I attended a tasting of the wines of the 14 boutique wineries represented by the newly formed distributing agent "Terroir". Quite a few of these were re-tastings, and some were re-tasted again in my own tasting room. Following are my tasting notes. As will be seen, the wines range from the excellent to the not-at-all recommended.
Rogov
Efrat, Teperberg Reserve, Chenin Blanc, 2004: Light gold in color, medium-bodied, with rich aromas and flavors of peaches, pears, melon and heather. Round, crisp and refreshing with hints of citrus peel on the finish. Drink now. Score 88. K (Retasted 7 Sep 2005)
Efrat, Teperberg Reserve, Chardonnay, 2004: Deep golden yellow in color, medium-bodied, with citrus and summer fruits on a crisply-dry, mineral-rich background. Calls to mind Chablis. Drink now. Score 88. K (Retasted 7 Sep 2005)
Psagot, Chardonnay Reserve, 2004: Aged for 10 months in 300 liter French oak barrels, this crisp and lively wine shows appealing aromas and flavors of citrus and tropical fruits on first attack, those yielding nicely to pear and vanilla on the finish. Drink now. Score 86. (Tasted 7 Sep 2005)
Red Poetry, Rhine Riesling, 2004: Categorized as dry but on the palate half-dry, with perhaps too generous acidity. Lacking varietal traits but with some clean summer fruits and citrus. An acceptable quaffer. Drink up. Score 83. (Tasted 7 Sep 2005)
Teperberg Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2002: Now showing dark garnet in color, full-bodied, with soft, well-integrated tannins and appealing aromas and flavors of currants, black cherries and wild berries. Well balanced and long. Drink now–2007. Score 87. K (Retasted 7 Sep 2005)
Agur, Cabernet Sauvignon, Special Reserve, 2004 (Barrel Tasting): Full-bodied, showing generous but not exaggerated spicy oak and vanilla backed up nicely by still firm tannins that yield nicely to show generous currant, blackberry and licorice aromas and flavors. Drink from release-2008. Tentative Score 86-88. (Tasted 7 Sep 2005)
Agur, Cabernet Sauvignon, Kessem, 2003: Medium to full-bodied, deep garnet in color, with near-sweet tannins, gentle wood and appealing currant, berry and herbal aromas and flavors. Drink now–2008. Score 86. (Retasted 7 Sep 2005)
Agur, Cabernet Sauvignon, Special Reserve, 2003: With 20 months in oak, this dark ruby, medium to full-bodied red shows still firm tannins that need time to integrate and reveal the generous aromas and flavors cassis, blackberries and spices waiting to unfold. Best starting in 2007. Score 87. (Retasted 7 Sep 2005)
Agur, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2002: An oak-aged blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot. A country-style wine, medium-bodied, with chunky tannins and appealing black fruit and herbal aromas and flavors. Not complex but pleasant. Drink now. Score 85. (Retasted 7 Sep 2005)
Agur, Cabernet Sauvignon, Special Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2001: Deep garnet in color, this medium to full-bodied, firmly tannic and generously oaky wine offers up currant and berry fruits on a background of spices and Mediterranean herbs. Drink now or in the next year or so. Score 86. (Retasted 7 Sep 2005)
Agur, Cabernet-Merlot, 2000: A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot. Chunky tannins and a somewhat heavy hand with the wood but beneath that still some wild berry and plum fruits. A bit past its peak. Drink up. Score 84. (Retasted 7 Sep 2005)
Soreq, Special Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2000: Full-bodied, the wine shows generous tannins that are now integrating nicely, along with rich aromas and flavors of blackcurrant and berry fruits, those complemented nicely by toasted oak and spices. On the long finish look for hints of chocolate and mint. Drink now. Score 88. (Retasted 7 Sep 2005)
Soreq, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2004 (Barrel Tasting): Full-bodied enough to be thought of as "thick", remarkably concentrated and with moderate, near-sweet tannins and generous vanilla imparted from the oak barrels in which it is aging. On the nose and palate sweet plums and berries along with a hint of red licorice. Best 2007-2010. Tentative Score 87-89. (Tasted 7 Sep 2005)
Soreq, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tal Shachar, 2002: Reflecting its 18 months in barriques with generous sweet cedar, generous vanilla and firm tannins, those balanced well with currant, plum and wild berry fruits and an appealingly long finish rich in espresso and tobacco notes. Drink now. Score 88. (Retasted 7 Sep 2005)
Psagot, Merlot, 2004 (Barrel Tasting): Developing in French and American oak barrels, this deark garnet and distinctly plumy wine shows medium-body, soft tannins and a hint of spiciness. Best from release-2008. Tentative Score 85-87 (Tasted 7 Sep 2005)
Psagot, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2003: Aged in oak for 14 months, dark ruby colored, medium- to full-bodied wine shows soft tannins and appealing spicy oak balanced nicely by blackcurrant and berry fruits. Drink now-2007. Score 85. (Tasted 7 Sep 2005)
Nachshon, Merlot, Ayalon, 2001: With the addition of 4% Cabernet Sauvignon to add a bit of backbone, this deep ruby toward purple, medium to full-bodied wine shows soft tannins, Mediterranean herbs and a light earthiness overlaying blackcurrant and black cherry fruits. Drink up. Score 86. (Retasted 7 Sep 2005)
Nachshon, Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot, Ayalon, 2002: Medium-bodied, a blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon and 34% Merlot that spent two years in oak. Rich and round, with tannins nicely integrating and overall good balance. Drink now. Score 86. (Tasted 7 Sep 2005)
Nachshon, French Blend, Sela, 2002: Dark garnet toward purple, this blend of 50% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Syrah and 7% Cabernet Franc is medium-bodied and moderately tannic, showing an appealing touch of oak together with currant and berry fruits. Soft and generous but lacking depth. Drink now. Score 86. (Re-tasted 7 Sep 2005)
Ben-Hannah, Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot, Shalem, 2003: Dark ruby towards royal purple, medium to full-bodied, with still firm tannins nicely balanced by spicy wood and already showing tempting berry, currant and black cherry fruits, those backed up nicely by light hints of earthiness and herbaceousness. The best yet from Ben-Hannah. Drink now–2008. Score 87. (Re-tasted 7 Sep 2005)
Givon, Merlot, 2004 (Barrel Tasting): Medium-bodied, low in tannins and on the simple side with only skimpy berry and plum fruits. Tentative Score 80-82. (Tasted 7 Sep 2005)
Givon, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2004: Dark cherry red, medium-bodied with soft tannins and appealing black cherry and plum fruits. Not typical for the variety but an acceptable quaffing wine. Tentative Score 82-84. (Tasted 7 Sep 2005)
Givon, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2003: Medium-bodied, with soft tannins and simple but appealing flavors of berries and black cherries, but faulted by a too generous acidity. Drink now. Score 78. (Re-tasted 7 Sep 2005)
Givon, Merlot, 2003: This simple country-style wine, a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, has forward black fruits and medium-body but with its somewhat chunky tannins and rasping acidity it is not at all reminiscent of Merlot. Drink now. Score 78. (Re-tasted 7 Sep 2005)
Givon, Nebbiolo, 2004 (Barrel Tasting): Dark cherry red, medium-bodied, with soft tannins and appealing raspberry and cherry fruits. A quaffer for drinking in its youth. Drink from release. Tentative Score 80-82 (Tasted 7 Sep 2005)
Red Poetry, Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve, 2002: Dark garnet towards royal purple, medium-bodied with mouth-coating tannins and generous smoky oak that yield slowly to reveal appealing currant, berry and spicy aromas and flavors. Drink now-2007. Score 84. (Tasted 7 Sep 2005)
Red Poetry, Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon, 2002: Medium-bodied, with soft, nicely integrating tannins set off nicely by hints of spicy oak. On the nose and palate blackberry, currant and plum fruits. Round and easy to drink. Drink now. Score 83. (Retasted 7 Sep 2005)
Red Poetry, Merlot, 2004 (Barrel Tasting): Dusty garnet red in color, medium bodied with rather gripping tannins, this oak-aged red shows minimal red fruits. Lacking balance and meant for early drinking. Drink from release. Tentative Score 78-80. (Tasted 7 Sep 2005)
Red Poetry, Merlot, 2002: Blended with 10% of Cabernet Franc, this once dark garnet wine is now going to brown and caramelizing. Past its peak, so drink up. Score 72. (Re-tasted 7 Sep 2005)
Red Poetry, Merlot-Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon, Ehrlich, 2002: Dark cherry red towards garnet, medium-bodied, with firm tannins that tend to hold back whatever black fruits are here. Drink now. Score 78. (Tasted 7 Sep 2005)
Kadesh Barnea, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red South, 2003: Medium to full-bodied, firmly tannic, with hints of black cherry and plum fruits, those coming together with hints of green olives, herbs and chocolate. Drink now. Score 84. K
Kadesh Barnea, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red South, 2002: Medium-bodied, with tight tannins and and green olive notes on the cherry and currant flavors along with hints of herbs. Drink now. Score 82. K (Re-tasted 7 Sep 2005)
Kadesh Barnea, Merlot, Red South, 2003: Soft and generous, with tart black cherry, cedar and spice flavors. Somewhat tannic on the finish. Drink up. Score 82. K (Re-tasted 7 Sep 2005)
Meishar, #41, 2003: A blend of 40% each of Shiraz and Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignjon. Aged in oak for 8 months, showing good balance between gripping near-sweet tannins, spicy oak and fruits. On the nose and palate look for ripe plums, blackcurrants and blackberries, those matched nicely by hints of tobacco and chocolate. Long and generous. Best from 2007-2010. Score 90. (Tasted 7 Sep 2005)
Meishar, Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve 730, 2001: 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. (Retasted 7 Sep 2005)
Meishar, Merlot, 2003: Brick-red, the color reflecting the wine’s extreme youth, it has the potential to develop beautifully. Medium to full-bodied, with still-firm tannins that need time to settle down, but under those tempting plum and black cherry fruits and an appealing hint of licorice and chocolate. Drink now–2009. Score 89. (Re-tasted 7 Sep 2005)
Yuval Ben-Shoshan, Merlot, 2004 (Barrel Tasting): Light, almost diluted ruby in color, lacking body, with only the vaguest hint of tannins and stingy, almost watery berry and black cherry fruits. Drink from release. Tentative Score 74-76. (Tasted 7 Sep 2005)
Yuval Ben-Shoshan, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2000: Completely oxidized and no longer drinkable or scoreable. (Re-tasted twice with consistent notes 7 Sep 2005)
Yuval Ben-Shoshan, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2003: A wine that showed great promise during barrel tastings but now failing to live up to its earlier promise and already fading and showing medium-body, soft tannins and only a few currant and plum fruits, those now being hidden by barnyard aromas that are hard to get by. Drink up. Score 76. (Tasted 7 Sep 2005)
Essence, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2003: Deep ruby towards garnet, medium-bodied, with chunky tannins, spicy cedar wood and aromas and flavors primarily of ripe berries. Pleasant but somewhat one dimensional. Drink now. Score 84. (Re-tasted 7 Sep 2005)
Essence, Electrum, 2002: This medium-bodied oak-aged blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot offers up soft tannins and generous blackcurrant and plum flavors. Drink now. Score 84. (Retasted 7 Sep 2005)
Essence, Merlot, 2003: An organic wine, cloudy purple in color, medium-bodied, with chunky tannins that seem not to want to integrate and stingy black fruits dominated by an overly alcoholic finish. Drink now. Score 79. (Re-tasted 7 Sep 2005)
Bustan Hameshusheem, Barbera-Sangiovese-Cabernet Sauvignon, Banias, 2003: Not fully clear garnet in color, medium-bodied, with unyielding tannins. On the nose and palate red fruits that are sweet, coarse and foxy. Score 62. (Tasted twice with consistent notes 7 Sep 2005)
Kadita, Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot, 2003 (Barrel Tasting): Dark ruby toward garnet in color, medium to full-bodied, showing generous ripe berry and plum fruits and soft tannins, all balanced by vanilla, spices and herbal overtones. Drink from release-2007. Score 87-89. (Re-tasted 7 Sep 2005)
Kadita, Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot, 2002: Medium to full-bodied, with generous tannins, those integrating nicely and set off well by blackcurrant, plum and wild berry fruits. Look as well for overlays of spices and toasty oak. Drink now. Score 86. (Re-tasted 7 Sep 2005)
