Varieties: 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Shiraz, 25% Merlot
Growing regions
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 crop yield for the 2006 vintage was lower than average and produced highly ripe but well balanced grapes rich in color and with abundant aromas.
The wine is a brilliant deep-purple in color with prominent aromas of ripe plum, vanilla, black pepper and coffee.
Sapphire 2006 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%
pH : 3.62
General acidity: 5.0g/liter
Free Sulfur: 36mg/liter
Bottles: 8,900