Monday night I had the opportunity to taste five truly amazing wines. While most were from California (including Covenant’s second label, the Cabernet Sauvignon Red Sea 2003), there was one unique and special wine from Israel. In fact, it was from a winery that I had never tried before: Psagot.
While we didn’t take formal tasting notes, the Psagot Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, was quite an interesting wine from an interesting winery. Psagot, in the Benyamin mountains, was founded by the Berg family. They planted the first grapes in 1998, and in 2002, the winery was established with the help of the entire Berg family. It’s cellar, uniquely, is an ancient cave, which provides natural cooling.
Since I didn’t take tasting notes (I was too busy enjoying the wine!), I will leave you with Rogov’s:
Dark, almost impenetrable garnet with green and purple reflections, this medium to full-bodied wine reflects its 13 months in French barriques with a moderate touch of spicy oak and firm tannins that are in fine balance with blackberry, black cherry and cassis fruits. On the moderately long finish look for appealing hints of sweet herbs and tobacco. Drink now-2010. Score 88.
I don’t believe that this wine is available in the US, although they have a very attractive label and a very well-developed English website (something all too many Israeli wineries lack). However, if you are in Israel, the web site lists stores and restaurants (including the King David Hotel and Jerusalem’s Coolinary) where the wine is available.
