Recanati Yasmin Red

Recanati Yasmin Red is a kosher Bordeaux-style red blend from Galilee, Israel, bottled at 13% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2022 vintage earned a 90-point score, and the 2020 vintage received an Argent medal from the Challenge International du Vin — consistent recognition that underlines this blend's reliable quality across multiple releases.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13%  |  Origin: Galilee, Israel  |  Bordeaux-Style Red Blend  |  Winery: Recanati Winery, Upper Galilee

Production & Heritage

Recanati Winery is situated in the Upper Galilee, one of Israel's most highly regarded winemaking regions, where elevation and Mediterranean breezes create favorable growing conditions for classic French varietals. The Yasmin Red is composed of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 20% Shiraz — a three-grape blend that leans on the structural backbone of Cabernet while drawing roundness from Merlot and aromatic depth from Shiraz. Fermentation takes place at controlled moderate temperatures over a period of six to ten days, followed by delicate pressing and aging in stainless steel tanks rather than oak barrels, preserving fruit purity and drinkability. The wine is certified Mevushal under OU kosher supervision.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe red berries — cranberry and raspberry foremost — layered with subtle floral hints of violets and lavender. Behind the fruit, restrained notes of tobacco leaf and bittersweet chocolate emerge as the wine breathes.

Taste: Bright on entry, with pomegranate and cherry flavors leading into a generous mid-palate of juicy raspberry and plum. Plush, gentle tannins frame the fruit without overpowering it, while secondary flavors of dark chocolate, black pepper, and a whisper of fennel bulb add textural interest and complexity unusual for a wine in this tier.

Finish: Medium in length with a refreshing, minty coolness and lingering traces of coffee and subtle spice. The stainless steel aging ensures a clean exit without heavy oak influence, keeping the fruit the focal point through the close.

How to Drink Yasmin Red

Yasmin Red drinks best at a slight chill — around 60–64°F — which tightens the fruit and keeps the blend lively. It is designed as an everyday, food-friendly red rather than a cellar candidate, so reach for it within a year or two of vintage.

• Sangria: The vibrant berry fruit and moderate tannins make it an ideal base, contributing color and flavor without bitterness.
• Kalimotxo: The bright acidity and clean finish pair naturally with cola in this Spanish classic, where a fruity, approachable red is essential.
• Mulled Wine: The blend's inherent spice notes — black pepper, fennel, and minty undertones — amplify beautifully with warm-spice additions like cinnamon and clove.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners where an uncomplicated, fruit-forward red is all that's needed
• Kosher or Mevushal-compliant occasions, including Shabbat and holiday meals
• Introducing friends to Israeli wines without a steep price commitment
• Casual gatherings and barbecues where versatile, crowd-pleasing reds thrive

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Yasmin Red taste like? Yasmin Red delivers bright cranberry, cherry, and raspberry fruit flavors alongside gentle tannins and subtle notes of dark chocolate, black pepper, and a minty finish. It is a medium-bodied, fruit-forward blend that stays fresh and approachable.

How does Yasmin Red compare to Yarden Mount Hermon Red? Both are kosher red blends from Israel's Galilee region, but Yasmin Red uses a three-grape blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Shiraz and is aged entirely in stainless steel, giving it a brighter, more fruit-driven profile. Mount Hermon Red typically includes a wider mix of varietals and may see some oak contact, resulting in a slightly different textural character.

Is Yasmin Red good for beginners? Yes — its medium body, soft tannins, and forward fruit flavors make it very accessible for drinkers exploring red wine or Bordeaux-style blends for the first time. The 13% ABV also keeps it lighter and more approachable than many fuller-bodied reds.

Where is Yasmin Red made? Yasmin Red is produced by Recanati Winery, located in the Upper Galilee region of northern Israel. The Upper Galilee is one of Israel's premier grape-growing areas, benefiting from higher altitudes and a moderate Mediterranean climate.

What foods pair well with Yasmin Red? Grilled lamb chops complement the berry fruit and pepper spice. Roasted chicken with herbs echoes the blend's floral and savory notes. Hard aged cheeses like aged Gouda or Manchego stand up to the tannin structure. Mediterranean dishes such as shakshuka or stuffed peppers match the wine's regional character. Dark chocolate desserts mirror the bittersweet cocoa notes on the nose and palate.

What sizes does Yasmin Red come in? Recanati Yasmin Red is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Yasmin Red worth the price? Yasmin Red positions as an entry-level expression within Recanati's portfolio and within the broader Israeli wine category. With consistent scores reaching 90 points and international medal recognition, it delivers strong value for a kosher Galilee blend at this accessible tier.

Why Yasmin Red?

What separates Yasmin Red from other kosher reds in its price range is the deliberate choice to bypass oak aging entirely — fermenting at controlled temperatures for six to ten days and finishing in stainless steel tanks preserves a fruit clarity that many competitors lose to barrel influence. The three-grape Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Shiraz from the Upper Galilee draws on one of Israel's best terroirs. Multiple vintages have scored 89 to 90 points from critics, and the 2020 vintage took an Argent medal at the Challenge International du Vin, affirming that this is not just a serviceable kosher option but a genuinely well-made wine. For anyone seeking a reliable, fruit-driven Israeli red that performs at the table without pretension, Yasmin Red consistently delivers.