Ben Ami

Galil Merlot

8.419 ratings
8.43 pro ratings
Galilee, Israel
Merlot
Beef, Venison, Salami & Prosciutto, Chili & Hot Spicy, Potato, Exotic Spices, Lamb, White Rice, Baking Spices, Herbs, Pasta, Chicken, Mushrooms, Pungent Cheese, Turkey, Tomato-Based, Soft Cheese, Pork, Beans & Peas, Hard Cheese, Duck, Onion, Shallot, Garlic
Top Notes For
"Odedi"

#MerlotThursday

Dark ruby in color with a wide radish rim.

On the nose blueberries, cherries, light oak, licorice, spices, mint and black pepper.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, plums, cooked cherries, light oak, licorice, spices, peppercorn, tobacco, chocolates and herbs.

Short finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

The 6-year-old Merlot from Israel is still drinking nicely, but on its way out.

Soft and smooth. Spicy and tangy. Was probably better 3 years ago.

Found it at a friend's house, and it is actually surprisingly smooth.

Was not meant to be aged for so long, and a little too tart on the ending for my taste. Not offensive, but not for me.

A blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Kosher and Mevushal.

12.5% alcohol by volume.

84 points.

$13 (current vintage).

#MerlotThursday

Dark ruby in color with a wide radish rim.

On the nose blueberries, cherries, light oak, licorice, spices, mint and black pepper.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, plums, cooked cherries, light oak, licorice, spices, peppercorn, tobacco, chocolates and herbs.

Short finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

The 6-year-old Merlot from Israel is still drinking nicely, but on its way out.

Soft and smooth. Spicy and tangy. Was probably better 3 years ago.

Found it at a friend's house, and it is actually surprisingly smooth.

Was not meant to be aged for so long, and a little too tart on the ending for my taste. Not offensive, but not for me.

A blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Kosher and Mevushal.

12.5% alcohol by volume.

84 points.

$13 (current vintage).

Oct 20th, 2022
"Odedi"

A drinkable Merlot from Israel,
with red fruits and earth notes. New world style.

A good food wine for the weekday.

A blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Grapes are grown in the Galilee region.

12.5% alcohol by volume. Kosher.

83 points.

$15.

A drinkable Merlot from Israel,
with red fruits and earth notes. New world style.

A good food wine for the weekday.

A blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Grapes are grown in the Galilee region.

12.5% alcohol by volume. Kosher.

83 points.

$15.

Sep 9th, 2018
"Odedi"

It's time for Merlot Thursday! This week it's an Israeli one.

Ruby in color with light intensity and a reddish rim.

Fruity nose of black currant, black cherries, oak, earth, barnyard, vegetables, spices, smoke, earth, cloves and black pepper.

Medium bodied with medium acidity and nice legs.

Dry on the palate with plums, cherries, sweet strawberries, raspberries, spices, light oak, vegetables, bitter herbs and black pepper.

Medium minus on the finish with soft tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a nice surprise. Simple good everyday red wine from Israel. Not fully balanced, yet enjoyable by itself and better with food. Will be better in a year or two in the bottle.

Needs 30 minutes to open up properly and show some tannins.

A blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged in American Oak barrels.

Kosher for passover and will work with brisket.

12.5% alcohol by volume.

85 points.

$15.

It's time for Merlot Thursday! This week it's an Israeli one.

Ruby in color with light intensity and a reddish rim.

Fruity nose of black currant, black cherries, oak, earth, barnyard, vegetables, spices, smoke, earth, cloves and black pepper.

Medium bodied with medium acidity and nice legs.

Dry on the palate with plums, cherries, sweet strawberries, raspberries, spices, light oak, vegetables, bitter herbs and black pepper.

Medium minus on the finish with soft tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a nice surprise. Simple good everyday red wine from Israel. Not fully balanced, yet enjoyable by itself and better with food. Will be better in a year or two in the bottle.

Needs 30 minutes to open up properly and show some tannins.

A blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged in American Oak barrels.

Kosher for passover and will work with brisket.

12.5% alcohol by volume.

85 points.

$15.

Mar 15th, 2018
Mitchell Moshenberg

This robust and full bodied wine is fabulous ! Awesome that it's kosher for Passover but I'd drink it all year long ! A touch sweeter than I'm used to but its complexity it makes a winner !

This robust and full bodied wine is fabulous ! Awesome that it's kosher for Passover but I'd drink it all year long ! A touch sweeter than I'm used to but its complexity it makes a winner !

1 person found it helpfulApr 25th, 2016
"Odedi"

Deep ruby in color with a light red rim.

Funky on the nose with barnyard, cherries, green peppers, blueberries, asparagus, cloves, light vanilla and white pepper.

Medium bodied with medium plus acidity.

Fruity on the palate with cloves, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, earth, forest floor, black pepper and spices.

Medium finish with medium tannins and a funky aftertaste.

An okay Merlot from Israel. Nothing special here. Simple and balanced, and not offensive at all. In one word, Drinkable.

85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon.

12.5% alcohol by volume.

Deep ruby in color with a light red rim.

Funky on the nose with barnyard, cherries, green peppers, blueberries, asparagus, cloves, light vanilla and white pepper.

Medium bodied with medium plus acidity.

Fruity on the palate with cloves, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, earth, forest floor, black pepper and spices.

Medium finish with medium tannins and a funky aftertaste.

An okay Merlot from Israel. Nothing special here. Simple and balanced, and not offensive at all. In one word, Drinkable.

85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon.

12.5% alcohol by volume.

Mar 14th, 2016
Diane Heyboer

Has the 2021 in February of 2024. Way too acidic for me. Affected by tongue and couldn’t enjoy it as I sipped along. First few sips were tasty. Was very dry for a merlot. Some fruits and a hint of spice. But then it wasn’t good for me any more. Husband and son enjoyed it though. Just not for me.

Has the 2021 in February of 2024. Way too acidic for me. Affected by tongue and couldn’t enjoy it as I sipped along. First few sips were tasty. Was very dry for a merlot. Some fruits and a hint of spice. But then it wasn’t good for me any more. Husband and son enjoyed it though. Just not for me.

Mar 3rd, 2024
Jody Wycech

Wine is good. Fairly dry for a merlot. Definitely a bit more of a peppery aroma with the cocoa, tobacco and dried red fruit notes. Had with beef shawarma, very tasty with food and on its own.

Wine is good. Fairly dry for a merlot. Definitely a bit more of a peppery aroma with the cocoa, tobacco and dried red fruit notes. Had with beef shawarma, very tasty with food and on its own.

Mar 2nd, 2024
Emiel Kuipers

Heerlijke soepele Israëlische wijn

Heerlijke soepele Israëlische wijn

Jan 13th, 2018
lisa cherian

Boring, light

Boring, light

Sep 9th, 2017
Adam Stone

Adam had this 10 years ago

Adam had this 10 years ago

Apr 5th, 2015