Today's tastings included six wines from Orna Chillag. For those not familiar with Chillag or her wines, after studying oenology in Piacenza, Italy, and working at the Antinori wineries in Tuscany, she released her first wines in Israel in 1998. Now located in a new facility in the industrial area of the town of Yahud, on the central plain, the winery relies on Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from the Upper Galilee and recently planted its own Syrah, Petit Verdot and Petit Sirah. Production has grown from 4,000 bottles in 2002 to 12,000 each in 2003 and 2004 and 15,000 in 2005 and 2006. Plans are to grow to 20,000 bottles annually.

In addition to regular releases in two series, Primo Riserva and Giovani, Chillag also produces a line of kosher wines under the label Orna at the Carmel winery in Rishon Letzion. Made from grapes grown in the Zar’it vineyards in the Upper Galilee, 15,000 bottles of Chillag’s kosher Cabernet Sauvignon were released for sale in the United States from the 2003 and 2004 vintages. Chillag also released her first rose wine from the 2006 vintage.

My tasting notes follow.

Best
Rogov

Chillag, Primo Riserva, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2004: Deep garnet towards purple in color, with firm tannins well balanced with smoky wood and fruits. Rich blackberry, cherry and licorice flavors with overlays of spicy oak and licorice. Long and elegant. Drink now–2010.Score 90. (Re-tasted 28 Apr 2007)

Chillag, Primo Riserva, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2003: Aged in French oak for 18 months, with a small amount of Merlot blended in, this full-bodied red shows appealing aromas and flavors of blackcurrant and ripe berry fruits, those matched nicely by spicy oak and, on the long finish, tantalizing hints of freshly turned earth and mushrooms. Needs a bit of time to let the tannins settle in. Best 2009-2011. Score 90. (Re-tasted 28 Apr 2007)

Chillag, Cabernet Sauvignon, Giovane, 2005: Showing a distinct Tuscan flair, this deep, dark and round medium- to full-bodied wine shows soft tannins and a tempting array of cherries, raspberries and cassis all on a warmly spicy background. Drink now-2009..Score 90. (Re-tasted 28 Apr 2007)

Chillag, Primo, Riserva, Merlot, 2004: Showing better than at an earlier tasting. Medium- to full-bodied, with now soft, round tannins, minerals and toasty oak coming together nicely to show appealing blueberries, blackberries and mineral aromas and flavors that linger nicely. Drink now-2009. Score 88. (Re-tasted 28 Apr 2007)

Chillag, Giovane, Merlot, 2005: As deep in its rich garnet-red color as it is in tannins and reflecting the oak casks in which it is developing with a gentle hand, this medium to full-bodied wine shows berry, black cherry and cassis fruits, those matched with gentle hints of bitter herbs and, on the long finish, a hint of peppermint. Drink now-2009. Score 88. (Re-tasted 28 Apr 2007)

Chillag, Rosé, 2006: Made from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Rose petal pink towards orange, and medium bodied, interesting at first because of light, meaty and herbal overtones on the cherry flavors but turns flat and earthy on the finish. Drink up. Score 83.