Carmel Mediterranean 2007

Carmel Mediterranean is the result of winemaker Lior Lacser throwing the rule book away and pursuing his unique vision of what is possible in fine red wine. He has arrived at this blend of 37% Carignan, 26% Shiraz, 20% Petit Verdot, 15% Petite Sirah, and 2% Viognier--yes, a white grape. The complexity that these carefully-chosen varietals express together is almost futile to try describing in a tasting note. There are certainly classic warm-climate red wine characteristics like ripe black cherry and prune, as well as savory Rhone Valley-esque notes of smoke and saddle leather, but this incomparable wine ultimately is something else altogether: It is the flavor of terroir, it is the flavor of Israel, bottled for you.