Another year has passed and the Tishrei holidays are already upon us. Ahead of the upcoming holidays, many wineries are launching new wines to enrich our holiday table. A good time to taste and check new red wines for you. If you are more interested in whites, you are invited to the previous review on the Walla Sanhedrink channel.
The review offers wines that provide good value in a wide range of prices, varieties, and growing regions, with different aromas and flavors—light and fruity wines alongside complex and rich ones. All that’s left is to decide what suits you, head to your nearest wine shop or winery, and hope for a better year than the previous ones.
Carmel Winery, Regional Series, Cabernet Sauvignon-Shiraz 2023: Made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz grapes from the Upper Galilee. The wine has pleasant aromas of black forest fruit, greenish spices, and dark chocolate, medium to full body, and a long, balanced finish. Festive and not expensive. Price: NIS 65.
Ramat Negev Winery, Neve Midbar Red 2023: The uniqueness of the winery comes from the exceptional desert terroir. Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot grapes from Nitzana vineyards in the Ramat Negev and Mount Negev yielded a wine with aromas of ripe red fruit and cinnamon, medium to full body, pleasant acidity, and peppery spicing on the palate. Price: NIS 79.
Barkan Winery, Platinum Cabernet Sauvignon 2023: Special barrels of Cabernet Sauvignon wines from Alma vineyard in Dalton, Upper Galilee, were chosen by the winery’s winemaking team for this wine. A powerful, elegant, and rich wine with aromas and flavors of black fruit, herbs, vanilla, clove, and a hint of anise, medium to full body, and elegant refinement on the palate. Price: NIS 80.
Carmel Winery, Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon 2022: Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from northern Golan Heights, grown on mineral volcanic soil. A powerful and elegant wine with aromas of red and black forest fruit, mint, and vanilla, surprising softness on the palate, and a long and pleasant finish. Price: NIS 85.
Tzuba Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon 2023: Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from the vineyards surrounding Kibbutz Tzuba, among the rocks, ancient wine presses, and terraces of the area. Aromas of dark fruit, spices, and roasting; on the palate, a variety of ripe red fruit flavors, smoothness, and a long finish. Price: NIS 98.
Teperberg Winery, Essence, Cabernet Sauvignon 2020: Cabernet Sauvignon grapes harvested from three selected vineyards with different topography and soils, from the Golan Heights, the high Ephraim Hills, and the high Judean Hills. Rich aromas of red and black berries, tobacco, earth, and mint. On the palate, balanced richness of flavors, full structure, and a long, velvety finish. Price: NIS 99.
Recanati Winery, Trilogy 2022: In honor of the move to the new winery and 25 years of activity, the winery launches a new festive wine composed of three grape varieties: Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, and Syrah. A powerful and elegant wine, deep and rich, complex and multi-layered, with a velvety and harmonious texture. Price: NIS 100.
Tabor Winery, Artisanal, Creation, Red Blend 2018: The Creation series of the winery focuses on wines from single vineyards, matching each variety to its most suitable growing region. A rich blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Shiraz grown in select vineyards in the Golan and Galilee created an aromatic, rich, and complex wine with full structure and flavor depth. Price: NIS 105.
Lotem Winery, Denev 2021: A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Syrah, and Merlot grapes. A complex and concentrated red wine with aromas of ripe red and black fruits, spices, and toasted wood, full-bodied balanced with fresh acidity and a long finish. Price: NIS 105.
Dalton Winery, Family Collection, Cabernet Sauvignon 2022: On the occasion of Dalton’s 30th anniversary, the Family Collection series was born as a collection of quality wines embodying the family winery’s heritage in the Galilee. Cabernet Sauvignon grapes harvested from three selected vineyard plots across the Upper Galilee: Kfar Shamai, Elkosh, and Kerem Ben Zimra. Aromas of cherries, Mediterranean herbs, and tobacco, full body and ripe, soft fruit on the palate. The finish is long, full, and complex. Price: NIS 109.
Yatir Winery, Mount Amasa Red 2022: The winery’s vineyards, located on the border between mountain and desert with semi-desert climate, are planted in Yatir Forest. A rich red blend composed of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Malbec, and Tannat. An elegant wine with fruity aromas of ripe plums and black raspberries, smoky and spicy notes, medium body, beautifully balanced acidity, and a long, delightful finish. Price: NIS 125.
Feldstein Winery, Grenache 2022: Grenache grapes from Peki’in vineyard adapted excellently to the climate and Mediterranean cuisine. An elegant, refined, and complex wine with charming fruity bouquet of strawberry, raspberry, and local greenish spices. Refreshing and balanced acidity with a light and pleasant finish. A summer red wine, recommended to drink chilled. Price: NIS 129.
Netofa Winery, Tel Qasser Red 2023: Grenache and Syrah grapes grown in the Lower Galilee at the foot of Mount Tabor, on the southern slopes of the Lower Galilee, at 110 meters above sea level. A harmonious and balanced blend, Mediterranean aromas of raspberry and mulberry, black pepper, and wildflowers. Medium to full body, pleasant acidity, and soft tannins. Price: NIS 130.
Vitkin Winery, Old Vines Carignan 2021: The winery, pioneer of the Mediterranean revolution in Israel, presents the 20th edition of Old Vines Carignan. The vineyard, more than 40 years old, is planted in the Alona Hills region. An elegant and powerful wine, rich in the typical aromas of the variety: black plums, pomegranates, raspberries, flowers, and earth. On the palate, present, deep, and balanced structure, refreshing acidity support, and complex flavors of fruit, herbs, and minerals. The finish is long and delightful. Price: NIS 135.
Raziel Winery, Red 2022: Syrah and Carignan grapes aged in large 600-liter French oak barrels to preserve the elegant and refined character. A harmonious and generous wine in aromas and flavors. Rich and tempting bouquet of red fruit and herbs, medium body, rich and pleasant texture, fine tannins, and long, lingering finish. Price: NIS 149.
Much More than Good Wine
A unique and first-of-its-kind in the world rehabilitative wine-emotional process called Vinotherapy takes place under the auspices of Terra Uma Association, helping male and female combat soldiers coping with post-trauma to find their way back to a full and meaningful life.
Layla Red Petit Verdot 2024: The wine is composed of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from Kerem Belu in the Dalton area, with a small addition of Syrah grapes from Kfar Tabor. A Mediterranean-style red wine, fruity aromas of black cherries and vanilla, soft and pleasant texture on the palate, and a long, spicy finish. A wonderful holiday wine that also grants recognition to the efforts of the combat soldiers. Price: NIS 129.