Carmel Winery, Israel (Israel) 2008

 This complex blend resulted from a non-elective experiment conducted in 2006, when warfare to the north in Lebanon prevented the Carmel staff from getting into their vineyards to harvest at the point when they would normally have picked.  They observed that some varieties performed much better than others when left to hang in the heat, and brought those together to make this continuing blend of Carignane, Petite Sirah, Shiraz, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Viognier.  The fruit is sourced from sites across northern Israel, and the initial flavors show an appealingly ripe impression of sweetness, followed by a serious and dry mid-palate and a finish with a classy, grippy character marked by fine-grained tannins.  At once rustic and fine, this is very interesting and quite impressive.