I arrived at today's tasting at Ish HaAnavim a full hour before the event was scheduled to start, this giving me a chance to speak with the winemakers and to do a formal albeit not blind tasting.

My compliments by the way to Ish HaAnavim for initiating these well-organized tastings - last week of the better wines of Carmel, this week of the Superieur and Reserve wines of Barkan, in several weeks those of the Golan Heights Winery (I will post details next next week), as these give an excellent opportunity for many to do vertical samplings of some of the best wines of the various wineries.

Following are today's tasting notes.

Best,
Rogov

Barkan, Superieur, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2002 (Barrel Tasting): Full-bodied, with generous spicy oak and lively acidity for balance. A generous core of ripe blueberry, cassis and blackcurrant fruits, those matched nicely by overlays of , spices and cocoa and, on the long finish appealing hints of minerals and licorice. One of the potentially best ever from Barkan. Best starting in 2006. Tentative Score 90-92. K (Tasted 26 Nov 2004)

Barkan Superieur, Merlot, 2000: Showing somewhat better now than at earlier tastings. Medium- to full-bodied, with soft tannins and generous but not exaggerated smoky oak but with still somewhat stingy currant and plum fruits. Score 85. K (Re-tasted 26 Nov 2004)

++++

Barkan, Sauvignon Blanc, Reserve, 2004 (Barrel Tasting): Bright and lively, golden-straw in color, medium-bodied, with ample acidity and tempting melon and apple fruits. Generous grassy-mineral hints throughout. Net a final blend. Tentative Score 88-90. K (Tasted 26 Nov 2004)

Barkan, Sauvignon Blanc, Reserve 2003: Showing even better now than at an earlier tasting. Medium- to full-bodied, light golden straw in color with green reflections and melon, gooseberry and apple fruits on a mineral-rich background. Appealing spiciness and lively acidity carry through to a moderately long finish. Drink now-2006. Score 89. K (Re-tasted 26 Nov 2004)

++++

Barkan, Chardonnay, Negev, Reserve, 2003 (Advance Tasting): My earlier notes hold firmly – "… Medium-bodied, this unoaked white reflects its desert terroir with a stony dryness that at one moment calls to mind Chablis and at another a Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc. White peaches, green apples and citrus fruits on an appealing herbaceous background. Unusual and delicious. Drink now–2007. Score 89. K (Re-tasted 26 Nov 2004)

Barkan, Chardonnay, Reserve, 2003: No changes from my original tasting notes – "Medium-bodied but satisfyingly mouth-filling, with rich apple, melon and citrus fruits coming together well with light vanilla and toasted oak, all lingering nicely on the palate. Drink now -2006. Score 88. K (Re-tasted 26 Nov 2004)

Barkan, Chardonnay, Reserve 2002: Darker golden in color than earlier, medium-bodied and fully mature but still showing good balance between fruits, wood and acidity. Citrus, melon and green apple aromas and flavors along with spices lead to a mouthfilling finish. Drink up. Score 86. K (Re-tasted 26 Nov 2004)

Barkan, Chardonnay, Reserve, 2001: Still creamy and with appealing aromas and flavors of pears, figs, melon and vanilla, this medium-bodied wine maintains its and spicy finish. Past its peak so drink up. Score 86. K (Re-tasted 26 Nov 2004)

++++

Barkan, Pinotage, Reserve, 2002: Bright garnet in color, throwing green and orange reflections, this medium- to full-bodied red is packed with lush raspberry, blackberry, black cherry and currant fruits, those matched nicely by sweet spices, dark chocolate and, from mid-palate light hints of smoked bacon. A tantalizing hint of bitter herbs comes in on the moderately long finish. Drink now-2007. Score 90. K (Tasted 26 Nov 2004)

Barkan, Pinotage, Reserve, 2001: This first Israeli Pinotage is developing nicely, showing a welcome bare hint of sweetness overlying its blackcurrant and black cherry fruits. Medium- to full-bodied, with generous but soft and well-integrated tannins and dashes of smoked meat, herbs and sweet. Soft, round and appealing. Drink now-2006. Score 90. K (Re-tasted 26 Nov 2004)

++++

Barkan, Merlot, Reserve, 2002: Dark garnet in color, with soft, well-integrated tannins and overall good balance, the once powerful and dominating oak now receding to let the plum and berry fruits make themselves felt. Drink now–2007. Score 87. K (Re-tasted 26 Nov 2004)

Barkan, Merlot, Reserve, 2001: My earlier tasting note holds firmly: Medium to full-bodied and medium dark garnet in color, this wine is still showing plenty of tannins and oak, but given time to open in the glass reveals an appealing core of currant, black cherry, and herbs. Drink now. Score 86. K(Re-tasted 26 Nov 2004)

Barkan, Merlot, Reserve 2000: Showing better now than at earlier tastings, almost as if had risen from a long sleep. Medium-bodied, with soft tannins and a generous core of currant, black cherry and plums, appealing overlays of spicy oak and tea. Drink now. Score 88. K (Re-tasted 26 Nov 2004)

Barkan, Merlot, Reserve, 1998: Medium- to full-bodied, deep garnet in color and now showing a bit of browning. Blackcurrant, and black cherry fruits matched nicely by spicy wood, vanilla, light herbal overtones and well-integrated tannins. Fully mature. Drink up. Score 87. K (Re-tasted 26 Nov 2004)

++++

Barkan, Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve 2001: My earlier notes hold fully: Deep garnet toward purple in color, well balanced, with generous cherry and plum fruits as well as a spicy, toasty oak overlay. Soft tannins and a rich fruity finish. Drink now–2007. Score 88. K (Re-tasted 26 Nov 2004)

Barkan, Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve 2000: My earlier notes hold firmly: With its once almost searing tannins now well integrated, this deep royal purple, medium to full-bodied red opens nicely in the glass to reveal aromas and flavors of black currants, berries and black cherries, along with a spicy, smoky-oak overlay. Drink now–2006. Score 86. K (Re-tasted 26 Nov 2004)

Barkan, Cabernet Reserve, 1999: Continuing to show nicely. Full-bodied, with generous tannins and smoky wood balanced by blackcurrants, plums and spices. Firm, long and mouth-filling with an appealing hint of bitterness on the long finish. Drink now. Score 88. K (Re-tasted 26 Nov 2004)

Barkan, Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve, 1998: Medium- to full-bodied, with tannins now nicely integrated and showing good balance between those, spicy oak, black fruits, vanilla and a hint of licorice. Fully mature now. Drink up. Score 88. K (Re-tasted 26 Nov 2004)

Barkan, Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve,1997: My earlier notes hold firmly: Rich, generous and with abundant and mouth-filling black currant, black cherry and spice overtones that linger nicely on the palate, the wine continues to show style, grace and a long finish, but is now just a bit past its peak. Drink up. Score 87. K (Re-tasted 26 Nov 2004)

Barkan, Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve, 1996: Dark garnet, showing signs of browning, and with somewhat chunky tannins that have never quite integrated and still work hard to hide berry, currant and plum fruits. Past its peak so drink up. Score 84. K (Re-tasted 26 Nov 2004)

November 2004