Late Summer Sips & Renewal

With Rosh Hashana arriving “early” this year, my mind while writing this was focused on both the lingering days of summer, which is still in full swing, and the reflective spirit of the Jewish New Year. We find ourselves at a perfect crossroads, saying goodbye to the relaxed pace of summer while preparing for renewal and fresh beginnings. It’s 93 degrees outside right now, the kind of weather that calls for lighter, refreshing bottles on warm evenings, while the upcoming holidays invite special wines to share with family and friends as we start the year on the right foot. For winemakers, every vintage offers another opportunity to improve and refine their craft, whether thanks to, or in spite of, the climatic challenges of the season. Some wines in this selection are fresh and vibrant for these final summer days, while others bring depth and complexity perfect for the Yom Tov table. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. Shana Tova!

Shirah The Coalition 2022: A unique wine from an even more unique winery. This eclectic California blend, crafted by brothers Gabe and Shimon Weiss, showcases their creative approach with a distinctive mix of varieties that changes with every release. Bold and expressive, it offers generous notes of ripe black and blue fruits, warm spices, and a touch of umami, framed by supple tannins and a juicy, lingering finish.

Shiloh Secret Reserve Petite Sirah 2021: Dark, inky, and full of character, this Petite Sirah delivers concentrated ripe blackberry, wild blueberry, and toasted oak, along with hints of smoked meat and dark chocolate. Structured and age-worthy, it’s a serious wine that drinks beautifully now but will gain even more complexity over the next few years. Excellent with grilled lamb chops or hearty stews.

Champagne Barons de Rothschild Concordia Brut: As its name implies, this is a festive, prestigious, and elegant Champagne that brings true celebration to the table. Bright and refined, with classic notes of green apple, citrus zest, toasted brioche, and a creamy mousse.

Yatir Creek White 2021: A complex white blend from the southern Judean Hills, specifically the Yatir Forest, that perfectly captures late-summer to early-fall drinking. It shows vibrant citrus, stone fruit, and herbal notes with refreshing acidity and a long, nutty, mineral-driven finish. Serve lightly chilled with fish, veal, chicken, salads, or roasted vegetables.

Herzog Late Harvest Chenin Blanc 2025: This wine now carries the signature of a bolder, more heady style of winemaking. If you thought this was just a familiar classic dessert wine that’s been around for years, think again. This vintage is more concentrated, offering honeyed peach, dried apricot, tropical notes, and a touch of vanilla bourbon. Luxuriously textured yet not cloying, the natural match for honey cake or apple pie.

Les Lauriers de Rothschild Montagne Saint-Emilion 2024: An elegant and approachable blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc from the Rothschild family’s Château des Laurets. Mellow red and black forest berries, gentle oak with hints of nutmeg and clove, and soft tannins make this a versatile, budget-friendly wine that will please both casual drinkers and connoisseurs alike.

About the author

Gabriel Geller

46 articles

Gabriel Geller has joined Royal Wine Corp. after over 15 years of experience in the wine industry. He fell in love with the wonderful world of wine when he moved to Israel from Switzerland and discovered the burgeoning Israeli wine industry. Gabriel refined and educated himself and his palate traveling the globe, visiting wineries and attending professional tastings. Since 2008, Gabriel has been a wine writer and critic for a variety of media outlets as well as a consultant to wineries, hotels, importers, distributors and wine shops in Israel, France, Switzerland, Australia, America, England, Italy and Belgium. Before coming to America, Gabriel owned and managed a specialty wine shop in Jerusalem and in 2014 started the very popular “Kosher Wine: Sharing and Experiences”, a facebook group that features his advice and reviews of thousands of kosher wines which has quickly become the largest online forums focusing on the world of kosher wine.

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