Golan Heights Winery Expands Lineof Premium Single Vineyard Wines
2006 Yarden Syrah Tel Phares Vineyard Launched First Time Ever

Golan Heights Winery recently announced the launch of a brand new single vineyard wine:
the 2006 Yarden Syrah Tel Phares Vineyard. The new wine expands the line of single vineyard wines released under the Winery’s prestigious Yarden label.

The Winery’s unique collection of premium single vineyard wines shows off the Golan Heights – Israel’s “wine country” – at its peak. This distinctive place serves as the Winery’s source of inspiration and creativity, enabling it to produce quality wines at international standards.

“Creating wine is a kind of magic,” says Victor Schoenfeld, Head Winemaker of Golan Heights Winery. “So many factors influence the making of quality wine, such that it requires a combination of creativity and scientific expertise. Yarden Syrah Tel Phares Vineyard opens the door to a world of bold flavors and fertile earthy fragrances. The wine conveys the special terroir of the Tel Phares Vineyard, and joins the Yarden Merlot Tel Phares Vineyard as the second single vineyard wine produced from the vineyard.”

The newly released wine joins the growing list of single vineyard wines released by Golan Heights Winery, including: Yarden Cabernet Sauvignon El Rom Vineyard, Yarden Merlot Ortal Vineyard, Yarden Syrah Ortal Vineyard, Yarden Chardonnay Odem Organic Vineyard, Yarden Merlot Odem Organic Vineyard, Yarden Merlot Kela Vineyard, and Yarden Merlot Tel Phares Vineyard.

The Wine
The 2006 Yarden Syrah Tel Phares Vineyard aged in French oak barrels for 18 months. The wine exhibits ripe fruit notes of cherry, plum and blackberry, layered with characters of jam, earth, smoke and bitter chocolate. The wine is full flavored yet strikingly elegant.

The 2006 Yarden Syrah Tel Phares Vineyard is produced entirely from Syrah grapes grown in the Tel Phares Vineyard, which is located in the central Golan Heights at an altitude of 750 meters (~2,500 feet). Syrah was first planted in the Golan Heights in this vineyard in 1996. The fruit for this wine came from this original vineyard block as well as two other blocks planted in 1998 and 2003.

Ready to enjoy now, the 2006 Yarden Syrah Tel Phares Vineyard will continue to improve in the bottle, and will remain in good drinking condition, if stored properly, for a decade or more from vintage. Try pairing the wine with foods displaying rich, earthy flavors such as wild mushroom risotto, savory venison stew or smoked hanger steak.

The 2006 Yarden Syrah Tel Phares Vineyard was produced in a limited edition of 11,700 bottles. It will be possible to purchase the wine at selected wine shops, a number of prestigious restaurants, and the visitors' center of Golan Heights Winery.

 
The Analyses
% alcohol: 15.5; TA (g/l): 6.2; pH: 3.62; sweetness (RS): dry.

The Vintage
A relatively warm, dry winter preceded the 2006 vintage season. Very low rainfall caused great worry until a cold wet April delivered enough rain to bring the seasonal total to 90% of normal. The relative cool continued to the end of July, delaying the start of harvest by about ten days. Near perfect conditions then prevailed until almost the end of the vintage when, on the 15th, the first of five October rains hit. The precipitation (five times the October norm!) delayed to November the final 8% of harvest.

The Appellation
The Galilee (or Galil) is the most northern, and generally considered the best, appellation in Israel. The highest quality area within the appellation is the Golan Heights (or simply the Golan), the coldest region in Israel. The vineyards on this volcanic plateau rise from 400 meters (1,300 feet) above sea level to 1,200 meters (3,900 feet) and receive snowfall in the winter.

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