Gabi Sadan of Galil Mountain Winery (Yekev Harai Galil) finds himself in a beautiful setting and in still almost sparkling new state-of-the-art winery on Kibbutz Yiron in the Upper Galilee must be quite pleasant. From the point of view of consumers what is far more important is that this medium sized winery continues to produce high quality and interesting wines that reflect the kind of gentle hand of a winemaker who values terroir and who knows very well that fine wines start in the vineyard. The winery is currently producing about 800,000 bottles of reds and whites and expects to attain its target production of 1.0 – 1.2 million bottles with the 2005 harvest.

Best,
Rogov

Galil Mountain, Yiron, 2002: A medium- to full-bodied oak-aged blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon and 46% Merlot. Deeply aromatic, dark purple toward black in color, with still muscular tannins but those now integrating well, the wine shows an abundance of black currant, cassis and berry fruits. Generous, with well-balanced sweet-cedar wood and a long, mouth-filling finish. Currently developing appealing light herbal-earthy overtones. Drink now–2008. NIS 85. Score 90. K (*)

Galil Mountain, Shiraz-Cabernet, 2003: Dark garnet, medium-bodied, with good balance between soft tannins, sweet-and-spicy oak, and showing smooth and supple aromas and flavors of ripe and creamy currants, black cherries and coffee. Distinctly New World in style and with a near-Australian charm. Drink now-2007, About NIS 55. Score 88. K (*)

Galil Mountain, Pinot Noir 2003: With six months in oak, this medium- bodied wine shows well integrated soft tannins and appealing plum, cherry and wild berry fruits together with a bare meaty-herbal overtone. Drink now-2007. Score 87. K

Galil Mountain, Chardonnay, 2004: Bright golden straw in color, medium-bodied, with tempting aromas and flavors of loquats, tropical fruits and minerals. Good balance between light wood, crisp balancing acidity and mouthfilling fruits. Drink now-2007. Score 88. NIS 35. K (*)

Galil Mountain, Sauvignon Blanc, 2004: Light straw colored with orange and green reflections, this medium-bodied unoaked white offers up crisp balancing acidity to highlight its primarily melon and peach fruits. Floats in a tantalizing manner on the palate. Drink now or in the next year or so. NIS 35. Score 88. K (*)

Also worth commenting about, even though released several weeks ago:

Galil Mountain, Rose, 2004: A blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah (92%, 5% and 3% respectively), this crisply dry light- to medium-bodied rose is refreshing, lively and fruity while maintaining a surprising level of sophistication. Not recognizable as Sangiovese but you cannot miss the berry and light spices here. Lightly frizzante when well chilled. Drink now Score 86. K

May 2005