Freddy R. Troya

8.9

YA Winery, Kerem Ben-Zimra Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Upper Galilee, Israel 🇮🇱

Overview
From the heart of Kerem Ben Zimra — one of Israel’s most renowned terroirs — this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is a reserve expression aged for at least 12 months in French oak barrels. It shows why this small area is celebrated as one of the country’s top sites for structured, concentrated Cabernet.

Aromas & Flavors
The nose explodes with ripe blueberries, mulberries, and roasted vanilla, unfolding into earthy hints of sage and tarragon. On the palate, baked dark fruits mix with mocha, caramelized vanilla, and rustic herbal tones. As it opens, deeper nuances of clove, nutmeg, and toasted oak add more layers.

Mouthfeel
Rustic and bold, with firm tannins and high intensity that remain consistent from nose to palate. Full-bodied, structured, and slightly rugged in texture, this is a wine that demands food.

Food Pairing
Perfect alongside grilled lamb skewers, charred vegetables, and Mediterranean cuisine with roasted herbs.

Verdict
A powerful, rustic Israeli Cabernet that commands attention. Not overly polished, but authentic, concentrated, and memorable — a real food wine.
— 3 months ago

Tony Napolitano

9.2

Very nice full bodies red, went wonderfully with food. 2011 consumed in 2020. Would definitely buy again. — 5 years ago

with Rebecca

Leah Tucker

9.1

Very smooth and dry but interesting — 7 years ago

Sagee Aran

9.1

Second bottle from the vintage. More mature, round dark fruit on the palate towards caramelised dried fruits. Acidity balances the sweetness. — 3 years ago

Turd Ferguson

9.1

Natty Chenin from the Lebanese desert. Brought back from Tel Aviv. Wine shop owner pulled it out from behind the counter after we chatted for a bit. A+ for typicity. Lemon Apples honey. Super structured. High acid. body. Dry as a bone. Very good. — 5 years ago

Stanislav Lobanov

9.1

16.5/20 (91/100) Джемовый аромат с нотами вишни, ежевики, черники, инжира и шоколада. Тельное с умеренной кислотностью и не слишком интенсивными, гладкими танинами. Послевкусие с шоколадной горчинкой. Осень хорошо, но структуру бы хотелось помощней. — 7 years ago

Sagee Aran

9.1

Somek Estate winery, Kerem 13. A GSM blend. Medium body, red berries noticed especially strawberry and some mild smokiness attributes. This wine has its unique characteristics, not similar to the south of France blend. — 3 years ago

Sagee Aran

9.0

2016 vintage. Bombastic blend, very ripe. Thick and chewy. Overpowered... — 5 years ago

Guy Gueta

10

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

Василий Куртц

9.1

Цвет алый в рыжину, глубокий, но очень прозрачный.
Аромат как я очень люблю: сперва густое сладкое варенье из вишни с косточками и густо уваренное клубничное варенье, потом перец и специи, потом через мускус и животину переходит в сильный табак и замшу. Нюхать и нюхать.
А вот на вкус прямо-таки конпота: баланс, нежные танины, сладость, всё в ту сторону, чтоб пить залпом и литрами. Ну очень питкое и при этом с очень пристойной тельностью.
Очень понравилось. — 8 years ago