Vineyard: Barkan
Wine: Superior, Merlot, 1998
Type: Dry Red

This wine is presented exquisitely. It looks like a magnum (a double bottle) but it really is not. The wine comes in a beautiful wood case of six, numbered, bottles. But looks aren't everything. The wine needs to age more in the bottle. I tried it twice and was disappointed. My hunch, though, is that over time, this Barkan, Superior, Merlot 1998 will really improve.

As of now it is a full body with deep color and a profound taste. It looks good, but the taste disappoints. The wine lacks some of the elements already available in the Barkan Reserve of the same year. So I have to ask 'why'? Why does a lower grade wine have a better taste today? It could be that this wine will take more time to evolve and reach its peak in the bottle.

This might be an excellent investment.

Rated: 8 - -
Price: Expensive
Size: 750 ml
Price per bottle: NIS 130 at Mendel, 218 Ben-Yehuda St., Tel-Aviv. 03-6044672
Case: 12 bottles.