Odem Vineyard Merlot

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.

In the far north of Israel, planted at a dizzying 1,050 meters / 3,445 feet (asl) on the foothills of an ancient volcano lies the Odem Vineyard. With a base of heavy basalt/worn tuff soils, long, dry summers and short, cool winters that see the occasional snowfall at these altitudes — this is a truly exciting frontier for fine, terroir-driven wines. The team employ precision harvesting, picking every vine at the peak of ripeness, preserving freshness, balanced acidity, and intense aromatic complexity.

The Recanati team employ precision harvesting, picking every vine at the peak of ripeness to preserve freshness, balanced acidity, and intense aromatic complexity. In the winery, cold soak and bleeding enrich and concentrate the wine. Fermentation temperature was moderate and included free-run wine only. Aged 18 months in large oak barrels.

Deep, cherry-red hue. The nose opens with a lovely earthy, mineral note before revealing a seductive palate of black and red berries, crushed red plum, and wild herbs. This is a powerful wine with a lingering, velvety finish. Kosher for Passover.