The Wine Spectator, the world’s most famous & influential wine magazine, does not often taste Israeli wine. However when it does, the results are always taken seriously because of the magazine’s status.

The results of the most recent tasting of Israeli wines were publicized on the internet. The tasting re-emphasizes the continued revival of Carmel, who finished in first place for a red wine, and the strength in depth of Golan Heights Winery, with three of the top four wines. The top wines were as follows:

Carmel Ramat Arad Cabernet Sauvignon 2000  - 88 points

Yarden Gewurztraminer 1988 – 88

Yarden Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 – 87

Yarden Chardonnay 2001 – 87

Domaine du Castel, C Blanc du Castel 2000 – 86

Tabor Merlot 2002 – 85

Segal’s Special Reserve Chardonnay 2002 – 84

Binyamina Merlot Special Reserve 1999 – 84

Tabor Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 – 84

Tishbi Special Reserve Merlot 1999 – 84

This tasting included twenty nine wines, priced from $15 to $45.

The Wine Spectator has never awarded 90 points to any Israeli wine.

Oct. 2004