Yonatan Sternberg

Over the past couple of weeks I had the opportunity to sample several new Israeli single vineyard wines. Single Vineyard Wines are wines produced using grapes harvested from the same (hence - single) vineyard. These wines are intended to reflect the traits and characteristics of a specific vineyard and provide us with the opportunity to compare the differences between the various terroirs. For those who aren’t familiar with this French term, the word terroir refers to the combination of the micro-climate, soil type, topography and other factors that influence the vine, grapes and consequently impact the wine as well.

The Golan Heights winery recently launched two new wines produced using grapes harvested at the Odem vineyard – the traditional Chardonnay and this year for the first time from this vineyard, a Merlot wine as well. Odem is an organic vineyard situated at an altitude of 1070-1100 mt. above sea. Vintner Shalom Tzadok stated that "while working with an organic vineyard is at time quite challenging, this approach provides maximal independence to the vine and soil, thus truly reflecting the terroir".

Yarden, Chardonnay, Odem Organic Vineyard, 2008 – bright straw with gold reflections, medium bodied, the wine is showing pleasant aromas of green apples, pears, white flowers and a touch of lemon zest. Slightly creamy on the palate, the wine should go well alongside rich pasta or fish dishes.

Yarden, Merlot, Odem Organic Vineyard, 2006 – 100 % Merlot, full bodied, this red offers concentrated aromas of dark berry fruits, cherries and plums followed by hints of thyme and orange peel all leading to a long and satisfying finish.

Considered by many as part of the Reserve category, Barkan’s Altitude label consists of three Cabernet- Sauvignon wines. The grapes are harvested from vineyards at altitudes ranging from +412 to +720* meters above sea level and are processed in similar methods.

Barkan, Cabernet Sauvignon, Altitude +624, 2007 - Produced using 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes harvested from the Alma vineyard, this full bodied Cab offers layered aromas of black berry fruits, plums and cherries along with spices, purple flowers, oak and a touch of vanilla.

Barkan, Cabernet Sauvignon, Altitude +720, 2007 – In my opinion, the +720 best reflects the impact of the altitude on the final result. Or as Barkan's wine maker Yotam Sharon stated "This wine has a rather 'cool' nose, resulting from the high altitude and topography of the Dovev vineyard".

Dark and concentrated in color, the wine offers interesting aromas and flavors of Black berry fruits, plums, blueberries, juniper berries, eucalyptus and even a touch of mint all leading to a long finish.

Dalton, Cabernet Sauvignon, Meron Vineyard, 2008 – Full bodied and ruby in color, still quite firm, the wine is showing aromas of red berry fruits, cherries, spicy oak along with some green and peppery notes.

*Since the Altitude +412 is produced using grapes from two different vineyards (Avnei Eitan and Dishon), I did not include it in this column.

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