On Monday (21 May 2007), my morning was devoted to re-tastings and barrel tastings at Tulip Winery. Located on Kfar Tikva near the town of Kiryat Tivon, not far from Haifa, this winery is an effort of the Yitzhaki family. The winery currently draws on Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah grapes from the Alma vineyard and other locations in the Upper Galilee as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabrnet Franc and Petit Verdot from Karmei Yosef and Mata vineyards near Jersualem. Currently in development are vineyards planted in red varieties near Mount Meron.

The winery released 55,000 bottles from the 2006 vintage and 2007 releases are scheduled at 85,000 bottles. The winery is currently releasing wines in four series: varietal Grand Reserve and Reserve; blended wines, Mostly; and single variety wines, Just. The winery also releases a Port-style reinforced red wine.

It is rewarding to see that the winery is developing a house-style, the majority of their wines avoiding over-oaking, having soft but just gripping enough tannins and offering a pleasing roundness, that in turn in its turn eliminating what "sharp edges".

My thanks to the members of the Yitzhaki family and to the others of the staff that made my visit a pleasant one and the tasting rewarding. With regard to the 2005 wines, many of these are now making their way to market. About 30% of the winery's output is destined for export.

Two notes: (a) The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon was re-tasted not at the winery but in my own tasting room on the same date. (b) Over good espresso coffee I was asked by Yitzhak Yitzhaki, the father of the group, to promise that I would not award any of his wines a score of 100. I made that promise with the same warm smile as with which the request was made. My tasting notes follow.

Rogov

Tulip, Bordeaux Blend (Tentative Name), 2005 (Barrel Tasting): A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, that rounded out by blending with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Full-bodied, with soft, caressing tannins in fine balance with lightly spicy French oak. Opens with blackberry and chocolate notes, those yielding to currants and plums, all culminating in a long, appealingly spicy finish. Generous and mouthfilling. Best from release-2010. Tentative Score 89-91. (Tasted 21 May 2007)

Tulip, Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve, 2005 (Barrel Tasting): Made entirely from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, those from two different vineyards, showing still firm tannins that need time to integrate but with fine balance between those, spicy wood and fruits. Opens to reveal blackberry, currant and light leathery notes, all on a generously peppery and vanilla rich background. Long and juicy. Best from relese-2011, perhaps longer. Tentative Score 88-90. (Tasted 21 May 2007)

Tulip, Syrah, Reserve, 2006 (Barrel Tasting): Dark garnet, with orange and violet reflections, full-bodied but lithe and well focused. Opens with a surprising but pleasing root beer note, that holding through the long finish as a background to plum, blackberry and leathery notes. Well balanced, long and generous. Drink from release-2011, perhaps longer. Tentative Score 89-91. (Tasted 21 May 2007)

Tulip, Syrah, Reserve, 2005: Blended with 10% of Cabernet Sauvignon, oak-aged for 14 months and showing medium- to full-bodied, with soft, near-sweet tannins integrating beautifully Fine balance here between spicy wood, black and red berries, plums and a generous hint of bitter-sweet chocolate. On the long finish light and appealing hints of earthiness and tobacco. Drink now-2010. Score 90. (Re-tasted 21 May 2007)

Tulip, Cabernet Sauvignon, Just, 2006 (Barrel Tasting): Dark, almost impenetrable garnet, full-bodied and concentrated, with generous soft tannins yet maintaining the roundness that has come to typify the Tulip wines. Opens slowly in the glass to reveal blackcurrant, wild berry and kirsch, those backed up by spicy wood and appealing hints of herbaceousness on the long finish. Drink from release-2010. Tentative Score 88-90. (Tasted 21 May 2007)

Tulip, Cabernet Sauvignon, Just 2005: My earlier tasting note holds firmly: Dark garnet, medium-bodied, its soft tannins integrating nicely with hints of the oak in it was aged for six months. On the nose and palate plums, cassis and berries along with hints of vanilla and tobacco on a moderately-long finish. Drink now-2009. Score 88. (Re-tasted 21 May 2007)

Tulip, Merlot, Just, 2005: Reflecting 12 months in oak with soft, slightly chunky tannins and hints of spices. Dark garnet, medium- to full-bodied, opening in the glass to show blueberries, black cherries and from mid-palate on hints of chocolate and a light earthiness. On the finish a pleasing herbaceousness. Drink now-2009. Score 87. (Re-tasted 21 May 2007)

Tulip, Shiraz, Mostly, 2006 (Barrel Tasting): Dark garnet, a medium- to full-bodied blend of 65% Shiraz, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. Firm but juicy and well focused, opening slowly in the glass to reveal plum, blueberry and sweet spices, the soft tannins coating the mouth nicely and highlighting the flavors, all of which linger nicely. Needs some time. Best 2009-2012, possibly longer. Tentative Sore 88-90. (Tasted 21 May 2007)

Tulip, Shiraz, Mostly, 2005: Dark garnet, this blend of 60% Shiraz, 14% each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot and 6% Shiraz, shows medium-bodied, soft, round and well balanced, filling the mouth nicely. On the nose and palate blackberries, plums and gently spicy oak from its 14 months in barriques. On the moderately-long finish hints of Mediterranean herbs and freshly turned earth. Drink now-2009. Score 87. (Re-tasted 21 May 2007)

Tulip, Cabernet Franc, Mostly, 2005: A gently oak-aged blend of 80% Cabernet Fran, 15% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Dark garnet towards purple, medium- to full-bodied, with soft tannins integrating nicely and showing generous plum, berry and light earthy aromas and flavors. Drink now-2009. Score 87. (Re-tasted 21 May 2007)

Tulip, Grand Reserve, 2004: Reflecting 30 months in oak with a distinct penchant for heavy, somewhat sweetish wood and firm tannins. Beneath those and making their way slowly to the surface blackberry, kirsch and dark chocolate aromas and flavors. Earlier experience with the Grand Reserve has shown that given time the wood may recede. Tentative Score 84-86 but perhaps better with time. (Tasted 21 May 2007)