I posted this on my own side of the forum but can't resist a bit of bragging (not for myself but for Israel) and posting it here as well.....
Tom Stevenson's Wine Report, 2009 has just been released. Among the pleasures of my own life is being the one to write the chapter on Israeli wines for this annual book (now in its sixth release). And one of the sub-pleasures is suggesting to Tom candidates for his list of the 100 most exciting release of the past year. Israel has always done well in that list – with either three or four entries – and considering the size of our country and our industry, that's quite an accomplishment. This year, however, Israel did even better and is one of the very few wine producing areas in the world to be represented by five wines.
The Israeli wines listed as Stevenson's choices as "most exciting" of the year are:
Yatir, Yatir Forest, 2004
Carmel, Limited Edition, 2004
Recanati, Special Reserve, 2004
Golan Heights Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, Elrom Vineyard, 2003
Clos de Gat, Syrah, Sikra, 2004