Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Yarden – Pinot Noir – 2022
Galilee – Israel 🇮🇱

Overview
100% Pinot Noir sourced from the northern reaches of the Golan Heights, where high elevation, cool nights, and rocky volcanic soils create an ideal environment for this delicate, thin-skinned variety. Aged for over 16 months in French oak, this bottling delivers surprising depth and complexity. Kosher, and produced in a non-Mevushal style, allowing greater finesse and aromatic purity.

Aromas & Flavors
Lifted floral notes, red cherry, wild berries, rose petals, clove, and subtle baking spice. The volcanic influence adds a faint smoky-mineral edge that enhances its old-world charm.

Mouthfeel
Silky, medium-bodied, and beautifully balanced. Fresh acidity supports a layered palate with refined tannins and an elegant, persistent finish.

Food Pairings
Herb-roasted chicken, mushroom risotto, seared tuna, Mediterranean lamb skewers, or grilled vegetables with za’atar.

Verdict
A sophisticated and terroir-driven expression of Pinot Noir from one of Israel’s most compelling cool-climate zones. Remarkably elegant, with an old-world spirit shaped by a uniquely volcanic landscape. Cheers!

Did You Know?
The Golan Heights sits atop an extinct volcanic plateau. Its basalt-rich soils and high elevations mirror some of the world’s great cool-climate regions, making it one of Israel’s best sites for Burgundian varieties. — 6 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2022 vintage. 02.12.25. — a year ago

John Tan

8.9

After Ninja board meeting — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Las Alturas' Spanish for 'the heights', a fitting name, this vineyard located on one of the highest grape-growing benches in the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. 4th gen Winemaker Joseph J. Wagner from a family with farming and winemaking roots in Napa since 1906. Met Joe several times. Deep Ruby (darkest Pinot I have come across, almost looks like a Cab). Rich berry flavors with cedar, spice and vanilla. Lingering ending with sweet oak notes. Consistent quality Nice! A Fav! — 6 years ago

Erez Kapara

8.9

Good wine with meet and very good value for money — 8 years ago

Kate Sitarz

10

👍🏼👍🏼 worked well with an Asian noodle dish with lamb. Little spice & everything nice. — 9 years ago

Ron from VA

9.2

Fabulous character! The best of Virginia’s Piedmont foothills on display — 7 months ago

makin mayu

9.7

Rich, condensed umami, like maple syrup. — 10 months ago

with Shoko, Masako and 1 other

Matthew Cohen

9.3

Nose: hint oak. Airy. Hint sea breeze. Lovely. White flowers.

Palate: lovely sweet oak. Sweet wood. Rich. Not over the top. — 2 years ago

Bruce Leboff

8.9

Drinking well. Expressing its best at its age. Enjoyable wine for a Friday night ! — 5 years ago

with Allan and David

Warren Grossman

9.3

Lovely nose, red berries, silky and finishes well — 7 years ago

David YidBee

8.9

Loved it. A soft and mellow taste. — 8 years ago

James Webb

8.9

Great lemon filled expression of Pinot Blanc. Dry and full of life. — 8 years ago

Miles Perry

9.2

A good Pinot Noir. Well balanced with a slightly tart finish. — 8 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Hevron Heights – Isaac’s Ram Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Judean Hills – Israel 🇮🇱

Overview
A high-end Cabernet from Hevron Heights, made entirely of Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged in oak (about 18 months), this wine leans into the rugged elevation and temperature swings of the Judean Hills. (Educational note: elevation in warm climate wine regions helps preserve acidity and build structure even in bolder styles.)

Aromas & Flavors
Deep currents of black currant, dark berry compote, and ripe plum. Cedar, licorice, spice-box, and a touch of vanilla and coffee from oak aging. Earthy undertones and a whisper of pepper add complexity. 

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and structured with firm tannins. The oak adds richness, while the cool nights in the Judean Hills help retain a fresh acid backbone. Finishes long, dense, and robust. 

Food Pairings
Pairs well with grilled red meats, steak or lamb, hearty stews, and dishes with earthy mushrooms or root vegetables. Aging or smoked cheeses would also work nicely.

Verdict
A bold, expressive Cabernet Sauvignon that showcases what Israeli high-elevation terroir can do. It’s drinking well now for its fruit and oak richness, but has the structure and acidity to evolve further over a few years. 🍷

Did You Know?
Isaac’s Ram is made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and is aged ~18 months in French & Hungarian oak — typical for premium kosher offerings in Judean Hills. — 8 months ago

Roman Ochocki

9.0

Very good merlot. Low acidity, medium tannins. Very oaky with a sweet vanilla, dark fruits, but with a dark chocolate finish, maybe with a pepper. Still: one of my favorite labels. — 5 years ago

Joe Weinberger

8.9

First time trying a wine from Israel. This was pretty nice—lots of autolytic notes and it was nice to try one that was vintage dated and with some bottle age. — 6 years ago

Sagee Aran

9.2

2014 vintage. Flowery notes. Crisp and balnaced. Has a personality of it's own. — 8 years ago

K

9.6

キクチさんからの貰い物
重くて香り高い
イスラエル産
また飲みたい — 8 years ago

Roman Ochocki

9.5

Excellent! Israeli wines - you will never be dissapointed. — 9 years ago