Wine and Spirits / Local rubies

From large and small wineries, so many local wines are appearing on the shelves that it has become difficult for even the most dedicated consumers or wine critics to keep up. Between visits to wineries, unveiling events and my own tasting room, I have tasted well more than 150 such wines in the last two weeks. Many range from merely very good to outstanding. Following of some of the best red wines now becoming available in local shops.

Flam, Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve, 2006: Oak-aged for about 16 months, a full-bodied, gently tannic and concentrated blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot. Dark, almost impenetrable garnet, with soft, near-sweet tannins and notes of spicy wood, this wine opens with a melange of black cherry, blackberry and currant notes, then reveals hints of red berries and brown spices. Long, broad and elegant. Approachable now but will show its elegance best from 2011-2015. NIS 149. Score 92.  Advertisement
 
Flam, Merlot, Reserve, 2006: Dark garnet, a full-bodied blend of 86% Merlot and 14% Petit Verdot reflecting generous but not-at-all exaggerated oak, aging with still firm tannins and notes of vanilla and spices. On first attack black fruits, which open to reveal raspberries and blueberries, on a background of mocha and sweet cedar. Give this one time and it will show fine balance between tannins, wood and fruits. Has the structure for aging. Approachable now but best 2010-2015. NIS 149. Score 92.

Flam, Superiore, 2007: Dark ruby to garnet, medium- to full-bodied, with gently mouth-coating tannins, a blend of 72% Syrah and 28% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aromatic, with black fruits and a note of leather on the nose, this wine opens to reveal blackberry, currant and vanilla notes. Soft, round and comfortably elegant. Drink now-2012. NIS 100. Score 91.

Flam, Classico, 2007: A gently oak-aged blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, showing light hints of tobacco, chocolate and spicy cedar wood to highlight currant, blackberry and black cherry fruits. Medium- to full-bodied, with soft tannins throughout and a hint of Mediterranean herbs on the long finish. Drink now-2010. NIS 79. Score 89.

Chillag, Cabernet Sauvignon, Primo, Upper Galilee, 2004: Dark royal purple, oak-aged for 18 months, a full-bodied blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot. Generous smoky cedar wood notes in fine balance with soft tannins and fruits. Opens with black currants and blackberries, and goes on to reveal raspberries, strawberries and notes of dark chocolate and licorice. Long and elegant. Drink now-2012. NIS 170. Score 91.

Chillag, Cabernet Sauvignon, Solo, Upper Galilee, 2005: Medium- to full-bodied (leaning toward the full), a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot. Aged in new and 1-year-old French barriques for 18 months, and shows a distinct Tuscan flair. Dark garnet, with soft tannins and an appealing array of wild berries and currants on a spicy background. Lingers nicely on the palate. Drink now-2011. NIS 110. Score 90.

Chillag, Merlot, Solo, Judean Mountains, 2005: Deep garnet to royal purple, a full-bodied blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Developed in French oak for 18 months, showing generously spicy wood, that in fine balance with mouth-coating tannins and fruits. On the nose and palate ripe plums, wild berries, a hint of cherry liqueur and, on the long finish a generous touch of bittersweet chocolate. Drink now-2011. NIS 110. Score 90.

Chillag, Blend, Vivo, Judean Mountains, 2006: Garnet to royal purple, medium- to full-bodied with soft tannins and notes of spicy wood. Opens to reveal appealing plum and raspberry fruits, supported nicely by notes of milk chocolate and cafe au lait. Drink now or in the next year or two. NIS 90. Score 88.

Chillag, Merlot, Vivo, Judean Mountains, 2006: Medium-bodied, reflecting its 12 months in new and one-year-old French barriques with gently spicy cedar notes, opening to reveal purple plums, wild berries and spice notes on the moderately-long finish. Not complex but fills the mouth nicely and a good match with food. Drink now. NIS 80. Score 87.

Segal, Unfiltered, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005: Blended with 10% Merlot, aged partly in new, partly in used French and American oak for 30 months, full-bodied with generous but gently mouth-coating tannins in fine balance with the fruits. Nearly liquor-like notes of kirsch and cassis yield comfortably to notes of purple plums and pepper. Long and mouth-filling. Drink now-2011, perhaps longer. NIS 135. Score 91. Kosher.

Segal, Cabernet Sauvignon, Marom Galil, Single, 2005: Dark garnet with orange and green reflections, medium to full-bodied and showing soft tannins, generous oak and forward blackberry, black cherry and currant fruits on a background of minted chocolate. Generous and long. Drink now-2010. NIS 55. Score 89. Kosher.

Segal, Marom Galil, Merlot, Single 2006: Deep royal purple, full-bodied, with gently gripping tannins. On the nose and palate wild berries, black cherries and Mediterranean herbs, all on a background of earthy minerals. Drink now-2011. NIS 55. Score 89. Kosher