Saslove - Visit and Tasting Notes (K and Non-K) 
 26.11.2009 
 By: Daniel Rogov

On Thursday (26 Nov 2009) I visited the Saslove winery on Kibbutz Eyal, there for barrel tastings, advance tastings and several re-tastings. Pere et fille Barry and Roni Saslove are doing a fine job, the 2006, 2007 and 2008 wines that I tasted a positive step-up from fine already released wines of earlier vintages. This will, by the way, be the first of two visits, the second to take place at the Saslove winemaking facility in the Upper Galilee somewhat later when I continue my visits to the Upper Galilee.

When reading the following notes please do keep in mind that many of the 2008 barrel tastings were made from components and my tasting notes and tentative scores for those wines are based largely on projections, those based on the current tastings and past experience with the winery. As I have stated on several earlier occasions, one of the challenges of tastings based on components is waiting one, two, and perhaps five years to discover whether I can pat myself on the back because of my great wisdom or to slap myself on the face and wonder how I could have been such a schlemiel.

My thanks to Barry, Nili and Roni Saslove for a fine tasting, good conversation and their good company. One note to add: If the Saslove's are not very careful, they are in serious danger of rising from four to five stars in the next edition of my guide to Israeli wines.

Best
Rogov

Reserved

Saslove, Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserved, 2007 (Barrel Tasting): Tasted from components. Remarkably youthful, with still firm tannins and a moderate hand with spicy oak settling in nicely and showing fine balance and structure. Full-bodied and with tannins that grip nicely but at the same time showing finesse and elegance. Traditional blackcurrant and blackberry fruits, those supported nicely by notes of roasted herbs. Long, generous and mouth-filling. Drink from release-2015, perhaps longer. Tentative Score 90-92. (Tasted 26 Nov 2009)

Saslove, Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserved, 2006: Made entirely from Cabernet Sauvignong rapes, oak aged for 20 months, a deep, full-bodied wine with generous oak and still firm tannins integrating nicely and showing fine balance and structure. Give this one some time to soften even more and you will find a concentrated and intense wine that is simultaneously rich and elegant. On the nose and palate black currants, blackberries, raspberries and dried citrus peel notes, those supported nicely by notes of spices Mediterranean herbs and, on the long finish appealing hints of licorice and bakers' chocolate. Drink now-2015. Score 91. (Re-tasted 26 Nov 2009)

Adom

Saslove, Cabernet Sauvignon, Adom, 2007 (Barrel Tasting): Much as at an earlier barrel tasting a year ago. Still in components but already showing dark garnet in color, full-bodied with gently gripping near-sweet tannins and appealing notes of spicy and vanilla-rich wood. On the nose and palate blackcurrants and black cherries, those supported nicely by notes of mocha and spices. Drink from release-2016. Tentative Score 89-91. (Re-tasted 26 Nov 2009)

Saslove, Cabernet Sauvignon, Adom, 2006: My earlier tasting note holds firmly. Full-bodied, rich, smooth and complex, with firm tannins integrating nicely with spicy wood and opening to reveal currant and berry fruits, those complemented by notes of sage and minerals, and, on the long finish, light sweet cedar and blackberries. Tasted from components but already showing simultaneously concentrated and elegant. Drink now–2015. Score 90. (Re-tasted 26 Nov 2009)

Saslove, Merlot, Adom, 2006: Showing even better than at an earlier tasting. Soft and round, medium- to full-bodied, this blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon offers up a generous and well-balanced array of cassis and berry fruits, those on a background of Mediterranean herbs and, on the long finish a hint of bitter-sweet chocolate. Drink now-2013. Score 90. (Re-tasted 26 Nov 2009)

Saslove, Cabernet Sauvignon-Shiraz, Adom, 2008 (Barrel Tasting): Tasted from components. Already showing medium- to full- perhaps full-bodied, deeply aromatic, with ripe red and black berries, red currants and orange peel notes, those complemented by hints of vanilla and, on the finish, hints of licorice and fresh herbs. Best 2011-2015. Tentative Score 89-91. (Tasted 26 Nov 2009)

Saslove, Adom, 2007 (Barrel Tasting): A full-bodied, deep royal purple blend of Cabernet and Shiraz, in which both varieties make themselves felt nicely. Developed in barriques for 22 months, its elements already coming together nicely and showing opulence. On the nose and palate a tempting array of currants, plum, blueberries and black pepper, those on a light tarry background. Delicious now, but with its best still in front of it. Best 2011–2015. Score 91. (Tasted 26 Nov 2009)

Saslove, Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006: My earlier tasting note holds firmly. A full-bodied, deep royal purple blend of 60% Shiraz and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, in which both varieties make themselves felt nicely. Developed in barriques for 22 months, its elements already coming together nicely and showing opulence. On the nose and palate a tempting array of currants, plum, blueberries and black pepper, those on a light tarry background. Delicious now, but with its best still in front of it. Best 2011–2015. Score 91. (Re-tasted 26 Nov 2009)

Aviv

Saslove, Cabernet Sauvignon, Aviv, 2008: Deep, almost impenetrable garnet in color, medium- to full-bodied, showing gently gripping tannins and a moderate hand with the oak. Opens to show traditional red and black currants and blackberries on first attack, those yielding comfortably to red fruits that linger nicely along with a hint of white pepper. Drink now-2013, perhaps longer. Score 90. (Tasted 26 Nov 2009)

Saslove, Merlot, Aviv, 2008: Dark garnet, reflecting its six months in barriques with soft, gently gripping tannins and hints of near-sweet cedar wood. Medium- to full-bodied, with aromas and flavors of red and black cherries, cassis and generous hints of cloves and cinnamon. On the generous finish a hint of milk chocolate rises nicely. Drink now-2013. Score 89. (Tasted 26 Nov 2009)

Saslove, Marriage, Aviv, 2008: A blend this year of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 10% Shiraz. Almost inky dark garnet, medium- to full-bodied, with soft tannins integrating nicely and showing soft and round. On the nose and palate an appealing array of spicy red fruits. A fine release. Drink now-2014. Score 90. (Tasted 26 Nov 2009)

Sagol – The Kosher Releases

Sagol, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2008: My recent earlier tasting holds firmly. Garnet, with purple and orange reflections, medium- perhaps medium- to full-bodied, with gently gripping tannins and light spicy and cinnamon notes from the wood. Opens to reveal cassis, blueberry and notes of bitter citrus peel, those complimented nicely by a note of licorice. Drinking nicely now-2012. Score 89. K (Re-tasted 16 Nov 2009)

Sagol, Cabernet Sauvignon, Single Vineyard, 2007: A wine that started off beautifully, went into a dumb period and is now showing very nicely once again. Medium, perhaps medium- to full-bodied, reflecting its six months of oak aging with light spicy cedar notes and soft, gently gripping tannins. On the nose and palate black currants, wild berries and a hint of cassis liqueur, those supported by notes of dark chocolate and tobacco. Drink now-2013. Score 90. K (Re-tasted 16 Nov 2009)