Tastings: Domaine Herzberg (K) and Alona 
 01.10.2010 
 By: Daniel Rogov

Among my tastings and re-tastings this past week were wines from Alona and Domaine Herzberg, two boutique wineries not far from the cities of Zichron Ya'akov and Rishon le Tzion. The good news, and this is especially true with small wineries, is that all but one of the wines re-tasted were holding to their earlier tastings. My tasting notes follow.

Best
Rogov

Alona

Founded in 2001 by the Azoulay and Rabau families on Givat Nili, not far from the city of Zichron Ya’akov, the vineyards of this small winery are spread on the slopes above Nachal Taninim, and contain Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes. The winery's flagship wine is entitled Kedem. Current production is about 9,000 bottles annually.

Alona, Merlot, 2008: Oak-aged for 12 months, dark garnet, full-bodied, with gently caressing tannins. On the nose and palate wild berries, purple plums and cassis, those supported nicely by notes of bittersweet chocolate and Mediterranean herbs. Drink now–2012. Score 89. (Re-tasted 21 Sep 2010)

Alona, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2008: Garnet toward royal purple, medium- to full-bodied, reflecting its oak-aging with spicy and vanilla notes. Opens to reveal traditional currant and blackberry fruits, those complemented by notes of grilled herbs. Generous. Drink now–2012. Score 88. (Re-tasted 21 Sep 2010)

Alona, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007: Dark garnet, full-bodied, with firm tannins and spicy oak in fine balance with fruits and acidity. On the nose and palate blackcurrants, wild berries and citrus peel, those complemented nicely by notes of Meditrranean herbs and green olives. Drink now-2013. Score 89. (Tasted 21 Sep 2010)

When it came to the fourth wine, the 2008 Kedem blend, there was a problem as it was quite clear that the wine was undergoing a secondary fermentation in the bottle, that adding a kind of more than somewhat stinky effervescence to the wine. I had tasted this wine earlier and it was then showing fine. It seems that some of the bottles are indeed undergoing secondary fermentation. I have spoken to the winery. Should you come across one of the "off" bottles, simply give them a call at 052 2425657    and the bottle will be replaced with another wine. For informational purposes, my two tasting notes follow.

Alona, Kedem, 2008: Full-bodied and generously tannic blend of one-third each Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carignan. Developed in French and American oak for 12 months. With the tannins integrating nicely now, opens in the glass to reveal red and black currant fruits, those on a background of graphite, pepper and tobacco with appealing notes of freshly turned earth on the finish. Drink now–2012, perhaps longer. Score 90. (Tasted 16 May 2010)

Alona, Kedem, 2008: A Bordeaux + Carignan bend (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carignan), full-bodied and generously tannic, this bottle faulted seriously by undergoing secondary fermentation in the bottle. Opens with a definite sulfur stink and a clearly unwanted frizzante note, those hiding the fruits and making the wine unpalatable. Too seriously faulted to score. I shall do another tasting in the near future. (Re-tasted 21 Sep 2010)

Domaine Herzberg

Founded by Max Herzberg on Moshav Sitria (the winery uses the French spelling of Sitrya), not far from the city of Rehovot and in the foothills of the Judean Mountains, the winery released its first wines from the 2007 vintage. Now cultivating their own vineyards with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Petite Sirah, the winery relies largely on organic techniques and uses a minimum of pesticides. Plans are to release a varietal Malbec from the 2009 vintage. Production for 2007 was 2,000 bottles, for 2008, 3,500 and projected production for 2009 is for 6,000 bottles. My samplings this week were all of re-tasting and in each case my former tasting note hold firmly.

Domaine Herzberg, Merlot, Coteaux de Sitrya, 2008: Showing spices and vanilla from the oak in which it was briefly aged, and opening to reveal black cherry, cassis and cedar aromas, those on a background of purple plums and spices. Young and still showing some rough edges so give this one a bit of time. Drink now-2013. Score 87 K

Domaine Herzberg, Merlot, Coteaux de Sitrya, Special Reserve, 2008: Dark garnet, medium- to full-bodied, with soft tannins and forward red fruits supported by notes of pepper and Mediterranean herbs. Drink now-2013. Score 88. K

Domaine Herzberg, Reserve, Chateau de Sitrya, 2007: Deep garnet in color, a medium- to full-bodied blend of 50% each Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Reflecting its nine months in French and American barriques with firm tannins and spicy wood in fine balance with black currant, wild berry and licorice notes. Drink now-2013, perhaps longer. Score 88. K