I attended a tasting of the wines of Efrat that was held in Jaffa at Ish HaAnavim (The Grape Man). The tasting was scheduled to start at 18:00 and, as is my wont I arrived quite early, this allowing me an uninterrupted tasting in the company of winemaker Shiki Rauchberger.

That Efrat continues its upward quality direction is apparent and indeed finally the new winery is actually under construction. Interesting to note that this winery, along with several others whose new series have been released in recent months, has also now introduced two new series, Terra and Collage. Those trying to decode the various series may want to know that the top level wines are in the Teperberg Reserve and Teperberg Selection series, these followed by wines in the Terra, Israeli, Collage and 1870 series. Also interesting to note is that with lower level series oak staves are being used and that with the exception of the wines in the Teperberg series, all of the wines continue to be mevushal.

My thanks to Shiki for his good company and his courtesies during my visit.

Best
Rogov

Teperberg

Teperberg Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005 (Barrel Tasting): Dark ruby, with generous tannins well balanced by smoky oak and generous fruits. Medium- to full-bodied, with aromas and flavors of spicy cherry, plum and mocha, all lingering nicely on the palate. Best from 2008-2010. Tentative Score 88-90. K (Tasted 30 Mar 2006)

Teperberg Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2004 (Barrel Tasting): Dark royal purple in color, full-bodied, with generous soft tannins set off nicely by sweet cedar, black currant, red berries, sage and espresso coffee aromas and flavors. On the finish hints of lead-pencil and asphalt, all coming together in burly but subtle ways. Best from release-2009. Tentative Score 87-89. K (Re-tasted 30 Mar 2006)

Teperberg Reserve, Merlot, 2005 (Barrel Tasting): Dark garnet towards purple, medium-bodied, with soft tannins and rich earthiness and red fruits on the nose, those opening to show generous tangy red and black currant fruits, minerals and cocoa powder, all lingering niely. Drink from release-2008. Tentative Score 87-89. K (Tasted 30 Mar 2006)

Teperberg Reserve, Merlot, 2004 (Barrel Tasting): Showing better than at an earlier barrel tasting. Medium-dark ruby towards royal purple in color, medium-bodied, with soft, near-sweet tannins and appealing blackcurrant, cassis and purple plums, those complemented nicely by hints of chocolate and Mediterranean herbs, all of which linger nicely. Drink from relese-2008. Tentative Score 87-89. K (Re-tasted 30 Mar 2006)

Teperberg Selection, Meritage, 2005: A medium- to full-bodied lightly oaked blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Firm and with tannins now starting to soften but that somehow manage to give the wine a somewhat coarse texture. Cedar, tobacco, currant and sage aromas and flavors here but those never fully unfold. Perhaps better with some additional bottle maturation. Best 2007-2010. Score 86. K (Re-tasted 30 Mar 2006)

Teperberg Selection, Meritage, 2003: My earlier tasting note holds firmly: This full-bodied, softly-tannic Bordeaux blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc shows deep ruby towards garnet in color, with spicy oak and appealing plum, currant and berry fruits. Full-bodied, round and well-balanced. Drink now–2007. Score 87. K (Re-tasted 30 Mar 2006)

Teperberg Selection, Meritage, 2002: On opening attack you cannot miss that this is the most deeply tannic, most acidic and most wood-laded of the Meritage releases, but given time in the glass the wine opens very nicely indeed, showing appealing blackberries, plums and fresh forest floor aromas and flaors. Drink now. Score 87. K (Tasted 30 Mar 2006)

Teperberg Reserve, Chardonnay, 2005 (Advance Tasting): Bright, light and fragrant, with grapefruit, mango, litchi and pear aromas and flavors, those reflecting sur lie development with nice hints of cedar and musky spices. Drink now-2008. Score 87. K (Tasted 30 Mar 2006)

Teperberg Reserve, Chardonnay, 2004: Showing far better than at an earlier tasting when the wine may have been in a dum period. Fermented and developed sur lie for 6 months in new French oak barriques, this deep golden, medium-bodied is now showing an appealing array of citrus, peach and pear fruits. Drink now. Score 87. K (Re-tasted 30 Mar 2006)

Teperberg Reserve, Chardonnay, 2003: Fermented and developed on its lees sur lie in French oak barriques for six months, this medium to full-bodied white shows appealing citrus, pear and melon fruits, those on a round and creamy background. At or perhaps a bit past its peak. Drink up. Score 87. K (Re-tasted 30 Mar 2006)

Teperberg Reserve, Chardonnay, 2003: Fermented and developed sur lie in French oak barriques for six months, this medium to full-bodied white shows appealing citrus, pear and melon fruits, those on a round and creamy background. Fully mature now so drink up. Score 87. K (Re-tasted 30 Mar 2006)

Teperberg Reserve, Chenin Blanc, 2005 (Advance Tasting): Golden straw in color, with a deep herbal, earthy and citrus peel nose opening to reveal a light- to medium-bodied white with generous orange marmalade, nectarine and cardamom flavors, those backed up by crisp acidity. Well focused and long. Score 88. K (Tasted 30 Mar 2006)

Teperberg Reserve, Chenin Blanc, 2004: A bit of bottle stink when first opened but that blows off nicely. Golden straw in color, medium bodied, reflecting oak treatment with a light creamy overlay on aromas and flavors of peaches, pears, melons and spring flowers, those complemented by a hint of citrus peel on the finish. Drink now. Score 87. K (Re-tasted 30 Mar 2006)

Terra

Terra, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2004: Medium-bodied, with moderate wood influences, this soft, round and generous wine shows generous plum, red currant and spices on the nose and palate. Look for a touch of herbaceousness on the finish. Drink now-2007. Score 86. K (Tasted 30 Mar 2006)

Terra, Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot, 2005: Dark cherry towards garnet red, with soft tannins, just the barest hint of wood and appealing plum, currant and blueberry aromas and flavors. Not complex but easy to drink. Drink now or in the next year or so. Score 85. K (Tasted 30 Mar 2006)

Terra, Chardonnay, 2005: Developed sur lie in French barrels for three months, this light straw colored, medium-bodied, lively white shows straightforward but appealing aromas and flavors of citrus and summer fruits. Score 85. K (Tasted 30 Mar 2006)

Collage

Collage, Dry Red, 2005: A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25 each of Shiraz and Petite Sirah. Dark ruby in color, medium-bodied, with soft, almost unfelt tannins, and simple but clean aromas and flavors of black fruits. An acceptable little entry-level wine. Drink now. Score 83. K (Tasted 30 Mar 2006)

Collage, Cabernet Sauvigon-Petite Sirah, 2005: Light and lively, ruby towards garnet in color, earthy on first attack but this followed by a lightly spicy berry, black cherry personality. Drink now. Score 83. K (Tasted 30 Mar 2006)

Collage, Chardonnay-Semillon, 2005: Clean, freshly acidic, with pineapple, tropical and floral aromas and flavors. An appealing entry-level white. Drink now. Score 83. K (Tasted 30 Mar 2006)

Israeli

Israeli, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005: Medium-bodied, with soft tannins integrating nicely and a light hint of spicy wood. Look for aromas and flavors of blueberry, cherries, sweet red peppers. Lacking complexity but easy to drink. Drink now or in the next year or so. Score 84. K (Tasted 30 Mar 2006)

Israeli, Merlot, 2005: Medium-bodied, with gentle tannins and showing forward plum, raisin and toasty aromas and flavors. An internationalized but pleasant enough little red. Drink now. Score 83. K (Tasted 30 Mar 2006)

Israeli, Shiraz, 2005: Soft and round, light and lively, with raspberry, plum and dusty spicy aromas and flavors that linger nicely. Drink now. Score 85. K (Tasted 30 Mar 2006)

Israeli, Chardonnay, 2005: Light golden in color, medium-bodied, with tangy citrus, apple and pear fruits and light toasty oak and buttery notes on the finish. Drink now. Score 86. K (Tasted 30 Mar 2006)

Israeli, Emerald Riesling, 2005: Half-dry, light- to medium-bodied, very floral, a fruit-cocktail set of flavors and with marked but not overpowering sweetness. Drink up. Score 79. K (Tasted 30 Mar 2006)