Bashan Winery: A Tasting (K) 
 09.11.2009 ,   
 By: Daniel Rogov

Last Wednesday (4 November 2009), I attended a tasting of the wines of the Bashan Winery. Founded by Uri Rapp and Emmanuel Dassa, the winery is located on the southern Golan Heights and produces the country’s only kosher organic wines, those from grapes raised in its own vineyards. The first releases were from the 2004 vintage, and to date are based entirely on Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes. Production for 2007 was of 11,000 bottles, for 2008, 8,500 bottles and for 2009, 18,000 bottles. Tentative plans are to grow to production of 50,000–100,000 bottles. As of this writing, a winery proving itself very nicely indeed.

My thanks to those of the winery for the courtesies during the tasting.

Best
Rogov

Bashan, Cabernet Sauvigjnon, Eitan, 2007: Oak-aged for 18 months in new and used barriques, showing dark garnet and with soft tannins integrating well with notes of spicy wood. On the nose and palate blackcurrant and red and black berries supported nicely by a tantalizing hint of cigar tobacco. Drink now-2013. Score 88. K (Tasted 4 Nov 2009)

Bashan, Merlot, Eitan, 2007: Blended with 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, and oak-aged for 18 months. Dark garnet, full-bodied, with a deep berry-rich nose and opening to show red plum, cassis and blueberry fruits. With gently gripping tannins, soft, round and comfortably long. Drink now-2012. Score 89. K (Tasted 4 Nov 2009)

Bashan, Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot, Nave, 2007: A medium- to full-bodied blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Reflecting 14 months in oak, showing spices, soft tannins and a note of near-sweet cedar wood. Opens on the palate to reveal a soft, round wine with wild berries, black cherries and blackcurrants supported nicely by a hint of red licorice. Lingers nicely. Drink now-2011. Score 88. K (Tasted 4 Nov 2009)

Bashan, Carmon, 2006: Even though not labeled as such, made entirely from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, those developed in oak for 24 months. A wine that seems somehow faulted, opening with a light bottle stink that never quite blows off, showing fruits that are muddled, almost as if oxidized. Perhaps a wine that has gone wrong somewhere along the way or perhaps tasted from two bottles that were seriously faulted. I'll hold off on rating this one until a re-tasting about one week from today. K (Tasted twice with consistent notes, 4 Nov 2009)

Bashan, Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot, Nave, 2008 (Barrel Tasting): Dark garnet towards royal purple, medium- to full-bodied with firm tannins waiting to settle down and integrate but already showing fine balance and structure. Opens to show generous black fruits on a lightly spicy-herbal background. Tentative Score 87-89. K (Tasted 4 Nov 2009)

Bashan, Merlot, Eitan, 2008 (Barrel Tasting): A component tasting, showing full-bodied, with still firm tannins waiting to integrate but already showing a gentle touch of sweet-and-spicy oak and opening to show blueberry, blackberry and black cherry fruits. Promising. Tentative Score 88-90. K (Tasted 4 Nov 2009)

Bashan, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2008 (Barrel Tasting): Medium- to full-bodied with silky smooth tannins and notes of sweet cedar wood. On the nose and palate traditional blackcurrant, blackberry and citrus peel notes, those showing a gentle minted-chocolate note. Tentative Score 87-89 K (Tasted 4 Nov 2009)