Galil Mountain Winery Merlot (OK Kosher) 2016
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Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Deep bright Bordeaux in color, the wine is accompanied by rich fruity aromas on a background of fresh herb, clove and tobacco characters. The medium-to-full-bodied wine is a classic Merlot that is enjoyable to drink.
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Wine Enthusiast
A bouquet of raspberry, strawberry and Mediterranean herbs preps the palate for flavors of blackberry, cassis, vanilla, lavender and black pepper. It is well integrated, with velvety tannins and spicy finish.
Other Vintages
2018-
Wine
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The Upper Galilee mountain range is much more than an abode for Galil Mountain Winery; it’s the Winery’s heart and soul. Sitting in a breathtaking spot atop the Upper Galilee mountain range, the innovatively designed winery is committed to revitalizing the region’s rich history of winemaking. Over 2,000 years ago, the mountain range one of Israel’s highest at more than 1,000 meters above sea level was a choice location for the cultivation of quality grapevines. Today, the area’s topography, soil and climate make it an ideal home for the vibrant Galil Mountain Winery.
Established as a joint venture in 2000 by the world renowned Golan Heights Winery and Kibbutz Yiron, Galil Mountain Winery unites the best of tradition and technology. Leveraging six area vineyards, a state of the art production plant and proven expertise, Galil Mountain Winery offers an inspired selection of award
winning wines that remains true to its roots.
Uniting the best of tradition and technology, the winery’s
vineyards have been the first to be certified sustainable internationally under the rigorous and renowned LODI
RULES program.
With generous fruit and supple tannins, Merlot is made in a range of styles from everyday-drinking to world-renowned and age-worthy. Merlot is the dominant variety in the wines from Bordeaux’s Right Bank regions of St. Emilion and Pomerol, where it is often blended with Cabernet Franc to spectacular result. Merlot also frequently shines on its own, particularly in California’s Napa Valley. Somm Secret—As much as Miles derided the variety in the 2004 film, Sideways, his prized 1961 Château Cheval Blanc is actually a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
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.