2022 Zion Winery Capital Merlot, Israel, Jerusalem, Wine Review

During 2022, this winery sourced its grapes from Spain. Ruby/purple in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has a bit of an "aquarium" note but that mostly blows off leaving cherries, some black cherries and spice. Medium bodied. Medium tannins. Cleaner on the palate. Flavors of cherries and black cherries with a bit of earthiness. Good finish. The should drink well for three to five more years. A very nice value in kosher wines. It will probably be better with food. It would work well with chopped or "mock" liver.

Grade:

A-

Score:

Vintage:

2022

Current Price:

$20.00USD

2021 Binyamina Merlot Reserve, Israel, Galilee, Wine Review

Vintage:

2021

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$21.00USD

At a recent tasting of Kosher wines from Israel, this was the runaway first place wine. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is nice with black cherries, coffee, cherries and spice. Full bodied. Lovely texture. Medium tannins. On the palate, there is plenty of depth. Flavors of cherries, black cherries and spice. Good finish. This should drink well for another five to eight years. It is nice on its own and will work well with food. It would go well with roasted chicken.

2017 Psagot Edom, Israel, Judean Hills, Wine Review

Vintage:

2017

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$33.00USD

This a red blend of 45% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 13% Petit Verdot grown at high elevation in the Edom Mountains. It is Kosher. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. A very nice Bordeaux-like nose. Cassis, black cherries, cherries, slight cigar box, gravel and slighter bell pepper. On the palate, this is medium bodied with lighter but present tannins. Moderate acidity. A nice depth and complexity. Notes of cassis and cherry fruit over gravel. Ripe but not overtly. Drinks easily right now. I don't think this will get better but should drink well for five to seven more years.

2017 Domaine du Castel Grand Vin Judean Hills, Israel, Wine Review

Vintage:

2017

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$75.00USD

Castel is probably the consistently best top winery in Israel. Although modern Israel wine is a very young industry, so this is always changing. Castel has a proven track record. The Grand Vin is the best wine that they make. This is quite young and just not giving up much right now. After a couple of hours of air, it had improved but its best days are at least five years in the future. Inky purple in color. The nose has nice baking spices along with some cherries. On the palate, firm tannins. Black cherries. Monolithic at present. It is tasty but needs time develop a complexity

2014 Tulip Winery Black Tulip, Israel, Galilee, Wine Review

Vintage:

2014

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$70.00USD

This is the best Israeli wine I have had. It is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Petite Verdot. Purple in color with a thin ruby line at the rim. The nose is very nice with spice, black raspberries and tobacco. With air, some milk chocolate comes out. On the palate this has a lovely texture. Medium tannins. Black raspberry fruits, cherries with a forest floor base. Great balance. Long finish. This seems just a touch young but is drinking very well. Probably about five to seven years from peak and should be good for another ten to twenty a

2000 Galil Mountain Yiron Red Wine, Israel, Galilee, Wine Review

Vintage:

2000

Score:

Grade:

This was generously brought to our Seder by a friend. It was stood upright for a couple of weeks and decanted for sediment right before serving. It is a 60/40 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. A really great showing at age 19. Probably a bit past its prime but still thriving with plenty to offer those who would listen to an older wine. Deep ruby in color, a bit of bricking at the rim. The nose is great with cigar box, dried cherries, fresh cherries, dust and slight pine. On the palate, this has layers of fruit;dried and fresh over a forest floor. Good acidity helps it go well

2022 Zion Winery Capital Merlot, Israel, Jerusalem, Wine Review

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2000 Galil Mountain Yiron Red Wine, Israel, Galilee, Wine Review