This week we are featuring Recanati Winery’s Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, from their classic series, “HOME”. Produced from grapes grown in their “home”, the Galilee, in Terra Rossa soil, at an elevation of about 500 meters above sea level, this wine is tasty and will not disappoint. On the nose one immediately gets the aroma of dark berries and plum. There is also a slight hint of spice coming from the French oak, making it quite exotic. On the palate, it is smooth, rich in tannins, and perfect to accompany a Shabbat meal of Celebrity Chef Jamie Geller’s Oven Roasted Beef.
The Galilee is one of Israel’s top growing regions. It is divided into 2 areas, the Upper and Lower, with the Upper bordering Lebanon. The Recanati Winery is located just 7.6 kilometers from the border; less than the distance of running one lap around Central Park in New York City. Luckily, Recanati has not sustained damage from Hezbollah rockets, but with the constant sirens, it is hard to get a full day’s work done.
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most planted grapes in the area having been brought to Israel in the 19th century by the Rothschilds. This Bordeaux varietal benefits from the Upper Galilee’s warm climate, mountain elevations, and cool winds blowing off the Mediterranean – similar conditions to Napa Valley in California which produces some of America’s best Cab’s.
The winery was founded in 2000 by Lenny Recanati with Uri Shaked. They had a vision to produce world-class wines for those living in Israel and also to be enjoyed overseas. They started by growing the “classic” Bordeaux varietals, like this Cabernet, but over the years have branched out into growing Mediterranean varietals; like Carrignan, Marselan, and Petite Sirah which do so well in Israeli terroir.
One of Recanati’s flagship projects has been the blending of classic and Mediterranean grapes. Their wine “The Jacob” combines Cabernet Sauvignon with Carignan producing an intense and complex wine right for drinking now or suitable for aging. Only 3,000 bottles were produced, so if you see it, you might want to pick it up.
We picked up our bottle of Recanati Cabernet Sauvignon at the Bottle King in East Windsor, NJ, Their distributor is the prestigious Palm Bay International, so their wines are available at most wine stores and online sites. Check their website for more info.
Israel Wine Girl 
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