Hevron Heights Winery: Tastings and Re-Tastings (K) 
 21.04.2011 
 By: Daniel Rogov

Tasted blind in my tasting room this early afternoon.

Best
Rogov

Hevron Heights, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gedeon, 2009: Garnet with a royal purple robe, medium- to full-bodied, with somewhat chunky tannins giving the wine a rustic note. On the nose and palate blackcurrants, purple plums and toasty oak, all on a background of cigar tobacco and roasted herbs. Drink now-2014. Score 85. K (Tasted 21 Apr 2011)

Hevron Heights, Petite Sirah, Gedeon, 2009: Dark garnet, generously tannic and reflecting its development in French oak with gently gripping tannins. On the nose and palate blackberries, plums and notes of white chocolate. On the moderately long finish a note of cigar tobacco. Drink now-2014. Score 85. K (Tasted 21 Apr 2011)

Hevron Heights, Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot, Jerusalem Heights, 2005: A softly tannic blend of equal parts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Dark garnet, reflecting its 18 months in new French and American oak with notes of spices and vanilla, opening in the glass to reveal aromas and flavors of cassis, blueberries and blackberries. Medium- perhaps medium- to full-bodied, with tannins that start off as sharp but soften in the glass. Sliding past its peak. Drink up. Score 84. K (Re-tasted 21 Apr 2011)

Hevron Heights, Cabernet Sauvignon, Judean Heights, 2005: Dark garnet with a bit of clearing at the rim, medium- to full-bodied with chunky, country-style tannins. Oak-aged for 12 months, opens to reveal a basic blackberry, black cherry personality, all on a somewhat barnyard-like background. Past its peak. Drink up. Score 78. K (Tasted 21 Apr 2011)

Hevron Heights, Cabernet Sauvignon, Isaac's Ram, 2005: Oak-aged for 18 months, medium- to full-bodied, with chunky tannins and aromas of not-quite fresh earth that linger and tend to hide the black fruits that are hidden here. Past its peak. Drink up. Score 76. K (Re-tasted 21 Apr 2011)

Hevron Heights, Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot, 2005: A blend of equal parts of the two varieties, oak-aged for 18 months in new French and American barriques. Dark garnet with distinct hints of browning and oxidation now making themselves felt, those pushing the black fruits too far into the background. Past its peak. Drink up. Score 74. K (Re-tasted 21 Apr 2011)

Hevron Heights, Makhpelah, 2005: To the best of my knowledge, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot reflecting its development in barriques with generously gripping tannins and a rather heavy dose of spicy oak. Full-bodied, the too generous wood hiding the black fruits that struggle to make themselves felt. Showing first signs of oxidation. Drink up. Score 78. K (Tasted 21 Apr 2011)

Hevron Heights, Mount Hevron Red, Jerusalem Hills, 2009: So impenetrably dark garnet in color it makes me think of the mega-purple that some wineries use. Full-bodied and with intensely gripping tannins, opens slowly in the glass to reveal black fruits, toasty oak and baking chocolate. Try decanting, even double or triple decanting this one to help it open. Drink now. Score 84. K (Tasted 21 Apr 2011)

Hevron Heights, Cabernet Sauvignon-Shiraz, Jerusalem Hills, 2009: Medium- to full bodied, with near-sweet tannins and a not-entirely vegetal undertone that runs through the jammy plum, blackberry and cherry fruits. Drink now. Score 83. K (Tasted 21 Apr 2011)