Wine and Spirits / Looking forward to a winery sale

In what has come to be one of the most anticipated annual events in the Israeli wine world, Yair and Assaf Margalit of Margalit winery will be holding their annual sale at the winery on three consecutive Fridays and Saturdays: March 24 and 25, March 31 and April 1 and April 7 and 8. Each sale is from 10 A.M. till 4 P.M.

Margalit has consistently made some of the best and most interesting wines in the country since their first releases in 1989, and the five oak-aged wines now being released from the 2004 vintage are all excellent, and here are my most recent tasting notes:

Margalit, Cabernet Sauvignon, Special Reserve, 2004: A truly limited edition of only 600. Full-bodied blend of 86 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 14 percent Petite Sirah. Excellent balance between tannins that are now integrating nicely, hints of sweet oak and generous but happily subdued blackcurrant, plum and chocolate aromas and flavors. Best from release till 2012. Score 91.

Margalit, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2004: Dark garnet to royal purple in color with orange reflections, well-balanced, medium- to full-bodied wine, a blend of 89 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 11 percent Merlot. Generous currant and berry fruits, matched nicely by spicy wood, dark chocolate and espresso. Long and luxurious. Best 2008-2012. Score 92.

Margalit, Merlot, 2004: Fresh, ripe and generous, with appealing blackberry, plum, cassis, mocha and vanilla aromas and flavors finishing with a hint of grilled herbs. Medium- to full-bodied, with soft tannins, this gently spicy wine will be at its best from now till 2009. Score 90.

Margalit, Cabernet Franc, 2004: Deeply fragrant, this full-bodied wine was blended with 10 percent Merlot. Silky smooth tannins, black and red fruits, hints of tobacco and chocolate come together on the long, mouth-filling finish with an appealing hint of freshly turned earth. Best 2008-2011. Score 91.

Margalit, Enigma, 2004: The second year that Margalit has released this blended wine, this year of 60 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 21 percent Cabernet Franc and 19 percent Merlot. A Bordeaux blend but with the clear Margalit signature, with generous but near-sweet soft tannins and a moderate hand with the wood, and even now showing dark purple plum and currant fruits, those matched nicely by spices and a hint of red licorice on the long finish. Best 2007-2012. Score 93.

Prices for the wines per bottle at the sale: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, NIS 125 each; Enigma, NIS 140; and Cabernet Sauvignon, Special Reserve, NIS 165. Advance reservations need not be made to attend but those needing further details or a map on how to reach the winery, located not far from Hadera, can obtain that by telephoning 054-6-285-666 or by sending an email to the winery at marwine@netvision.net.il

Now appearing

Sea Horse, Elul, 2003: Perhaps the best yet from this small winery. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Petite Sirah (85%, 10% and 5% respectively) this delicious wine is already showing rich and quiet elegance. Ripe black cherry, currant and berry fruits are overlayed nicely by gentle hints of anise, spicy oak and a light earthiness, which come to a long and generous finish. Approachable now but best 2007-2012. NIS 140. Score 92.

Saslove, Cabernet Sauvignon, Adom, 2003: Full-bodied, with soft, well-integrating tannins, this still young wine is already showing ripe, smooth and elegant. Reflecting its 20 months in small oak barrels with an attractive array of flavors that include currants, cherries, herbs and vanilla. Drink now till 2009. NIS 95. Score 90.

Golan Heights Winery, Blanc de Blancs, Yarden, 1999: A sparkling wine, made in the traditional method used to make Champagne, this delicious white is just yeasty enough to enchant, with rich citrus, peach and tropical fruits along with a hint of mineral crispness. Sharp bubbles that last and last and a long and tempting near creamy finish. Drink now till 2009. NIS 92. Score 90. K (*)

Carmel, Reches Red, Regional, Zichron, 2005: A distinct step down in the Regional series, this blend of Merlot, Carignan and Petite Sirah (75%, 16% and 9% respectively) may show some black and red fruits but is a far too simple, and far too acidic, barely worthy of being thought of as "an entry-level" wine. Score 80. K

Golan Heights Winery, Mount Hermon Red, Yarden, 2005: As nearly always, this dark cherry red, medium-bodied, blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc offers soft tannins that make the wine ready to drink in its youth. A few berry, currant and black cherry fruits here but those a bit too subdued. Drink up. NIS 38. Score 84. K

Golan Heights Winery, Sion Creek Red, Golan, 2005: Light to medium-bodied, with almost unfelt tannins and fruity enough to make one think more of fruit-juice than fine wine. An entry-level quaffer, not so much "bad" as it is boring. Drink up. NIS 30. Score 80. K