Domaine du Castel (Israel)	1993	E. Ben-Zaken

10/97. Acquired locally April-97 for $40.
Having tasted the recent '94 vintage a few days ago, I opened a bottle of the rare (2000 bottles only) 1993 for Sukkot dinner.
'Domeine du Castel' is not only the best Israeli red wine today, it is also quite different from the typical hefty Yarden Cabernet Sauvignon - which I admit to be partial of - made by Golan wineries. Ben-Zaken's wines are carefully made Bordeaux-style melange of Cab and Merlot.
COLOR: Medium purple red, vibrant looking though less intense than Israeli Cabs.
NOSE: Delicate red-fruit and flowery aromas. Light tones of vanilla and coffee add complexity to the extremely enticing and perfumed nose.
TASTE: Full of flavors with plenty of winyness on the palate. Vibrant acidity and discernible tannins made the wine great accompaniment to the country-style meat pie.
LENGTH: Medium length but very pleasant aftertaste.
TEXTURE & BALANCE: Medium weight, delicate yet vigorous wine. Plenty of fruit, very good acidity, ample yet rounded tannins - all combine to render beautiful balance. (The wine needs long aerating to soften the tannins.)
OVERALL: Superb! Better than the 1994 though still some years from its peak.
MARK: 18/20.aaaaaaaaBUY MORE? Yes.

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Copyright 1996-2003.
Jacob "Yak" Shaya.