Galil Mountain Yiron 2005

Galil Mountain Yiron is a joint venture between Kibutz Yiron and the Golan Heights Winery. Yiron is the winery’s flagship blend that, in my opinion, provides tremendous quality for a relatively low price.

The 2005 vintage is the last vintage produced by talented winemaker Gaby Sadan, the founding winemaker at Galil Mountain. Sadan was formally educated at University of Dijon in France and gained hands-on experience in Bordeaux, Burgundy, California and Australia. He then returned to Israel to work at Golan Heights Winery and became the founding winemaker at Galil Mountain in 2000. Sadan currently runs his own venture, Shvo Winery, a “natural” winery that focuses on limited human intervention in the wine-making process.

Galil Mountain Yiron 2005 is the first vintage to have nearly equal percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. It is also the first vintage to include Petite Verdot, albeit a very small amount, into the blend. After processing, the wine spent 16 months in 25% new French oak.

In the glass, the wine is dark garnet with a thick appearance. The aromas and flavors are deep, brooding and concentrated. Notes of blackberry, black currants and black cherry combine with black licorice and spicy wood to provide an oral symphony that delights. The wine is full bodied with firm, mouth coating tannins and a luscious mouthfeel. The finish is long with pleasing notes of toasty oak, cool black licorice, and brilliant spice. 2005 is easily the best Yiron vintage to date. Enjoy!

Read about other vintages of this wine: 2003, 2007

• KosherWino Rating: 93 points (Rating Chart)
• Region: Israel
• Color: Red
• Varietal: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 4% Syrah, 2% Petit Verdot
• Alcohol: 14.5%
• Mevushal: No