92 Points, Gold Medal, "Exceptional" - World Wine Championships
Today's Heist returns to a perennial favorite producer of ours, Hagafen Cellars in Napa Valley. While Hagafen produces wonderful wines that are perfect at any time of year, a little known fact is that all of their wines also happen to be Kosher.
The 2007 Hagafen Estate Napa Valley Merlot is deep ruby in color. The nose shows plenty of fruit with plum, blackberry, and raspberry, along with notes of baking spice. The palate is bright and racy, with blackberry, mint and leather flavors combining in this medium bodied wine. This wine has Merlot’s typical dark fruit profile with plenty of refreshing acidity. It is extremely versatile, pairing well with your favorite dishes. Stock up today and enjoy this one through the Summer months! And don’t worry, if you have some left over, this one to age for several years with ease. Hagafen Cellars (along with a handful of producers around the world) shows that Kosher wine can hold their own with the finest wines of the world.
Vintage: 2007
Varietal: Merlot
Appellation: Napa Valley
Harvest Date: September 5th, 2007
Sugar: 23.8° Brix at harvest
Acid: 6.5g/L
PH: 3.69
Alcohol: 13.2%
97 Points
Aromas of blackberries, graphite, and crushed rock, along with cedar, tobacco leaf, cassis, and a medley of dry herbs and spice.
A substantial mouthfeel, full-bodied structure, firm tannins gracefully interweave, establishing a flawless equilibrium of acidity and pleasing fruit. Well-balanced acidity collaborate harmoniously to accentuate the intricate flavors of berry compote, spices, and oak nuances reminiscent of mocha.
Gold Medal
Generously packed with black cherry, cola, cassis, and plum that all intermingle together in a creamy, velvety texture with great layering, finishing with delightful notes of oak and spice. Persistent, well-defined structure, wonderfully balanced.
95 Points
This stellar Napa Valley Red Blend marries lush plum and cherry with Malbec's dark berry depth and Petit Verdot's structure and spice. Layered with notes of blackberry, violet, and cocoa, this silky wine finishes with smooth tannins and a whisper of toasted oak. Robust and mouth-filling, with spicy nuances, smooth tannins, firm structure, and a long lingering finish.
92 Points
Deep floral notes (violets), blackberry, black cherry, and cassis. Driven by the mountain's steep, cool-climate terroir, it balances rich notes of blackberry and pomegranate seamlessly intertwined with dark plum, cocoa dust, and roasted mocha, hints of roasted mocha and spice undertones add depth to its complex profile, culminating in a bold, yet elegant finish.
93 Points
A beautiful garnet color in the glass. Aromas of pomegranate, vibrant cranberry, candied strawberry, gravel, and rose perfume lead to a palate of cinnamon, clove, tea leaf, bing cherry, a touch of earth, and an opulent, fleshy texture.
Gold Medal
Light pink in color with aromas of watermelon, cranberry, orange rind, and fresh spring flowers that leap from the glass. The palate offers more peach, strawberry, and melon, with an intriguing note of rose and hibiscus. It's crisp with just the perfect hint of red fruit, and delicate whisper of strawberry that gives goosebumps.
94 Points
Aromas of candied apple, lemon peel, and toasted marcona almond. The palate is rich yet finely balanced, offering a creamy texture lifted by bright acidity. Delicate and composed, it finishes with a gentle mineral snap and lingering citrus.
97 Points
Rich dark fruit flavors of blackberry and cherry with notes of baking spices, licorice, coffee, and chocolate that interlace seamlessly with complexity, creating a wine that is both structured and delightfully supple, achieving an ideal balance of tension and grace. Artfully composed of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon with 17% Cabernet Franc, resulting in harmonious depth and freshness.
