Pelter Winery: My Annual Visit - With Tasting Notes 

 21.03.2009 

 By: Daniel Rogov

On Monday, 16 March, I made the trek to the Golan Heights, there to do barrel, advance, and re-tastings at the Pelter Winery. As I wrote recently, whatever Tal Pelter is doing at this boutique winery, he is most certainly doing it very well indeed and the winery continues to be not only a rising star but one of the very best wineries in the country. Not only that – there is even an espresso machine on the premises!

Drawing on Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Shiraz, Petit Verdot, Grenache, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer and Chardonnay grapes from the Golan, the Upper Galilee and the Jerusalem Mountains, the winery, one of only four in the country to produce a sparkling wine, releases wines in two series: T-Selection and Pelter. Current production is about 80,000 bottles annually.

My thanks to Tal Pelter and to Amnon for a fine tasting and their courtesies during my visit as well as for their good company. To purchase wines directly from the winery or to find the store nearest you carrying these wines see the winery's internet site at http://www.pelterwinery.co.il/

Best
Rogov

Pelter, Blanc de Blanc, Brut, n.v.: Even though this sparkling wine is categorized as non-vintage, it was made entirely from Chardonnay grapes from the 2005 vintage. With sharp bubbles that go on and on, a fresh and aromatic wine, showing gentle notes of yeasty white bread that highlight notes of lime and grapefruit, those complemented by hints of Oriental spices. On the long finish look as well for hints of roasted nuts. NIS 160. Score 91. (Re-tasted 16 Mar 2009)

Pelter, Chardonnay, 2008: Unoaked to show off the wine's rich mineral, summer fruits, kiwis and peach pits. Medium-bodied, with good balancing acidity. Perhaps not as lively as one expects of an unoaked Chardonnay but showing a generous share of elegance. Drink now-2010. NIS 59. Score 90. (Re-tasted 16 Mar 2009)

Pelter, Sauvignon Blanc, 2008: Medium-bodied, light, bright straw in color, unoaked and with generous lively acidity to show off tropical fruits, red grapefruit and notes of grapefruit peel, all on a mineral rich background. Drink now or in the next year or two. NIS 69. Score 89. (Re-tasted 16 Mar 2009)

Pelter, Gewurztraminer, 2008: The first wine in the country to use a glass stopper instead of a cork. Full-bodied, with fine balancing acidity and generous yeasty white bread notes, opens on the palate to reveal a charming array of pineapple, litchi and grapefruit, those supported nicely by Oriental spices that come in from mid-palate and then linger long and comfortably on the palate. Lovely as an aperitif, with goose liver dishes or as an accompaniment to fruit-based desserts. Drink now-2011. NIS 77. Score 90. (Re-tasted 16 Mar 2009)

Pelter, Pinot Noir, T-Selection 2006: Dark cherry red towards garnet, medium- to full-bodied, with a generous 14.5% alcohol content but don't let that you off because all is here in fine balance and with enviable structure. Ripe and distinctive in flavor, with blackberry, currant, raspberry and floral aromas and flavors supported by minerals and a hint of raw beef all coming together beautifully with delicate spices. A multi-layered and complex wine. Best 2009-2013. NIS 125. Score 92. (Re-tasted 16 Mar 2009)

Pelter, Pinot Noir, T-Selection, 2008 (Barrel Tasting): Still in its infancy and opening from moment to moment in the glass, at each step along the way revealing further charms. Medium- to full-bodied, with caressing tannins a concentrated and polished wine, with well focused red berry and cherry fruits on first attack, those yielding to blueberries and notes of cinnamon and white pepper. As the wine continues to develop look as well for notes of freshly turned earth and cloves. Best 2011-2016. Tentative Score 92-94. (Tasted 16 Mar 2009)

Pelter, Trio, 2007: Dark cherry towards garnet in color, a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% each of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Reflecting its 14 months in some new, some older barriques, shows a generous but gentle influence of spicy wood and soft, gently mouth-coating tannins that highlight red currant, raspberry and red cherry notes. Soft, round and generous, a medium-bodied wine with a hint of eucalyptus on the moderately-long finish. Drink now-2011. NIS 75. Score 90. (Re-tasted 16 Mar 2009)

Pelter, Cabernet Sauvignon-Shiraz, 2006: Oak-aged for 18 months in 30% new oak, dark garnet in color, with generous spicy oak opening on the nose but that residing nicely to show an appealing array of cherry, raspberry, currant and peppery notes, the soft tannins caressing as the full-bodied wine fills the mouth. With fine balance and structure, showing elegance and length. Drink now-2013, perhaps longer. NIS 95. Score 92. (Re-tasted 16 Mar 2009)

Palter, Cabernet Franc, T-Selection, 2006: Ruby towards royal purple in color, full-bodied, with silky tannins and generous but not at all bombastic oak influences. Showing gorgeous plum, blackberry and floral aromas and flavors on a background of sweet spices and, coming in on the finish, a tempting hint of semi-sweet chocolate. Long and generous. Best 2009-2012. Score 92. (Re-tasted 16 Mar 2009)

Pelter, Cabernet Franc, T-Selection, 2007 (Advance Tasting): Medium- to full-bodied, showing generous but not overpowering oak and firm chewy tannins that need time to settle in. On the nose and palate blueberries, raspberries and fresh herbs and, in the background an appealing floral note. Long and generous. Best 2011-2014. Score 92. (Tasted 16 Mar 2009)

Pelter, Cabernet Franc, T-Selection, 2008 (Barrel Tasting): Youthful royal purple in color, a firm, chewy and full-bodied wine showing a generous array of cedar wood, cigar tobacco and herbal elements to support currant and blueberry notes. Finishes with a generous mineral overlay. Best 2011-2016. Tentative 91-93. (Tasted 16 Mar 2009)

Pelter, Cabernet Sauvignon, T-Selection, 2006: With 20 months in new French barriques, a generously oaked wine, near-sweet because of its 15% alcohol content. Dark garnet in color, with generous velvety tannins that match the oak. Opens in the glass to reveal black currants and black cherries, those along with tarry and spicy notes and rising on the very long finish notes of sweet chewing tobacco. A California blockbuster in its way but yielding in the glass to show its own kind of muscular elegance Approachable and enjoyable now but best from 2010-2015. NIS 140. Score 93. (Tasted 16 Mar 2009)

Pelter, Cabernet Sauvignon, T-Selection, 2007 (Barrel Tasting): Still in its infancy but already showing smooth and generous. Full-bodied, deep and long with currant, berry and purple plum fruits supported nicely by hints of anise, raisins and earthy minerals. Ripe and supple, appropriate for aging. Best 2012-2017. Tentative Score 90-92. (Tasted 16 Mar 2009)

Pelter, Shiraz, T-Selection, 2006: Oak-aged for 18 months, dark ruby, full-bodied but with such fine balance between tannins, oak, acidity and fruits that it seems to almost float on the palate. On first attack generous near-jammy blackberry and currant fruits, those yielding comfortably to plum, licorice and spices, all of which carry on to a long and generous finish. Drink now–2013. Score 91. (Re-tasted 16 Mar 2009)

Pelter, Shiraz, T-Selection, 2008 (Barrel Tasting): Medium- to full –bodied, already showing finely-grained tannins. Rich blackberry and plum fruits complemented nicely by pepper and mineral overtones, all with a fine sense of harmony and balance. Promises true elegance. Best 2012-2018. Tentative Score 92-94. (Tasted 16 Mar 2009)

Also, just for the "fun of it", a re-tasting of the 2003 T-Selection Cabernet Sauvignon-Shiraz. Following, also just for the fun of it, three of my tasting notes.

Pelter, Cabernet Sauvignon-Shiraz, 2003: Dark ruby in color, medium- to full-bodied, with soft tannins integrating nicely. On the nose and palate berry, currant, plum and tobacco aromas, those opening in the glass to reveal hints of espresso and chocolate. Drink now-2010. Score 88. (Re-tasted 25 Jan 2006)

Pelter, Cabernet Sauvignon-Shiraz, 2003: Showing better than at earlier tastings. Dark ruby towards garnet, full-bodied, with soft tannins and gently smoky wood integrating nicely. On the nose and palate berry, currant, plum and tobacco aromas, those opening in the glass to reveal hints of espresso and chocolate. Drink now–2010. Score 90. (Re-tasted 21 Feb 2008)

Pelter, Cabernet Sauvignon-Shiraz, 2003: Deep ruby towards garnet, full-bodied, with gently caressing tannins, and on the nose and palate blackberry and blackcurrant fruits, those supported nicely by hints of espresso coffee and dark chocolate. Tannins and wood rise on the finish. Still drinking very nicely indeed showing signs of full maturity. Drink now or in the next year or so. Score 89. (Re-tasted 16 Mar 2009)

Also, "just for fun" a retasting of the 2003 Trio which seems to be performing precisely as predicted.

Pelter, Trio, 2003: A blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% each of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. A wine that I seem to be re-tasting every nine mnths or so with no disappointment whatever. Continuing to show ,edium to full-bodied, round and generous with silky soft tannins allowing us to focus on blueberry, plum, cola and raspberry fruits, all with a light herbal-spicy note. Still young and exuberant. Drink now–2010. Score 90. (Re-tasted 21 Feb 2008)