Jacob

Cultivating Israel’s ancient wine culture into thoroughly modern expressions of the country’s extraordinary, high-altitude terroir was the dream — one that Lenny Recanati and Uri Shaked realized in spectacular fashion with the founding of their Recanti winery in the year 2000. In the beginning, they would spend harvest after harvest analyzing the growth and quality potential of all the classic international varieties (cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and sauvignon blanc), examining and identifying the best growing areas that could fully capture the trademark Israeli wine nuance. But after a few years — Lenny tells us it was during a particularly chilly night harvest in 2007 — a bolt of inspiration struck. Why not marry the classic with the indigenous and focus production on a new kind of blend? It kickstarted a Mediterranean viticultural revolution — and Recanati was a major player. Today, this dynamic winery sits at the forefront of the Israeli wine scene, in relentless pursuit of excellence driven by fearless innovation.

A unique expression of two extraordinary Israeli regions — from the heights of Galilee in the north to the slopes of the Judean Hills in the south — the Jacob cuvée is only made in the finest vintages and production is strictly limited. The 2017 vintage was extraordinary. A dry winter with low temperatures allowed the vines to enter a perfect dormancy state. The winter and summer were warmer than average, without any unusual weather events. These conditions led to high-quality fruit across all Recanati’s vineyards, especially the premium sites.

The blend comprises Cabernet Sauvignon (Galilee) and wild Carignan (Judean Hills) from meticulously selected vineyard plots. The wine was aged in large French oak barrels for 20 months, followed by a 30-month rest on bottle before release. This extended aging imbues the wine with an added layer of complexity and refinement.

Deep garnet hue. Intense red plum, strawberry compote, and wild herb aromas introduce a palate that strikes an exquisite balance between lush concentration and pure elegance. Only 3,000 bottles produced. Kosher for Passover.