Winemaker Notes
This wine is Kosher for Passover
Professional Ratings
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Tasting Panel
Richly colored and fragrant, this is a stunning blend of four Bordeaux varieties from one of Israel’s finest producers. Lush and deep, with sprightly acidity lifting it; elegant and complex, long and bright. Among the best Israeli wines I’ve ever tasted.
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James Suckling
Very dense redcurrant and blackcurrant aromas, but also savory, smoke and graphite notes. This is a complex and sophisticated cabernet blend with a very impressive tannin structure and acidity that lifts the imposing body effortlessly. The tannins at the stunning finish are plush, but still quite dense. Drinkable now, but better from 2023.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
With a rich history of wine production dating back to biblical times, Israel is a part of the cradle of wine civilization. Here, wine was commonly used for religious ceremonies as well as for general consumption. During Roman times, it was a popular export, but during Islamic rule around 1300, production was virtually extinguished. The modern era of Israeli winemaking began in the late 19th century with help from Bordeaux’s Rothschild family. Accordingly, most grapes grown in Israel today are made from native French varieties. Indigenous varieties are all but extinct, though oenologists have made recent attempts to rediscover ancient varieties such as Marawi for commercial wine production.
In Israel’s Mediterranean climate, humidity and drought can be problematic, concentrating much of the country’s grape growing in the north near Galilee, Samaria near the coast and at higher elevations in the east. The most successful red varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah, while the best whites are made from Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Many, though by no means all, Israeli wines are certified Kosher.