A Cabernet Sauvignon Fit For Passover

Today we look at another kosher wine. It's from Château Golan, in the southern Golan Heights in Israel. Their vineyards produce Bordeaux grape varieties as well as Rhône Valley styles and even Portuguese Touriga Nacional. The estate's soil is volcanic and rich in clay.

The 2020 Château Golan Naveh was made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation under the watchful eye of winemaker Uri Hetz, then sat in oak barrels to age for 12 to 14 months. After bottling, it rested for another year. It is imported by Royal Wine Corporation, good folks to know if you want quality kosher wine. Alcohol sits at a hefty 15% and the retail price is $80.

This wine is very dark, with no light getting through in the glass. The nose is complex, with blackberry, black currant, and anise aromas. There's even an herbal hint, which I take as eucalyptus. The palate is just as dark, with the fruit standing forward and a savory streak behind it. The tannins are quite forceful, while the acidity adds a bright counterpoint to the darkness of the other facets. I don't know if the wine was made for brisket, but that's how I'm pairing it.

Follow Randy Fuller on X and BlueSky