The morning was devoted to tastings at the Saslove winery. Established by Barry Saslove in 1998 on Kibbutz Eyal in the Sharon region, this boutique winery has vineyards in the Upper Galilee currently planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Sauvignon Blanc grapes, and plans to grow Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Gewurztraminer grapes in the future. Saslove, now working with his daughter Roni, currently produces red wines is in three series: Reserved, Adom and Aviv. The winery occasionally produces white wines as well. Production has grown steadily, from 35,000 bottles in 2002 to 55,000 in 2005 and production for 2006 was about 75,000 bottles.

The winery recently opened a new facility in the Upper Galilee, not far from the winery's vineyards, that primarily for receiving and fermenting grapes The barrel room and visitor's center remains on Kibbutz Eyal.

Note that the 2005 barrel tastings are of yet unblended wines and far from final form. What was most interesting about those tastings was to see the reflection of Barry and Roni's passion for using a large variety of different oak casks, mostly medium- to medium-plus toasted before making their final blends.

My thanks to Barry and Roni for an interesting and pleasurable tasting.

Best
Rogov

Saslove, Cabernet Sauvignon, Adom/Reserved, 2005 (Barrel Tasting): Tasted from not yet blended barrels, a wine that seems destined to be super-dark garnet in color, with spicy and dusty wood in fine balance with still firm tannins needing time to integrate, acidity and fruits. On the nose and palate an array of currant, blackberry, and notes of the peel of bitter oranges, those backed up nicely by light earthy, asphalt and licorice hints, all leading to a long finish. Tentative Score 90-92. (Tasted 1 Mar 2007)

Saslove, Syrah, Adom/Reserved, 2005 (Barrel Tasting): Tasted from two separate barrels and not yet known whether these are to be used for blending or for a varietal release. My hope after tasting is for the latter, for although still in embryonic form this is a wine with the potential for a plum and spice-rich nose along with flavors of ripe black fruits and smoked meat, those supported throughout by hints of freshly tanned leather. Tentative Score 90-92. (Tasted 1 Mar 2007)

Saslove, Cabernet Sauvigon, Reserved, 2004: Reflecting its 27 months in French Taransaud oak with generous sweet-and-spicy oak but that well balanced by soft, mouth-coating tannins, acidity and fruit. Opens with currants and berries, those blossoming on the nose and palate to reveal earthy, herbal and tobacco notes and, on the long finish a tempting hint of mint. Round, generous and long. Best 2008-2013. Score 92. (Tasted 1 Mar 2007)

Saslove, Cabernet Sauvignon, Adom, 2004: Medium- to full-bodied, with soft, mouth-coating tannins in fine proportion to spicy and smoky wood and acidity. On the nose and palate traditional Cabernet blackcurrant and blackberry fruits, those matched nicely by light tobacco and chocolate coated orange peel on the long finish. Drink now-2010. NIS 79. Score 89. (Re-tasted 1 Mar 2007)

Saslove, Cabernet Sauvignon, Marriage, Adom: 2004: Dark, almost impenetrable garnet in color, opening with generous spicy-dusty oak on the nose but that yielding nicely to black and red currants, crushed berries and appealing hints of licorice. A medium-bodied, smooth and round blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz. Best now-2010. Score 90. (Tasted 1 Mar 2007)

Saslove, Cabernet Sauvigon, Reserved, 2003: My most recent tasting note holds firmly. An oak-aged blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon. and 12% Merlot. Medium- to full-bodied, dark garnet in color, showing generous sweet-and-spicy wood and tannins but those in fine balance with currant, black cherry and blackberry fruits, those supported by a complex array of herbs, spices and, on the long finish a hint of raspberry liqueur. An elegant wine. Drink now-2009. Score 91. (Re-tasted 1 Mar 2007)