Sagee Aran

9.3

all in place. a benchmark CS. full body, ripe, juicy, good acidity, tasty. — 2 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

8.9

Yarden – Chardonnay – 2023
Galilee – Golan Heights Winery, Israel 🇮🇱

Overview
A dry, terroir-driven Chardonnay from the elevated vineyards of the Galilee and Golan Heights, where altitude and cooler temperatures preserve freshness and minerality. This is a restrained, modern expression, focused more on clarity and balance than overt oak influence, allowing site and fruit purity to take center stage.

Aromas & Flavors
Clean and expressive with notes of tropical fruit layered over subtle orchard tones. Pineapple and ripe mango lead, followed by baked pear, green sliced apple, and a light citrus peel accent. Mineral undertones add definition and keep the fruit in check.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with crisp acidity and a refreshing line through the palate. The texture is smooth yet energetic, finishing dry and clean with lingering fruit and mineral tension.

Food Pairings (Kosher-friendly)
Grilled or roasted fish, herb-roasted chicken, vegetable couscous, quinoa salads, or kosher cheeses such as aged gouda or manchego-style alternatives. Also excellent with Mediterranean mezze or simple olive-oil–driven dishes.

Verdict
A well-made, honest Chardonnay that delivers freshness, balance, and a clear sense of place. Not flashy or heavily oaked, but dependable and expressive, an easy recommendation for those who enjoy mineral-driven, food-friendly whites.

Did You Know?
Yarden sources fruit from some of Israel’s highest-elevation vineyards, where cooler nights help maintain acidity, key to the wine’s freshness and structure.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
I appreciate the purity here. Clean, mineral, and refreshing, with just enough fruit weight to stay engaging. A solid kosher, non-mevushal Chardonnay that respects both terroir and balance. — 6 months ago

Roman Ochocki

9.0

Very good merlot. Low acidity, medium tannins. Very oaky with a sweet vanilla, dark fruits, but with a dark chocolate finish, maybe with a pepper. Still: one of my favorite labels. — 5 years ago

Vin d’Ottawa

9.2

So incredibly juicy and the perfect pairing with a spicy coconut milk-seafood soup. — 6 years ago

with Diane, Arlene and 1 other

Ellen Clifford

8.9

In my quest to compare old v new world kicking it off with olld world. I was worried this would be an oak bomb based on some previous vintages but there is restraint here. Golden vanilla and somehow green on the nose. The palate is bordering on rich but not. Cool climate fun that is balanced by baking spice and sass. I like this. If you want kosher for Passover (albeit not mevushal) this is for you. I’m neither of those things but finding it a pleasant Chard that flirts with oak just enough to keep enjoying. — 7 years ago

Panagis Vagenas

9.4

I don’t normally drink wine from occupied territories, but I have to say this was delicious! — 8 years ago

ESF

9.2

better than the 2021, more dense extracted generous, this had a decade or more to unfurl... 2021 was Old World - this was New World, a more in your face CA Napa Cab style, outstanding QPR — 5 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Yarden – Pinot Noir – 2022
Galilee – Israel 🇮🇱

Overview
100% Pinot Noir sourced from the northern reaches of the Golan Heights, where high elevation, cool nights, and rocky volcanic soils create an ideal environment for this delicate, thin-skinned variety. Aged for over 16 months in French oak, this bottling delivers surprising depth and complexity. Kosher, and produced in a non-Mevushal style, allowing greater finesse and aromatic purity.

Aromas & Flavors
Lifted floral notes, red cherry, wild berries, rose petals, clove, and subtle baking spice. The volcanic influence adds a faint smoky-mineral edge that enhances its old-world charm.

Mouthfeel
Silky, medium-bodied, and beautifully balanced. Fresh acidity supports a layered palate with refined tannins and an elegant, persistent finish.

Food Pairings
Herb-roasted chicken, mushroom risotto, seared tuna, Mediterranean lamb skewers, or grilled vegetables with za’atar.

Verdict
A sophisticated and terroir-driven expression of Pinot Noir from one of Israel’s most compelling cool-climate zones. Remarkably elegant, with an old-world spirit shaped by a uniquely volcanic landscape. Cheers!

Did You Know?
The Golan Heights sits atop an extinct volcanic plateau. Its basalt-rich soils and high elevations mirror some of the world’s great cool-climate regions, making it one of Israel’s best sites for Burgundian varieties. — 7 months ago

Andy Hein

9.0

Vino Mas. Had with cheese and crackers. Went really good. Nice white blend. — 4 years ago

Joe Weinberger

8.9

First time trying a wine from Israel. This was pretty nice—lots of autolytic notes and it was nice to try one that was vintage dated and with some bottle age. — 6 years ago

Roman Ochocki

9.0

I love it. A rich and complex wine. The nose and the palate are full of fruits: an apple, a pear, a pineapple. Maybe some more, but I can’t recognize, it’s too much for me. It’s a delicious chardonnay. A short citrus final finishes it gently. — 7 years ago

Jenn

9.0

Sweet but not too sweet — 7 years ago

with Andrew

Justin Calk

9.4

Fantastic drank with Maria Matt and James — 8 years ago

Sagee Aran

9.4

The years have done good for this bottle. Dark in color, thick and chewy structure but subtle in texture, mild + nose, palate of dark fruits and maturity, very tasty. At its peak... — 5 months ago

John Tan

8.9

After Ninja board meeting — 4 years ago

Sagee Aran

9.0

Good value Riesling from the Golan heights. Yellow gold color, notes of apple, crisp, good acidity. A food wine.
We paired it with a Brocoli suace pasta — 4 years ago

Bruce Leboff

8.9

Drinking well. Expressing its best at its age. Enjoyable wine for a Friday night ! — 5 years ago

with Allan and David

"Odedi"

9.7

Brownish in color with a wide golden hue.

Strong fruity nose with yellow apples, white peaches, wood, dried figs, tobacco, Indian spices, mint, bananas in brandy, black licorice, coffee, eucalyptus, green tea and white flowers.

Full bodied and smooth with medium plus acidity.

Sweet on the palate with yellow apples, apricots, tropical fruits, Mediterranean spices, peppercorn, caramel, coffee, tobacco leaf, mint, bananas and honey.

Long sweet finish with spices.

This is a beautifully aged sweet Muscat from Israel. Showing great complexity on the nose and palate.

Nicely balanced with enough acidity for all that sugar. Good by itself as dessert.

Needs an hour to open up properly and show the complexity.

This 17 year old is delicious and delicate.

13.9% alcohol by volume. Kosher.

97 points.

$15.(current vintage).
500 ml. — 7 years ago

Brenda Lambert

8.9

Interesting ... good — 8 years ago

Sagee Aran

9.2

2014 vintage. Flowery notes. Crisp and balnaced. Has a personality of it's own. — 8 years ago