Yarden Mount Hermon Red

Yarden Mount Hermon Red is a Bordeaux-style red blend from Israel's Golan Heights, bottled at 14% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2018 vintage earned 92 points and a "Best Buy" designation from Wine Enthusiast, landing at #5 on their annual Top 100 Best Buys list — a remarkable achievement for an Israeli red at this price tier.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14%  |  Origin: Golan Heights, Israel  |  Bordeaux-Style Blend  |  Winery: Golan Heights Winery

Production & Heritage

Golan Heights Winery, founded in 1983, farms vineyards situated on the volcanic plateau of the Golan Heights at elevations that provide cool-climate growing conditions rarely associated with the Middle East. The rocky volcanic basalt soils and significant diurnal temperature shifts allow classic Bordeaux varieties — Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec — to develop concentrated fruit while retaining bright acidity. Mount Hermon Red relies on moderately early pressing to extract good color and ample fruit character, yielding a medium-bodied wine designed for immediate enjoyment without extensive cellaring. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot form the backbone of the blend, with Cabernet Franc playing a supporting role and Petit Verdot and Malbec adding depth.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Black cherry and dark berry fruit lead, followed by violet and caramel undertones. Subtle hints of orange peel and Mediterranean herbs emerge with a few minutes of air.

Taste: The entry is bright and fruit-forward, with ripe blackberry and raspberry flavors settling into a mid-palate of plum, butterscotch, and baking spice. Velvety tannins frame the fruit without heaviness, while notes of fresh lavender, juniper, and dark chocolate add complexity through the peak.

Finish: Medium in length with a floral, lightly herbal character and lingering black pepper. Clean and balanced, with no bitterness or excessive extraction.

How to Drink Mount Hermon Red

This blend drinks well at a slight chill — around 60–65°F — and benefits from 15 minutes of breathing in the glass. It's a versatile food wine, but it also stands on its own as an easy-drinking red. A classic Sangria plays up its bright berry and citrus-peel character. A Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) takes advantage of its fruit-forward, low-tannin profile for a refreshing warm-weather serve. In a red-wine Spritz with sparkling water and a strip of orange zest, the herbal and floral notes shine.

Best For

• Weeknight dinner pairing when you want something interesting but approachable
• Introducing someone to Israeli wines for the first time
• Casual entertaining or backyard gatherings with Mediterranean-style food
• Building a value-driven cellar with globally diverse Bordeaux-style blends

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Mount Hermon Red taste like? Mount Hermon Red delivers ripe blackberry, cherry, and plum fruit with accents of Mediterranean herbs, orange peel, dark chocolate, and black pepper. It is medium-bodied with velvety tannins and a floral finish.

How does Mount Hermon Red compare to entry-level Bordeaux? While both share the same grape varieties, Mount Hermon Red tends toward brighter, more immediately accessible fruit and softer tannins due to its volcanic terroir and earlier pressing. Classic entry-level Bordeaux often leans more toward earthy, structured tannins and restrained fruit.

Is Mount Hermon Red good for everyday sipping? Absolutely — its medium body, soft tannins, and fruit-forward profile make it one of the more approachable Bordeaux-style blends available, requiring no decanting or extended aging to enjoy.

Where is Mount Hermon Red made? Mount Hermon Red is produced by Golan Heights Winery, located on the volcanic Golan Heights plateau in northeastern Israel. The vineyards sit at high elevation, where cool nights and basalt-rich soils create conditions suited to classic Bordeaux grape varieties.

What foods pair well with Mount Hermon Red? Lamb kofta or grilled lamb chops complement the herbal and spice notes. Eggplant-based dishes like moussaka or baba ganoush echo the wine's earthy undertones. Hard aged cheeses such as Manchego or aged Gouda match its fruit concentration. Roasted red pepper and tomato-based pastas align with the wine's bright acidity. Dark chocolate desserts mirror the cocoa hints on the palate.

What sizes does Mount Hermon Red come in? Mount Hermon Red is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Mount Hermon Red worth the price? Mount Hermon Red positions as a strong value-tier wine — its 92-point Wine Enthusiast score and "Best Buy" designation confirm it consistently over-delivers for its price category, competing with blends that cost significantly more.

Why Mount Hermon Red?

Few wines at this price point carry a 92-point score from Wine Enthusiast and a Top 5 finish on their Best Buys list. The volcanic Golan Heights terroir is genuinely distinctive — high-altitude basalt soils and cool-climate conditions that most drinkers do not associate with Israel, producing a Bordeaux-style blend with a character unlike its French or New World counterparts. Golan Heights Winery has spent four decades proving that the region can produce world-class wines, and Mount Hermon Red serves as its most accessible introduction to that story. It is a serious, well-made blend packaged as an everyday wine — and that combination is rare.