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Clos de Gat Har’el Cabernet Sauvignon

Full bodied and well balanced with fine integrated tannins

Country

Israel

Region

Judean Hills

Sub-Region

Ayalon Valley

Producer

Clos de Gat

Vintage

2013

Composition

95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot

Alcohol

14%

Press

90 points Wine Spectator
88 points Wine Advocate

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WINEMAKER NOTES

Clos de Gat is situated in the foothills of the Judean Mountains, bordering Israel’s biblical Ayalon Valley, where Joshua defeated the Five Kings. In 1998 owner-winemaker Eyal Rotem who studied winemaking in Australia, began planting vines and building a winery on the land surrounding his house, thus turning a long-harbored dream into reality. An ancient “Gat” (Hebrew for wine press), pre-dating the Roman period by a thousand years, is located by the house set in the heart of the vineyards, which today cover an area of 19 hectares (47 acres).

TASTING NOTES

The excellent 2013 vintage clearly reflects the terroir characteristics inherent in the HAREL wines of Clos de Gat. The wine has a beautiful deep black red color with purple tints. On the nose, it reveals aromas of black and red fruits which are enhanced by notes of discreet oaking and earthy Mediterranean plants and herbs. On the palate, the wine is full bodied, well balanced with fine integrated tannins. The finish is long, complex and elegant.

PAIRING SUGGESTIONS

Grilled and roasted meats, casseroles, and cheeses. Drink 3-8 years from the vintage. Serve at 16 to 18°C.

VINIFICATION

Traditional vinification methods, the grapes are hand picked, after rigorous sorting and crushing they are transferred to closed fermentation tanks. After ageing for 12 months in 30% new French oak barrels and racked every 4 – 6 months, the final blend is bottled without fining or filtering.

PRESS

“A muscular, supple red, this is packed with plum, currant and boysenberry flavors. A solid, balsamic acidity adds good structure, with sweet spice, dried floral and mineral notes rounding out the finish. Drink now through 2020. 1,600 cases made.” — 90 points, KM, Wine Spectator

“The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon “Har’el Vineyard” also has 5% Petit Verdot. It was aged for 12 months in 33% new French oak and comes in at 14% alcohol. Since the last tasting on this, the tannins have calmed down, but the veggies have only partially moderated. The cassis nuances are laced with herbs and bell pepper. There is still a little bite on the finish. Overall, this seems like a fairly straightforward Cabernet, although the price is ticking up, but there is some complexity and some juicy fruit, supported by good structure. It is good construction for a food wine. It can be drunk now or held for several years. There were 16,900 bottles produced.”  – 88 points, Mark Squires, Wine Advocate