Carmel Winery recently launched a new range of single vineyard wines at Mul Yam Restaurant  in Tel Aviv. The wines are each from single vineyard locations and handled by their own, individual winemakers from the vineyard to the bottle. In Israel the wines are recognized by the brand name ‘Kerem’ and in export markets by the term ‘Single Vineyard.’

The wines are as follows:

Ben Zimra Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Ben Zimra vineyard in the Upper Galilee. Aged in French oak for 14 months. Winemakers: Lior Laxer & Haim Wachtenhaim, Rishon Le Zion Winery.

Zarit Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Zarit vineyard in the Kadesh Valley, Upper Galilee. Aged 12 months in French oak. Winemaker: Philippe Lichtenstein, Zichron Ya’acov Winery.

Har Bracha Merlot 2002

100% Merlot from the Har Bracha vineyard in the Shomron region.  Aged in French oak for 8 months. Winemakers: Lior Laxer & Haim Wachtenhaim, Rishon Le Zion Winery.

Ramat Arad Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Ramat Arad vineyard in the north east Negev. Aged in French oak for 14 months. Winemaker: Eran Goldwasser, Yatir Winery. 

These wines join the Ramat Arad Sauvignon Blanc 2003, which is already available, and the Ramat Arad Syrah 2003 to be released later in the year.

Those who remember the launch of the single vineyard wines in 2003, will note that there is no Tavor Chardonnay this year, and there has been no Ramat Arad Cabernet Sauvignon from the 2001 vintage. This illustrates Carmel’s policy that wines have to reach a certain level of quality to merit inclusion under this label.

Daniel Rogov in his internet site wrote: “If someone had told me three years ago that Carmel would be earning scores of 90 or higher, I would probably done nothing more than to smile politely. …The release of these wines shows that the quality revolution that started at Carmel ..over two years ago is continuing apace.”

Carmel Winery may not be the first Israeli winery to make a single vineyard wine, but it is the first to introduce it as part of a concept which includes an appellation & grading system for it’s wines & vineyards.

Oct. 2004