Freddy R. Troya

8.9

Jerusalem Heights Cabernet Sauvignon–Merlot 2023 – Judean Hills, Israel 🇮🇱

Overview
A bold red blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon · 50% Merlot that expresses the rugged power and elevation-driven intensity of the Judean Hills rather than classic Bordeaux balance. Cabernet brings structure, dark fruit depth, and firm backbone, while Merlot contributes mid-palate weight, savory flesh, and dark plum richness. This is not a plush or polished style, it leans muscular, serious, and expressive of place. Elevated intensity, concentration, and tension suggest strong aging potential, with the wine expected to show even greater harmony by 2028+, though approachable now with air.

Aromas & Flavors
Black cherry, ripe plum, cassis, and dark blackberry. Savory notes of dried herbs, black pepper, cedar, and warm stone. Subtle earthy undertones with hints of tobacco leaf and dark cocoa. The profile leans deep and structured rather than sweet or fruit-forward.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus to full-bodied with firm, youthful tannins and a dense core. Structured, slightly angular on opening, softening with air. Fresh acidity keeps the power in check while maintaining lift. Long, savory finish with persistent dark fruit and spice. Built for food and cellaring.

Food Pairings
Grilled lamb chops, beef short ribs, ribeye steak, roasted duck, slow-braised meats, mushroom-driven dishes, aged hard cheeses, and Middle Eastern spice-forward cuisine. Benefits from decanting 1–2 hours.

🍷 Personal Pick
This is not a crowd-pleasing, plush red, it’s a serious, punchy expression that rewards patience and attention. I love how it shows its regional muscle and personality instead of chasing polish. A bottle for slow evenings, hearty food, and watching a young wine stretch into its future potential.

Did You Know?
The Judean Hills sit at higher elevations with limestone soils and strong diurnal shifts, producing wines with firm structure, savory character, and excellent aging capacity. Cabernet and Merlot here often show more tension and mineral grip than their softer New World counterparts. — 3 months ago

Michael Coscetta

9.1

Delicious and unique — 3 years ago

JJ Hornblass

9.0

We drank the Adom 2016, a petite syrah, petite verdot, sirah and grenache blend. #kosher — 5 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Razi’el – Red Blend – 2021
Jerusalem – Haute Judée (Judean Hills), Israel 🇮🇱

Overview
A beautifully crafted Mediterranean red blend dominated by 70% Syrah, 25% Carignan, and 5% Grenache, grown at high elevation (≈700 meters) in the Judean Hills near Jerusalem. Hand-picked fruit, fermented with care, and aged 18 months in French oak, this bottling is a striking example of how Israel’s terroirs can mirror, and sometimes rival, the finesse of top Rhône estates. A Not “Mevushal” wine.

Aromas & Flavors
Dark berries, plum skin, violets, roasted herbs, cracked pepper, and a touch of smoky mineral. The Carignan brings juiciness and lift; the Grenache contributes subtle red-fruited charm.

Mouthfeel
Silky yet structured, expressive yet refined. Medium-plus body with excellent balance and tension. The finish is long, smooth, and beautifully integrated, remarkably elegant for a warm-climate blend.

Food Pairings
Lamb shawarma, herb-roasted chicken, grilled eggplant, beef kebabs, mushroom ragù, or Provençal stews.

Verdict
A sophisticated, Rhône-inspired red with Israeli soul. Juicy, polished, and impressively detailed, far more refined than many expect from the region. This is a world-class offering and a standout in the Kosher category. A Not “Mevushal” wine that truly delivers.

Did You Know?
Razi’el is produced by the Ben Zaken family of Domaine du Castel, one of Israel’s most influential wineries. Planted in limestone-rich, high-altitude vineyards, the site naturally channels a Rhône-like profile, cool nights, rocky soils, and intense sun exposure working together to produce wines of concentration and elegance. — 5 months ago

"Odedi"

9.2

Zwebner Estate Vineyard Judean Mountains 35.6.18 Red 2017, Bethlehem

#KosherWineSunday

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with cherries, black plums, currants, raspberries, light oak, spices, chocolates, licorice, coffee, tobacco leaf, herbs, earth, peppercorn and black tea.

Tangy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 6 year old red blend from the Judean Mountains in Israel, is showing nice complexity with a soft mouthfeel. Elegant and spicy.

Fruit forward right out of the bottle, and even better after an hour of airtime.

This Single Vineyard is good by itself or with food. A great sipping wine.

I Had the 2015 a few years ago, and it is very consistent. Delicious stuff.

A blend of Grenache, Carignan and Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged in French oak barrels for 12 months. Kosher.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$50. — 2 years ago

Iwan

9.1

Passover wine no. 1. Bordeaux blend from the Judean Hills near Jerusalem. — 7 years ago

Sagee Aran

8.9

Dull in color, pinot nose, pallete flat. Maybe too early of the drinking window. — 10 months ago

Sam Friedland

8.9

Cherries. Very pleasant, 13%. — a year ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Matar by Pelter Petit Verdot 2016, Israel

#kosherWineSunday

Inky in color with a short reddish rim.

Fruity nose with blue and black fruits, light oak, tobacco, coffee, metals and spices.

Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with black currants, plums, cooked cherries, oak, licorice, light vanilla, tobacco, crushed peppercorn, espresso, spices, herbs, light earth and black tea.

Short tangy finish with soft tannins and tangy cranberries.

This 7 year old Petit Verdot from Israel is still drinking nicely. Rich and tangy with a soft mouthfeel. Spicy with nice complexity.

Showing black fruits on the mid palate, and very tangy on the finish.
Interesting.

Intense, and better with food. Will pair nicely with a big piece of steak.

100% Petit Verdot grapes from the Jerusalem Mountains were aged for 18 months in French Oak barrels. Kosher.

14.3% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$50. — 2 years ago

Guy Gueta

10

One of the best I hade in the last years — 6 years ago