Stolen Identity
Francois Gaunoux
Les Grands Épenots Pommard 1er Cru Pinot Noir 2011
Green and full of funk. This bottle, while still recognizable as burgundy, never took flight or held an identity. — 6 years ago
Wendouree
Clare Valley Cabernet Malbec 1994
Amazingly a deep dark ruby for its age. Trademark aromas of camphor/menthol. Fine sandy persistent tannins. A full bodied old fashioned Australian Red still going strong at 25 years of age and still with a future. Still fresh, strong and vibrant. Last of a Dozen. Much of the early plummy notes have morphed into something more savoury but the camphor notes remain and compliment the overall result and identity of the wine. — 6 years ago
Covenant Wines
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
Covenant – Cabernet Sauvignon – 2023
Napa Valley, California 🇺🇸
Overview
A bold, expressive Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from Covenant, crafted in a richer “valley-floor” style with generous ripeness and concentration. This bottling shows Covenant’s signature combination of power and polish, made entirely from Cabernet Sauvignon and produced as a Non-Mevushal and vegan-certified wine, an excellent option for those seeking upscale kosher reds with true Napa character.
Aromas & Flavors
Black currant, blackberry compote, cassis, baking spice, cedar, a touch of mocha, and subtle graphite. Ripe yet not overdone, the fruit leads, but there’s enough structure to keep it focused.
Mouthfeel
Full-bodied, plush, and deeply fruited. Smooth tannins wrap around the palate with richness and warmth, supported by balanced acidity. The finish is long, dark, and satisfying, classic modern Napa Cab energy.
Food Pairings
Ribeye steak, lamb chops, brisket, barbecue short ribs, mushroom-braised dishes, or aged cheddar.
Verdict
A powerful, fruit-driven Cabernet Sauvignon with unmistakable Napa Valley boldness. Approachable now, yet structured enough to improve with short-term aging. A high-impact, Non-Mevushal kosher Cabernet that easily stands toe-to-toe with many mainstream Napa labels.
Did You Know?
Covenant was founded by Jeff Morgan, a chef-turned-winemaker who helped redefine the identity of premium kosher wines in California. His stylistic goal has always been simple: make world-class wines first, that also happen to be kosher. — 22 days ago
Journey's End Vineyards (Gabb Family Wine Estate)
Identity Shiraz 2021
Really nice Shiraz, great price and amazing taste — 4 years ago
Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga
Fontalloro Toscana Sangiovese 2006
Huge identity
Supertuscan from Castelnuovo Berardenga made with only sangiovese
Earthy, irony, floral
Depth and softness
At peak I'd say
2006 is a spectacular vintage a bit everywhere in Italy — 6 years ago
Château Cantebau
Labastide Dauzac Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2014
My gut feeling on the identity of this blind was a young Brunello or Rosso with new oak. In hindsight, if I had been a little more methodical, the identity would have been obvious - the stickiness of the tannins as it hits the palate on the tongue was a dead giveaway of the Merlot (49%) component, while the directionality of the tannins as it moved across the palate along the gums (on the base of teeth) can clearly be attributed to Cabernet Sauvignon (51%). Flavours again tripped me. The Morello cherry aroma, sheen of volatile acidity, fresher fruit ripeness, elegant medium body, and tart acidity just never put me onto Bordeaux… but of course it was a Margaux.
This was a really elegant example of Bordeaux, but does come off a little simple - just juicy fruits (red on the nose, black on the palate) and new oak, which leaves you yearning for more complexity to fill the “void” between the flavours. It is perhaps still a little young at this stage (my notes came after 3 hours of aeration; started off real tight according to RL), so could offer more with cellaring. Notably, I enjoyed this without much palate fatigue, although the new oak still irks me. A huge victory for young Bordeaux in my books. — 4 years ago
Azienda Agricola Brovia
Rocche Barolo Nebbiolo 2007
I had a few members of the Tasting Group crew join me in a sort of, "help me drink down my cellar" gathering. Everyone had an opportunity to dig through the cellar and select a bottle of their choosing; the identity of the wine was kept from everyone else and then presented double-blind though, since the bottles were being pulled from my cellar, it wasn't a true double-blind situation for me. This was poured into a decanter and served within an hour of opening. The wine poured a deep garnet color with a slightly brownish orange rim, a deep translucent core and there appeared to be a good amount of fine sediment though, my glass was amongst the last poured. On the nose, I was immediately transported to Piemonte with gorgeous notes of funky cherries, tar, earth, roses, dried herbs and espresso. On the palate, the wine was bone dry with huge tannins and fantastic acid which was confirming my suspicions that this was Nebbiolo...and there was tremendous power here which had me thinking Barolo from a warmer year. Something like 2015 or 2012...but this seemed too developed to be a 2015 and the color was a little more advanced than I would expect for 2012 at this stage, so I figured either 2010 or maybe 2007. The fruit, while prodigious, was beginning to show some dried qualities and there was some leather, cocoa a bit of an umami too which I really liked. There was awesome. I called 2007 Brovia "Rocche". Even with knowledge of my cellar, I got fist bumps all around. Others at the table thought it presented younger than it was. I expect this will continue to drink very well for another 10+ years. — 4 years ago
Freddy R. Troya
Realm Cellars – The Bard – Red Blend – 2022
Napa Valley AVA – California, USA 🇺🇸
Overview
Realm Cellars’ flagship proprietary red, The Bard represents the most expansive and dynamic expression of Napa Valley terroir. The 2022 vintage is Cabernet Sauvignon–dominant (approximately 70%), supported by Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, with exact proportions varying by year. Sourced from a broad range of elite vineyards spanning Coombsville to Calistoga and both valley floor and hillside sites, this wine is designed to showcase Napa Valley in its full breadth and power.
Aromas & Flavors
Dense and expressive aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry compote, and dark plum lead the profile, followed by graphite, cocoa, crushed stone, and subtle baking spice. As it opens, notes of espresso, cedar, and savory herbs emerge, adding layers of depth and complexity.
Mouthfeel
Full-bodied, weighty, and concentrated, with a rich core of dark fruit framed by structured yet polished tannins. Despite its power, the wine maintains balance and freshness, carrying seamlessly into a long, impactful finish.
Food Pairings
Prime rib, grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, venison, or aged cheeses such as aged Cheddar, Comté, or Parmigiano-Reggiano.
Verdict
A bold yet refined Napa Valley red that captures Realm’s philosophy of sourcing greatness across sites to build a wine of exceptional depth, richness, and presence. The Bard remains a benchmark proprietary blend that delivers both immediate pleasure and cellar-worthy structure.
Did You Know?
The Bard draws fruit from some of Napa Valley’s most revered vineyards, including Beckstoffer To Kalon, Beckstoffer Bourn, Blair, Houyi, and Larkmead, contributing to its layered complexity and distinctive Napa identity.
🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This is a wine every serious wine lover should have in their cellar. Powerful, delicious, and unapologetically Napa, The Bard delivers depth, impact, and pure enjoyment in every glass. — 3 days ago