Alexander Sandro Cabernet - Merlot, Galilee, Israel

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The 2009 “Sandro” Cabernet-Merlot is in fact a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Merlot (20%), Syrah (10%), Petit Verdot (6%) and Sauvignon Blanc (4%), aged in 80% French and 20% American oak for 14 months. This is quite pleasant, suave and elegant, easygoing and tasty, with some ripe tannins and earthy notes rising up and providing a little character. There is not much mid-palate concentration or depth. It drinks quite nicely now and it is probably pretty close to peak now, however long it theoretically lasts. Drink now-2015. Note that the 2007s are current – they were just submitted by the winery. Some of them received extended oak aging, which may partly account for their late submission.Importer: Royal Wine Corp., Bayonne, N.J.; tel: (718) 534-0118

The 2007 SANDRO CABERNET-MERLOT is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), Merlot (26%) and …Sauvignon Blanc (4%), all sourced from the Kerem Ben Zimra vineyard in the Upper Galilee and aged in 80% French and 20% American oak for 14 months. This was bottled in January, 2009. Like most of the Alexander reds reviewed this issue, this bottling is elegant in the mid-palate and well crafted. Its youth means the tannins are a little more obvious, and there are notes of game and herbs on the wine that some will prefer more than others, along with a certain lively crispness—a little of that Sauvignon Blanc? This is pretty pleasing overall and well priced in the lineup. I suspect it will always be better on the younger side, despite its good structure. Drink now-2015. Alexander is an under-the-radar pick for those looking beyond the most familiar Israeli names. “The Great” series is a premium, late released wine. The latest release of that brand is the 2005 Cabernet; the 2006 will not be released until next year. The Grand Reserve is one step above it—late released and produced only in exceptional years. Although Israeli wines as a group provide relatively few bargains, there are some decent price to quality ratios here for the low and mid-level wines. Many will be about as happy with the regular Reserves as with the upper level wines. More or less unknown in the USA due to its lack of an importer until recently, this winery has some potential. Not all of these may be available quite yet. Prices given are estimates of what they will be in the marketplace—they may yet change.Importer: Bayfield Importing, Long Island City, N.Y.; tel: (718) 482-0200.