Golan Heights Winery
Yarden Ortal Vineyard Merlot
Golan Heights, Galilee, Israel
The first edition of this wine has matured impressively, it is quite rare for Israeli wines to mature and still be at their peak after 15 years. The warm weather usually gets them out of balance at this age. Deep red with a hint of brown, lovely nose full of cooked black fruits, plums, cheery jam, dry figs, coffee, licorice and sweet spices. Fully body, very warm and ripe, slightly out of balance with the acidity, round smooth tannins and a long ripe finish. My score 88, used to be a 90 pointer, drink up.
The first edition of this wine has matured impressively, it is quite rare for Israeli wines to mature and still be at their peak after 15 years. The warm weather usually gets them out of balance at this age. Deep red with a hint of brown, lovely nose full of cooked black fruits, plums, cheery jam, dry figs, coffee, licorice and sweet spices. Fully body, very warm and ripe, slightly out of balance with the acidity, round smooth tannins and a long ripe finish. My score 88, used to be a 90 pointer, drink up.
Aug 31st, 2016This wine is at its prime, elegant smooth and rich. In the past it was characterized by Daniel Rogov as the best Israeli Merlot ever produced. I have been following this wine closely since I bought a case back in 2003/4, now approaching 15 years the color is slightly brown, the aromas are more classic with cassis, dark cherries, dry tea leaves, tobacco, cigar box, licorice and dried plums, the body is full with soft round tannins and a mild balanced acidity. Long delicious finish, my score 91, drink to 2016
This wine is at its prime, elegant smooth and rich. In the past it was characterized by Daniel Rogov as the best Israeli Merlot ever produced. I have been following this wine closely since I bought a case back in 2003/4, now approaching 15 years the color is slightly brown, the aromas are more classic with cassis, dark cherries, dry tea leaves, tobacco, cigar box, licorice and dried plums, the body is full with soft round tannins and a mild balanced acidity. Long delicious finish, my score 91, drink to 2016
Nov 14th, 2015
