Vineyard: Alfasi Reserve Chile Barkan
Wine: Merlot, 1998
Type: Dry Red

Alfasi seems to have the knack for making distinctive, beautiful bottles with beautiful labels. Now they need to work on their wines. While their Merlot is far better than their Cabernet Sauvignon, it is not yet a quality wine.

This Merlot is light and pleasant, it is fun and fresh and leaves no aftertaste or dry palate. Unfortunately it lacks body and complexity. For some reason Alfasi has decided to rush their wines to the market while they are still too young. This wine would probably have acquired a fuller flavor had it been allowed to age for at least another year.

This is a good learning wine. While slightly overpriced (by about $3), it is inexpensive enough to practice on. Uncork the bottle, allow it to air, swirl it in your glass (you will not be wasting too much money if it spills over the glass during the swirl) and try savoring it on your tongue before, slowly, swallowing.

Rated: 7 - -
Price: Low to Moderate

Size: 750 ml
Price per bottle: NIS 39
Case: 12 bottles.