Israeli Wines

Wine in Israel has a rich history, dating back thousands of years, with many biblical references to local vineyards. For years, many Israeli vintners created wines from high yielding vineyards, with results that tasted generic and relatively sweet. But the region’s wine industry has seen a major evolution over the last 30 years; today, high-quality bottlings are becoming more prominent on the market. A Mediterranean climate is experienced throughout much of Israel’s five main areas of production, which include the regions of Galilee (home to the sub-regions of Golan Heights, Upper Galilee and Lower Galilee), Judean Hills, Samson, Negev and Shomron. The soil compositions are quite varied throughout Israel, ranging from limestone and basalt to alluvial and clay loam. The varieties that have yielded the best results from Israel’s terroir include Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot and Syrah. These wines are commonly high in alcohol, with impressive concentration and lush textures. Check out our Israel Wine Buying Guide below for more information on the wines of the region.

Sort By:

points

Carmel 2007 Limited Edition Red (Upper Galilee)

Kosher

Price $85

This Bordeaux-style blend is made from 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot, 5% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc, and promises great longevity despite its already somewhat advanced age. It’s dense and thick, with concentrated notes of cassis, blackberry, tanned leather, licorice root and peppery spice. The medium tannins are fine, but with good grip on… — L.B. (4/1/2013)

points

Yatir 2009 Forest Red (Judean Hills)

Cellar Selection
Kosher

Price $85

Forest, Yatir’s top-of-the-line offering, is always a dense and powerful wine that can age. Right now, the wine smells young and a bit closed, hiding some of its beauty and nuance behind the upfront black plum, cassis and cherry fruit aromas. Hints of fruitcake spice, bramble, cigar box and leather occasionally flicker in the background, revealing what time has in… — L.B. (4/1/2013)

points

Castel 1996 Grand Vin Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot (Haut-Judeé)

Kosher

Price $41

Big, bold and meaty. Chocolate, coffee and cassis aromas blend well with flavors of raspberries, tobacco and wild mushrooms. This is a big, extracted Bordeaux-like wine that is well-supported by solid tannins. A natural pairing to lamb on an outdoor spit. (11/15/2002)

points

Domaine du Castel 2007 Grand Vin Red (Haut-Judeé)

Kosher

Price $70

A delicious vintage of Grand Vin, this wine shows great depth and drinkability now with the promise to age gracefully for at least another five years thanks to a ripe fruit center, medium acidity, structured tannins and superb overall balance. Black fruit and leathery spice dominate, with additional notes of black tea, licorice root, cassis and espresso grinds all… — L.B. (4/1/2012)

points

Psagot 2009 Edom Red (Judean Hills)

Kosher

Price $35

A gorgeous Cab-based blend with 17% Cab Franc, 15% Petit Verdot and 7% Merlot, Edom is rich and seductive. Sultry notes of mulled boysenberry and blackberry are infused with cigar tobacco, cedar and roasted cocoa nib accents. A strong structure of firm tannins and moderate acidity carry through to the black-pepper-flecked finish. — L.B. (4/1/2012)

points

Golan Heights Winery 2007 Yarden Yonatan Vineyard Syrah (Galilee)

Kosher

Price $50

Lifted and vibrant, this expressive Syrah shows great life and freshness. The red berry and blueberry fruit backbone balances the creamy vanilla and sweet smoke frame. Raspberry, cocoa-dusted cherry, coffee and anise flavors fill the round mouth with a lush, velvety texture; black pepper and baking spice notes remain through the long finish. — L.B. (4/1/2012)

points

Golan Heights Winery 2008 Yarden El Rom Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Galilee)

Kosher

Price $59

A stunning and balanced Cab, the El Rom Vineyard boasts ripe blackberry, cherry and cassis aromas and flavors, dusted with accents of cedar, cocoa powder and cigar box spice. Round and hedonistic in the mouth with seductive dark fruit and a mocha-driven finish, this wine is approachable now but can also stand some years in the cellar. — L.B. (4/1/2012)

points

Bazelet HaGolan 2009 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Golan Heights)

Kosher

Price $60

Lush and decadent, this starts off with such an opulent bouquet of jammy black fruit and sultry spice. Rich and mouthfilling, it boasts a creamy yet firm texture with supporing tannins and a seemingly endless finish. Notes of tobacco, leather and intense wood-driven spice all mingle seamlessly with the dark fruit core. Drinkable now, but this should age well… — L.B. (9/1/2012)

Most Reviewed Varietals

Bordeaux-style Red Blend Cabernet Franc Cabernet Sauvignon Chardonnay Gewürztraminer Merlot Pinot Noir Red Blend Rosé Sauvignon Blanc Shiraz/Syrah White Blend

Most Reviewed Wineries

Alexander Barkan Binyamina Carmel Galil Mountain Golan Heights Winery Hevron Heights Winery Psagot Recanati Segal's Shiloh Winery Yatir

2010 Pence Ranch Westslope

This is sourced from the winery's steepest and most wind-exposed blocks…

(Sponsored)