Yarden “T2” - Fortified

(Galilee, Israel 2011)

Retail Value - $35

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you a Port of the finest fashion. I can’t really say “Port” but that’s exactly what this is, albeit from Israel – or otherwise outside the Douro Valley of Portugal. This is a vintage Port that will be long lived, far beyond my days and one that I have already set aside for my three children to discover 30-years from now. I will be in my mid-seventies and they will be in their early to mid-forties when they try this wine for the first time. I, of course, will try it every five years from now until then (and a few times beyond). This is how profound, yet elegant, I believe this wine to be. I believe that this should be an $80 vintage port on release and coveted beyond. I have a stash of my own right, however, there is an heirloom of twelve bottles for my children that I have already explained to my son that he will share will his children at the appropriate time (probably around the time of 2050 – 2070). I hope to be there in that moment too.

{Tasting notes at this present moment:} A blend of Touriga Nacional and Tinta Cao – treaded in historical fashion and vinified as such in traditional style. Barrel aged for 2 ½ years. The 2011 Yarden T² currently displays an aromatic mixture of characters including ripe cherries, ripe plums, blackberries and violets, all with a background of warm spices. This captivating blend of two traditional Portuguese varieties is full-bodied, satisfying and unabashedly sweet.

{About the process as written by Dave:}

Yarden T² had fermentation halted a bit early to preserve residual sweetness and was fortified with brandy which elevated the final alcohol content to 18.5%. Enjoy this wine now as a baby. Enjoy it during its elementary years to come. Enjoy it even more during the challenging, middle-school years and high-school years to come. Best of all, we hope you can enjoy it during college years, the wedding, the 1^st child and many seasons that life unfolds of up’s, down’s and the many in-betweens of its beauty, splendor, mystery and discovery.