Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Five Stones Vineyards – Nobility 215a White Blend – 2023
Judean Hills – Israel 🇮🇱

Overview
A tribute cuvée composed of 95% Chardonnay and 5% Sauvignon Blanc, aged in French oak. The 2023 vintage sits beautifully between the richer 2021 and the brighter 2024, showing greater depth, more mid-palate weight, and a remarkably polished finish, arguably the most complete expression of Nobility 215a to date.

Aromas & Flavors
Ripe pear, baked apple, lemon curd, and subtle pineapple, woven with toasted brioche, vanilla bean, and delicate spice. Compared to 2024, this vintage reveals more concentration, smoother integration of oak, and a gentle mineral note that adds refinement.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus body, rounder and more structured than 2024, with a creamy texture balanced by vibrant acidity. The finish is long, elegant, and beautifully layered, showing the precision of high-altitude Judean Hills fruit.

Food Pairings
Butter-poached halibut, roast chicken with herbs, creamy pasta, seared scallops, or soft Mediterranean cheeses.

Verdict
The 2023 Nobility 215a is the standout vintage, richer than 2024, more focused than 2021, and exceptionally well-balanced. A sophisticated Israeli white showcasing tension, elegance, and depth in perfect harmony.

Did You Know?
“Nobility 215a” honors Sergeant Maj. Yitzhak Tamir, whose radio code (215a) became a symbol of courage during the Yom Kippur War. The wine was created as a tribute to his legacy. — 23 days ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.6

Along with 02, 04 and the majestic 2010, 08 is one of my absolute favorite vintages from Raveneau and it’s absolutely rocking tonight showing superb weight, density and waxy yellow fruit that’s layered with stony minerality and piercing lemony acids. 08 Raveneau is all about that Chablisian balance: proper levels of richness and acid, ripeness and minerality. Code yellow ftw 🙌🏻 — 2 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

The nose on all these 2020’s reveal it’s warm/hot vintage. The fruits are quite ripe, some over ripe vs many other vintages. #ClimateChange

The nose shows ripe, even slightly stewy & candied fruits of; blackberries, dark plums, dark cherries, plum framed in raspberries. Dark tarry notes, dark chocolate, dark rich forest floor w/ dry leaves, light bay leaf, dark berry cola/licorice, powdered rocks, limestone marl minerals, spice, tarragon, hints of mint with ruby, withering dark red, purple florals surrounded by violets.

The palate is dark lush currants. Fruits of; ripe, even slightly candied fruits of; blackberries, dark plums, dark cherries, plum framed in raspberries. Dark tarry notes, dark chocolate, dark rich forest floor w/ dry leaves, light bay leaf, dark berry cola/licorice, powdered rocks, limestone marl minerals, dry top soil/sand, dark spice, tarragon, tree bark, eucalyptus, hints of mint with ruby, withering candied, dark red, purple florals surrounded by violets. The acidity big and round. The long well polish finish is well balanced/structured that is fruity running to dry austere and lasts a minutes.

Lots of time needed here.

@Delectable I can post but can’t leave comments back due to error code 500 — 3 years ago

David White

9.2

Actually have developed a wine app for iPhone using the no code Replit app
In cellar tracker I download an excel file of my wines which is uploaded to the wine app and then move sliders and dropdowns in app to select red or white plus varietal plus price range and score range as well as food categories and it will suggest about 5 wines that meet the criteria and then I use an API to ChatGPT to invoke an AI sommelier to suggest best food - wine match serving temperature and other suggestions
This is rough screen shot of the inputs and results for this wine with Pasta
Be interested in any comments or suggestions — 10 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2012 Millésime pours a straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing with beautiful notes of raspberry, brioche, white peach, lemon and honeysuckle. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and has some nice chalky minerals. Delicious already, the 2012’s have such a lovely balance of acid and fruit. Not quite like 2008…but close. Drink now and through 2037. I can’t decipher the code on the back for disgorgement data. — a year ago

Sharon B

9.3

Fruit forward, medium bodied, smooth with a peppery finish. The tannins really came out when paired with food. Congratulations to Alex and Sandy at Sandy’s Shack Imported Wine and Beer for winning the 2023 Best Wine Company in the 352 area code!! — 3 years ago

Jay Kline

9.4

When you see Bérêche on the list, you feel like you entered a cheat code and this bottle, disgorged 11/2021, underscores yet again the incredible value presented by the “Brut Réserve”. It’s a beautiful golden color in the glass with persistent mousse and lovely weight and viscosity in the palate. This is so rich with an abundance of fruit and yet so balanced with remarkable acidity. It’s a perfect aperitif but would play an excellent partner to any meal as well. These wines are truly special and becoming more and more elusive. I’m taking advantage while I can. — 3 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2019 vintage. A bit richer than expected. Slightly less grip than anticipated. This is a great wine “cheat code” for Spain and Rioja. Showing nicely now. 11.20.24. — a year ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2002 vintage. Decanted and tasted over the course of two hours. Great fill. Excellent cork. Heavy body. Initially, just oodles of richness (still!) but after 30 minutes, began to fill in structural details on the back end dossier. First impressions, a 9.3 so things definitely improved. Tasted more like a 2016 or newer vintage-very fresh. Nicely made and seems to be effortlessly gliding along currently. Feel it needs another 4-5 years to kick in the door to "the zone" but in the adjacent zip code currently. Still on the ascent to the top of the bell curve. Be patient. 12.8.23. — 2 years ago

Ely Cohn

9.3

The only German Syrah I've ever tried is one I won't forget. So unnaproachable at first, a stone cold snub, dark like motor oil.

Meaty blood soaked liver, mint snuff, graphite, pencil shavings. Huge tannins to break down.

But find those little Syrah nuggets - metallic minerals and the tiniest bit of violet, and you realize there's something special here. It just takes a second to understand.

It’s the Ziereisen code - crack a thick outer shell, find a familiar friend. — 3 years ago

with Cody