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 — 5 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Yarden – Pinot Noir – 2022
Galilee – Israel 🇮🇱

Overview
100% Pinot Noir sourced from the northern reaches of the Golan Heights, where high elevation, cool nights, and rocky volcanic soils create an ideal environment for this delicate, thin-skinned variety. Aged for over 16 months in French oak, this bottling delivers surprising depth and complexity. Kosher, and produced in a non-Mevushal style, allowing greater finesse and aromatic purity.

Aromas & Flavors
Lifted floral notes, red cherry, wild berries, rose petals, clove, and subtle baking spice. The volcanic influence adds a faint smoky-mineral edge that enhances its old-world charm.

Mouthfeel
Silky, medium-bodied, and beautifully balanced. Fresh acidity supports a layered palate with refined tannins and an elegant, persistent finish.

Food Pairings
Herb-roasted chicken, mushroom risotto, seared tuna, Mediterranean lamb skewers, or grilled vegetables with za’atar.

Verdict
A sophisticated and terroir-driven expression of Pinot Noir from one of Israel’s most compelling cool-climate zones. Remarkably elegant, with an old-world spirit shaped by a uniquely volcanic landscape. Cheers!

Did You Know?
The Golan Heights sits atop an extinct volcanic plateau. Its basalt-rich soils and high elevations mirror some of the world’s great cool-climate regions, making it one of Israel’s best sites for Burgundian varieties. — 7 months ago

makin mayu

9.7

Rich, condensed umami, like maple syrup. — 10 months ago

with Shoko, Masako and 1 other

Bruce Leboff

8.9

A local fave. Limited bouquet- hint of red berries and tobacco. Medium weight and finish. — a year ago

with David

Bruce Leboff

9.3

Lovely with ripe acidity and very long finish. Tough grape to work with. Lovely to drink — 4 years ago

with David

Cynthia Stevenson

9.4

Smooth, mod body, low acidity, light tannins. — 5 years ago

Raka Khushu

10

It's a delicious wine. — 7 years ago

Jason Keefer

9.0

I think my first Israeli wine. A little hot but has a good blueberryish backbone and a bit of floral undertones. — 5 months ago

with Natasha

"Odedi"

9.3

#KosherWineSunday

Inky in color with a short reddish rim.

Fruity nose of blue and black fruits with mediterranean spices, light cedar, chocolates, tobacco, herbs, light earth and black pepper.

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

Dry and fruit forward on the palate with black currants, black plums, blackberries, cedar, vanilla, leather, spices, light earth, chocolates, coffee and peppercorn.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This 6 year old Cabernet Sauvignon from Israel is drinking wonderfully now. Rich and elegant. Fruit forward and easy drinking. Nicely balanced and soft.

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

Will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 10 years.

Complex and engaging. Tangy and spicy.

Interesting, and good by itself as a sipping wine.

Aged in French oak barrels for 18 months. Kosher.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$50. — 9 months ago

Sagee Aran

9.0

Very tanin. Needs more years — 9 months ago

Diana Cohen

9.0

We had at M25 in Tel Aviv — a year ago

Harvey Raben

9.1

This is a very concentrated wine with lots of black fruit and spices. The palate is complex and layered. The blend of Merlot and Cabernet carries the day.The. Petit verdot provides substantial color making this wine opaque. — a year ago

Lynn de Rothschild

9.9

Amazing at a16 — 5 years ago

Iwan

9.0

Lovely Cabernet from Israel, made in an old world style, but still with great fruit. 2012 is drinking well now. — 6 years ago

Sagee Aran

9.2

A barrel aged Chardonnay. Balanced with blossom and full body — 6 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

The Cave – Red Blend – 2020
Galilee, Israel 🇮🇱

Overview
A powerful Bordeaux-inspired blend composed of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, and 9% Petit Verdot, sourced from high-elevation vineyards in the Upper Galilee. Aged 24 months in French oak inside the historic Carmel Mountain cave, a naturally cool, humidity-stable cellar that shapes the wine’s depth and structure. Mevushal / Kosher for Passover.

Aromas & Flavors
Dark mulberries, black plum, and blackberry compote meet cedar, mahogany wood, espresso, and subtle graphite. The Petit Verdot adds an herbal-floral edge, giving the wine both muscle and nuance.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied with firm, assertive tannins and a deep, wood-toned intensity. Concentrated, layered, and long, with an oaky spine that lingers on the finish.

Food Pairings
Braised lamb shoulder, smoky short ribs, aged Gouda, slow-roasted brisket, or charred portobello mushrooms.

Verdict
One of Israel’s most characterful red blends, bold, structured, and cellar-worthy. The interplay of fruit density, mineral tension, and pronounced oak makes this a standout Mevushal wine for those who appreciate power and polish. Cheers!

Did You Know?
The Cave winery ages its wines in a 250-year-old man-carved cave in Carmel Mountain, originally quarried in the 18th century and repurposed in the 19th century as a brandy cellar. Its natural insulation provides ideal conditions for long élevage, giving these wines their signature depth and aging potential. — 7 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Massican – Sauvignon Blanc 2016
Napa Valley, California – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
Massican’s take on Sauvignon Blanc is never about following trends, but about pushing boundaries. This 2016 proves that Napa whites—when crafted thoughtfully—can age with grace and finesse. At 9 years old, it’s still alive, structured, and fascinating, a clear statement that Sauvignon Blanc deserves a serious seat at the Napa table.

Aromas & Flavors
Zesty lime peel, grapefruit, and passionfruit weave together with subtle elderflower and a mineral core. Secondary notes of dried herbs, beeswax, and a hint of lanolin show its age but also add depth and intrigue.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied, bright, and polished, with a spine of acidity that still carries energy. The texture is sleek yet layered, leading to a clean, lingering finish with citrus oil and gentle salinity.

Winemaking Notes
Fermented and aged with minimal intervention, Dan Petroski focused on preserving varietal purity while allowing the wine to develop gracefully over time. No oak heaviness—just pure Sauvignon character with a refined edge.

Food Pairing
Perfect with goat cheese crostini, seared scallops, spring vegetables, or even sushi. Its brightness and structure make it versatile across fresh, savory dishes.

Verdict
A rare aged Napa Sauvignon Blanc that stuns with its precision and longevity. Proof that Napa whites can stand tall in the cellar and deliver beyond their expected drinking window.

Personal Highlight
One of the most fascinating Sauvignon Blancs I’ve enjoyed from Napa—still vibrant after nearly a decade, and a reminder that Massican is rewriting the book on California whites. Cheers!
— 9 months ago

Mike Holzer

9.1

Pre dinner wine at Dead Sea resort jordan. Med to full bodied. Black fruit tobacco anise. Nice tannins. — 4 years ago

with Ania

Roman Ochocki

9.0

Very good merlot. Low acidity, medium tannins. Very oaky with a sweet vanilla, dark fruits, but with a dark chocolate finish, maybe with a pepper. Still: one of my favorite labels. — 5 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. — 6 years ago