Recanati Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Recanati Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Israel's Upper Galilee, bottled at 13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2021 vintage earned 92 points from Wine Enthusiast, underscoring Recanati Winery's growing reputation as a serious source of age-worthy Israeli reds.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Upper Galilee, Israel  |  Reserve  |  Winery: Recanati

Production & Heritage

Recanati Winery operates from Merom Ha'Galil in Israel's Upper Galilee, a high-altitude growing region characterized by chalky-gravelly soils, warm days, and cool nights — conditions often compared to California's Napa Valley. Under winemaker Kobi Arviv, grapes for the Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon are hand-harvested from late September through mid-October, with the must chilled to 60°F during transport to the fermentation vats. After a three-day cold maceration, the wine ferments for approximately three weeks before spending around 17 months in small French oak barrels, building structure and complexity before bottling.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe black cherry and black currant before revealing deeper layers of lavender, cigar box, and toasted walnut. Subtle truffle and dried Mediterranean herbs — thyme and rosemary — emerge as the wine breathes.

Taste: The entry is soft and round, immediately presenting lush cassis and black plum framed by balanced acidity. At mid-palate, clove spice and a thin herbal underlayer add dimension without overwhelming the generous dark fruit core. The wine carries a full body that feels approachable rather than heavy, with forest berry and vanilla notes building toward the peak.

Finish: Medium-long and spice-driven, with lingering mineral tones and a dusting of Mediterranean herbs. The French oak influence shows as a refined tannic grip rather than overt woodiness, supporting the wine's aging potential.

How to Drink Recanati Reserve Cab

This wine benefits from 30 minutes of decanting and is best served at cellar temperature, around 60–65°F, to let the aromatic complexity fully develop. Drinking it neat in a large Bordeaux glass is the most rewarding approach, though it also works in wine-forward contexts: a Cabernet-based Sangria benefits from its dark fruit intensity; a classic Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) takes on unexpected depth with a Reserve-quality base; and a Red Wine Spritzer with sparkling water and a citrus twist makes a lighter warm-weather option — though purists will rightly prefer this one straight from the glass.

Best For

• Exploring premium Israeli wine beyond the entry-level tier
• Gifting a Cabernet Sauvignon collector something unexpected from a lesser-known region
• Pairing with a slow-cooked lamb dinner or holiday roast
• Cellaring for up to a decade to track its evolution

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Recanati Reserve Cab taste like? It delivers rich black plum, cassis, and cherry flavors layered with clove spice, Mediterranean herbs, and vanilla from French oak aging. The body is full but approachable, with balanced acidity and a lingering spicy finish.

How does Recanati Reserve Cab compare to Yarden Cabernet Sauvignon? Yarden Cabernet Sauvignon, from the Golan Heights Winery, is Israel's most recognized and widely awarded Cabernet and serves as the benchmark for the category. Recanati's Reserve expression tends toward a rounder, more fruit-forward profile with pronounced Mediterranean herb character, while Yarden often emphasizes structure and minerality from its volcanic Golan Heights terroir.

Is Recanati Reserve Cab good for cellaring? Yes — the wine's full body, balanced acidity, and French oak backbone give it the structure to age gracefully for up to a decade, according to the winery's own assessments and critical tasting notes.

Where is Recanati Reserve Cab made? It is produced at Recanati Winery in Merom Ha'Galil, situated in Israel's Upper Galilee region. The high-altitude vineyards benefit from a warm-day, cool-night climate and chalky-gravelly soils that promote concentration in the fruit.

What foods pair well with Recanati Reserve Cab? Slow-braised lamb shoulder complements the wine's herbal and spice notes. Grilled rib-eye steak matches its full body and dark fruit. Hard aged cheeses like Manchego echo the nutty oak tones. Moroccan tagine with dried fruits mirrors the wine's warmth and complexity. Dark chocolate with sea salt draws out the cassis and vanilla finish.

What sizes does Recanati Reserve Cab come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Recanati Reserve Cab worth the price? It positions as a mid-premium Israeli Cabernet Sauvignon — above Recanati's entry-level wines but below the winery's single-vineyard and top-tier bottlings. At its price tier, the 92-point Wine Enthusiast score and 17 months of French oak aging represent strong value relative to comparably rated Cabernets from more established regions.

Why Recanati Reserve Cab?

This Reserve bottling represents Recanati Winery's ambition to prove that Israel's Upper Galilee can produce Cabernet Sauvignon that competes on an international stage. The combination of hand-harvested fruit, cold maceration, and 17 months in small French oak barrels yields a wine with genuine complexity — not just ripe fruit, but truffle, cigar, and mineral nuances that reward attention. With the 2021 vintage scoring 92 points in Wine Enthusiast and prior vintages consistently landing at 91 points, the Reserve Cab has established a track record of quality rather than relying on a single standout year. For anyone looking to expand beyond familiar Cabernet regions, this is one of the most compelling options from the eastern Mediterranean.