Unfortunately, as I’m putting together this year’s Passover wine list, I haven’t seen major kosher wine sales from any of the big online wine stores.  This means that I’m not going to be as fortunate as I was in the Fall when Lot18 offered an impressive listing of Covenant Wines at nice discounts—both the main label Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, as well as the second label Red C Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc were available.  I couldn’t have been more excited.   My first experience with Covenant Wines was in May 2011 when I reviewed the 2009 Lavan Chardonnay, and what a Chardonnay it was.  After tasting that wine, I knew I had to try their others, and the Lot18 listing was the perfect opportunity.  So, for the 2011 High Holidays, I bought everything Lot18 had to offer, but I was most excited about the Cabernet Sauvignon (I’m glad I take very detailed notes, since I’m obviously behind on blogging about this wine!).

2007 Covenant Wines Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2007 Covenant Cabernet Sauvignon (winery) was a deep purple hinting towards ruby with some iridescence on the rim.  On the nose, there was smoke and cedar with some hints of dark plums, menthol, and nutmeg.  In the mouth, there was smoke, cedar, dark plums, cherries, and a touch of nutmeg.  The wine had medium-to-full body, medium tannins, and medium acidity.

Is this worth a glass after work? It’s worth more than one!  What are you waiting for?  At $70, this wine was definitely not an everyday wine, but its lush silkiness is worth the splurge for a special occasion or for one of those nights where you just know you want something a little extra in your wine.

I actually enjoyed this wine over a two-day period.  The first was a Saturday night with a couple of my wine ladies, as one of them was celebrating her birthday.  It was the first kosher wine either of them had ever tasted.  Both ladies admitted to associating kosher wine low quality, sweet wine, and then quickly followed the comment up with the fact that they would never have guessed the Covenant Cab was a kosher wine because of their preconceived expectations.  In fact, they both agreed it was one of the best Cabernets either of them had ever tasted.

The second night I spent with this wine was a Sunday evening at home, full of blogging, knitting, and watching Boardwalk Empire.  This is clearly a wine the benefited from a little breathing time, as it was even more enjoyable on the second night.  Each sip was so seductive, it just left me wanting more.

So, if you’re looking for an amazing Cabernet and don’t mind digging a little deeper into your wallet, this is a wine that won’t disappoint.  I didn’t have the chance to pair it with food, but it’s a food-friendly wine that could transition nicely into an evening on the couch while digesting and gabbing.  All the way around, it’s worth overlooking the cost and giving it try.  You won’t be disappointed.

Question of the Day: What price range are you comfortable hitting for a “splurge” wine?  Do you approach shopping for those splurge wines differently than you approach shopping for an everyday wine?

Price: $70
Purchased at Lot18
Overall: 5 Corks