MUGI – My Unique Gift Idea

Here’s a list of the best Israeli wines which were released in 2009, or are about to be released.

Chateau Golan, Cabernet Sauvignon, Royal Reserve 2005

Dark garnet in color, concentrated and elegant. A blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Cabernet Franc. The taste opens with spicy, mocha-tinged blackcurrants, those yielding to blackberries, herbs and light oak. Hints of sea salt and leather on the super-long finish. Perhaps the best yet from the winery.

Margalit, Cabernet Sauvignon, Special Reserve, 2007
Intense and concentrated. Balanced tannins with wood and fruit. As the wine develops, look for currant, black cherry and blackberry fruits, those with hints of black pepper, nutmeg and licorice, all leading to a long, generous finish.

Yatir, Yatir Forest, 2006
Deep garnet in color, with orange and purple reflections, a Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Merlot (50%, 38% and 12%). Aged for 16 months in French oak. Ripe and round with a gentle spicy wood influence. It opens to reveal layer after layer of currant, plum, blackberry, mocha, and floral notes, all of which linger on a long finish. Approachable and thoroughly enjoyable now, this is one for aging and will be at its best from 2011-2020, may be give it even longer.

Golan Heights Winery, Syrah, Ortal Vineyard, Yarden, 2004
Among the best Syrah ever in Israel. Opens with a burst of raspberries and kirsch liqueur, those yielding to blackberry, cherry and plum fruits. A background of generous hints of anise and Oriental spices, and a touch of freshly tanned leather.

Clos de Gat, Merlot, Syhra, 2006
Full-bodied, reflecting its 20 months in new oak with generous spicy wood and equally generous but softly mouth-coating tannins, those in fine balance with fruits and acidity. Opens with currant, purple plum and mocha notes, those yielding to blackberry, citrus peel and light herbal and tobacco overtones. Drink now-2016. NIS 250. Score 93.

Galil Mountain, Yiron, 2005
A Bordeaux blend with a hint of Syrah added (50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot, plus 4% Syrah). Full-bodied and concentrated but soft and elegant. Generous with cassis and black fruits; with velvety tannins and reflecting its 16 months in oak with dusty wood. Very long finish.

Pelter, T-Selection, Cabernet Sauvignon, T-Selection, 2006
With 20 months in new French barriques, a well oaked wine, near-sweet because of its 15% alcohol content. Opens in your glass to reveal blackcurrants and black cherries, those along with tarry and spicy notes, and, rising on the very long finish, notes of sweet chewing tobacco.

Recanati, Special Reserve, 2005
Deep royal-purple, full-bodied with firm, still rough-edged tannins. Great mixture of light spicy wood and fruits. A blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Elements of anise and cedary oak flavors.

Castel, Grand Vin Castel, 2006
A blend focused on Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, flushed out with Petit Verdot and Malbec. Firm on first attack but opens to show a generous array of blackberries, black cherries, currants and dark chocolate. Dense, rich and complex.

Dalton Matatia, 2006
A Bordeaux blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Developed in new French oak. On first stab aromas of mint, tar and a hint of iodine. Yields in the glass to delight generously with blackberry, blackcurrant and bitter orange peel notes, and finally, on the long finish, hints of espresso coffee. A thought-provoking wine. Produced in a limited edition of 6,000 bottles and will come to market in about two months.