Red Poetry: Visiting the Winery - With Tasting Notes
30.05.2009 
 By: Daniel Rogov

Since the Red Poetry winery was established in 2001, I have managed to taste all of their wines at trade exhibitions, in my own tasting room and on several other occasions. Somehow, though, until now I never made it to visit the winery. Happily, on Monday, 25 May, I made my way in the morning to the western slopes of the Judean Mountains, there to visit ad do tastings.

Established in 2001 by Dovi Tal on Havat Tal, the winery has its own vineyards with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo, Carignan, Cabernet Franc, Mourvedre, Petit Verdot, Shiraz, Petite Sirah, Sangiovese, Riesling and Gewurztraminer grapes. The winery releases wines in two series, Reserve and Red Poetry. Current production is about 15,000 bottles annually.

My thanks to those of the winery for a warm reception, their good company and an extensive tasting. No question but that in the 2011 edition of my Israeli Wines book that the winery will move up from two to three stars. My notes are presented in the order of the tasting. The last two wines reviewed were tasted several days later in my own tasting room.

Best
Rogov

Red Poetry, Merlot, 2006: Blended with 10% of Cabernet Sauvigjnon and oak-aged for 18 months. Dark garnet, medium- to full-bodied, with somewhat chunky, near-sweet tannins and notes of spicy wood, opening to show red currant, raspberry and plum fruits on a earthy-herbal background. Drink now. NIS 85. Score 85. (Re-tasted 25 May 2009)

Red Poetry, Ehrlich, 2006: Dark garnet, a medium- to full-bodied blend of 40% each of Merlot and Shiraz, the balance made up of Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Soft, caressing tannins in good balance between spicy oak and black fruits, all of which linger nicely. Drink now-2011. NIS 85. Score 86. (Re-tasted 25 May 2009)

Red Poetry, Ehrlich, 2007 (Advance Tasting): Dark garnet, medium- to full-bodied a blend primarily of Shiraz and Merlot, showing soft tannins and opening slowly on the nose and palate to show black and purple fruits, those with appealing hints of licorice and cigar tobacco. Drink from release-2012. Score 87.

Red Poetry, Sharona, 2006: Deep royal purple in color, a blend of 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Merlot. Full-bodied, concentrated and aromatic, round and tempting, opening to show aromas and flavors of wild berries and cassis, those with light earthy-herbal notes. Soft, generous and long. Best from 2010. NIS 115. Score 87. (Re-tasted 25 May 2009)

Red Poetry, Sharona, 2007 (Advance Tasting): A blend this year of 70% Cabernet Franc and 30% Merlot. Dark garnet towards royal purple, with gently caressing tannins and a moderate note of spicy cedar wood, opening on the palate to show blackberry, ripe plum and chocolate notes. On the long finish a hint of licorice. Drink from release-2012. Score 88. (Tasted 25 May 2009)

Red Poetry, Capriotti, 2006: Ruby towards garnet, medium-bodied, with soft, well integrated tannins and a bare hints of vanilla and spices from its short-term oak-aging. A blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Merlot, the Sangiovese clearly dominating and showing blackcurrants, damson plums along with hints of citrus peel and licorice. A very nice, just complex enough quaffer indeed and at its best with food. Drink now. NIS 70. Score 87. (Tasted 25 May 2009)

Red Poetry, Capriotti, 2007 (Advance Tasting): A tempting blend of Sangiovese and Merlot, medium-bodied, with generous red berry, plum and citrus peel notes along with hints of milk chocolate that come in on the finish. Most pleasant. Drink from release-2011. Score 87. (Tasted 25 May 2009)

Red Poetry, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006: Dark garnet, medium- to full-bodied and developed in barriques for 14 months, a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance of Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Showing soft, near-sweet tannins, spicy and vanilla-rich wood that open to show black currant, blackberry and blueberry fruits. On the finish hints of dark chocolate and spices. Drink now. Score 86. (Re-tasted 25 May 2009)

Red Poetry, Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot, 2007 (Advance Tasting): Almost inky garnet in color, full-bodied, with still gripping tannins but those starting to settle in nicely. On the nose mint and black fruits, and on the palate black fruits and notes of bitter citrus peel, the fruits rising on the long finish. Drink from release. Score 88. (Tasted 25 May 2009)

Red Poetry, Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve, 2005: Medium- to full-bodied, showing good concentration and balance between soft tannins, cedar wood and fruits. Playing on the nose and palate a combination of red and black fruits. A soft, round wine with a medium-long finish. Drink now. Score 85. (Tasted 25 May 2009)

Red Poetry, Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve, 2006 (Advance Tasting): Blended with 2 – 3 % Petit Verdot and Merlot, dark garnet towards royal purple, medium- to full-bodied, with firm tannins and generous spicy wood but already showing the balance and structure needed. As this one develops look for blackberries, cassis, vanilla and, on the long finish a generous hint of licorice. Generous and mouth-filling. Drink from release-2012. Score 88. (Tasted 25 May 2009)

Red Poetry, Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve, 2007 (Barrel Tasting): Dark, deep and intense, opening at this stage with a hint of freshly cut sawdust on the nose, that yielding to wild berries, currants and tobacco notes, all on a background of spices and finally, on the long finish, a generous hint of white chocolate. Best from 2011. Tentative Score 88-90. (Tasted 25 May 2009)

Red Poetry, Sharona, 2005: A bit of confusion here because the last time I tasted the 2005 Sharona it was a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon and this is a blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Whatever, oak-aged for 12 months, dark garnet in color, full-bodied, with firm tannins and generous spicy wood in fine balance to highlight and not hide the blackberry, cassis and earthy notes that make themselves felt comfortably. A bit of Mediterranean "green" here but that fitting in quite appropriately. Drink now-2011. Score 87. (Tasted 29 May 2009)

Red Poetry, Vin Fou, 2006: For some reason named a "crazy wine" but in fact a blend of 85% Carignan and 15% Merlot. Now I'm not quite sure what a traditional Israeli blend might be but this one shows itself quite nicely, on first attack with black fruits and tobacco, those yielding to ripe red plums and spices all leading to a generous and long finish. Drink now-2011. Score 89. (Tasted 29 May 2009)