He is cheif winemaker for the Golan Heights winery in the Golan Heights. Tags: News and Merlot vintage arden Rom blend of Syrah cabernet franc Have you had Israeli wine before? few years back, several producers came to the US and I was overwhelmed by how delicious all the wines were. These were excellent wines.

Made a trip back up to the Golan Heights today.  Making wines exclusively grown in the Golan Heights region on its volcanic soils (a result of two volvano eruptions - the most recent a short million years ago), GHW (Golan Heights Winery) grows 22 varietals and produces close to 30 wines. 

I'm headed up North tomorrow to the Galil region which includes the highly regarded Galil & Golan Heights viticultural sections. Once again trusty Wine Tasting Guy told them that many Bordeaux (generally Right Bank) have a majority Merlot.  Has it only been a week?  I have 6 days left, but I know that will fly.  Can't wait!

Prior to visiting the winery today I tried their LOW LEVEL supermarket 2007 "Private Collection" Cab/Merlot blend.  I fancy myself an aspiring Israeli wine expert, but I must admit that I have lots to do before I earn any such title.  Among the many things I must do is to better acquaint myself with one of Israel's oldest wineries - Carmel. 

No Merlots (OK, maybe 1) and no Cab's (OK, maybe 1 or 2).  A very well made yet restrained wine, the Cab Franc is much lighter in body than most Cabs, Merlots, or Syrahs, and is a great choice for your lighter holiday meals as the wine will not overpower the food as might be the case with the bigger bodied wines. Staying with Galil Mt.,

Also in the $13-$14 range from Galil Mountain and worth checking out is their Merlot &/or Shiraz. The last wine I want to bring up in this category comes from the Golan Heights Winery, famous for its Yarden wines. Bustan's wines are 100% varietal - a Cabernet , a merlot & a Syrah. Buy it up, drink it and be proud.

Well ladies and gentlemen, the results are in. will be copying a list of wines & their scores from Israeli Wine Critic Daniel Rogov's "Wine & Food Forum".  I am waiting for my physical copy of the issue to arrive before I comment specifically.  More comments later.  Without further ado, the scores.