits, plum, pepper/jerky aromas. Sweet viscous, long and fat flavors.
Retail Price: $28
Erle, Merlot, Aroyo Vineyards, Sharon, Israel, 2007
This merlot is planted on a southern facing slope with great drainage. The vines were dry-farmed, and leaves were pulled to allow full sun penetration.
Tasting Notes:
Nice, dark red, purple hue. Deep bramble, blackberry aromas, with roasted herbs, tobacco and spicy cinnamon. Thick, rich and sweet vanilla character in the mouth with a touch of peppery spice.
Retail Price: $28
Erle, Carignan, Aroyo Vineyards, Sharon, Israel, 2007
Carignan used to be one of the most widely planted grapes in the world; probably because of its huge crop load. Most likely, the difficulty in balancing this vine and making a good wine has led to most of these vineyards being torn-out. This vineyard is over 30 years old and produces great fruit. I made this wine in a light, easy drinking style. It should go well chilled with a BBQ on a hot summer day.
Tasting Notes:
Medium to light ruby color. Aromas of rose hip, red fruit, creamy vanilla, roasted coffee, cedar, cigar box, tobacco smoke. Very creamy mouth feel with strawberry shortcake on the finish.
Retail Price: $28
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
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