Galilee

Opened at a holiday party to join in the fun with a "Chanukah" wine as it is made in Israel.   Israel is making some excellent wines these days and this is an outstanding Syrah.  Deep purple in color with ruby swirls.  The nose is very meaty with black raspberries, bacon fat, and black pepper.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this is somewhere between a Rhone style Syrah and one from California.  It is delicious but slightly restrained fruit.  Black raspberries over roasted meat and earth.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  This will work well with stews and roasts.  It should drink well for the

This is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has cassis, cherries, slight chocolate, char and spice.  On the palate, this is soft, accessible and easy drinking.  Layers of black cherries, cassis and char.  Light tannins.  Medium finish.  This probably should be consumed over the next five years.  It will go great with burgers, ribs or pasta.  

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

Purple in color, shimmering bright.  The nose has some volatile acidity along with cassis and a slight earthiness.  Nice texture.  Slightly tart and slightly bitter cherry fruit.  A bit of chocolate on the finish.  This is a solid, easy quaffing wine.  It is probably best drunk in the next few years.  it should  work well with medium bodied foods like pizza, pasta or burgers.  

This was served in a Sukkah before an Israel wine tasting.  Fun.  Light yello/gold in color.  The nose has nice limes, lemons and slight wax.  It is a blend of 65% Gewurztraminer and 35% Sauvignon Blanc.  The Gewurtz was not identifiable and this drank like a Sauvignon Blanc.  That said, it is a nice wine.  The palate has nice minerality with some lemons and a bit of tropical fruit (Guava?).  Good finish.  It is not mevushal but it is kosher.