Yatir DAROM Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

Featured Wine of the Week: Yatir Winery’s DAROM 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon

Tasting Notes

• Color: Dark garnet
• Aroma: Ripe plums with subtle herbal notes
• Taste: Fruity and juicy, with a velvety-soft finish
• Body: Medium to full-bodied, well-balanced
• Aging: Aged for eight months in oak barrels after fermentation

About Yatir Winery

Yatir Winery is situated at the southernmost tip of the Judean Hills, bordering the Negev, at the foot of the Yatir Forest. The word “Darom” in Hebrew means “South”, highlighting the winery’s location. Founded in 2000 as a joint venture between local vine growers and Carmel Winery, Yatir began as a small boutique winery but now produces over 150,000 bottles annually.

With vineyards over 900 feet above sea level, clay-limestone soil, and a dry cool desert climate at night, Yatir produces exceptional wines. The winery is a symbol of the region, embodying Israel’s first prime minister David Ben-Gurion’s vision of “making the desert bloom and blossom.”

The Winemaker: Eran Goldwasser

Yatir’s winemaker, Eran Goldwasser, trained and worked in Australia, a leader in progressive winemaking techniques. Like Israel, Australia has a diverse terroir and climate, making his experience invaluable. After returning to Israel, Eran first worked at Carmel before transitioning to Yatir. He now oversees both the vineyards and the winemaking process, believing that the best wines come from the best grapes—grapes that reflect the unique terroir in which they are grown.

Historical Significance

The name Yatir refers to the ancient city given to the Levite tribe in the bible. Unlike other tribes, who received land, the Levites were granted 48 cities, including Yatir. Today, the region is home to ancient ruins, including remnants of a synagogue and a wine press—evidence that grapes were cultivated there thousands of years ago. Historically, this region was renowned for viticulture, with wines exported to Egypt, Rome, and throughout Israel.

A Challenging 2023 Vintage

The year 2023 will forever be marked by the tragic massacres in Israel and the capture of over 250 innocent civilians; 59 of whom remain in captivity. Just as the country struggles with this tragedy, Yatir’s 2023 vintage struggled as well. A prolonged summer heat wave affected grape growth, resulting in a lower yield and hence fewer bottles available. Looking at the shelves, we notice what is missing—just as the country itself feels the absence of the hostages.

This week, let’s not forget the events of October 7th by placing Yatir’s Darom Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 on your table. We picked up our bottle at Bottle King in East Windsor, NJ. Yatir wines are available at Total Wine and online at kosher retailers.