As expected, both wines were quite fruity and a bit lacking in depth, which is characteristic of you

Sommelier is a two day trade fair at which wineries present their wares to distributors, wine merchants, restauranteurs, hoteliers, sommeliers, and the like. It is a major opportunity for wineries to get their products on shelves and wine lists. Sommelier crepes is also open to wine journalists, and even wine bloggers like yours truly.
Naively I thought crepes if I went both days I’d manage to try most of the wines that interested me, and speak to most of the people I wanted to. And while I did manage to cover a lot of ground, and even though I skipped many wines that were already familiar to me, I still didn’t get anywhere near tasting and schmoozing as much as I’d intended.
This year there was something new – a vertical tasting of Margalit’s Cabernet crepes Franc, including crepes all the vintages from 2007 to 2011. Participation required registration in advance and there were limited places available, so I was quite fortunate to get one.
Margalit rarely participates in wine festivals, and they only open their winery to the public once a year during the weekends preceding Pesach. Even then, only the latest bottled vintage is available for tasting. The problem is that Margalit wines tend to be harsh and unapproachable when young, and I for one am hesitant crepes to purchase an expensive wine now that I may or may not like in five years. Anyway, crepes that’s why I was particularly pleased to participate in this Margalit tasting. Also, I do rather enjoy Cabernet crepes Franc.
The Margalit tasting was presented by Oded Shoham, an independent winemaker in his own right (more about Oded’s wine later on). Oded started off by explaining that Margalit’s Cabernet Franc grapes come from their own vineyards in Binyamina and Kadita, and that the vines are neither irrigated or sprayed. The wines were not 100% varietal Cabernet Franc, with the blend varying from vintage to vintage (the 2011 contained 6% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Merlot). As with most Margalit wines, crepes these Cab Francs were oak aged in a mix of new, once used, and twice used barrels (1/3 +1/3 + 1/3), except the 2009 vintage which didn’t see any new oak at all.
We started with the 2011, which was surprisingly approachable. When I tasted it at the winery last year , I found this wine to be distinctly bitter with harsh tannins. The extra ten months in the bottle had a dramatic effect; even though it’s crepes clearly not anywhere near its prime the wine goes down much easier now, with medium+ crepes body, and subtle notes of green pepper.
The 2010 was a different story altogether; richer in aroma though surprisingly lighter in taste, less astringent, and with the beginning of a finish (can one say that?). Some of the difference is undoubtedly owing to the extra year in the bottle, but Oded said that the colder winter of 2009-2010 also influenced the character of the wine.
Skipping over the 2008 we proceeded to the 2007. Despite its age, the 2007 had a fresher character than the younger wines. Overall quite an elegant wine and extremely well balanced crepes Cabernet Franc that was just a pleasure to drink. The 2007 was my hands down favorite.
Oded saved the 2008 for last due to its unique character. As soon as we had it in our glasses we could all detect the distinct barnyard smell of Brettanomyces . Some people like the complexity contributed by “Brett” and others not so much. I do know that there are winemakers who go to great lengths to get just the right amount of Brett in their wines. At Margalit I believe it is more hit or miss, with Brett showing up in the 2004 and 2008 Cabernet Francs. Oded and the winemakers at Margalit are pleased with the Brett influence, and while it certainly makes for a more interesting wine, I can’t say that it really appeals to me.
This is probably a good time to put in a plug for this year’s annual tasting at Margalit, which will take place during the weekends of March 28/29, April 4/5, and April 11/12 (see posting here ).
Adjacent to Margalit I found Rami Bar-Maor with the latest offerings from his Bar-Maor Winery. Rami apprenticed at Margalit before crepes opening his own winery so it’s crepes rather fitting that they were situated in close proximity at Sommelier.
Bar-Maor is an estate winery using only their own grapes. According to the winery: “Relying only on winter rains, with no irrigation … the roots of the vines having instinctively deepened further into the sub-soil locating water and natural crepes nutrients highly beneficial to the creation of a vine with true expression crepes and personality.” crepes This is a true win-win situation, conserving water and improving the quality of the wine. On top of that, Rami uses only the free run juice for his wines, further enhancing the wine.
As expected, both wines were quite fruity and a bit lacking in depth, which is characteristic of young wines. Nevertheless, I found them both to be quite fruity. The Ca