Gamla Sangiovese. Vintage 2009

Alc/Vol: 14%

Size: 750 ml

Region: Israel

The Wine

The 2009 Gamla Sangiovese possesses attractive notes of fresh cherries, dried flowers and berry jam along with nuances of oak, spice and chocolate. The wine has good structure and a pleasing finish.

Gamla Sangiovese is ready to enjoy and should age well over five years, if well-stored. We like to drink this Sangiovese along with robustly-flavored foods, such as pasta carbonara, grilled lamb skewers or a good hamburger smothered in sautéed mushrooms. Of course, a good juicy steak is always a winning option.

The Vintage

Except for an unusually warm February and March, cooler-than-average temperatures dominated the season leading up to the 2009 vintage. The weather caused a protracted season which resulted in a long fifteen week harvest. Picking successfully concluded with Sangiovese from the northern Golan at the end of October. May rains during flowering and two spring heat waves reduced yields by about 20%. The low yields and long hang-time combined to produce wines of very good overall quality.

The 2009 Gamla Sangiovese is produced from fruit coming from the El Rom Vineyard in the northern Golan and the Yonaton Vineyard in the central Golan. The wine aged for twelve months in small French oak barrels.

The Analyses

Brix at Harvest 25.5

TA (g/l) 6.3

pH 3.49

RS DRY

The Appellation

The Galilee (or Galil) is the most northern, and generally considered the best, appellation in Israel. The highest quality area within the appellation is the Golan Heights (or simply the Golan), the coldest region in Israel. The vineyards on this volcanic plateau rise from 400 meters (1,300 feet) above sea level to 1,200 meters (3,900 feet) and receive snowfall in the winter. The Golan Heights Winery is located in the town of Katzrin, in the central Golan.

Kosher