Gamla Merlot 2018 750ml

Appellation: Central and North Golan, Galilee, Israel

Winemakers Notes: The 2016 Gamla Merlot exhibits fruit characters of raspberries and cherries, intermingling with notes of orange blossom, spice, earth and roasted coffee. This flavorful Merlot displays a full body and just a bit of pleasing structure.

Though pleasurable to drink upon release, the 2016 Gamla Merlot will improve in the bottle for several years, and should stay in excellent drinking condition for some seven years from vintage. Give the wine a try with braised beef short ribs, grilled lamb chops with rosemary and garlic, or spicy vegetable jambalaya.

The Appellation: The Galilee (or Galil) is the most northern, and generally considered the best, appellation in Israel. The highest quality area within the appellation is the Golan Heights (or simply the Golan), the coldest region in Israel. The vineyards on this volcanic plateau rise from 400 meters (1,300 feet) above sea level to 1,200 meters (3,900 feet) and receive snowfall in the winter. Golan Heights Winery is located in the town of Katzrin in the central Golan.