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By Nancy Walman
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Four Israeli Wines of
Distinction
Here are Four Israeli Wines of Distinction that prove how far Israeli wines have come in recent years. The first three are from the Golan Heights Winery. The last, a Galil Mountain Merlot 2003, imported by Yarden, is from the Galil Mountain Winery, Yiron. All are eminently affordable and delicious food companions.
2000 YARDEN CABERNET SAUVIGNON offers layers aromas of ripe berry, cassis, and blackberry jam with rich oak and hints of fresh herbs and earth. On the palate, this complex wine’s full body reveals additional nuances of cedar and spice, leading to a long, flavorful finish. Yarden Cabernet has great aging potential and will continue to improve for up to 15 years, if stored properly. This wine will complement many intensely flavored foods, such as festive roast rack of lamb, Boeuf Bourguignon, roasted sirloin with a red-wine-reduction sauce, or stews. Winemaker Victor Schoenfeld and his family enjoy it with an entire beef tenderloin gently grilled over coals or a simple steak thrown on the grill. Suggested Retail Price: $26.00.
Wine Details:
Brix at Harvest 24.6
% Alcohol (v/v) 14.0
Titratable Acidity (g/l) 6.0
pH 3.60
Residual Sugar Dry
The Vintage: Between the record-breaking temperatures of July and the record-breaking
rains of the last week of October, the 2000 harvest proved a high quality
vintage for all wines from the Golan Heights Winery. The fruit came in very evenly over the relatively short 11-week
harvest, starting with Muscat Canelli in the southern Golan and ending with
Merlot in the North. Good fruit
exposure and lower than average yields combined to give grapes with exceptional
flavor. Yarden Cabernet Sauvignon is
made from fruit from several Golan vineyards and one in Upper Galilee. The wine is 99% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1%
Cabernet Franc. Aging for 18 months in
small oak barrels added to the wine’s overall complexity, depth, and aging
potential. Of these barrels, 40% were new,
and 95% were French oak. Total
production was 15,100 cases.
The Appellation: The Galilee (or Galil) is the most northern, and generally considered the best, appellation in Israel. The highest quality area within the appellation is the Golan Heights (or simply the Golan), the coldest region in Israel. The vineyards on this volcanic plateau rise from 1,300–3,900 feet above sea level and receive snowfall in the winter. The Golan Heights Winery is located in the town of Katzrin, in the central Golan.
2003 GOLAN SION CREEK RED is aromatic, with highlights of fresh
berries and cherry notes. There are nuances of cocoa and spice. The wine’s medium body and fruit-forward
character make it an easy wine to drink and enjoy. Fresh and approachable in its youth, Golan Sion Creek Red
continues to be enjoyable for up to two to three years.An
easy wine to drink, enjoy Golan Sion Creek Red lightly chilled as
an accompaniment to mixed antipasti, full-flavored fish courses, a good grilled
hamburger, or pizza.
Suggested Retail Price: $10.00
Wine Details:
Brix at Harvest 25.2
% Alcohol (v/v) 14.0
Titratable Acidity (g/l) 5.9
pH 3.50
Residual Sugar Dry
The Vintage: A cold and wet winter, with
precipitation about one-third higher than normal, preceeded a cool March and
April. After a warm May, moderate
temperatures set in for the remainder of the 2003 season. Unusually stable temperature and weather
patterns resulted in the longest-ever harvest of 17 weeks’ duration. The optimum conditions and relaxed harvest
pace allowed the harvesting of each vineyard block at its peak of ripeness and
flavor. The 2003 Golan Sion Creek Red
is a proprietary blend of several varieties: Sangiovese, Gamay Noir, Pinot
Noir, and a touch of Napa Gamay. Each
variety adds its own individual personality, resulting in a wine with many
layers of flavor. All of the fruit
comes from vineyards in the cool Central and Northern Golan Heights. Total production was 33,000 cases.
The Appellation: The Galilee (or Galil) is the most northern, and generally considered the best, appellation in Israel. The highest quality area within the appellation is the Golan Heights (or simply the Golan), the coldest region in Israel. The vineyards on this volcanic plateau rise from 1,300–3,900 feet above sea level and receive snowfall in the winter. The Golan Heights Winery is located in the town of Katzrin, in the central Golan.
YARDEN CHARDONNAY ODEM ORGANIC VINEYARD The 2002 Yarden Chardonnay Odem Organic
Vineyard displays a complex array of characters including citrus, floral, pear,
and tropical fruit notes, layered with oak, vanilla, and hints of mineral. This full-bodied white wine shows good
concentration of flavor and a long, attractive finish. While ready to enjoy now, this
vineyard-designate Chardonnay will improve with a bit of age and continue to
drink beautifully for five to seven years from the harvest, if properly
cellared. Yarden Chardonnay Odem Organic Vineyard pairs well with fairly rich
dishes such as smoked squab; pan-roasted veal chops; smoked trout; or risotto
Milanese. Cream, butter, or cheese
sauces, in general, complement this wine.
Suggested Retail Price: $19.00.
Wine Details:
Brix at Harvest 25.2
% Alcohol (v/v) 14.0
Titratable Acidity (g/l) 5.2
pH 3.53
Residual Sugar Dry
The Vintage: Except for an unusually warm February
and March, cooler-than-average temperatures dominated the season leading up to
the 2002 vintage. The weather caused a
protracted season, which resulted in a long 15-week harvest. Picking successfully concluded with
Sangiovese from the Northern Golan at the end of October. May rains during flowering and two spring
heatwaves reduced yields by about 20%.
The low yields and long hang-time combined to produce wines of very good
overall quality.
The 2002 Yarden Chardonnay Odem Organic Vineyard is produced
entirely from Chardonnay grapes grown in the Odem Vineyard, which is located in
the Northern Golan Heights, at altitudes reaching nearly 3,950 feet above sea
level. This vineyard has been farmed
organically since 1998 and has been certified organic since 2001. This wine is fermented in small French oak
barrels (50% new) and aged sur lie for seven months. Total production was 2,000 cases.
The Appellation: The Galilee (or Galil) is the most northern, and generally considered the best, appellation in Israel. The highest quality area within the appellation is the Golan Heights (or simply the Golan), the coldest region in Israel. The vineyards on this volcanic plateau rise from 1,300–3,900 feet above sea level and receive snowfall in the winter. The Golan Heights Winery is located in the town of Katzrin, in the central Golan.
Galil Mountain Merlot 2003 offers the fragrance of orange rind and herbs. Serve at 65°F along side a lamb casserole or a roasted mallard filet. Great with a fresh tuna steak too, or a salmon filet in a red wine
sauce.
Suggested Price $16.
Wine Details:
Analyses: Brix at harvest 25.1
Alcohol 14.5%
Titratable acidity 5.4 g/L
pH 3.52
R.S Dry.
Region: The higher elevations of the Upper Galilee, part of the Galilee
viticultural area, considered the best winegrowing area in Israel.
Grapes: 100% Merlot.
Style: Enticing fragrance of wild berries, ripe cherry, orange rind and a
bit of tobacco and herbs. Smooth and pleasant pallet, medium body,
firm acidity, and abundance of fresh fruit.
Technical data: 7-14 days of fermentation on skins at 82-85°F; 100% malolactic
fermentation, and 6 months of aging in stainless steel tanks including
several rackings.
The harvest: A cold and rainy winter followed by an unusually warm month of May encouraged vigorous spring growth, and presented a real challenge for the winegrowers. The ripening period enjoyed very comfortable weather: average temperatures in June and August and cooler than normal temperatures in July and September, ensuring
wonderful ripening conditions and very high quality fruit throughout the harvest period, which lasted for 10 weeks.
Storage and aging: While ready to enjoy now, the wine should age gracefully over 2-4 years, if stored in good conditions.
All rate a WINE-ON-LINE A+.
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