Gamla Pinot Noir 2020 750ml

Appellation: Central and North Golan, Galilee, Israel

Winemakers Notes: The 2018 Gamla Pinot Noir displays aromatic notes of raspberry, sour cherry, violets, red apple and spice. This flavorful and drinkable Pinot Noir exhibits light-to-medium body and classic varietal character.

Great to enjoy upon release, the 2018 Gamla Pinot Noir should stay in good drinking condition for some four years from vintage. Try pairing this food-friendly wine with free-range veal piccata, crispy-skin salmon, or Peking duck pancakes.

The Vintage: 2018 was a relatively early and short vintage. A somewhat warm winter and spring with average rainfall resulted in an early season. After beginning about 10 days early on July 31, the deluge came in weeks five and six, with 34% of the total coming in those two weeks alone. While we typically harvest about 30% of our fruit in October, in 2018 only 11% of the grapes remained on October 1, and we concluded the harvest on the 15th. Our beautiful summer weather and relatively low yields led to yet another outstanding vintage for Golan Heights Winery.

The 2018 Gamla Pinot Noir was produced from Pinot Noir grapes harvested entirely from vineyards in the cool northern Golan Heights. The wine aged in French oak barrels for seven months.

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.