Ashkar Winery – Merlot Galilee Highlands 2023
Merlot Galilee Highlands 2023 — Ashkar Winery
At the foot of Iqrit hill in the Upper Galilee, a unique combination of terra rossa, limestone, and alluvial soils gives this organically grown Merlot its distinctive character. But there's another, more unexpected contributor to its complexity: the ladybugs — known locally as Um Ali — that inhabit the vineyard. Their presence lends subtle herbaceous and green bell pepper notes to the wine, a natural phenomenon that adds a layer of intrigue you simply can't engineer in the cellar.
Aged 8 months in a combination of old and new French oak barrels, this is a Merlot of genuine elegance and depth — a red wine that tells the full story of its place.
Tasting Notes
- Red forest berries and violets on the nose
- Herbaceous complexity with hints of green bell pepper
- Ripe, medium tannins on the palate
- Elegant spice and gently toasted oak on the finish
Winemaking
100% Merlot • Organically grown • Aged 8 months in old and new French oak • Iqrit hill, Galilee Highlands, Palestine • 2023