583458 Mon Dec 29 00:28:02 -0800 2008 2 34 Wine 0 4279105 2001 Chateau Golan “Eliad” (Golan, Israel): This is a somewhat confusing wine, at least at first appearance – the label speaks of all five Bordeaux varietals, yet the website describes the wine as being a blend of 84 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 10 percent Merlot, and six percent Syrah. A quick email to the winery, and it’s the website that counts. Confusing, at best. Medium-deep garnet in color, clean and clear; the bouquet is not necessarily recognizable as Cabernet Sauvignon, per se, but is quite nice nevertheless, with red and black fruits, some white pepper, and a touch of vanilla and spice; on the palate, the wine is smooth and supple, flavorful, and actually quite good indeed . . . just not necessarily Cabernet. (14% abv) Cheers, Jason Mon Dec 29 00:28:02 -0800 2008 28122 zin1953 1 4282330 Thanks for posting the tasting note. Chateau Golan makes very well-crafted wines. They are definitely in the "International Style" camp and I wish they had more of a sense of place. The most interesting Israeli wines right now IMHO are being made in the Judean Hills: Clos du Gat and Castel are really elegant wines that reflect their terroir. I also like Ella Valley, but that's a chunky, slightly monolithic wine that reflects a hotter microclimate. Tue Dec 30 05:48:07 -0800 2008 4279105 138502 chefdilettante 1 4283731 Hi Jason, I'm happy to see the post about wines from the Golan. Hope your Christmas holiday is going ok too for you and your family. The Golan is a fascinating place to hike through. I share your opinion on the Eiliad. I don't know what to make of it. I tend to go for whites when I'm there like Yarden's Chardonnay. Tue Dec 30 13:53:55 -0800 2008 4279105 224157 girobike