Domaine du Castel
Born in cosmopolitan Alexandria and educated in England, Italy and Switzerland, winemaker Eli Ben Zaken moved to Israel, first working in agriculture and later in the restaurant business. Eli had no formal winemaking education; when he had to decide whether or not to turn Domaine du Castel from a hobby into a formal business he was faced with a formidable challenge.
Tasting Note
CASTEL GRAND VIN IS THE FLAGSHIP WINE OF DOMAINE DU CASTEL, EXPRESSING A BORDEAUX-INSPIRED PHILOSOPHY ROOTED IN THE JUDEAN HILLS. SINCE ITS FIRST VINTAGE IN 1992, IT HAS SET THE STANDARD FOR ISRAELI WINEMAKING AND IS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE MOST ACCLAIMED AND AWARDED WINES IN ISRAEL AND BEYOND. DEEP RUBY IN COLOR, THIS WINE REVEALS A CONCENTRATED, COMPLEX BOUQUET. THE GRAPES, HANDPICKED FROM THE WINERY’S FINEST VINEYARD PLOTS, UNDERGO METICULOUS FERMENTATION AND EXTENDED MACERATION OF UP TO 40 DAYS. EACH VINEYARD LOT IS AGED SEPARATELY IN FRENCH OAK BARRELS, THEN BLENDED WITH PRECISION AND RETURNED TO BARREL FOR AN ADDITIONAL 20 MONTHS. THE RESULT IS A WINE OF ELEGANCE AND HARMONY WITH A BOLD PRESENCE, BALANCING POWER AND FINESSE. BLACK BERRY FRUIT AND GREEN NOTES TYPICAL OF CABERNET SAUVIGNON ARE COMPLEMENTED BY THE FULL-BODIED, GENEROUS CHARACTER OF MERLOT AND PETIT VERDOT. SOFT TANNINS AND LAYERED AROMAS CONTRIBUTE TO ITS IMPRESSIVE COMPLEXITY.
Food Pairing
GRAND VIN PAIRS BEAUTIFULLY WITH RICHLY FLAVORED MEAT DISHES FROM DRY-AGED STEAKS TO SLOW-BRAISED ROASTS AND MAKES A SOPHISTICATED CHOICE FOR FESTIVE OCCASIONS OR A THOUGHTFUL GIFT FOR DISCERNING HOSTS. MORE THAN JUST A WINE, GRAND VIN IS A TESTAMENT TO THE VIRTUE OF PATIENCE AND THE ART OF WINEMAKING. THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO CELLAR IT WILL BE REWARDED WITH A REFINED, EXPRESSIVE WINE OF GREAT DEPTH AND CHARACTER ONE THAT TRANSFORMS SPECIAL MOMENTS INTO UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES.