Dry Red Wine
Varieties:
40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Shiraz, 25% Merlot
Growing region:
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot – Kidmat Zvi (central Golan Heights); Shiraz – Upper Galilee.
Both vineyards grow in deep and well drained basaltic soil conducive to producing a balanced fruit rich in flavor and aroma components.
Production process:
The different grapes were processed separately from harvesting until the final blend was created. The grapes are sorted manually, destemmed and transferred to tanks for 3 days of cold-soaking. This was followed by 2 weeks of alcoholic fermentation and a further 15 days on the skins before crushing. After short sedimentation the wine was aged for 15 months in new French oak barrels. The blend was created from wines from the different barrels and bottled after minimal filtering and clarification.
Tasting notes:
The 2007 vintage had a lower-than-average yield of very ripe grapes balanced by vitality and concentrated fruitiness, intense color and a range of aromatic compounds. Harvesting was late due to a spate of heat waves, which delayed the ripening process for several days. Proper treatment in the vineyards allowed the grapes to develop aroma and flavor components without a significant increase in sugar levels.
The wine has a shiny dark purple hue, dominant aromas of wild raspberry and vanilla with a fresh mintiness and a dark chocolate finish.
Sapphire 2007 is a robust, full-bodied and well-balanced wine that may be drunk immediately but will continue to develop in the coming years. An excellent accompaniment with rich meat dishes and full-flavored hard cheeses.
Wine Composition:
Alcohol: 14.5%
pH: 3.68
Total Acidity: 5.7 g/liter
No. of bottles produced: Approx. 7,860