A Galilee, Israel Merlot

A Galilee, Israel Merlot: Let’s start by quoting the marketing materials. “Tasting Note: Founded more than 100 years ago, as part of a village vineyard started by the Baron de Rothschild of Lafite fame, the Tabor winery has played a long and important role in the history of Israeli wine. This 2009 Merlot delivers well above its price point There is tremendous structure and balance here. Medium-full bodied, silky, and with a lovely soft texture, it presents nice complexity with delicious notes of plum, spice, cedar, black fruits, and pepper. Try it with beef tacos for something deliciously different. (VINTAGES panel, Sept. 2010).” And now for my review.
Tabor Merlot
Tabor Merlot in moderate priced wine

At the first sips this wine was powerful and long. The first meal centered on slow-cooked London Broil. In response the Merlot offered a fine balance among fruit, tannins, and acidity. The accompanying potatoes brought out the chocolate in this wine.

My next meal started with sweet and sour meatballs. Now this Galilee was plummy with a tinge of tobacco. It was long and mouth filling. In the face of sweet and sour chicken wings the wine’s acidity stepped up and dealt nicely with the grease. Once again plums were dominant. When it met rice with onions, carrots, and green beans, this liquid lost most of its acidity but offered fine fruit (plums) and tannins. In the presence of fresh strawberries for dessert there wasn’t much left of this Merlot but it was still long.

This review continues on my website.

- Sent using Google Toolbar