Barkan Merlot/Argaman 2023

This week on the blog, we’re featuring a delightful blend from Barkan Winery: the Merlot/Argaman 2023. With its deep purple hue, fruity aroma, and rich flavors of blackberry, plum, and spice, this wine is a true standout.

Soft tannins and a light-to-medium body make it a versatile choice—perfect for pairing with dinner or lunch, or simply enjoying with appetizers while unwinding. And at under $15 a bottle, the Barkan Merlot/Argaman offers excellent quality-to-price ratio (QPR) and is sure to impress.

“Argaman,” the Hebrew word for crimson, beautifully reflects the vibrant color of this wine. This uniquely Israeli grape variety was created by Professor Roy Spiegel as a cross between Carignan (from Spain) and Sousão (from Portugal). Initially intended for blending, Argaman gained recognition as a standalone varietal thanks to winemaker Avi Feldstein of Segal Winery. He planted it in the Upper Galilee and bottled it as a single varietal, proving its potential. Today, Argaman is the sixth most planted grape in Israel and is used both on its own and in blends—such as this Merlot/Argaman 2023.

The Argaman grapes in this blend come from the Judean Foothills, specifically the Tel-Tzapit vineyards. This hot region, with its rolling hills, valleys, and limestone-rich soil, experiences significant temperature shifts between day and night—ideal conditions for experimenting with new varietals. The vineyard sits at an altitude of 200–300 meters and spans 800 acres.

Barkan Winery, Israel’s largest, produces an impressive 12–14 million bottles annually. Based in Kibbutz Hulda, just east of Tel Aviv, Barkan sources grapes from vineyards across the country, allowing them to produce wines best suited to each region’s terroir. The winery was founded in 1990, evolving from the Stock Liquor Company, which originally produced brandy, vodka, and vermouth. Two employees transformed the company into the Barkan Winery we know today, naming it after the industrial park where it was located.

The winemaker behind this Merlot/Argaman blend is Master of Wine Ido Lewinsohn—only the second MW in Israel and one of just over 400 worldwide, fewer than 100 of whom are winemakers. A graduate of the University of Milan, Ido honed his craft in Tuscany, France, and Australia before returning to Israel. He previously served as winemaker at Recanati and now leads Barkan’s winemaking team. In addition to his role at Barkan, he operates Lewinsohn Winery with his family, producing around 40,000 bottles per year.

For those looking to enjoy something truly “Israeli” this Shabbat, the Barkan Merlot/Argaman 2023 is an excellent choice. While you can find Cabernet Sauvignons from all over the world, only Israel offers the distinctive and delicious Argaman. It can be found at most wine shops and online wine sites.