Perspective Cellars specializes in flights that feature a Texas wine alongside another wine from the New World, and one from an Old World region. Do you know the difference between old world and new? Europe and Israel are the only areas considered old world. Some will include small pockets of North Africa as well. The term “Old World wine” does not refer to a single-minded style with “Old World wine regions” like Austria, France, Italy, Portugal and Spain each making vastly different styles of wine even within their own borders. Rather, the term is used to describe general differences in viticulture and winemaking philosophies between the Old World regions where tradition and the role of terroir lead, versus the New World where science and the role of the winemaker are more often emphasized.
I like many French wines, and want to be sure our tastings are not too heavy on French regions. Today, Benjy and I had the pleasure of tasting a Cabernet Sauvignon by Recanati from Galilee, Israel. This was a surprising wine, as the nose came across very New World. In a blind tasting, I would have pegged this as Washington state. There were jammy notes of stewed blackberry, dried cranberry, and a hint of vanilla, coming from the 16 months of French Oak barrel aging. On the palette, the wine exhibits bright fruits of fresh blackberries with red cherries, vanilla, tobacco leaves and a touch of leather. The finish is smooth and the wine truly tastes like more than its price point.
With our flight profile calling for one wine from Texas, one from New World and one from Old World, I struggle with the request for Cab Sauv, because I have yet to find a 100% Cab from Texas that I think holds up. So, while we continue the search, this wine will be available in the tasting room by the glass at $14, or by the bottle at $50. If you’re a Cab fan, this bottle will not disappoint!