3/2000. Bought at the winery May-99 for $27.
A couple of weeks ago we had the 1995 so tonight, with steak and chips, we opened our first 1996. I have sampled this wine twice before, but both occasions were more tasting [which I am not very good at] than drinking [which I am great at! LOL].
This vintage the Castel is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot.
COLOR: Dark violet red, youthful looking with hardly any clearing around the rim.
NOSE: Surprisingly, the nose here was much more [good!] 'Israeli Cabernet' than the 1995 Bordeaux-like. Very deep aromas of hi-quality balck fruit mingled with vanilla and other non-smoked wood elements. Very nice warm and balanced bouquet though a bit mono-dimensional.
TASTE: Mouthfilling and extremely tasty. Plenty of deep fruit and good concentration. Here the Merlot does add softness and delicacy to an otherwise musculine wine. Reasonable acidity and tannins that are not yet completely rounded.
LENGTH: Medium-long sweet aftertaste that is somewhat affected by dry tannins.
TEXTURE & BALANCE: Medium-bodied with delicate texture. More bold and less complex than the '95 but very young with lots of winyness and fruit to balance the tannins. Plenty of life and development ahead.
OVERALL: Very good at least. The most 'Israeli' of the Domaine du Castel made so far.

MARK: 17/20.

BUY MORE? Yes.

Reach Me? yak@yakshaya.com

Copyright 1996-2003.
Jacob "Yak" Shaya.