Last Tuesday, (14 Dec 2004) found me on Moshav Shachar in the northern Negev Dessert visiting the winery of "La Terra Promessa". Parma-born Sandro Pelligrini, who comes from a family of winemakers, founded this small winery in 1998 and relies on Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes from the Upper Galilee and Ramat Arad, as well as from a vineyard he is developing near the winery with Shiraz, Zinfandel and Sangiovese. Currently he produces about 3,000 bottles annually, and wines are released under the premium Rubino Reserva and Terra Promessa labels and a second wine, La Crime which is a blend of Sangiovese, Shiraz and CabernetFranc.

In addition to 2003 and 2004 barrel tastings, I also tasted or re-tasted just about every wine released by this young winery to date. What becomes apparent at such an extended tasting is that the wines are most assuredly "on the way up",showing greater interest and quality from year to year. A winery worth keeping an eye on.

Rogov

Following are my tasting notes from this latest visit:

Rubino Reserva, 2002 (Barrel Tasting): The best wine yet from this small winery. Full-bodied, with generous but soft tannins well balanced by spicy wood and aromas and flavors of black cherries, berries and currants. Long and mouthfilling.Best 2005-2008. Tentative Score 89-91. (Tasted 14 Dec 2004)

Rubino Reserva, 2001: An lightly oak-aged, dark garnet towards purple, medium- to full-bodied blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with soft tannins now integrating nicely, hints of smoky oak from the wood barrels, and generous aromas and flavors of currant, wild berries and plums. A moderately-long, just spicy enough finish adds charm. Drink now-2006. Score 88. (Re-tasted 14 Dec 2004)

Rubino Reserva, 2000: Deep garnet-red, medium- to full-bodied, with tannins now well integrated, showing an appealing herbal overlay over currantand plum fruits. Moderately long and mouth-filling. Drink now. Score 87. (Re-tasted 14 Dec 2004)

Rubino Reserva, 2000: Deep garnet-red, medium- to full-bodied, with tannins now well integrated, showing an appealing herbal overlay over currantand plum fruits. Moderately long and mouth-filling. Drink now. Score 87. (Re-tasted 14 Dec 2004)

Rubino Reserva, 1999: Medium- to full-bodied, with still chunky country-style tannins and hints of berry, currant and plum fruits. A bit past its peak. Drink up. Score 85. (Re-tasted 14 Dec 2004)

Rubino Reserva, 1998: Full-bodied, with tannins that have never quite softened and currant fruits now going to light caramel. Well past its peak and no longer scoreable. (Re-tasted 14 Dec 2004)

La Terra Promessa, La Crime, 2004 (Barrel Tasting: Still in its infancy, this blend of 40% each of Sangiovese and Shirazwith 20% of Cabernet Franc is already showing enviable balance and structure. Firm tannins but those promising to yield and come together nicely with spicy wood and wild berry-plum and light earthy-herbal aromas and flavors. Best from release. Tentative Score 88-90. (Tasted14 Dec 2004)

La Terra Promessa, La Crime, 2003 (Barrel Tasting): Dark,deep and rich, full-bodied and with still muscular tannins but those well balanced by smoky wood and generous berry-cherry and earthy aromas and flavors. Best from release. Tentative Score 87-89. (Tasted 14 Dec 2004)

La Terra Promessa, La Crime, 2002: An unfiltered, medium-bodied blend of half each of Sangiovese and Shiraz, reflecting its 14 months in oak with generous spicy oak and firm tannins, those nicely balanced by fresh berry, black cherry and earthy-mineral aromas and flavors. Approachable now if given time in the glass to develop but best from 2005-2007. Score 87. (Re-tasted 14 Dec 2004)

La Terra Promessa,Syrah, 2003 (Advance Tasting): Dark and spicy, with earthy overlays to wild berry, currant and cherry fruits, all of those with hints of anise and a light anise-leathery edge on the finish. Firm tannins here but those yielding beautifully to highlight the wine'sintrinsically good balance and structure. Tentative Score 89-91. (Tasted 14 Dec 2004)

La Terra Promessa, Zinfandel, 2003: Deep garnet in color, medium-bodied, with fresh blackberry and plum fruits. Pleasant, with very soft tannins and a bit too acidic and thus lacking balance for bottle aging. Drink up. NIS 79. Score 82. (Tasted 14 Dec 2004)

La Terra Promessa, Merlot, 2003: Made entirely from Merlot grapes and with 8 months in oak, this one cannot help but make you smile as it calls to mind a Tuscan Merlot. Medium-bodied, unfiltered, with soft, sweet and already well integrating tannins. Good plum, berry and black cherry fruits and a light hint of spices that linger nicely on the palate. Drink now-2007, perhaps longer. NIS 65.. Score 87. (Re-tasted 14 Dec 2004)
La Terra Promessa, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2002: Dark garnet toward purple, this medium-bodied red has firm and chunky country-style tannins, those matched nicely by plum, berry and black cherry fruits and light spiciness. Drink now–2006. NS 65. Score 85 (Re-tasted 14 Dec 2004)

La Terra Promessa, Dry Emerald Riesling, 2003: A very good effort for Emerald Riesling grapes. Light golden straw in color, light- to medium-bodied, with crisply refreshing acidity and aromas and flavors of pineapple, grapefruit and limes. A not-at-all complex wine but refreshing quaffer. Drink up. Score 85. (Re-tasted 14 Dec 2004