Yesterday, among other tastings, I sampled three current releases from the Poizner winery and four barrel samples from the Eyal winery. My thanks to Yoav Poizner and to Eyal Ochayaon, both of whom made their way to Tel Aviv to meet with me and to bring me samples for tasting.

Poizner Winery


Located in Zichron Ya’akov and founded by Yoav Poizner in 2002, the winery released about 2,500 bottles from each of the 2005, 2006 and 2007 vintages. Releases from 2008 are anticipated at about 3,500 bottles. The winery relies on Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Carignan and Malbec, from their own vineyards. Mourvedre and Petit Verdot will be coming on line shortly, and all of the wines are aged for at least 12 months in French oak.

Poizner, Merlot, Single Vineyard, Zichron Ya’akov, 2006: Blended with 4% of Carignan, oak-aged in French barriques for 15 months and showing medium- to full-bodied. Dark garnet in color with nicely integrating soft tannins and spicy wood supporting aromas and flavors of blackberries, cassis and bitter orange peel. Long, round and generous. Drink now-2012. Score 88. (Re-tasted 13 Jul 2010)

Poizner, Cabernet Sauvignon, Kfar Yuval, 2007: An oak-aged blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Syrah and 3% Merlot. Dark garnet with orange and purple reflections, full-bodied, with gently gripping tannins and spicy wood in fine balance with blackcurrants, cassis and black cherry fruits and, on the generous finish notes of chocolate with the tannins and fruits rising. Drink now-2013, perhaps longer. Score 89. (Tasted 13 Jul 2010).

Poizner, Syrah, Kfar Yuval, 2007: A dark garnet blend of 87% Syrah and 13% Syrah. Reflecting its 21 months in oak with still firm tannins and notes of smoky wood, opening in the glass to reveal red plum, black cherry and cassis notes, those supported nicely by hints of earthy minerals. A generous wine. Best from mid-2011- 2015. Score 88. (Tasted 13 Jul 2010)




Eyal Winery


Located on Moshav Givat Nili, not far from Zichron Ya'akov and Wadi Ara, this family owned winery was established by Eyal Ochayaon and first releases were from the 2008 vintage. Grapes, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz and Carignan are from family owned vineyards. Current releases are about 4,000 bottles annually. The wines will be kosher from the 2009 vintage.


Eyal, Carignan, 2009 (Barrel Tasting): Medium-bodied, with soft tannins and notes of spicy cedarwood, a round and well balanced wine showing generous black fruits on a stony-mineral background. Appealing. Drink from release-2015. Tentative Score 87-89. K (Tasted 13 Jul 2010)

Eyal, Merlot, 2009 (Barrel Tasting): Dark garnet, medium- to full-bodied with still gripping tannins and spicy oak needing time to integrate but already opening to show black cherries and black and red berries on a background that hints nicely of roasted herbs and baking chocolate. Drink from release-2015. Tentative Score 87-89. K (Tasted 13 Jul 2010)

Eyal, Shiraz, 2009 (Barrel Tasting): Dark royal purple in color, medium- to full-bodied, with soft tannins and notes of smoky oak. Opens to an appealing array of blackcurrants, plums, Oriental spices and, on the long finish, notes of licorice. Best from 2012-2015. Tentative Score 88-90. K (Tasted 13 Jul 2010)

Eyal, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009 (Barrel Tasting): Destined as are all of the wines of this boutique winery for 14 months in barriques, and even now showing near-sweet tannins and spicy oak. Opens in the glass to show traditional blackcurrant and blackberry fruits, those complemented nicely by a note of green olives on the long finish. Best from 2012-2016. Tentative Score 88-90. K (Tasted 13 Jul 2010)