Deep ruby color; cherry, redcurrant, raspberry, blackberry, plum, vanilla, oak on the nose and palate.
Dry; relaxed tannins and acidity. Fruity, smooth, delicious easy drinker. Medium body. Equal blend of cabernet sauvignon and merlot. Aged eight months in French and American oak. The website is in Hebrew with no English option, so minimal information about the winemaking. My information about Carmel Winery is from secondary sources. 13.5% ABV
Carmel Winery is a vineyard and winery founded in 1882 by Edmond James de Rothschild. It is the largest winery in Israel and exports to more than 40 counties. It produces almost half of the Israeli wine market and is one of the largest wine producers in the Eastern Mediterranean. It is the first and oldest producer of wine, brandy, and grape juice in Israel, and the largest producer of kosher wine in the world. This effort is kosher for Passover and meuvushal.
Carmel Winery Private Collection Winemakers Blend 2019 is smooth, tasty, dialed back Bordeaux-blend of equal parts cab and merlot from Israel’s oldest winery, largest winery, and world’s largest kosher winemaker. Soft and very approachable. Simple. Ripe fruit sweetness. Lacks depth and complexity, but will offend no one, including folks who shy away from red wine. Pair with beef, but will struggle with well-marbled cuts; lamb; pasta; wild game; comfort food—pot roast; pizza, spaghetti and meatballs; meatloaf, burgers and sliders; mac and cheese; cured meats. Cheese—semi-hard cheeses; aged goudas, cheddar, asiago, colby, camembert, gorgonzola. $13-16
Carmel Winery website (Hebrew, no English)
