On The Wine of the Shiloh Winery

In Haaretz!

Here:

Established in Shiloh in the Binyamin region of Judea and Samaria, this winery released its first wines from the 2005 vintage.

Winemaker Amichai Lourie relies on Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah and Chardonnay grapes, largely from the winery's own vineyards. Production in 2007 was of 70,000 bottles, in 2008 (a shmita year ) 40,000 and in 2009 about 60,000.

Shiloh, Mosaic, 2006: Deep, almost impenetrable garnet with purple reflections, full-bodied, reflecting its 20 months in French oak with generous but not-overpowering spicy wood and gently mouth-coating tannins. A blend of 60% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, flushed out with Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot. Opens to show a generous red berry and chocolate personality, and on the long finish notes of dried herbs. Drink now-2015. NIS 230. Score 91. K

Shiloh, Shiraz, Sod Reserve, 2008: Dark, full-bodied, reflecting its 20 months in primarily French oak with notes of sweet and spicy cedar and graphite and still gripping tannins, those needing a bit more time to integrate but already showing fine balance and structure. Opens with blackberries and purple plums, going on to aromas and flavors of wild berries and vanilla and, on the long, gently gripping finish an appealing note of freshly cured cigar tobacco. Approachable and enjoyable now, but best from mid-2011 to 2015. NIS 120. Score 90 K

More on the winery.

A previous post from 2007.

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