Ella Valley Vineyards:My Annual Visit With Tasting Notes (K)

[Daniel Rogov]

It has been a busy week. In addition to my at-home tastings, four meals out and several meetings, I visited six local wineries in the last few days. On Tuesday it was to Ella Valley Vineyards, Tzora and Clos de Gat and on Thursday to Saslove, Avidan and Vitkin, all for barrel, advance and re-tastings. Giving each winery it's due (and making organization a bit easier for myself), I shall post my comments and tastings notes for each winery individually, this first post being of my visit to Ella Valley Vineyards on Tuesday, 27 Jan 2009.

My thanks to winemaker Doron Rav Hon and the staff of the winery for a warm welcome and a fine tasting. My only regret was that because timing was "tight", I had to leave before tasting the magnificent-looking shakshouka that was being prepared. Fair enough though – the three cups of espresso that I received were fine.

Do note please that many of the 2008 barrel tastings were made from components. One of the great challenges for the critic (as for the winemaker) – determining from such embryonic wines that will happen from the barrel to the bottle and then further on. Also note that although several of the 2007 wines tasted are still in barrels, all tasted were final blends, those ready for bottling within several weeks.

Best
Rogov

2008


Ella Valley Vineyards, Sauvignon Blanc, 2008 (Advance Tasting): Blended with a small quantity of Semillon, the wine oak aged in small part, showing light gold in color with lively and crisp acidity. Opens with notes of kiwis, guava and grapefruit, those supported nicely by light hints of freshly cut grass, all with just enough complexity to grab our attention. Best from release-2010. Score 88. K

Ella Valley Vineyards, Unoaked Chardonnay, 2008 (Advance Tasting): Light and glistening golden straw in color, developed on its fine lees in stainless steel tanks and with no racking, a medium-bodied white. Generous lemon curd, lime and green apple notes. Crisp and tangy enough to make you smile with pleasure. Drink from release. Score 87. K

Ella Valley Vineyards, Chardonnay, 2008 (Barrel Tasting): The color of golden straw after a light rain, showing medium-bodied, vibrant and full of life, with light smoky oak notes of ripe pears and lime that linger nicely on an expressive finish. Drink from release-2011. Tentative Score 88-90. K

Ella Valley Vineyards, Pinot Noir, 2008 (Barrel Tasting): Dark cherry red, medium- to full-bodied with fine tannins and spices. A well focused wine, elegant and stylish showing wild berry, black cherry and cassis fruits, with a tantalizing bitter-herbal finish that rises on the long, generously fruity finish. Drink from release-2014. Tentative Score 90-92. K

Ella Valley Vineyards, Cabernet Franc, 2008 (Barrel Tasting): Tasted from several components showing medium- to full-bodied, with soft tannins and gentle wood offset comfortably by fresh acidity. Opens to reveal red cherry, blackberry, tobacco and mineral notes, the fruits and a light nutty flavor rise on the long finish. Drink from release-2013, perhaps longer. Tentative Score 90-92. K

Ella Valley Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2008 (Barrel Tasting): Medium- to full-bodied, with soft tannins integrating nicely. Opens with a bare and tantalizing hint of freshly cut Mediterranean herbs and then goes on to generous cherry and currant fruits. Supple and generous. Drink from release-2013. Tentative Score 90-92. K

Ella Valley Vineyards, Merlot, 2008 (Barrel Tasting): Deep garnet in color, full-bodied with still gripping tannins but already showing fine balance and structure that bode well for the future. Rich and round, a fruity red with an abundance of blackberry, raspberry and currant notes, those showing an appealing floral note. From mid-palate on to the long finish hints of citrus peel and milk chocolate. Drink from release-2014. Tentative Score 90-92. K

Ella Valley Vineyards, Syrah, 2008 (Barrel Tastings): Tasted from several components, those from the Nes Harim and Nativ HaLamed Hey vineyards. Dense and muscular, with firm tannins enclosing a rich core of wild berries, blackberries and sweet cedar wood notes. Opens in the glass to reveal an appealing black cherry note that lingers nicely. Needs time to show its elegance. Best 2010-2014, perhaps longer. Tentative Score 91-93. K

2007

Ella Valley Vineyards, Ever Red, 2007 (Advance Tasting): A medium-bodied blend, gently tannic red, this year of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. Developed for 14 months in barriques, shows appealing berry, currant and black cherry fruits, those on a background of light and just spicy enough oak. Not complex but comfortable drinking and at its best with small cuts of meat. Drink from release. Score 87. K

Ella Valley Vineyards, Cabernet Franc, 2007 (Advance Tasting): Showing much as at barrel tastings. Blended with 5% each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, dark royal purple, medium- to full-bodied with softly caressing tannins. Opens with a distinct veggie Cabernet Franc note, that yielding comfortably to cherry, blackberry, licorice and citrus peel on the long and generous finish. Drink from release-2013. Score 90. K

Ella Valley Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007 (Advance Tasting): Dark garnet towards royal purple, full-bodied, with firm and gripping tannins that soften in the glass to show a generous array of berry, red currant and cherry fruits, those supported nicely by figs, light cedar wood notes and hints of chocolate, all leading to a near-chewy but quietly elegant finish. Blended with 14% Merlot. Drink from release-2013. Score 89. K

Ella Valley Vineyards, Merlot, 2007 (Advance Tasting): Blended with 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, opens with a hint of dusty wood and near-sweet tannins. A full-bodied and firm Merlot showing round and well balanced, the tannins complemented nicely by light spicy oak. On the nose and palate generous blackberry, currant,, wild berry and exotic spices complemented nicely by notes of minerals and light toasty oak. Drink from release-2013. Score 90. K

Ella Valley Vineyards, Syrah, 2007 (Advance Tasting): My earlier tasting note holds firmly. Dark royal-purple, full-bodied with soft, gently gripping tannins and a generous mouthful of red plum, wild berry and boysenberry fruits, those complemented nicely by generous hints of peppery, spicy notes. Savory, intense and concentrated, but harmonious and elegant with a long spicy finish. Drink now–2012. Score 90. K

Ella Valley Vineyards, Petite Sirah, 2007 (Advance Tasting): The winery's first release of a Petite Sirah varietal wine and quite a success. Made from grapes from 10 year old vines, intensely dark royal purple in color, showing generous tannins and fine fruit concentration. On the nose and palate blackberries, raspberries and loganberry fruits, those matched nicely not notes of mint and tobacco. Firm and chewy with a long, near muscular finish. Drink now-2012. Score 90. K

Ella Valley Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, Vineyards Choice, 2007 (Advance Tasting): Rich and ripe, full-bodied with near-sweet tannins and a judicious hand with spicy oak. Blended with 10% Merlot and 5% Petite Sirah, opens with a nose of freshly turned damp earth and plums, those yielding in the glass to aromas and flavors of ripe currants, blueberries, dark cherries and roasted Mediterranean herbs. Long and generous. Best from 2010-2015. Score 91. K

Ella Valley Vineyards, Syrah, Vineyards Choice, 2007 (Advance Tasting): The first Syrah released in the winery's flagship series. Notably dark garnet in color, full-bodied, with fine balance between still gripping tannins and wood and just waiting patiently for all of its elements to come together. On first attack currants, wild berries and an appealing loamy note, those opening to reveal hints of bay leaves, juniper berries and mint, all leading to a long and intense finish. Needs time. Best 2010-2016, perhaps longer. Score 92.

From here on to two mini-verticals, one of Chardonnay and one of Cabernet Franc.

Chardonnay

Ella Valley Vineyards, Chardonnay, 2007: Developed partly in barriques, partly in stainless steel for 11 months, a medium-bodied, crisply freshly and aromatic wine. Freshly dampened golden-straw in color, showing a gentle hand with the wood, with the nose and palate opening with hints of honey, flaky pastry and minerals, and goes on to show yellow plum and citrus blossoms. Well structured, long and elegant. As the wine develops in bottles look for a gentle honeyed and creamy hint that will creep in. Drink now-2011. Score 90. K (Re-tasted 27 Jan 2009)

Ella Valley Vineyards, Unoaked Chardonnay, 2007: Light gold in color, medium-bodied, with crisp acidity to support appealing tropical and citrus fruits, those on a background of light, near-flinty minerals and finishing with a hint of white pepper. Calls to mind Petit Chablis. Drink now or in the next year or so. Score 88. K

Ella Valley Vineyards, Chardonnay, 2006: My most recent tasting note holds firmly. Medium to full-bodied, light golden in color and with flavors and aromas that play on the palate, shifting from grapefruit and nectarines to pineapples and lemon peel and finally to orange curd, all on a crisp mineral-rich background. Vibrant and lively with a long, lightly oaky and lemon blossom finish. Drinking beautifully. Drink now. Score 91. K

Ellla Valley Vineyards, Chardonnay, Vineyards Choice, 2005: Developed in oak for 11 months and now showing the complexity and richness it promised earlier on. Light gold in color, with an array of pineapple, citrus and ripe pear fruits, those on a near-creamy background on which generous hints of minerals. Long and elegant. Drink now-2011. Score 92. K

Ella Valley Vineyards, Chardonnay, 2005: Medium- to full-bodied, as fruit forward and aromatic now as in its youth but its green apple, pear and summer fruits and still showing minerals and yeasty white bread but now starting to show a note of caramel. Drinking nicely but not for much further cellaring. Drink up. Score 89. K

Ella Valley Vineyards, Chardonnay, 2003: When I last tasted this wine (May 2007) I suggested drinking up for even though the wine was still drinking nicely it seemed to be showing signs of "splitting at its seams". Whether I was wrong or whether the wine is now simply singing its swan song is not known but the wine was certainly a positive surprise at this tasting, drinking fresh and lively, showing generous apple, fig and nutty flavors and aromas, those matched nicely by light notes of yeasty white bread and toasty oak. Lovely but don't gamble and if you have any left on hand, drink up. Score 90. K

Cabernet Franc

Ella Valley Vineyards, Cabernet Franc, 2006: Blended with 3% each of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, dark, dark-garnet in color, medium to full-bodied, deeply aromatic and showing a generous array of blackberry, black cherry and currant notes. Long, round, rich and mouth-filling. Drink now–2012. Score 92. K

Ella Valley Vineyards, Cabernet Franc, 2005: Blended with 12% of Merlot, oak-aged for 15 months, this dark garnet, medium to full-bodied wine shows appealing vegetal aromas on first attack, those parting to reveal gently spicy cedarwood, raspberries, blackberries, red currants and generous hints of herbaceousness and white chocolate that come in on the long, well-balanced finish. Drink now–2011. Score 91. K

Ella Valley Vineyards, Cabernet Franc, 2004: The last time I tasted this wine it was in a dumb period. That has now passed and the wine is showing very nicely indeed. Intensely dark royal purple, opens with a somewhat funky and loamy nose but that passes quickly and reveals a medium- to full-bodied wine, on the showing appealing red fruits, those supported nicely by notes of vanilla and cinnamon. From mid-palate on notes of cigar box and traditional Cabernet Franc veggie notes. Long and generous. Drink now-2011. Score 91. K

Ella Valley Vineyards, Cabernet Franc, 2003: My last tasting note holds firmly. Blended with 15% of Cabernet Sauvignon, this almost impenetrably dark garnet, oak-aged, full-bodied red shows firm tannins and generous wood influence, those balanced nicely by a generous array of black fruits, coffee, white chocolate and tobacco, all leading to a long leathery finish. Drink now. Score 91. K

[Menach N]

WoW !
Nice notes, Thank you Rogov !
pittie i cant walk in a store and just take one bottle of each !
enjoy your weekend
Menach

[Loweeel]

Ella Valley Vineyards, Petite Sirah, 2007 (Advance Tasting): The winery's first release of a Petite Sirah varietal wine and quite a success. Made from grapes from 10 year old vines, intensely dark royal purple in color, showing generous tannins and fine fruit concentration. On the nose and palate blackberries, raspberries and loganberry fruits, those matched nicely not notes of mint and tobacco. Firm and chewy with a long, near muscular finish. Drink now-2012. Score 90. K

Another petite sirah success from Israel!!!

Just wonderful. Absolutely wonderful.

Rogov, do you know the production volume?

[Daniel Rogov]

Lowell, Hi....

Overall production for the winery in 2007 was 200,000 bottles and in 2008, a shmita (sabbatical year) was intentionally reduced to 150,000 bottles. I do not know how many bottles of the Petite Sirah were produced. Best bet might be to send an email to the winery at ella@ellavalley.com and to mention that you are part of Rogov's forum. I'm certain that you'll get a response.

Best
Rogov

[Allen S]

Same wine as in the above post...?

Ella Valley Vineyards, Cabernet Franc, 2006: Developed in one and two-year-old barrels and blended with 5% of Merlot. Garnet toward royal-purple with green and orange reflections, with blackberry and black cherry fruits overlaid with notes of rose petals. Opens slowly to reveal light tobacco and leathery notes, those on a background of crisp minerals. Tannins rise on the long finish to give grip to this elegant wine. Best 2009–2013. NIS 118 Score 90. K (Re-tasted 4 Sep 2008)

Just checking that the new note isn't referring to a Vineyard's Choice (though I'm not aware of a Vineyard's Choice Cab Franc).

Thanks,
Allen

[Daniel Rogov]

Allen, Hi...

Indeed same wine....updated tasting with updated information. That's why I re-taste and visit wineries......

Best
Rogov

[David Raccah]

There is no VC for Cabernet Franc. VC exists for Chardonnay, Cabernet, and Merlot. Not sure of other ones. Even their AWESOME Pinot does not have a VC.

David

[Ehud W]

There is no VC for Cabernet Franc. VC exists for Chardonnay, Cabernet, and Merlot. Not sure of other ones. Even their AWESOME Pinot does not have a VC.

David

That's right, and as far as I know Doron and his background (yes, in Burgundy) I'm sure he will try the Pinot Noir further before they will release some of it in the VC series. If you notice, they don't release Pinot Noir every year, when it doesn't meet Doron's standard.

Another phenomena we already used to with this area of vines growing (and I'm sure one can see it for sure with Clos the Gat, and even Agur and Sternbach), the Merlot is the "Big Guy" amongst the reds, bold and firm, more (and in some cases - much more) than the Cabernet Sauvignon, the usual candidate for that position.

Anyway, great notes, Rogov, and knowing the history here I hope the winery finds a good marketing channels to sell these beautiful wines.
BTW, no sweet one? Their Muscat usually performs very well.

[David Raccah]

As a heads up - kosherwine.com is selling most of their wines - including the Cab Franc 2006, which I have coming my way and look forward to tasting. I have loved their wines for some time, but the recent increase in pricing is crimping my love affair with them.

David

[Allen S]

David, I'm with you 100%. I love their wines, but they are pricing themselves out of my market. I'm curious to see how quickly their stuff moves, though by the looks of things kosherwine.com is moving them pretty quickly (the Syrah is now on backorder). For all of the talk about an unjustified lack of global interest/respect for Israeli wine ("Every wine store should have an Israel section, just like they have an Australia section"), the prices Israeli wine commands, both domestically and for export, suggest that the supply/demand equation is working heavily in favor of the producers.

Allen

[Ilan T]

For all of the talk about an unjustified lack of global interest/respect for Israeli wine ("Every wine store should have an Israel section, just like they have an Australia section"), the prices Israeli wine commands, both domestically and for export, suggest that the supply/demand equation is working heavily in favor of the producers.

Seems like it. Have in mind that a producer like Ella Valley that produces only 200,000 bottles a year doesn't have all that much wine to sell (relatively) and can afford to price themselves out of most markets, as long as they have a smaller consumer base that will buy whatever they put on the market at the higher price. That said, Ella Valley sells out of just about everything rather quickly. Most of their smaller production wines like their Cab Franc, Sauv Blanc, and Pinot are no longer available at the winery usually within a year after release, sometimes less, and even their higher production workhorses sell out rather quickly.

Aside from my populist fantasy of affordable excellent wine for all, the winery really has no reason to charge less than what the do, being that they are not trying to sell so much in the first place and what they are trying to sell, they do.

-Ilan

[Allen S]

Ilan,

You're absolutely right - the winery should charge what its market will bear, though those increased profits do come at the expense of customer relations. I decided a little while ago to stop trying to turn my friends on to Israeli wine - no sense in preaching somebody's gospel just so that they can more quickly leave me behind.

Allen

[Daniel Rogov]

Because the question of prices has risen - oh boy, has it!!! - I have dedicated a special thread to the issue. That thread can be found at viewtopic.php?f=29&t=21982

To those who have already posted on this or another thread, please accept my request to re-post or to post in more detail if you so like, on the new thread so that we can put all of our thoughts together, that way possibly to draw in the winery's for their responses as well.


Thanks and Best
Rogov

[Gary J]

(the Syrah is now on backorder)
Allen

Has anyone noticed that kosherwine.com seems to post items at aggressive prices and then mysteriously these items go on "back order"?

This seems a little strange to me. I guess some would call this practice price manipulation (or something like that)...

For all their games they do seem to have the best prices.

[Gary J]

Well, I must say, the kosherwine.com guys have it together. Following my previous post I received a personal note from them clarifying the situation and assuring me that they play no games. Frankly the explanation made sense and I appreciate the professional nature of the note I received.

Good job guys!

[Allen S]

(the Syrah is now on backorder)
Allen

Has anyone noticed that kosherwine.com seems to post items at aggressive prices and then mysteriously these items go on "back order"?

This seems a little strange to me. I guess some would call this practice price manipulation (or something like that)...

For all their games they do seem to have the best prices.

If you think the kosherwine.com price is aggressive...

http://winelibrary.com/reviewwine.asp?item=40691

It's just too bad they don't carry the cab franc, but hopefully their selection will expand after a certain somebody makes an appearance on a certain internet wine show (just putting two and two together).

Allen

[Z Spigelman]

For those of us here in Israel, the Ella Valley Cabernet Franc 2006 is on sale at Wine Depot in Ramat HaChayal for NIS 85 (including VAT).
Zvi

[Jan Schultink]

Ella Valley Vineyards, Chardonnay, 2007: Developed partly in barriques, partly in stainless steel for 11 months, a medium-bodied, crisply freshly and aromatic wine. Freshly dampened golden-straw in color, showing a gentle hand with the wood, with the nose and palate opening with hints of honey, flaky pastry and minerals, and goes on to show yellow plum and citrus blossoms. Well structured, long and elegant. As the wine develops in bottles look for a gentle honeyed and creamy hint that will creep in. Drink now-2011. Score 90. K (Re-tasted 27 Jan 2009)

Just tasting this wine again tonight. I must say that this wine is getting better than I last remembered it (see previous note as well). Oaky, but the Ella Chardonnay might be joining the league of top Israeli whites, and at NIS 70 or so a bottle, that's a pretty good deal.

2007 Ella Valley Chardonnay - Israel, Judean Hills (3/28/2010)
Golden yellow in color. Fresh citrus, honey, nutmeg, figs on a moderately oaky background with lively acidity leading to a long and satisfying finish. Good if you can enjoy an oaked Chardonnay. (90 pts.)


2007 Ella Valley Chardonnay - Israel, Judean Hills (10/31/2009)
Dark golden in color. A wine with "near-sweet" pear/peach and "salty" mineral/gravel notes at the same time. Lacking balance a bit. Nice, but not as good as its "unoaked" sibling. (88 pts.)


Posted from CellarTracker

[Jonathan D]

Well, I must say, the kosherwine.com guys have it together. Following my previous post I received a personal note from them clarifying the situation and assuring me that they play no games. Frankly the explanation made sense and I appreciate the professional nature of the note I received.

Good job guys!

Gary - I purchase thousands of dollars worth of good wine from kw.com each year and have never been told that a wine was back-ordered. So I don't quite follow your beef with them. Kw.com has consistently good prices (unlike most other wine merchants) and a huge selection. My only beef with them is they will not budge more than 5% off of their prices, no matter how large the order. They claim to have the perfect balance of price, selection and customer service. I do not agree with this and think that, contrary to what they think, the competition is creeping up on them, which may be problematic for them if they maintain their paternalistic view. But that's their perogative and no skin off my back.

[Jan Schultink]

Trying another bottle and increasing my score for the 2007 Chardonnay to 90.

[Daniel Rogov]

Trying another bottle and increasing my score for the 2007 Chardonnay to 90.

Jan, Hi....

You must have been in an especially good mood.

Very best and smiling
Rogov