Archive: Israel: Israel Wines
Clos de Gat
2005 Chardonnay Judean Hills ($50). Ripe pear and fig flavors dominate, with welcome touches of mineral and citrus zest on the full finish. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2008-10-24)
2005 Syrah Judean Hills Har’el ($35). Meaty, aromatic black currant is accented with black pepper, with a tight, focused finish. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2008-10-24)
2004 Syrah Judean Hills Sycra ($65). Silky and lush, with licorice and smoky dark chocolate notes lacing the blackberry and cassis flavors that linger nicely on the complex finish. Ready to drink now and over the next three or four years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2008-10-24)
2003 Judean Hills ($50). A red blend that includes Cabernet Sauvignon (63%), Merlot (30%) and Petit Verdot, this offers some aged character to the dried cherry, dusty chocolate and smoky oak that lingers on the full finish. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2008-10-24)
2003 Merlot Judean Hills Sycra ($65). Very appealing, with Bordeaux-like lead pencil accents to the blackberry and plum fruit, finishing with smoke and spices that linger on the finish. Nice structure. Ready to drink now and over the next two or three years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2008-10-24)
Recanati
2005 Sauvignon Blanc Shomrom ($13). A complex, appealing Sauvignon Blanc from Israel, with cream and smoky oak accenting ripe stone and citrus fruit. Ready to drink now. (Bargain Wine 10/06) Locate this wine online or in your area.
2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Galilee ($13). Pretty blackberry and blueberry fruit is touched with dried lavender, smoke and delicate spices. Moderate finish. Nice balance. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 08/06) Locate this wine online or in your area.
2001 Chardonnay Galilee ($13). Spicy pear bouquet is also a little alcoholic. Buttery, creamy pear and golden apple fruit, moderate acidity, and a generous finish. Picks up a slightly hot, alcohol character on the very end. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine, 04/03) Locate this wine online or in your area.
2000 Merlot Galilee Reserve ($20). Deep, spicy berry bouquet with elegant floral accents. Full-flavored red berry and cherry fruit, nicely integrated spicy oak, earth, clove and pepper accents, good balance. Ready to drink now and over the next three years. (Weekend Wine, 04/03) Locate this wine online or in your area.
2000 Cabernet Sauvignon Galilee Reserve ($20). Smoky, ripe, black cherry and berry bouquet leads to full-bodied ripe red cherry fruit, with briar, tobacco and spice notes. Plenty of tannic structure would benefit from decanting or additional aging to smooth out. Drink now and over the next five years. (Weekend Wine, 04/03) Locate this wine online or in your area.