Golan Heights Yarden Merlot 2021

Drink it now or cellar for up to 10 years. It is recommended to decant it for half an hour. Golan Heights Winery is a renowned Israeli winery founded in 1983 by a collective of eight kibbutzim and moshavim to enhance the region's winemaking identity and terroir and produce high-quality wines. In 1992, with the arrival of winemaker Victor Schoenfeld, the winery elevated its status, winning numerous international awards and accolades. The Merlot grapes come from vineyards located in the Golan Heights, where the vines enjoy unique soil and climate conditions, influenced by altitude, resulting in excellent day-night temperature variations, and volcanic basalt soils. This guarantees the production of expressive and aromatic wines, capable of beautifully evolving over the years. The name Yarden refers to the Jordan River that flows through the Golan Heights (Yarden is the Hebrew word for Jordan). After vinification, the wine ages for 18 months in French oak barrels (40% new). Yarden Merlot is an elegant and complex wine with a broad and intense aromatic profile. The nose reveals ripe red fruit notes, followed by hints of vanilla and chocolate. On the palate, it is rich, generous, fruity, and full-bodied, with soft tannins and a well-balanced acidity. The finish is long and persistent, with delicious toasted and spicy notes. It's a wine with the perfect structure to pair with roasted or stewed red meats.