Last Thursday (16 December 2004),Ivisited Ella Valley Vineyards. Located on Kibbutz Netiv Halamed Hey in the Jerusalem Mountains, the winery released its first wines from the 2002 vintage. My purpose in this visit was to do barrel tastings of the 2004 and 2003 wines aswell as to taste the about to released 2003 Chardonnay and to re-taste the 2002 wines. My thanks to winemaker Doron Rav Hon and the management of the winery for their cooperation, rewarding conversation and a broad tasting.

The winery is now planning on three distinct sets of releases -their first (or if you prefer, reserve) wine will be in the Vineyards Choice Series, a full series of wines will also be releasedunder the Ella Valley Vineyards label and the second wine continues to be EverRed which is meant for earlier consumption. The winery is currently producing about 200,000 bottles annually and current plans are for gradual increase to about 300,000 bottles. All of the Ella Valley wines are kosher. My tasting notes follow.

Best,
Rogov

2004 Barrel Tastings

Ella Valley Vineyards, Chardonnay, 2004 (Barrel Tasting): Soft in texture but grenerous with pear,citrus and mineral flavors that develop a very appealing creamy note on the finish. Light wood, just the right amount of zingy acidity make this a solid wine with a load of complexity and long, lingering flavors. Ready from release-2007. Tentative Score 90-92. (Tasted 16 Dec 2004)

Ella Valley Vineyards, Sauvignon Blanc, 2004 (Barrel Tasting): Smooth, rich and buttery, with good spices, a light grassiness matched by good spices and appealing layers of pear,honey and minerals. A very appealing hint of light bitterness that comes in on the long finish. Tentative Score 91-93. (Tasted 16 Dec 2004)

Ella Valley Vineyards, Pinot Noir, 2004 (Barrel Tasting): Rich, dark, and concentrated, with a compled range of cherry, blackberry, plum, spice and toast oak flavors that fold together nicely. Delicious and with the tannic concentration and concentration to bode well for comfortable aging. Best from 2007. Tentative Score 91-93. (Tasted 16 Dec 2004)

Ella Valley Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2004 (Barrel Tasting): Big,ripe, complex and good balance between ripe cherry, currant and plums, those with a dash of anise and oak. Developing nicely, with supple tannins and overall excellent balance. Tentative Score 90-92. (Tasted 16 Dec 2004)

EllaValley Vineyards, Merlot, 2004 (Barrel Tasting): Supple and with good balance between just enough plum and berry flavors. Generous and still firm tannins but those in good balance with wood and fruit and with the promise to yield a graceful full-bodied red in which black cherry, currant and cedary oak flavors will come together very nicely indeed. Tentative Score 90-92. (Tasted 16 Dec 2004)

Ella Valley Vineyards, Cabernet Franc, 2004 (Barrel Tasting): Medium- to full-bodied, austere and still quite tannins but already showing finesse. Sharply focused cherry, currant and wild berry flavors open slowly on the palate, a generous but well-tempered dose of smoky oak makes itself nicely felt. Needs time to show its depth and complexity. Tentative Score 89-91. (Tasted 16 Dec 2004)

Ella Valley Vineyards, Shiraz, 2004 (Barrel Tasting): Full-bodied, dark, rich and complex with an array of spicy, smoky and meaty plum, berry, currant and anise notes setoff nicely by near sweet tannins. Well balanced and flavorful. Tentative Score 88-90. (Tasted 16 Dec 2004)

2003 Barrel Tastings

Ella Valley Vineyards, Merlot, 2003 (Barrel Tasting): Medium- to full-bodied, supple and well balanced, striving for elegance with justthe right balance between plum, berry, currant and woodaromas and flavors.Graceful and not overwhelming,with cedar and spices on the finish. Tentative Score 88-90. (Tasted 16 Dec 2004)

Ella Valley Vineyards, Merlot, Vineyard Choice, 2003 (Barrel Tasting): Full-bodied, firmly structured with dark black cherry, berry, anise and spice flavors that stand up nicely to the firm tannins and moderate oak influences. Needs time but promises to soften and develop beautifully. Tentative Score 89-91. (Tasted 16 Dec 2004)

Ella Valley Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2003 (Barrel Tasting): Firm and tight, big and somewhat rustic, with notes of minerals and sweet cedar all on a background of chewy tannins. Deeply concentrated, but with the balance that gives it the promise to soften with time and reveal its rich plum and currant fruits. Tentative Score 88-90. (Tasted 16 Dec 2004)

EllaValley Vineyards,Cabernet Sauvignon, Vineyard Choice, 2003 (Barrel Tasting): Deep royal purple in color, full-bodied,with ripe,rich and complex fruits with true harmony and finesse. Abundant layers of currants, juicy cherries and tempting oak shadings. Soft and supple tannins well balanced with the other elementspromise for a wine that although ready for early drinking should cellar very nicely. Tentative Score 91-93. (Tasted 16 Dec 2004)

Advance and Re-Tastings

Ella Valley Vineyards, Chardnnay, 2003 (Advance Tasting): Brilliant Chardonnay, ripe and complex, with spicy pear, spice, apple and hazelnut notes. Reflecting its 10 months sur lie development, this deep golden wine fills the palate with complex and long lingering flavors and just the right hint of toasted white bread and yeast. A good dose of oak here but that well integrated. Drink from release (anticipated within a week or two) – 2008. Score 91. (Tasted 16 Dec 2004)

I also re-tasted the Ella Valley Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Ever Red wines of 2002. My tasting notes on all hold firmly and my unchanged original tasting notes follow:

Ella Valley Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2002: Dark garnet toward purple, this medium to full-bodied wine shows medicinal aromas and flavors when first poured, but those fade somewhat as the wine opens in the glass, yielding rich, ripe currant, plum, cherry, anise and mint aromas and flavors. Rich and long, but with a light bitterness that runs through and then lingers on the finish. Drink now–2007. Score 88. K (Re-tasted (Tasted 16 Dec 2004)

Ella Valley Vineyards, Merlot, 2002: Dark in color, full in body and with firm tannins for a Merlot, the wine is rich, ripe and harmonious, showing an elegant array of cherry, currant and spice aromas and flavors, a generous but well balanced hand with the oak, and a long fruity finish highlighted by hints of coffee and herbs. Drink now–2009. Score 91. K (Re-tasted Dec 2004)

Ella Valley Vineyards, Ever Red, 2002: A medium- to full-bodied oak-aged blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot, this supple and harmonious wine has an attractive core of plum, berry and cherry fruits. Finishes with a nice touch of spices, mild tannins and toasty oak. Drink now. Score 87. K (Re-tasted 16 Dec 2004)