Wine Spectator’s Kosher List

To ensure an early but sweet New Year, the experts at Wine Spectator magazine have rounded up the best and most budget-friendly kosher wine picks, recently rated, from both Israel and California.

Listed below, the wines diversity reflects the ever-growing demand for high-quality in the category.

RECOMMENDED KOSHER WINES FROM ISRAEL

RECANATI Merlot Galilee Reserve Manara Vineyard 2010 Score: 90 | $25
Offers a perfumed, floral aroma, with nicely sculpted flavors of dark currant, plum tart, pomegranate and mocha. Medium-grained tannins give this backbone. Finishes with dark chocolate, raspberry jam and minty overtones. Kosher. Drink now through 2016. 3,000 cases made.

BINYAMINA Merlot Galilee Reserve 2009 Score: 89 | $25
A sinewy red, with a sanguine caste to the dried red fruit and crushed berry notes. The tea flavors are joined by bittersweet chocolate on the long, supple finish. Kosher. Drink now. 3,000 cases made.

BARKAN Tzafit Assemblage Judean Hills 2010 Score: 88 | $34
This offers an interesting mix of sage, sandalwood and wild currant flavors that have notes of raspberry jam and iodine, followed by a long finish of pepper and cardamom. Marselan, Caledoc, Carignane and Pinotage. Kosher. Drink now. 250 cases imported.

SEGAL’S Argaman Dovev Single Vineyard Galil 2009 Score: 88 | $37
Very crisp, with an almost citric edge to the raspberry, cherry and red currant flavors. Dried basil notes, with sanguine and cast iron midpalate, linger into the finish. Merlot. Kosher. Drink now through 2015. 250 cases imported.

GAMLA Chardonnay Galilee The Reserve 2010 Score: 87 | $21
Bright and juicy, with crisp apple, lemon and melon flavors that are mouthfilling and feature touches of richness. Offers gooseberry notes on the finish. Kosher. Drink now. 600 cases imported.

DOMAINE NETOFA Galilee 2010 Score: 87 | $45
Smooth and ripe-tasting, with baked plum and cherry tart flavors that show hints of milk chocolate and cream, with notes of cardamom on the finish. Kosher. Drink now. 700 cases made.

RECANATI Petite Sirah-Zinfandel Galilee Reserve 2011 Score: 87 | $26
A medium-bodied, briary red, with raspberry, kirsch and cherry flavors that are accented by cardamom and cream. Offers light chocolate mousse notes on the finish. Kosher. Drink now. 1,080 cases made.

CARMEL Cabernet Sauvignon Galilee 2009 Score: 86 | $20
Roasted plum and sweet cherry flavors feature some black olive notes in this crisp style, with mint and spice on the finish. Kosher. Drink now. 400 cases imported.

SEGAL’S Cabernet Sauvignon Galil Dishon Single Vineyard 2009 Score: 85 | $37
Spicy, with fresh red fruit and tea flavors that are accented by notes of sandalwood. Features dried fig and black olive on the finish. Kosher. Drink now. 250 cases imported.

RECOMMENDED KOSHER WINES FROM CALIFORNIA

COVENANT Chardonnay Sonoma Mountain Lavan 2011 Score: 88 | $38
A lighter style, with toned-down citrus, green apple, floral and spicy scents, ending on a delicate note. Kosher. Drink now through 2018. 500 cases made.

BARON HERZOG Chenin Blanc Clarksburg 2011 Score: 86 | $8
Tangy lemon, peach and apple flavors are ripe and juicy, with a smooth body and a lip-smacking finish. Kosher. Drink now. 4,000 cases made.

COVENANT Sauvignon Blanc Dry Creek Valley Red C Allan Nelson Vineyard 2012 Score: 86 | $24
Clear, bright, focused and extremely juicy, with plenty of lime, lemon, grapefruit and apple flavors. Kosher. Drink now. 450 cases made.

HERZOG Chardonnay Russian River Valley Special Reserve 2009 Score: 86 | $36
The toasted hazelnut, peach and pear flavors are rich and smooth, with a spicy finish and soft acidity. Kosher. Drink now. 1,598 cases made.

HAGAFEN White Riesling Napa Valley Rancho Wieruszowski Vineyard 2011 Score: 85 | $24
The graceful apple, melon and citrus flavors have an interesting touch of fresh fennel, with spice and a juicy finish. Kosher. Drink now. 600 cases made.

More wines can be found in Wine Spectator’s Wine Ratings Search.