Zwebner Estate Vineyard Judean Mountains 24.19 2019, Bethlehem

Pale yellow in color with a golden tint.

Sweet nose of honeydew, citrus, lemons, honey, spices, apples, herbs, light earth and minerals.

Light to medium in body with medium plus acidity. Crisp and refreshing.

Very dry on the palate with green apples, limes, spices, light earth, herbs, light vegetables and white pepper.

Tangy finish with grapefruits and light almonds.

This is a very nice white Bordeaux blend from israel. Nicely balanced with nice complexity and a crisp mouthfeel.

This 3-year-old is drinking very nicely now and better than a year ago.

Peaking now, but would be interesting to try it again in a couple of years.

Feels like a Bordeaux white with a Vouvrey twist. Loved the nose here.

Good right out of the bottle and good by itself or with food.

A blend of Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc. Fermented and aged separately in French oak barrels, on its lees. Kosher and not Mevushal.

13% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$30.

Amphorae Winery Makura Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Israel

Here’s another beautiful wine from the Michel Rolland consulting collection.

Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.

Full bodied and smooth, with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity and a great mouthfeel.

Showing blackberries, black currants, black plums, cooked cherries, oak, light vanilla, spices, alcohol, peppercorn, tobacco leaf, herbs and licorice.

This is a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon from Israel. Nicely aged with a beautiful nose, that I kept smelling on. Looks and feels much younger.

The alcohol is still noticeable, which surprised me a little.

I had this vintage before, and it seems like this 14 year old has reached its peak a year or two ago.

Feels like a Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley with a splash of Bordeaux.

Delicious right out of the bottle, and better after 2 hours in the decanter.

100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were aged in French oak barrels for 36 months.

15% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$55.

Golan Heights Winery Yarden Petit Verdot 2013, Israel

Dark ruby color with a short reddish rim.

Full bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate and very fruity, with nice complexity.

Showing blueberries, blackberries, black currants, black plums, cooked cherries, dried figs, raisins, cedar, earth, vanilla, herbs, chocolates, tobacco leaf, light forest floor, vinaigrette and light black pepper.

This 9 year old Petit Verdot, is drinking very nicely now, with nice complexity and mouthfeel.

I expected it to have a touch of old old feel, but it drinks like a new world wine.

Probably peaked a couple of years ago, but still very yummy. Rich and extracted.

Looks much younger than it is, and tastes much older than it is. An Interesting wine out of israel.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after 30 minutes of airtime. Alcohol is well integrated by now.

Good by itself or with food, and will pair nicely with lamb dishes.

100% Petit Verdot grapes were grown in the Golan Heights region. Aged in French oak barrels for 18 months. Kosher and not Mevushal.

15% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$40 (current vintage).

Flam Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2017, Israel

This is a delicious, yet young, Cabernet Sauvignon from Israel.

Full bodied and spicy.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing black fruits with tobacco leaf, earth, oak, licorice, light vanilla, eucalyptus, black pepper and pencil lead.

Nicely balanced, and fruit forward with a nice mouthfeel.

Good by itself or with food, and drinks like a Left Bank Bordeaux.

Needs a couple of hours to open up properly, and will continue to age nicely in the next 7 years.

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

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$70.

Nana Estate Winery Cassiopeia 2019, Israel

Inky in color with a short purple rim.

Full bodied, bold and smooth, with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate and very fruity, with nice complexity.

Showing black currants, cooked plums, sweet cherries, oak, spices, licorice, light vanilla, tobacco, black pepper, dark coffee, herbs, chocolates and light vegetables.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This 3 year old Syrah blend from Israel is very interesting. Fruit forward with a smooth mouthfeel. Rich and flavorful.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after an hour of airtime. Very easy drinking, and good by itself or with food.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 5 years.

A blend of 85% Syrah, 12% Petite Sirah and 3% Petit verdot. Grapes are grown in the desert. Aged in French oak barrels for 14 months. Kosher and not Mevushal.

14.6% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$42.

Stoudemire Wines Capernaum Grand Reserve 2016, Israel

This is a very unique red blend from Israel.

Full bodied with medium acidity.

Very dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing black currants, plums, cooked cherries, oak, earth, vanilla, cloves, herbs, spices, dark chocolates, licorice, coffee, black pepper and tobacco leaf.

This 6 year old is still young, and will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 7 years.

Drinks very much like a Left Bank Bordeaux, with a lovely nose. I actually enjoyed the nose better than the palate.

I had this vintage 2 years ago, and it didn’t change much. Needs 3 hours to open up properly, so be patient.

Good by itself or with food, and will pair nicely with a nice piece of steak.

A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Petit verdot grapes from the Galilee region. Aged in French oak barrels for 24 months. Kosher and not Mevushal.

14% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$100.

Covenant Israel Wines Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Israel

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

On the nose black currants, black plums, black cherries, tobacco, oak, licorice, black tea, spices, earth, light chocolates, herbs and light vegetables.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, cherries, wood, spices, peppercorn, chocolates, tobacco leaf, pencil lead and coffee.

This Israeli Cabernet Sauvignon is drinking very nicely now. Showing nice complexity, although still young.

Elegant and interesting. Spicy and tangy.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 7 years. Would be nice to try it again in 3 years, and see where it is.

Fruit forward, yet shows lots of earth notes. Feels like a young Left Bank Bordeaux.

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

Wine Enthusiasts 94 points.

Good by itself or with food, and will pair nicely with a nice piece of steak.

Grapes were fermented with indigenous yeast, and aged for 18 months in French oak barrels. Kosher and not Mevushal.

14.8% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$90.

Flam Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2017, Israel

Dark ruby in color with a reddish rim.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Showing black currants, black plums, cooked cherries, oak, licorice, Mediterranean spices, vanilla, tobacco, peppercorn, espresso, dark chocolates, light alcohol, light vegetables and herbs.

Tangy finish with fine grained tannins and cranberries.

This 5 year old feels like a left bank Bordeaux.

Already showing nice complexity, although still young. Will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.

Fruit forward with an elegant mouthfeel.

Needs a couple of hours in the decanter to open up properly and show the complexity.

Good by itself or with food, and feels like a blend of old and new world Cabernet.

Grapes are grown in the Upper Galilee region. A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon with Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Aged in French oak barrels for 12 months. Kosher and not Mevushal.

14.5% alcohol by volume

92 points.

$70.

Vitkin Winery Old Vines Carignan 2016, Israel

This 6 year old Carignan from Israel is drinking very nicely now. Tangy and interesting.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and long legs.

Showing red fruits with wood, earth, spices, tobacco, chocolates, coffee and peppercorn.

Dry on the palate with a soft mouthfeel, and a nice aromatic nose.

Tangy finish with fine grained tannins and cranberries.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after an hour of airtime.

I’ve had this vintage before, and this time did not decant it, but I gave it a light chill.

Paired nicely with the mushroom Brie cheese.

Kosher and not Mevushal.

13% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$35.

Shiloh Winery Secret Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Israel

This is a very tasty Cabernet Sauvignon from Israel. Feels like a Napa Cabernet.

Showing black fruits with cedar, vanilla, coffee, cola, spices, earth, chocolates and peppercorn.

Dry on the palate and fruit forward.

Full-bodied and bold with a nice mouthfeel.

Still young and needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly. Would Age nicely in the next five to seven years. Has good potential to become a 94+ wine.

Entertaining and engaging. Smooth and elegant.

Aged in French oak barrels for 18 months. Unfiltered. Kosher and Mevushal.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$53.