So many barrels, it's hard to tell which one Houdini's in.
By C.T. BLONDwine barrels 224.88(photo credit: Courtesy)
They say that in any relationship, a little separation, every so often, can do a world of good. In mid-August, when my beloved Tel Aviv is sweltering and near impossible to bear, an afternoon trip to the beautiful Jerusalem Hills sounded just right. To add delight to necessity, my destination was the Flam winery.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the winery was founded by brothers Golan and Gilad Flam. The two are joined by parents and sister, making it a fine Flam family affair. The warm atmosphere was apparent from my arrival.
I, along with a travel buddy, started the afternoon with a taste of Flam's Sauvingnon Blanc - Chardonnay, a refreshingly crispy and fruity blend well suited for the early afternoon heat. We then followed Golan to the temperature-controlled tanks room, where he explained the different wine blends and fermentation process. From there it was downstairs to the romantic, underground cellar, where Flam's reds are aged in French and American oak barrels.
Following the tour we returned to the shop to taste the reds released this year. We started with the 2007 Flam Classico (50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Merlot, barrel aged for 6 moths). Although I'm not a big fan of blends, the medium to full bodied Classico is a personal favorite of mine. It's also great value to accompany a nice meal.
The winery's well-respected reserves came next: the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot) and the 2006 Merlot Reserve (90% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot), both barrel aged for 14-16 months. The family's passion for wine is present in every drop of these full-bodied, deeply colored, complex wines that open up to reveal warm fruity flavors and hints of spices.
Just before leaving I went out on the scenic terrace for one final whiff of that crystal mountain air. The difference a 40-minute drive makes is amazing. But, as all great loves go, I am Tel Aviv's and she is mine, for better and for humidity. And, I wouldn't trade it for all the cool August nights in the world. I did, however, take a little piece of that enchanted atmosphere back with me, bottled up nicely in anticipation of the next unavoidable need for a break.
Flam winery offers guided tours, reservations are suggested. Also, they offer a cheese and breads platter to accompany wine tasting for an additional charge. For prices and to schedule a tour, call (02) 992-9923/4/5. For more general info, visit flamwinery.com.
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