Zion Winery - Re-Tastings Once Again (K) 

 17.03.2009 

 By: Daniel Rogov

On Thursday, 12 Mar 2009, I attended a tasting of several of the wines of the Zion Winery.
I had already tasted or re-tasted these wines on 9 Jan 2009. The major purpose of the gathering was to announce the release of the winery's flagship wine, the 2005 Armon.

One of the reasons one continues to re-taste is to follow the development of wines, to check their consistency and their development. With all but one wine my notes remain fully consistent, and that exception was the rising of one point in the score given that particular wine.

Best
Rogov

Zion, Armon, 2005: My third tasting and showing better each time. Aged in partly new and partly one and two year old American barriques for 24 months, a medium- to full-bodied blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Petite Sirah. On the nose and palate generous currant, blackberry and purple plums, those supported nicely by notes of spices, espresso coffee and earthy minerals. Best from mid-2009-2011, perhaps longer. NIS 95. Score 90. K (Re-tasted 12 Mar 2009)

Zion, Merlot, Tidhar, 2006: Medium-bodied, dark ruby towards black cherry in color, an unoaked red with soft tannins and showing notes of berry, black cherry and wild strawberry notes, those on a lightly spicy background. A blend of 90% Merlot and 5% each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah. Soft, round and easy to drink. Drink now. Score 85. K (Re-tasted 12 Mar 2009)

Zion, Cabernet Sauvignon, Erez, 2006: Another wine showing better than at earlier tastings. Dark garnet towards royal purple, medium- perhaps medium- to full-bodied, with somewhat chunky country-style tannins but those yielding in the glass to show blackberry, black cherry and purple plum fruits, those on a background of nutmeg flavored dark chocolate. Drinking nicely now but better starting in mid-2009 and then until 2011. NIS 45. Score 86. K (Re-tasted 12 Mar 2009)

Zion, Chardonnay-Chenin Blanc, Erez, 2007: An unoaked blend of equal parts of Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc. Light gold with green and orange tints, medium-bodied, with summer fruits and melon highlighted by floral and apple notes. Just enough complexity to get our attention. Drink now. Score 86. K (Re-tasted 12 Mar 2009)