Gamla Syrah 2018 750ml

Appellation: Central and North Golan, Galilee, Israel

Winemakers Notes: The 2017 Gamla Syrah presents cherry, raspberry and plum fruit notes, along with characters of tobacco, black tea, earth, smoke and French oak. This attractive Syrah is full-bodied and flavorful.

Ready to drink upon release, the 2017 Gamla Syrah will stay in good drinking shape for some five to seven years from vintage. Give the wine a go with smoky beef ribs, lamb shoulder roast with sage and rosemary, or aged hard cheeses such as gruyere or cheddar.

The Vintage: While the winter leading up to the 2017 season started promisingly, with an unusually cold and wet December, total seasonal precipitation finished at only 82% of normal. The lack of late winter rain resulted in restrained vine growth and canopies nicely open to light and air penetration. After an average spring, July saw daily highs 2oC (3.6oF) warmer than usual. Happily, typical weather returned in August, and the absence of weather extremes led to beautiful, and faster than normal, ripening. Ending up as a relatively short eleven-week harvest, 2017 was yet another vintage of excellent quality.

The 2017 Gamla Syrah was produced solely from Syrah fruit grown in vineyards on the cool Golan Heights. The wine aged in in French oak barrels for 12 months.

The Appellation: The Galilee (or Galil) is the most northern, and generally considered the best, appellation in Israel. The highest quality area within the appellation is the Golan Heights (or simply the Golan), the coldest region in Israel. The vineyards on this volcanic plateau rise from 400 meters (1,300 feet) above sea level to 1,200 meters (3,900 feet) and receive snowfall in the winter. Golan Heights Winery is located in the town of Katzrin in the central Golan.