On Sunday, 20 January, I met Josh Hexter, he representing Psagot Winery for a tasting and then a most pleasant dinner together. Our tasting, of barrel samples, some of future wines and others of components, from the 2006 and 2007 vintage reinforced my notion that Psagot is a winery whose star is on the rise. The winery's production for 2006 production was about 35,000 bottles, and the anticipated release from the 2007 vintage is about 60,000 bottles.

My tasting notes follow. My thanks to Ya'akov for sending the wines and Josh for coming to Tel Aviv to meet with me.

Best
Rogov

Psagot, Cabernet Franc, 2006 (Barrel Tasting): Medium-dark ruby towards garnet in color, medium-bodied, with soft, gently caressing tannins and appealing spicy oak. Showing appealing red currant and raspberry fruits on a background earthy minerals and herbs and saddle leather. Best from 2009. Tentative Score 86-88. K (Tasted 20 Jan 2008)

Psagot, Edom, 2006 (Barrel Tasting): Tasted from two tentative blends, each containing different proportions of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Already showing the potential for a medium- to full-bodied, generously but not aggressively oaked, with firm tannins that need some time to settle in. Opens with red currants and raspberries, those parting to make way for plums and black fruits on an earthy-herbal background. Needs time for its elements to come together. Tentative Score 86-88. K (Tasted 20 Jan 2008)

Psagot, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006 (Barrel Tasting): Garnet towards royal purple in color, with firm but yielding tannins and at this stage showing medium- to full-bodied. On the nose and palate traditional Cabernet blackberry and blackcurrant fruits, those complemented by spices and hints of Mediterranean herbs. Best from 2009. Tentative Score 85-87. K (Tasted 20 Jan 2008)

Psagot, Merlot, 2006 (Barrel Tasting): Dark garnet in color, showing generous oak and gripping tannins that need time to subside and show the wine's intrinsically good balance and structure. Fine spices and vanilla here to highlight plum, currant and orange peel notes that go on to a medium-long finish. Best from 2009. Tentative Score 87-89. K (Tasted 20 Jan 2008)

Psagot, Merlot, 2007 (Barrel Tasting): Medium-, perhaps medium- to full-bodied, with plum, raspberry and a hint of spicy licorice. Soft tannins lead to a soft, round finish. Drink from release. Tentative Score 86-88. K (Tasted 20 Jan 2008)

Psagot, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007 (Barrel Tasting): Full-bodied, with firm tannins and smoky wood that need time to settle down but already showing rich and generous with well focused red and black currant fruits overlaid with hints of cocoa and cedar wood. Not one for long-term cellaring but promises to be very appealing on release and then until 2010. Tentative Score 87-89. K (Tasted 20 Jan 2008)

Psagot, Viognier, 2007 (Barrel Tasting): Light golden straw in color, medium-bodied, with fragrant pear and spice flavors. Hints of oak that play nicely with crisp balancing acidity. Very pleasant. Tentative Score 86-88. K (Tasted 20 Jan 2008)

Psagot, Chardonnay, 2007 (Barrel Tasting): Light golden and with orange reflections, medium-bodied, and showing fresh peach, apricot and citrus fruits, those complemented nicely by hints of celery and vanilla. More a "fun" wine than one to be taken with too much seriousness. Drink from release. Tentative Scor 86-88. K (Tasted 20 Jan 2008)