As any reader of this blog knows, I am a fan of most of Carmels’ releases (outside of the Selected and Private Collection lines). I think they are usually well made and well priced – with some wines being outright QPR kings in their categories. Once such wine is the Carmel 4 Vats (a tasting note on the current release can be found here). Besides the afformenetioned 4 Vats, the “Vats” series also includes a white and a rosé – both called 2 Vats. Currently, all of these are available only in Israel.

I really wasn’t sure what to expect with the 2017. The 2015 was a hit – the 2016 a miss. The 2017 Carmel Appellation Rosé was a winner (I just reminded myself that I never posted notes on this one, gonna have to dig them up or redo them, sorry) – so what do we get with the 2 Vats this year?

The wines is made up of Grenache, Carignan and Mourvèdre and clocks in at 12.5% ABV.  The nose was promising coming off clean and lean  and smelling primarily of strawberries. In the mouth, it sort of followed the descriptors on the label with strawberries and grapefruit . The problem was that in between, there was an acid hit that was so out of place that it was jarring  – then the grapefruit and then the finish just falls flat. My 14 year old  described it thus” started out OK, but it just sort of died in my mouth”.  Now I can’t tell if he was screwing with me which would surely fit, or I should be really proud – but it was right on target. Was it horrible? No. But there are much better options out there. Sadly, this one is a pass.

Bottom Line:

• Price: About NIS 50
• For Aging: No
• Would I Buy Again: No
• QPR Rating: Average
• Taste/Depth/Quality: Below Average
• Overall Rating  (1-5): 2