Shemesh Wines

Here comes the Sun! Shemesh (the Hebrew word for “the sun”) Wines are back for Passover 2009 and have gone red! Abarbanel is proud to introduce new Shemesh Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ’07 and Shemesh Reserve Merlot ’07. Estate Bottled from hand-harvested grapes grown with drip irrigation straight from the sands of the Western Negev Hills at the Kadesh Barnea Moshav near the ruins of the Byzantine city of Nitzana, these wines are literally Israeli miracles. Precious few grapevines grow in the Negev sand. These wines personify the Israeli spirit of Chalutziut – pioneering and turning the desert green. Shemesh Wines are like Zionism in a bottle.

Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
& Reserve Merlot

Made from very ripe fruit courtesy of the brilliant desert sun, yet with nice balanced acidity thanks to the cold desert nights, both the Cabernet and the Merlot are aged for 10 months in American Oak Barrels for a decidedly “New World” taste profile evocative of wines from California’s Napa or Sonoma Valleys. The wines were also aged in the bottles for nearly a year prior to release. Unfiltered. Non-Mevushal. These are “big” wines that are perfect for pairing with hearty fare such as roasts, steaks, veal and lamb chops and turkey. Excellent also with pasta dishes.

The Cabernet has a lot of forward fruit moving to a broad lightly spicy mid-palate and a smooth finish with loads of chocolate and coffee. The Merlot has decided profiles of raspberries, blackberries and black cherry notes. A very “jammy” Merlot. Under the kosher supervision of Rav Meir Suissa, Chief Rabbi of the Rabbanut of Ramat HaNegev. These wines are Mehadrin min HaMehadrin and Kosher for Passover.

Reviews

RATING 90 GOLD MEDAL  2007 Reserve, Merlot, Negev Hills "Ruby color. Bright spicy cherry danish and blackberry frosting aromas and flavors with cocoa and earth accents. Long tangy and refreshing finish. Superbly table friendly." World Wine Championships Beverage Testing Institute August 2009 RATING 89 Silver Medal  2007 Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, Negev Hills "Dark ruby color. Aromas of chocolate covered cherries and cranberries follow through on a bright entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with nut and tilled earth notes. Finishes with a juicy, refreshing finish. A very nice table wine to pair with spicy lamb dishes." World Wine Championships Beverage Testing Institute August 2009

Awards

GOLD MEDAL 
2007 Reserve, Merlot, Negev Hills
World Wine Championships
Beverage Testing Institute
August 2009

Silver Medal 
2007 Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, Negev Hills
World Wine Championships
Beverage Testing Institute
August 2009