To you wine-lovers who set a New Year’s resolution of getting out of the Cab-Merlot-Chardonnay wine box and a litte off-the-trail in terms of wine varieties you taste…I’m here to help!

Carignan, anyone?

Usually a sort of behind-the-curtain, high yield, nothing-special blending grape, tiny little Somek winery in Israel has elevated Carignan to fine wine in their 2004 showing.

Full Disclosure: YES, I import this wine! And I am totally biased in its favor or I would not have brought it at great expense across several oceans to bring it to you! Get over it

Led by husband and wife team Barak and Hila, Somek winery is located in the lovely little Mediterranean town of Zichron Yaacov. Their winery is literally a garagiste winery – it’s in a closet attached to the back of their house. Barak’s family has lived in this lovely home (it’s the one pictured on the wine label) since 1882 when they moved to Israel from Romania, subsidized by none other than Baron Rothschild himself, Jewish owner of Chateau Lafite, one of the most important wineries in the world. The Baron sought to re-ignite Jewish agriculture and winemaking in Israel and the Old Man put his money where his mouth was at the end of the 19th century after making several documented trips to Israel. Big Time.

This winery produces a mere – get this ! – 5,000 bottles of wine annually. That’s it.

I’m telling you that the big commercial wineries in Israel spill more wine than this little family winery produces all year long.

This varietal-version of Carignan is all smoky, chocolatey, dark-fruited juicy chewiness wrapped up in a very deftly applied oak wrapper that complements without stifling.

I want you to try it.

I want you to get over your hesitancy to try Carignan or any other grape that you ain’t had before.

So!

I’m offering you a case of Somek Carignan 2004 for $240 – and it’s regularly priced at $360/case.

And when you order a case of wine through us Ground Shipping is also included. All the time.

This wine is not for babies, okay? It’s not petite. It’s fireside. It’s Sasquatch. It’s the stretch some of you need.

Try it!

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