Sagee Aran

9.1

We had better years.. — 22 days ago

Sagee Aran

9.3

all in place. a benchmark CS. full body, ripe, juicy, good acidity, tasty. — 5 months ago

ESF

9.1

continue my run of fantastic Israeli wines: reminiscent of St Emilion - inky deep dark wafting generously of blackberry & plum, ripe rich decadent, vanilla & licorice, earthy, bell pepper, graphite, clay - very classy cut w/harmoniously integrated tannins on palate, paired well with/ribeye - really delivers for price point — a year ago

Sagee Aran

9.0

Good dark color, mild to intense nose, chewy, tannins are still strong, fruit forward...very good value for this merlot. — 5 years ago

barak heller hayun

9.0

very interesting!

asking around for a recommendation for interesting cheap wine for accompanying a family meal, this red blend was advised.

60% Cabernet sauvignon
30% syrah
5% petit verdot
5% cabarnet franc

1 year in french oak barrels.

15% ABV

strong red 👀

a bit of funk and grass first, followed by cooked black fruit and some ripe red fruit with added black pepper and vanilla👃

full body.
high acidity.
low tannins

silky mix of ripe black and red fruit with tartness and sweet oak spices with some greeness and dirt on the background👄

long pleasent 🎯

intresting and well made.
excelent vfm (59 nis).

at the meal there was a choice of ouscous and rice (separately) with vegetables, chard and beans or salmon with thick and spicy pepper and 🍅 sauce.

the wine got along with them, even with the spicy fish.
but it wasn't a match made in heaven. — 7 years ago

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

Rufus King

8.9

Super rich, dry tannic Kosher Cabernet Sauvignon with dark cherry and spice notes, from Galilee, Israel (Roche) — 8 years ago

Sagee Aran

9.2

A benchmark Merlot. Always good. — a month 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 — 8 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

See previous notes. Meaty aromas together with blueberry, red currant and raspberry - a hint of bay leaf. A wonderful wine from old vine Mataro (Mourvèdre). Medium to full bodied with stacks of savoury flavour. Sadly my last one. I should seek out more recent vintages. — 4 years ago

Cynthia Stevenson

9.4

Smooth, mod body, low acidity, light tannins. — 6 years ago

"Odedi"

8.9

It's time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Here's a nice one from Israel.

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Nose of cherries, blueberries, wood, earth, vanilla, licorice, spices, espresso, pencil lead, vegetables, herbs and black pepper.

Full bodied and soft with medium plus acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with blueberries, cherries, wood, licorice, light vanilla, light vegetables, dark coffee, herbs, tobacco leaf, spices, graphite and black pepper.

Medium plus in finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a nice surprise. I've had this wine for the last 4 vintages, and this is the best one yet. Easy drinking with mild complexity and a nice mouthfeel. Feels like a blend of new and old world wine.

Good by itself or with food. Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up ( 30 minutes). After an hour of airtime, tannins show up.

Drinking very nicely already, even by itself.

A blend of 36% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah, 12% Petit Verdot and 9% Cabernet Franc.

Grapes are grown in the Judean Hills at 2,000 feet elevation, and aged for 10 months in oak barrels. Kosher. Not Mevushal.

14% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$35. — 7 years ago

Hamilton Schwartz

9.2

Passover 2019 — 7 years ago

Adam Baker

9.0

Dry and good! — 8 years ago

Sagee Aran

8.9

a Blend of Syrah, Carignan and Argaman. a little jammy. — 5 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. — 10 months ago

"Odedi"

9.2

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Strong nose of blackcurrants, black cherries, plums, oak, vanilla, licorice, cloves, tobacco, earth, mint, light herbs and black pepper.

Full bodied and elegant with medium plus acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with blueberries, cherries, currants, oak, vanilla, dark chocolates, cloves, licorice, herbs, spices, earth, peppercorn and pencil lead.

Spicy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This young Israeli Cabernet Sauvignon is starting to drink nicely now.

Showing nice complexity with a gentle mouthfeel. Nicely balanced and tangy. Tasty, spicy and interesting.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after 2 hours of airtime.

This beautiful Bordeaux blend from Israel would benefit from 3 to 5 years of bottle time.

Good by itself or with food. I paired it with a delicious Brie cheese.

A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. Aged in French oak barrels for 12 months. Kosher and not Mevushal.

14.5% alcohol by volume

92 points.

$60. — 6 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. — 7 years ago

Dean Bernal Sr.

9.4

Well this is another great Israeli wine. — 8 years ago

with Mike, Craig and 4 others

Iwan

8.9

Elegant Bordeaux blend. From a mag. — 8 years ago