Carmel Winery’s Appellation Petite Sirah 2006 has been selected by Decanter Wine Magazine as Wine of the Month in their July 2010 issue.

This is the first time since the 1990’s that an Israeli wine has received this prestigious award. Decanter is one of the world’s most famous wine magazines with their contributors being a Who’s Who of the world of wine. They include Hugh Johnson, Michael Broadbent, Stephen Brook, Stephen Spurrier and Andrew Jefford, amongst many others.

The Appellation Petite Sirah Old Vines is produced from 40 year old vines in the Judean Hills. The same wine also won a Gold Medal in the leading Israeli competition, Eshkol Ha’zahav. It is made 100% from Petite Sirah, an underrated variety and Israel is fast getting a name for producing it really well.

So far it has been a very successful year for Carmel both in Israel and internationally. The year the company celebrates its 120th harvest has been a golden year. In recent months Carmel Winery:

• Received four gold medals at the BEST VALUE 2010 competition, which was the best equal result by any Israeli winery.
• Received four gold medals at the Eshkol Ha’Zahav 2010 competition – more than any other Israeli Winery.
• Won a Trophy at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2010 for Kayoumi Shiraz 2006. Carmel is the only Israeli winery to receive a Trophy in international competition this year. (A Trophy is one step above a Gold Medal.)
• Received the equal top score for an Israeli wine in a tasting by the Wine Spectator
• Carmel’s subsidiary Yatir Winery was awarded 91 points for the Yatir Forest 2004 and 2006 by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. Therefore Yatir Forest 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006 have now each been awarded between 90 – 93 pints by Robert Parker.
• Carmel’s 120 Brandy was awarded 95 points by Daniel Rogov.
• And now the Appellation Petite Sirah Old Vines has been selected at Wine of The Month by Decanter. An extremely rare award for an Israeli wine.

It appears Carmel is well set for the next 120 years!