Gilgal Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 (about $15)

About the Wine:  Like California, Israel had an unusually cold year in 2011.  Also like California, Israel is hot enough to be marginal for wine grape growing, so a cold year is actually a boon for those who know how to take advantage of it.  Grapes grown in cold weather tend to produce more elegant, austere wine.  Hence the prestige of Burgundy.  No region in Israel compares to Burgundy, but this colder year did provide an opportunity for wine makers to show their talents.

About THIS Wine:  It is very dark red with a violet rim, fairly light for a hot climate Cab.  Tobacco and jammy raspberry are prominent on the nose.  The palate presents big fruit balance with firm, chalky tannins.  For all my rambling in the introduction "elegant" is not a term that would describe this wine, but it is fairly balanced.

Drinking This Wine:  It's drinkable by itself, but better with food.  Juicy hamburger is the pairing that comes to mind.

Overall Impression:  I think this would hold it's own with any California Cab at the same price range and so I must say it is good for the price.

Mt. Tabor Chardonnay 2012 (about $14)

About the Wine:  Galilee is my favorite wine growing region in Israel.  The temperatures are somewhat milder and rainfall higher than in the rest of the country, so it is much more conducive to wine growing  than the Negev Desert, the coastal Samson, or the Shomron region north of Jerusalem.  The Judean Hills around Jerusalem make wines of at least equal quality but real estate is expensive there so Judean wines tend to be pricy.

About THIS Wine:  It is golden yellow in the glass, promising a fair amount of oak.  The oak delivers on both nose and palate.  Israeli wine makers often seem to follow California's lead (which makes sense, given that both are hot, coastal climates) and this appears to be an example of that.  This is basically a Kosher Kendall Jackson.

Drinking This Wine:  This one is fine by itself or with roast chicken. This is the second Kosher Chardonnay I have reviewed that would go well with lobster.

Overall Impression:  This is a very pedestrian wine but it not expensive and the price and taste are comparable to similar, non Kosher wines.  This wine is reasonable for the price.

Carmel Winery Appellation Cabernet Franc 2009 (about $16)

About the Wine:  Wine growing in Israel probably predates wine growing in France but there was an interruption in Israeli wine production starting when Israel came under Muslim rule and the vineyards were destroyed and ending the Carmel Winery was founded in the late 1800s.  This is their Cab Franc.  Normally a dry, austere wine used to mellow the other aspects of Bordeaux blends and also to add a peppery flavor, Cab Franc is often much fruitier and juicier when grown in Israel's hot climate.

About THIS Wine:  In the glass it is opaque with a purple rim.  The nose presents smoke, pepper, and hints of plum.  The palate is dry and gripping with a somewhat juicy quality that lingers.

Drinking This Wine:  This needs to decant after opening and could probably stand a few years of aging, which is unusual for a wine in this price range.  Have it with hamburger and noodles or some other meaty dish.

Overall Impression:  The wine is tasty and it is not too expensive.  This one is reasonable for the price.

Ugav Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 (about $14)

About the Wine:  I am not optimistic about the prospect of 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon.  Some Cabs age for years, even decades before they reach maturity.  Then again, some Cabs are meant to be drunk young.  It all depends on the terroir, the strain of the grape, and the skill of the wine master. 

About THIS Wine:  It is ruby red in the glass with a pink rim.  Jammy red fruit defines the nose, though notes of green herbs are also present.  The fruit delivers on the palate but gives way to a vegetable quality that lingers in a finish that is dry but not overly so.

Drinking This Wine:  This is fine for a sipping wine.  It is not big or bold enough for really heavy red meat dishes but would do well with beef and rice or a stew.

Overall Impression:  You can definitely pay more and do worse.  This wine is good for the price.