Eshkol Hazahav (The Golden Cluster) was held for the 20th consecutive year. It is the main Israeli wine tasting competition.The awards ceremony was held in Tel Aviv. It was organized by Studio Ben Ami, also organizers of the Best Value Competition and Sommelier Exhibition
This year, 271 wines were submitted and tasted over three days. The judgment committee consisted of 29 wine professionals, including sommeliers, critics and winemakers.
The competition’s chairpersons were, as for each of the previous 20 years, Mr. Haim Spiegel and Adv. Nachman Cohen Tzedek.
Guest speaker was Oden Furer, the Israel Minister of Agriculture. Awards were made to growers of the Negev by Tzachi Dotan of the Israel Wine & Grapes Board. There was a tasting arranged before the event, and two different panel discussions.
As for the awards, the most successful winery was Binyamina Winery with three gold medals. This was a good performance particularly considering they are currently celebrating their 70th year anniversary. Congratulations to their winemaker Jonathan Shotts. A number of wineries were awarded two gold medals. Amongst them: Barkan, Carmel, Dalton, Galai, Jerusalem, Shiloh and Tabor.
And the winners are …
Sauvignon Blanc
1. TABOR, Sauvignon Blanc, Adama 2021
2. JERUSALEM, Sauvignon Blanc, SBL 2021
3. BARKAN, Sauvignon Blanc, Beta 2020
Chardonnay – up to 80 NIS
1. CARMEL, Chardonnay, Vineyards 2021
1. JERUSALEM, Chardonnay,The Windmill Project 2021
2. SHILOH, Chardonnay 2021
3. BARKAN, Chardonnay, Special Reserve 2019
Chardonnay – Above 80 NIS
1. BAZELET HAGOLAN, Chardonnay, Reserve 2018
2. BINYAMINA, Chardonnay, Tzukim 2021
3. CARMEL, Chardonnay, Admon Vineyard 2017
Alsace Grape Variety
1. BARKAN, Riesling, Beta 2021
2. CARMEL, Riesling, Kayoumi 2017
3. DALTON, Pinot Gris, Estate 2021
Other white Grape Variety
1. MIDBAR, Chenin Blanc 2021
2. SHIRAN, Semillon 2020
3. BINYAMINA, Viognier, Reserve 2021
White Blends – up to 90 NIS
1. CARMEL, Vineyards 2021
2. CARMEL, Mediterranean 2 Vats 2021
3. TABOR, Eco White 2020
3. DALTON, Alma White 2021
White Blends – Above 90 NIS
1. BINYAMINA, Roussanne Marsanne, Tzukim 2021
2. FIVE STONES, DvsG 2021
3. MIDBAR, Semillon Sauvignon 2021
Rose – up to 80 NIS
1. JERUSALEM, Rose Premium 2021
2. TABOR, Rose, Adama Barbera 2021
3. DALTON, Rose, Estate 2021
Rose – Above 80 NIS
1. TABOR, Eco Rose 2021
2. TEL SHIFON, Rose 2021
3. 70, Rose 2021
Red Wines
Blends – up to 90 NIS
1. DALTON, Deep Red, Alma 2019
2. SARIG, GSM Blend 2020
3. DALTON, Red, Alma 2019
3. HAYOTZER, GSM, Lyrica 2018
Blends – 90-140 NIS
1. BINYAMINA, Diamond 2019
2. RECANATI, Singles’ Blend 2019
3. FIVE STONES, DvsG 2020
3. BAZELET HAGOLAN, Magma 2018
Blends – Above 140 NIS
1. TURA, Mountain Peak 2018
2. MIDBAR, Cabernet Syrah 2020
3. ELLA VALLEY, Vineyards 32/35 2017
Cabernet Sauvignon – Up to 100 NIS
1. BINYAMINA, Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve 2019
2. JERUSALEM, Cabernet Sauvignon,The Windmill Project 2018
3. SEGAL, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rechasim, Dishon 2019
Cabernet Sauvignon – 100-150 NIS
1. DALTON, Cabenet Sauvignon, Reserve 2018
2. SHILOH, Cabenet Sauvignon, Secret 2019
2. BARKAN, Cabernet Sauvignon, Altitude +720 2018
3. JERUSALEM, Cabernet Sauvignon, Single Vineyard, The Windmill Project 2018
Cabernet Sauvignon – Above 150 NIS
1. GVA’OT, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gofna 2019
2. SEGAL, Cabernet Sauvignon, UF 2018
3. HAYOTZER, Cabernet Sauvignon, Auteur 2018
Merlot – up to 90 NIS
1. BARKAN, Merlot, Special Reserve 2019
2. SHILOH, Merlot, Shor 2020
3. SEGAL, Merlot, Free Run 2019
Merlot – Above 90 NIS
1. GVA’OT, Merlot 2020
2. TURA, Merlot, Mountain Heights 2019
3. TEPERBERG, Merlot, Essence 2018
Syrah – up to 110 NIS
1. MONY, Shiraz, Estate Reserve 2020
2. BINYAMINA, Syrah, Ruby 2019
3. SEGAL, Syrah, Whole Clusters 2018
Syrah – Above 110 NIS
1. RECANATI, Syrah, Reserve 2018
2. TURA, Shiraz, Mountain Heights 2018
3. CARMEL, Syrah, Single Vineyards, Ein Zitim 2019
Cabernet Franc
1. 1848, Cabernet Franc, 5 Generation 2019
2. GVA’OT, Cabernet Franc, Gofna 2019
2. MUNITZ, Avihu 2020
3. TOM, Cabernet Franc, Merav Vineyard 2019
Marselan
1. GALAI, Marselan, Special Reserve 2018
2. MUNITZ, Shaked 2020
3. BINYAMINA, Marselan, Reserve 2019
Petit Sirah
1. SHILOH, Petit Sirah, Secret 2019
2. TEPERBERG, Petite Sirah, Legacy 2018
2. JERUSALEM, Petite Sirah, Single Vineyard, The Windmill Project 2018
3. CARMEL, Petite Sirah, Guvrin – Single Vineyards 2019
Petit Verdot
1. TEPERBERG, Petit Verdot, Legacy 2018
2. GVA’OT, Petit Verdot, Gofna 2019
3. MONY, Petit Verdot, Nahal 2020
Other Red Grape – Mediterranean Variety
1. SHIRAN, Old Vine Carignan 2019
2. CARMEL, Carignan, Wadi Milek – Single Vineyards 2019
3. BINYAMINA, Grenache Tintorera (Alicante), Tzukim 2020
Other Red Grape Variety
1. SHILOH, Barbera, Shor 2020
2. CHITIM, Pinotage 2018
3. SEGAL, Pinot Noir, Whole Clusters 2018
Archive wines (2010-2014)
1. GALAI, Casa – Negev 2014
2. SHILOH, Cabenet Sauvignon, Secret 2013
3. CARMEL, Limited Edition 2014
Small Boutique Winery
Blends (Excluding Bordeaux Blends)
1. GASCON, Grand Gascon 2020
2. Gizo,48, Hotam 2020
3. KADMA, Gran Reserve 2017
Bordeaux Grape Variety & Blends
1. MUNITZ, Shikma, Single Vineyard 2020
2. GALAI, Casa – Negev 2018
3. BERENICE, Cabernet Sauvignon 2019