Anava: A New Artisinal Winery on the Scene 
 02.06.2009 
By: Daniel Rogov

How nice it is to find a new, as yet untested artisinal winery whose first releases are not labeled "Reserve", "Special Reserve" or with some other such grandiose name. So it is with Anava, a new winery of which all I know at the moment is that they are producing about 3,000 bottles from grapes harvested largely in the Judean Mountains. No fear though….after their good start I shall soon be in touch with the winery and, as I gather them, will post further details (including of course prices which I do not yet have).

As to projected limits on drinking windows with new wineries, keep in mind that those are based entirely on the tasting as they cannot refer to already established "track-records".

Best
Rogov

Anava, Merlot, 2006: Dark garnet towards royal purple, full-bodied with still muscular tannins needing a bit more time to settle down but already showing good balance and structure. An unfiltered wine, showing a clean black fruit nose and opening on the palate with blackcurrants, ripe berries and an appealing overlay of spicy oak. Long and generous. Best 2010-2013, perhaps longer. Score 89. (Tasted 16 May 2009)

Anava Pinot Noir, 2006:Made entirely from Pinot Noir grapes, the wine rather generously oaked after 22 months in barriques and therefore a bit more full-bodied and oaky than one might hope for from this variety. Although lacking varietal typicity an interesting wine, opening with a nose of black fruits and earthy minerals, opening in the glass to reveal wild berry and black currant fruits, those complemented by notes of minted chocolate and, on the moderately long finish, a lead pencil hint. Drink now-2012. Score 87 (deducting 2 points for lack of typicity). (Tasted 16 May 2009)

Anava, Shiraz Hermitage, 2006: Well, if the Australians and Californians can violate courtesy by naming a wine "Hermitage", so can we Israelis. Made entirely from Shiraz grapes, oak-aged for 20 months, opening nicely in the glass to reveal aromas and flavors of blackberries, citrus peel, white pepper and chocolate and, on the long finish a hint of eucalyptus sneaking in quietly. Drink now-2012. Score 89. (Tasted 16 May 2009)

Anava, Chardonnay, 2007: Not a grape with its origins in Bordeaux as the labl of this wine declares but most probably born in Burgundy. Deep almost bronzed gold in color, aged in French oak barrels for 12 months, a full-bodied and creamy Chardonnay, alas lacking that tbit more of acidity that might have made the wine more lively and served to highlight the pineapple and tropical fruits that are here. Drink now. Score 86. (Tasted 16 May 2009)