Yatir Forest is among Israel's best wines.
Yatir Forest, 2006: Deep garnet in color, with orange and purple reflections, a Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Merlot (50%, 38% and 12% respectively), oak-aged for 16 months in French oak (of which 1/3 were new). Ripe, round and generous, with caressing tannins and a gentle spicy wood influence, opens to reveal layer after layer of currant, plum, blackberry, mocha, and floral notes, all of which linger on a superbly long and mouth-filling finish. A wine that boasts intensity together with grace and elegance. One of Israel's very best. Approachable and thoroughly enjoyable now but this is one for aging and will be at its best from 2011-2020, perhaps longer. Score 94 (Daniel Rogov)
Yatir Forest, 2005: A full-bodied Bordeaux blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Petit Verdot and 10% Merlot. A third aged in new and two-thirds aged in old wood barriques for 15 months, this dark royal-purple towards garnet, deeply aromatic wine casts intense orange and green reflections. Soft tannins integrating beautifully and the intentionally gentle hand with the wood come together nicely to let the wine open with spicy berry and cassis aromas and flavors, those going on to show blackberries and an underlying and fascinating mélange of bitter herbs. Long, generous and elegant. Drink now–2014 (Magnum: 2011-2018, perhaps longer). Score 94. (Daniel Rogov)
Yatir Forest, 2004: Developing beautifully and showing even better than at two earlier tastings. Almost inky in its deep garnet color,. this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah (80%, 14% and 6% respectively is showing elegant, full-bodied and solid, with soft tannins, smoky wood and vanilla, all in fine balance with ripe blueberry, black currant, and plum flavors. Look as well for an appealing, earthy undercurrent leading to a long, deep, broad and generous finish. Drink now–2014. Score 93. (Daniel Rogov)
Yatir Forest, 2003: This blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot reflecting its 12 month development in barriques with gently spicy and lightly dusty wood and showing fine balance between tannins, wood and acidity. On the palate light herbal and white pepper traits underlying rich blueberry and black currant fruits. Well focused, long and elegant. Drink now-2012. Score 93. (Daniel Rogov)
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