Wine: Getting your money's worth

Dalton winery newly launched trio, plus an organic wine from Tishby
Sagi Cooper

Dalton: Good value

The northern winery has issued three new red wines: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, all from the 2005 harvest. Dalton is one of what is considered in Israel as an average sized commercial winery, and most of its wines provide good value for money. The Reserve wines are good and interesting, and the wines in front of us, in the Dalton series, belong to that classification of getting your money's worth.

Priced at NIS 55, the wines were aged in a barrel for 10-12 months. The common thread between all three is that they are enjoyable to drink, light and very accessible, ready for early consumption.

The Merlot has a pleasant and fruity nose of plums and berries, with a little of the cigar box. The aging was done in French barrels and the wine itself is soft and pleasant in the mouth. It is well made with a long finish. It is a little alcoholic on the finish. 14 percent alcohol.

The 2005 Shiraz is a cheerful wine: A red-purple color. It is a little peppery in the nose, with berries and plum. There is a core of fruit in the mouth which is smooth and balanced. The finish is a little tannic, and bit bitter, but this adds to the wine, and would not bother even those who are unaccustomed to dry wine. A good value for its price. 14.5 percent alcohol.

The Cabernet Sauvignon is the least of the three. Not a bad wine, but not exciting either. It lacks dominance and body. If you are looking for a wine to drink right now, one that would match a light meal, this wine will certainly do, but no more.

Organic wine from Tishby Winery

Tishby has made some investments and is expanding: after building a new storeroom, Golan Tishby, chief winemaker, is planning on opening a visitors' center in the newly available old storeroom, with a restaurant and a larger store.

Today, Golan says that there is a shortage of room for the visitors, especially during the winter: The visitors' center is just too small. The new center will overlook the beautiful old alembic still the winery owns. Although Tishby does not produce brandy every year, the still is in operation this year, producing eau-de-vie which will later become brandy.

The wine also provides innovations: Tishby made a first Rosé, from Merlot grapes originating in Sde Boker. Another innovation is the organic Syrah wine, from a private vineyard in kibbutz Sde Eliyahu. Apparently this wine will not be continued, and it is a shame: rather then selling the grapes to Tishby this year, Sde Eliyahu chose to use these grapes to make organic grape juice. Regardless, because of the grapes' origin, and, obviously, the rest of the production process, the wine is certified as "organic" by Agrior.

The winery has only bottled 3000 bottles, which will be sold as part of the Estate series for about NIS 90. The nose is very pleasing and fruity. It lacks the meaty attributes of the Syrah, but has berries and spices. The wine is smooth, feels nice in the mouth, and not heavy. Nice Tannins and a medium finish. The acidity is a little marked. 14 percent alcohol.

A wine which will be released around summertime is the 2005 Shiraz, which was made from grapes from Kfar Yuval. This, too, is a fruity and pleasing wine. It is a little mineral on the nose, followed by sweet scents of vanilla or toffee and bittersweet chocolate. A little warm in the finish, but it is a wine which will fit very well with food.

Yonatan Tishby Special Reserve – A blend of 50 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 40 percent Merlot and 10 percent Cabernet Franc from Gush Etzyon. Deep red with medium edges. The nose has a lot of red pepper and strong aromas of barrel aging.

In the mouth the assault is very mild and pleasing: medium tannins and some spiciness. This is a dry round and a little tannic wine with a medium-long finish. It will keep well even three years after it reaches the market in February.