Netofa Winery: New and Worth Watching (K)

Located on Mitzpe Netofa in the Lower Galilee, the Netofa winery was founded by winemaker Pierre Miodownick, for many years the winemaker in charge of producing many of the French wines made for, imported and distributed by Royal Wines. Miodownick recently realized a long-time dream in moving to Israel and now relies entirely on his own vineyards, those containing Syrah, Mourvedre, Tempranillo, Touriga Nacional, Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc grapes, the first wines were released from the 2009 vintage. Until a winery is constructed Netofa relies on separate facilities at the Or HaGanuz winery. Production for 2009 was about 25,000 bottles and from the 2010 vintage about 80,000.

Between yesterday and today I blind tasted or re-tasted each of the current releases from the winery. My tasting notes follow. Those interested in purchasing the wines or wanting further information can contact Miodownick by telephone at 052 4313706 or by sending an email to miodop@gmail.com

As an interesting side-note, while each of Miodownick's wines have a distinctly Mediterranean note, each reminds me more of French Provence and the Rhone than of Israel.

Best
Rogov


Domaine Netofa, Latour Netofa, Galilee 2009: Developed in French oak, showing garnet toward royal purple, a medium- to full-bodied red with gently caressing tannins. A blend of Syrah and Mourvedre, on first attack showing plums and black cherries, those parting to make way for blackberries and rising on the moderately-long finish notes of black pepper and bittersweet chocolate. Mouthfilling and generous. Drink now-2014, perhaps longer. Score 90. K (Tasted 11 Dec 2010)

Domaine Netofa, Galilee, 2009: Showing better than at an earlier tasting. A Rhone blend of Syrah and Mourvedre, dark ruby toward garnet, medium- to full-bodied with its once chunky tannins now settling down to reveal an array of blackberry, cassis and dark chocolate, those on a lightly spicy background. Finely tuned balance here that calls to mind similar blends from the Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence and Bandol. Drink now-2013. Score 88. K (Re-tasted 11 Dec 2010)

Domaine Netofa, Rose, Nahal Tabor, Galilee, 2009: A dry rose made from a blend of Syrah and Mouredre grapes. Rose petal towards salmon pink, medium-bodied and showing aromas and flavors of red and black berries, those on a background of stony minerals. Lacking that extra hint of what might have made the wine more lively and showing a bit austere but a fine match to cold chicken and seafood dishes (think chicken salad and shrimp cocktails). Drink now. Score 86. K (Tasted 10 Dec 2010)

Domaine Netofa, Chardonnay, Galilee, 2010: A clean, round wine, opening to show notes of red apples, grapefruit pith and grassy notes those followed by a note of honeysuckle. Neither an opulent or an austere wine but one that reminds of the fruity whites of Macon or Macon-Villages. Give this one time to open in the glass. Drink now or in the next year or so. Score 87 K (Tasted 10 Dec 2010)

Wow! Looks great! What is the blend in Domaine Netofa, Latour Netofa, Galilee 2009?

Thanks!

Hi Rogov -

Can you tell us a bit more about the Mourvedre grape. I didn't come across this grape yet in Israeli wine.

Thanks,

Michael

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mourv%C3%A8dre

Mourvedre is a big new hot item in California - one of the Rhone Rangers newest toys. GSM (Grenache\Syrah\Mourvedre) and SM (Syrah\Mourvedre) are lovely blends.

Mourvedre is a grape with its origins in Spain some 500 years B.C.E. where it is known variously as Mataro or Monastrell, is an ancient grape introduced to Spain Today the grape remains the second most widely planted grape in Spain and has also found a comfortable home in the Rhone, Southern France, Australia and to some extent, California.

On its own, Mourvedre is capable of producing a super-dark, deeply intense wine, as a rule considered too intense on its own but is considered a valuable blending agent. The grape is, for example, very often found in Chateauneuf-du-Pape blends. The term GSM, that is to say blends of Grenache, Syrah, andMourvedre actually owes its fame more to Australia than to France or Spain for it was there that this particular blend became so very popular. So popular in fact that most GSM blends are now thought of as "Rhone Blends".

Mouvedre is gaining popularity in Israel and is being planted somewhat more frequently now. Among those local wineries that are currently using it or have it coming on line in the very near future are Avidan, Chateau Golan, Sea Horse, Domaine Netofa, Flam, Kadesh Barnea, Poizner, Red Poetry, Shvo, Somek and Vortman.

Thanks Rogov and David.

Michael

Mourvedre is a grape with its origins in Spain some 500 years B.C.E. where it is known variously as Mataro or Monastrell, is an ancient grape introduced to Spain Today the grape remains the second most widely planted grape in Spain and has also found a comfortable home in the Rhone, Southern France, Australia and to some extent, California.

On its own, Mourvedre is capable of producing a super-dark, deeply intense wine, as a rule considered too intense on its own but is considered a valuable blending agent. The grape is, for example, very often found in Chateauneuf-du-Pape blends. The term GSM, that is to say blends of Grenache, Syrah, andMourvedre actually owes its fame more to Australia than to France or Spain for it was there that this particular blend became so very popular. So popular in fact that most GSM blends are now thought of as "Rhone Blends".

Mouvedre is gaining popularity in Israel and is being planted somewhat more frequently now. Among those local wineries that are currently using it or have it coming on line in the very near future are Avidan, Chateau Golan, Sea Horse, Domaine Netofa, Flam, Kadesh Barnea, Poizner, Red Poetry, Shvo, Somek and Vortman.

It's pretty fantastic on its own (but take that with a grain of salt, as I'm a Petite Sirah fanatic). A few producers from Washington State have made Mourvedre-labeled blends, and Ridge has done so on a view occasions, making "mataro" from both the Pato and Bridgehead vineyards in the past 2 decades.

With all the politics and talk - you may have missed my question:

What is the blend in Domaine Netofa, Latour Netofa, Galilee 2009?

Thanks,
David

David, Hi....

Syrah and Mourvedre. The precise percentages are not known to me.


Best
Rogov

Daniel: Would you think the Latour Netofa is full bodied enough to accompany a joint of roast beef?

Would you think the Latour Netofa is full bodied enough to accompany a joint of roast beef?

Absolutely. Don't know how you prepare your roast beef but I enjoy coating the exterior generously with Dijon mustard and crushed pepper, and then in the oven until the exterior has a crisp crust and the interior rare towards medium-rare.

Best
Rogov

Absolutely. Don't know how you prepare your roast beef but I enjoy coating the exterior generously with Dijon mustard and crushed pepper, and then in the oven until the exterior has a crisp crust and the interior rare towards medium-rare.

Similarly, but coated with Colmans English mustard powder and crushed pepper, with some juniper berries if my wife feels like it, and a few cloves of garlic cut into quarters and inserted into the joint at strategic intervals ... cooked probably a bit less than yours, but that's because it will be kept warm for far longer due to shabbat, but it comes out just a bit past rare towards medium rare.

The Latour Netofa was much enjoyed with the roast beef!