On Monday, 16 January 2006, I visited the Meishar Winery. Surprisingly good French-press coffee on arrival, two friendly dogs, lovely countrified scenery and some very graceful white birds (Little Egrets, perhaps) that entertained me during the time we were out-of-doors. And then, with my hosts Ze’ev and Chaya Smilansky, on to a tasting. Located on Moshav Meishar in the southern coastal plains (not that far from Yavne), this boutique winery relies entirely on its own vineyards of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz and Muscat grapes and currently produces about 7,000 bottles annually of red wines in a Reserve and in a Meishar series.
Following are my tasting notes. Those notes followed by an asterisk were also re-tasted in my own tasting room later in the afternoon.
Best,
Rogov
Meishar, Merlot, Reserve 730, 2005 (Barrel Tasting): Still in embryonic form but already showing dark and spicy, with an enchanting earthy character that highlights cherry, blackberry and spice aromas and flavors. Long and mouthfilling. Best from release-2010, perhaps longer. Tentative Score 89-91. (Tasted 16 Jan 2006)
Meishar, Merlot, Reserve 730, 2004 (Barrel Tasting): Made entirely from Merlot grapes, showing medium- to full-body along with a gentle hand with the oak and generous earthy-herbal overtones but those in fine balance with ripe currant and blackberry fruits. On the long finish hints of Oriental spices and grilled meat. Best 2007-2010. Tentative Score 89-91 (Tasted 16 Jan 2006)
Meishar, Merlot, 2005 (Barrel Tasting): Medium-dark garnet in color, medium-bodied and with silky tannins allowing raspberry, blackberry, cassis fruits to show through nicely, those complemented by generous hints of cocoa and a light earthy-graphite sensation that lingers nicely. Potentially elegant. Drink from release-2010. Tentative Score 87-89. (Tasted 16 Jan 2006)
Meishar, Merlot, 2004 (Barrel Tasting): Youthful dark royal purple in color, this gently oak-aged medium-bodied wine was blended with 13% of Cabernet Sauvignon. Long, soft and round with tempting plum and blackberry fruits backed up by hints of nutmeg and freshly turned earth. Drink from release-2009. Tentative Score 88-90. (Tasted 16 Jan 2006)
Meishar, Merlot, 2003: Dark brick-red, medium- to full-bodied, with tannins integrating nicely now and showing a generous array of blackberry, plum and black cherry fruits on a background of red licorice and chocolate. Drink now-2009. Score 89. (Re-tasted 16 Jan 2006)
++++
Meishar, Shiraz, 2005 (Barrel Tasting): Still in its infancy, perhaps destined to be released as a varietal wine, perhaps to be released in the winery's Shiraz-Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon blend. Ripe and generous, with gamy and leathery notes that intertwine nicely with berry, back cherry, plum and smoky aromas and flavors. Round and long, with a hint of earthiness on the long finish. Best from 2008. Tentative Score 89-91. (Tasted 16 June 2006)
Meishar, Shiraz-Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, #41, 2003: A blend of 40% each of Shiraz and Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignjon. Aged in oak for 8 months, medium-bodied, showing good balance between near-sweet tannins, spicy oak and fruits. On the nose and palate ripe plums, blackcurrants and blackberries matched nicely by hints of eathiness and tobacco. Long and generous. Approachable and enjoyable now but best from 2007-2010. Score 90. (Re-tasted 16 Jan 2006)
Meishar, Shiraz-Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon, #41, 2004 (Advance Tasting): Dark garnet in color, medium-bodied, with sweet cedar and spicy oak overtones highlighting blackberry, black cherry and an array of herbs and spices. Look for hints of minerals and anise on the crisp finish. Best from release-2008. Score 89. (Tasted 16 Jan 2006)
++++
Meishar, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005 (Barrel Tasting): Dark garnet towards royal purple, medium- to full-bodied, surprisingly gentle on the palate while offering up fine balance between still firm but already softening tannins, spicy wood and well focused currant, dark plum and black cherry fruits. Showing hints of ground pepper and anise that linger nicely. Potentially the best and most elegant wine that the winery has produced to date. Best from 2008. Tentative Score 90-92. (Tasted from 2 different barrels 16 Jan 2006)
Meishar, Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve, 730, 2004 (Barrel Tasting): Destined for a total of about 18 months in oak, with its rough edges already smoothing out and deep, firm tannins integrating nicely to show off black cherries, ripe currants, and light chocolate mousse flavors that sneak in quietly on the finish. Best from 2007 or 2008. Tentative Score 89-91. (Tasted 16 Jan 2006)
Meishar, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2004 (Barrel Tasting): Dark garnet in color, medium to full-bodied, with generous but soft tannins and smoky oak opening nicely to reveal aromas and flavors of blackcurrants, purple plums, white chocolate and spices. Long and mouthfilling. Drink from release–2009. Tentative Score 88–90. (Re-tasted 16 Jan 2006)
Meishar, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2003: My earlier tasting notes hold firmly: Medium to full-bodied, with soft tannins and appealing currant and black cherry fruits set off nicely by hints of vanilla and spices. Drink now–2009. Score 89. (Re-tasted 16 Jan 2006)
Meishar, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2002: Deep garnet, with a hint of browning, full-bodied with tannins almost fully absorbed and now showing light chocolate and caramel hints over the currant and now hyper-ripe plum aromas and flavors. Still appealing but not meant for further cellaring. Drink up. Score 86. (Re-tasted 16 Jan 2006) *
Meishar, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, 730, 2001: My earlier tasting note holds firmly: Dark cherry red toward garnet in color, this medium to full-bodied Cabernet was blended with 4% of Merlot to round it out. Its generous tannins balanced nicely with wood and fruits, the wine shows aromas and flavors of red currants and berries together with smoky oak and anise, as well as chocolate and mocha on the long finish. Drink now-2007. Score 90. (Re-tasted 16 Jan 2006) *
Meishar, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2001: Deep garnet, with generous but well-integrated tannins balanced nicely by smoky oak, this medium-bodied red offers up appealing plum, black cherry and blackcurrant aromas and flavors. Look as well for a hint of Oriental spices on the finish. Drink now–2007. Score 88. *
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