Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., August 20, 2008 Av 19, 5768 | | Israel Time: 02:43 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Wine and Spirits / Still at the forefront: Golan Heights By Daniel Rogov Since it released its first wine from the 1983 vintage, the Golan Heights Winery has been at the forefront of both the Israeli wine revolution and of local wine leadership. That seems truer than ever as it celebrates its 25th anniversary, showing no signs of tiredness. Its best wines compete with many of the best of France, Italy, California and Australia. The winery currently produces more than six million bottles annually, with nearly 30 percent destined for export. Its flagship wine is Katzrin, a Bordeaux-style blend, followed by the single-vineyard and regular releases in the Yarden series, all among the country's most age-worthy wines. Following those are the wines in the Gamla and Golan series - both often excellent and invariably good value for money. The winery also produces two sparkling wines, Blanc de Blancs and Brut, which are made in the traditional method Champenoise as well as Heightswine and several other dessert wines, each invariably attaining very positive reviews and appropriately high scores. Advertisement Here are reviews of several recently released wines plus sneak previews of wines soon to appear on the market. Golan Heights Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, Elrom Vineyard, Yarden, 2004: Developed in French oak barriques for 18 months, deep garnet, full-bodied, with firm tannins and spicy wood integrating well with fruits and despite its youth already showing elegance and finesse. Look for layer after layer of currant, blackberry and other berries, those supported beautifully by notes of cedar, sage and tar, all leading to a near-sweet and lingering fruity finish. Approachable now, best 2010-2018. NIS 175. Score 94. K Golan Heights Winery, Merlot, Ortal Vineyard, Yarden, 2004: Dark garnet toward inky black, full-bodied, with once firm tannins and generous spicy wood integrating nicely now. Opens to reveal a tempting array of blackberry, raspberry, plum and cassis fruits, supported nicely by hints of smoky cedarwood and chocolate, leading to a gently spicy and notably long finish. Simultaneously complex, concentrated and elegant. Best 2010-2018. NIS 130. Score 93. K Golan Heights Winery, Katzrin, 2004: Dark garnet to royal purple, with orange and violet reflections. Generous oak and still firm tannins in fine proportion and well-balanced by blackberry, black currant and cherry fruits, on a background of white pepper, Mediterranean herbs and on the long and generous finish hints of vanilla and peppermint. Drink now-2016. Future Release. Score 92. K Golan Heights Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, Yarden, 2005: Dark ruby red, full-bodied, with near-sweet tannins and spicy oak wrapped around black currants, berries, spices and a hint of dark chocolate. Enchanting hints of citrus peel and vanilla on the long finish. Fine balance and structure bode well for the future. Best 2010-2018. NIS 120. Score 92. K Golan Heights Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, Yarden, 2004: Dark garnet, with generous wood in fine balance with acidity and fruits. Opens to show currants and crushed berries, yielding to cherries, ripe purple plums and dark chocolate, all on a background of spices, asphalt and earthiness. Drink now-2016. NIS 120. Score 92. K Golan Heights Winery, Chardonnay, Odem Organic Vineyard, Yarden, 2006: Full-bodied, opening with subtle aromas of figs, pears and apples, going on to show a generous dash of smoky, toasty oak and then pineapple, citrus peel and minerals leading to a long finish that is simultaneously creamy and bright. Drink now-2013. Future Release. Score 92. K Golan Heights Winery, Noble Semillon, Botrytis, Yarden, 2004: Bright gold, with fine concentration and balance and developing deep honeyed botrytis-impacted spices and funkiness. On the nose and palate: dried apricots, orange peel, toasty oak and tropical fruits with a long caressing finish. Drink now-2018. NIS 105. Score 92. K Golan Heights Winery, Blanc de Blancs, Yarden, 2001: The winery's best Blanc de Blancs to date. Made from Chardonnay grapes by the traditional methode Champenoise, this medium-bodied sparkling wine shows just the right balance between yeasty sourdough bread, peaches, citrus and minerals. With a generous mousse and sharp, well-focused bubbles that go on and on, this crisp and sophisticated wine goes on to a long, mouth-filling finish. Drink now-2012. NIS 120. Score 92. K Best Buy Galil Mountain, Barbera, 2006: Showing darker, deeper and even more impressive than at an advance tasting. Inky ruby to garnet, with its impressive 15% alcohol content in fine balance with wood, tannins and fruit. On the nose and palate: blackberries, blueberries, plums and violets, those supported nicely by notes of vanilla and milk chocolate and on the long finish black pepper, minerals and red cherries. Generous but gently mouth-coating tannins, fine concentration, a supple wine for drinking now or cellaring until 2011. At NIS 60, an unbeatable value for money. Score 91. K Bookmark to del.icio.us   Poor sports Here are the top 10 excuses for Israel's poor Olympics showing. Kafka the Zionist Remnants of Kafka's estate found in T.A. raise questions of his belief in Zionism.

Read & React Olmert: No restraint if Lebanon becomes Hezbollah state Responses: 28 Mike Huckabee: A divided Jerusalem is 'unimaginable' Responses: 150 Top Russian general: Israel armed, trained Georgia forces Responses: 54 Yoel Marcus: Israel can no longer rely on U.S. to stand by it come what may Responses: 44 More Headlines 00:14 Ex-Mossad chief: Ahmadinejad is Israel's greatest gift 21:16 Olmert: No restraint if Lebanon becomes Hezbollah state 01:28 U.S. official calls Iranian satellite launch a 'dramatic failure' 23:35 Obama appoints Jewish outreach coordinator 18:12 Top Russian general: Israel armed, trained Georgia forces 14:02 Olympic rabbi runs a spiritual marathon at Beijing Games 23:55 Barak orders Gaza crossings closed after Qassam hits Negev 18:36 Court halts IDF tribunal against soldier who shot bound Palestinian 20:19 Hamas, Fatah delegations head to Cairo for reconciliation talks 14:38 'The dog ate my medal': Top 10 excuses for Israel's poor showing in Beijing 23:10 Interior Minister Sheetrit announces candidacy for Kadima leadership 16:59 Huckabee backs Jewish land purchases in Arab areas of Jerusalem 20:23 Police quiz parents who forgot 3-year-old son during family trip in north 16:20 Olmert to face additional round of police questioning on Friday 20:25 IDF commander kept in post 3 months after accused of raping mentally challenged volunteer 18:27 Foreign Ministry denies Livni helped get Israeli ID for Palestinian official's daughter Previous Editions Select Day 19 aug 18 aug 17 aug 15 aug 14 aug 13 aug 12 aug 11 aug 10 aug 08 aug 07 aug 06 aug

Special Offers Advertisement Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. Jewish Singles Personal Ads Find the love of your life on JDate.com MBA in Israel in English APPLY NOW! Limited spaces available Israel's Premier Real Estate Website www. israel-property.com Your vacation starts here Israel Travel Center Guaranteed Lowest Rates Hebrew Summer courses From $39.95 ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel

birthright Israel | Search engine marketing

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved