Carmel Winery Limited Edition, Galilee, Israel

卡梅爾限量版干紅葡萄酒

點擊次數：10460

The 2004 Limited Edition is clearly the best structured wine here, as well as the most complex, although that is a relative descriptor for this group. It is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (65%, all from the Upper Galilee appellation), Petit Verdot (20%, Shomron) and Merlot (15%, Judean Hills). It has some backbone and some grip on the finish, as well as some oak. There is also a certain, bright and refreshing succulence to it that is attractive, and the wine is elegantly constructed. It is a pretty good Bordeaux-blend imitator. There is a touch of green on the wine, although it is not too intrusive. The tannins moderate fairly quickly, and the wine rounds into form in an about an hour or so. After two, it is pretty clear that this wine has no place else to go in its development, although it continues to hold nicely in the decanter for some time longer and drinks quite well. It has an easygoing, comfortable feel to it after awhile and it is a pleasure to drink, although not truly distinguished. Drink now-2014. For those interested, this wine is Kosher. Importer: Royal Wine Corp, Bayonne, N.J.; tel. (718) 534-0118This familiar and old (with roots back to 1882) winery is Israel's largest, once having controlled almost the entire Israeli wine market. Carmel got modern winemaking started in Israel and helped stake out the path to serious wine as well, although it has a bit of a checkered past. One spokesperson described it as the Gallo of Israel. It sells a wide range of products, including sweet kiddush wines. For a long while, Carmel and Israeli wine were more or less synonymous. Carmel still today has a huge market share (harvesting about 35% of Israel’s grapes), although it has declined over the decades with the founding of many competitors, from Golan Heights to the boutiques. Not surprisingly, Carmel has been reshaping itself, establishing a joint venture called Yatir (listed separately here) to turn out high quality wines, and making small production wines under its own label as well. Its single vineyard and Limited Edition wines are only about 1,083 case production runs each. Carmel is making some fine wines at the high end, and its attention to small production wines seems to be paying off.