Gamla 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

By André Cohen, French WineMaster, CSW (Certified Specialist in Wine) ~

One of my favorite grape varieties, from one of my favorite places in Israel, this one is a winner: it combines an excellent vintage 2009 with a beautiful Cabernet Sauvignon grape and the unique terroir of upper Galilee.
Peter Stern, the talented Chief Wine Maker at world renowned Gamla wineries produces consistently good wines of character, handcrafted with a blend of French grapes and oak, Californian technology and Israeli traditional know-how and climate.
As I have mentioned before in this column, Cabernet Sauvignon happens to grow exceptionally well in northern Israel, yielding a premium variety that compares well with any French or California cab. Dry and not too acidic, the wine offers attractive aromas of blackcurrant and blackberry fruit with scents of vanilla and violet. Firmly structured, but well balanced, it is both straight forward and elegant; the tannins are fine and round and the finish is smooth.
In addition, The Wine Enthusiast awarded it a 90 points rating, and it is featured in many wine reviews as one of the top kosher wine selections. Finally, the Gamla Cab Reserve won a prestigious award at the International wine show last year.
I recommend serving it with a meat or chicken dish for Passover, but you can also enjoy a glass just as an aperitif.
Happy Passover!
Note: the Gamla Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2009 is currently on sale at Wine and Spirits Discount Warehouse in New Rochelle (914-712-3111) for $16.99
For more information, please contact Andre at andrecoh@gmail.com

Andre Cohen is a wine master and a certified specialist in wine (CSW).  Raised in the south of France, he recently founded Larchmont Wine Consultants (www.larchmontwineconsultants.com), which offers wine tastings, presentations and classes and wine/cellar consulting.  He lives in Larchmont, N.Y. and is a member of the American Wine Society and the French Wine Society.
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