"Hot on the heels of my 2013 summary, it is time for my annual rating of the best wines I tasted in 2013. As with prior years, in addition to the “best” wines of 2013, I have also included a list of the most interesting and exciting wines I tasted this year. The kosher wine consumer continues to develop and evolve and is learning to appreciate good wine for what it is". Yossie.
Below is my list – I’d love to hear from you on your best and favorite wines of 2013.
Best Wines of 2013
Capcanes, la Flor del Flor de Primavera, Montsant, 2011: The third release of this special wine from Capcanes, creator of one of my perennially favorite wines – the Peraj Ha’Abib. Despite the slightly higher price point for the La Flor, I consider the Ha’abib the flagship wine, due to its consistency, ageability and my personal affection for it. A feminine wine, made from 100% old-vine Grenache the wine opens up with an enticing nose of near-sweet red crushed berries with a hint of cassis, warm spices and earth giving the fruit a complexity that tantalizes. The medium-bodied palate opens slowly to reveal a tantalizing array of red forest fruit, slightly smoky oak and those caressing-yet-powerful tannins that are the hallmark of this winery and its winemaking team. The fruit, tannins and oak all combine with the impeccable balance and layered elegance we have come to expect from this delightful winery. Drinking nicely now, the wine will continue to evolve and develop for the next two to three years and should cellar comfortably through 2018, maybe longer. Stay tuned for the coming release of a 2012 Carignan that is made from seriously old vines (some of which are over 105 years old) and was amazing out of the barrel when I tasted it earlier this year.