On Monday, 24 December I was on the way to the Galil Mountain Winery, there to meet with wineamaker Micha Vaadia in order to undertake my annual extended tastings and re-tastings. Should I bother to mention that after our tastings we made our way to Kiryat Shmona's "Foccaccia" for lunch?
Whatever, my thanks to Micha, CEO Ronit Badler, Carmit Ehernriech and others of the staff that made my tasting and day both pleasant and rewarding.

ROGOV

Galil Mountain, Chardonnay, 2006: Light straw in color, medium-bodied, crisply fresh and aromatic, aged partly in oak and partly in stainless steel, showing apple, melon, citrus and tropical fruits with light creamy and soicy notes. Drink now. Score 88. K (Re-tasted 24 Dec 2007)

Galil Mountain, Viognier, 2006: My earlier tasting note holds firmly: Lightly golden with greenish tinges, this medium-bodied, lightly oaked white opens with a lively and spicy nose, then reveals enticing aromas and flavors of peaches, nectarines, pears and apples backed up by spring flowers and minerals, all complemented by hints of white pepper that play nicely on the palate. Delicious. Drink now–2009. Score 90. K (Re-tasted 24 Dec 2007)

Galil Mountain, Sauvignon Blanc, 2007 (Advance Tasting): Still in stainless steel vats at this tastint but already showing fresh and aromatic. Light straw colored, with melon, apricot and lime fruits, a crisply refreshing wine that lingers nicely on the palate. Drink from release-2009. Score 89. K (Tasted 24 Dec 2007)

Galil Mountain, Chardonnay, 2007 (Barrel tasting): Developing partly in oak, partly in stainless steel vats. Golden straw in color, medium-bodied, with a gentle hint of smoky oak and showing citrus, apple and pear fruits, those with an enchanting light note of bitterness that creeps in on the finish. Drink from release-2009. Tentative Score 88-90. K (Taste 24 Dec 2007)

Galil Mountain, Viognier, 2007 (Barrel Tasting): Dark golden straw with tinges of orange, showing good balance between wood, acidity and fruit. On the nose and palate floral, light mineral, summer fruits and melon come together nicely. Drink from release-2009. Tentative Score 88-90. K (Tasted 24 Dec 2007)

Galil Mountain, Rose, 2007 (Advance Tasting): A blend this year of 85% Sangiovese, the remainder of Barbera and Cabernet Sauvignon. Forgive me if I describe the color as baby-blanket pink but so help me that's what it calls to mind. Generous raspberry and cherry fruits here along with hints of blueberries. Crisp and refreshing. Drink now. Score 87. K (Tasted 24 Dec 2007)

Galil Mountain, Shiraz, 2006: Dark garnet, medium to full-bodied and araomatic with soft tannins integrating nicely and showing a generous array of red and black berries, cherries and plums, those on a lightly spicy background. Easy to drink but with enough complexity to command our attention. Drink now–2009. Score 88. K (Re-tasted 24 Dec 2007)

Galil Mountain, Merlot, 2006: Dark ruby towards garnet, medium- to full-bodied, with firm tannins settling in nicely now. On the nose and palate an array of red and black berries, purple plums and orange peel notes, those on a light background of Mediterranean herbs. Drink now-2010. Score 90. K. (Re-tasted 24 Dec 2007)

Galil Mountain, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006: My earlier tasting note holds firmly: Super-dark garnet, showing moderate spicy and vanilla input and soft, near-sweet tannins . On the nose and palate blackberries and blueberries, currants and, coming in from mid-palate, hints of earthiness and freshly turned mushrooms. Best from 2009. Score 90. K (Re-tasted 24 Dec 2007)

Galil Mountain, Shiraz, 2007 (Barrel Tasting): Tasted from components but already showing the potential for being dark garnet, medium- to full-bodied with soft but mouth-coating tannins and gentle wood influences. On the nose and palate look for generous plum and cherry fruits on a mineral-rich background. Drink from release-2011. Tentative Score 88-90.. K (Tasted 24 Dec 2007)

Galil Mountain, Merlot, 2007 (Tank Sample): Unoaked, with soft, near-sweet tannins and showing inky garnet in color. On the nose and palate red and black berries, cassis and hints of Oriental spices and dark chocolate. Drink from release-2010. Tentative Score 87-89. K (Tasted 24 Dec 2007)

Galil Mountain, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007 (Barrel Sample): Super-dark garnet in color, showing firm tannins, those in fine balance with sweet and spicy oak and traditional Cabernet blackcurrant and blackberry fruits. Round and concentrated with the potential for elegance. Tentative Score 88-90. K (Tasted 24 Dec 2007)

Galil Mountain, Petit Verdot, 2006 (Barrel Tasting): An unusual but enchanting wine. Moderately dark, with fine tannins, spicy wood and generous purple and black fruits. what makes this one unusual are the fascinating notes of pine cones, peach pits and asphalt that play on the palate. Fascinating but probably destined as a blender so no score assigned. K (Tasted 24 Dec 2007)

From here, after tasting a few more still-in-barrel components, it was on to several min-vertical tastings:

Galil Mountain, Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006 (Barrel Tasting): Smooth, round and aromatic even at this early stage of its development. Offers up a generous mouthful of currant, blackberry, cherry and licorice notes. On the long finish look for hints of pomegranates. Possibly to develop a note of roasted meat as it develops. Tentative Score 89-91. K (Tasted 24 Dec 2007)

Galil Mountain, Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005: Dark and concentrated, full-bodied, showing a light herbal and spicy oak nose and opening to reveal currant, blackberry and black cherry fruits, all coming together in a long, chocolate-rich and elegant finish. Drink now–2011. Score 90. K (Re-tasted 24 Dec 2007)

Galil Mountain, Shiraz-Cabernet, 2004: Deep royal-purple, this medium to full-bodied blend of 64% Shiraz and 36% Cabernet Sauvignon shows remarkably smooth tannins and a generous array of blackberry and blueberry fruits, those set off nicely by hints of green peppers and light notes of leather and chocolate. Generous and mouth-filling. Drink now–2009. Score 89. K (Re-tasted 24 Dec 2007)

Galil Mountain, Shiraz-Cabernet, 2003: Dark garnet, medium-bodied, with tannins showing more firmly now than in its youth but opening in the glass to show supple aromas and flavors of currants, black cherries and coffee. Drink now. Score 87. K (Re-tasted 24 Dec 2007)

Galil Mountain, Syrah, Yiron, 2005 (Advance Tasting): Dark, almost inky garnet in color, medium- to full-bodied, with fine balance between soft tannins, spicy wood and fruits. On first attack raspberries and chocolate, those yielding to blackberries, currants and a rich floral note. On the long finish the tannins rise along with fruits and an appealing hint of red licorice. Best 2009-2013. Score 91, perhaps higher as the wine continues to develop. (Tasted 24 Dec 2007)

Galil Mountain, Syrah, Yiron, 2004: My earlier tasting note holds firmly: Dark royal-purple with orange and green reflections, opening with a rich fruity and floral nose. Full-bodied, with bold but soft tannins integrating nicely with spicy wood and showing black fruits, dusty wood and light meaty and earthy overlays. Long and deep. Drink now–2012. Score 91. K (Re-tasted twice with consistent notes 24 and 25 Dec 2007)

Galil Mountain, Syrah, Yiron, 2003: My earlier tasting notes hold firmly: Full-bodied, showing soft tannins with just enough grip to catch the attention, those yielding nicely to light spicy wood. Dark garnet in color, aromatic, with blackberries, purple plums and hints of white pepper and chocolate as well as a light meaty-earthy sensation that comes in on the round and comfortably medium-long finish. Drink now–2012. Score 91. K (Re-tasted twice with consistent notes 24 and 25 Dec 2007)

Galil Mountain, Yiron, 2005 (Advance Tasting): Think of this as a Bordeaux plus wine – that is to say 50% Cabernet Sauignon, 40% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot plus 4% Syrah. Full-bodied and concentrated but simultaneously soft and elegant, with generous cassis and black fruits, big but velvety tannins and gently spicy and dusty wood all of which culiminate in a super-long finish. Perhaps the best to date from the winery. Approachable from release but best 2009-2015. Score 93. K (Tasted 24 Dec 2007)

Galil Mountain, Yiron, 2004: A blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 3% Syrah. Intense garnet towards royal-purple, full-bodied, with firm, near-sweet tannins integrating nicely with smoky and vanilla-tinged wood. Opens with wild berries on the nose and palate, those yielding to black cherry, cassis and spices and finally on the long finish a tantalizing hint of bitterness. Drinking nicely now but best 2009–2013. Score 91. K

Galil Mountain, Yiron, 2003: A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Full-bodied, with mouth-coating tannins and spicy wood in fine proportion. Deep ruby towards royal-purple in color, showing appealing blackberry, black cherry and currant fruits, those with light earthy-herbal overtones. Long, mouth-filling and elegant. Drink now–2010. Score 90. K