Kishor Winery Misgav Red (OU Kosher) 2016
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The Somm
Journal
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Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Full-bodied wine, old–world style made with classic Bordeaux varietals. Well balanced acidity with structured firm tannins. Long fruit finish. The wine is ready to drink now, and will continue to age well.
This wine is Kosher for Passover
Professional Ratings
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The Somm Journal
Acid and oak are well integrated with notes of boysenberry and blueberry in a body of lush, creamy vanilla. Well-built, chewy, and sleek.
Kishor Winery is located in the Kibbutz Kishorit, a home for adults with special needs. In this community, the members are active contributors, enjoying important work and activities. The winery, Kishor, is an integral part of the community, employing five permanent workers from the Kibbutz year-round and hiring more for the intense harvest season. These employees host guests in the newly constructed, exquisite visitor’s center, where one may sample, not only the wine grown at Kishor, but also the delicious cheeses, breads, cookies and cakes all made by the members of the community.
Led by Richard Davis, the Professions Manager of the Winery, and Itay Lahat, Oenologist and Wine Expert, the team first planted grapevines in 2007 and had their first harvest in 2010. For such young vineyards, the grapes are extraordinary, no doubt a result from the expertise of Mr. Davis and Mr. Lahat, the dedicated work of all the employees, but also of the terroir of the Western Galilee, which contributes to the quality of the grapes. At 500 meters above sea level, the Mediterranean Sea breeze shields the vineyards from Israel’s typically hot summer days, keeping this micro-climate warm in the daytime with cooler nights. The Terra Rosa soil has limestone deposits which contain the perfect minerals for growing grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Grenache, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier and Riesling.
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.