The fundamental wine of the Yatir Winery, which has been listed in some of Israel’s finest restaurants, presents stability and consistency of the highest quality, year after year. The wilderness, the mountain and the vegetation on the reservation, along with Mount Amasa (at an altitude of 859 meters+) border the Yatir Forest and its vineyards and serve as a unique meeting place between the mountain and the desert, the snow and the sun, the rocks and earth – all which embody the nature of the Yatir wines. This is how the new name of the wine was conceived. Up to the 2010 vintage, it was called “Yatir Merlot / Shiraz / Cabernet.” The wine is based on Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz varieties. As with similar climatic regions in the world (the South of France, Australia), the combination of these varieties is synergetic and it intensifies the wine with a refreshing, peppery body of the Cabernet and a fruity softness and smoky zing of the Shiraz. The Winery uses varying percentages of Merlot / Malbec / Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc in its blends. The assortment of varieties contributes to the accentuation of the regional character of the wine over the nature of each individual variety. The wine is aged for approximately one year in small barrels (225 liters) and in large wooden containers (5,000 liters), with the goal of obtaining fresh fruit and mineral-oriented wine, with no emphasized wood flavors. The Yatir-like nature of the wine is manifested in the firm structure of the wine and its aroma of Mediterranean seasoning herbs (sage, rosemary, thyme) which blend beautifully with the fruit flavors. The wine is bottled and marketed after two additional years of further aging in the bottle.
Vintages: 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007
Yatir Mt. Amasa 2020 is composed of Cabernet Sauvignon 40%, Shiraz 14%, Petit Verdot 14%, Tannat 12%, Malbec 11%, Merlot 7%, Cabernet Franc 2%. Vineyards: several plots in Yatir Forest. The wines from the different vineyards were aged separately in small and large oak barrels for a year before creating the final blend. The wine was bottled in March 2022 and remained at the winery for another year to mature in the bottle.
Tasting Notes: Displaying purple hues. Aromas reminiscent of red & black raspberries, with a light smokey spicy character. Fruity flavors, combining ripeness and freshness. Suitable for continued aging for a period of five years or more.
Yatir Forest Vineyards 2020 Vintage: A cold winter with higher-than-average precipitation of 370 mm (14.5 inches). The second part of the winter had high precipitation and cold spells. Extreme heat for about two weeks in the spring, coinciding with the blossoming of most red varieties and lowering the yields Comfortable summer, without extreme heat waves. Higher than average temperatures in late August and early September, coinciding with the harvest date of most red varieties. Continuous and high-quality ripening. Overall, the harvest was slightly later than average, beginning in the second week of August, and ending at the end of September.
Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon 59%, Syrah 29%, Petit Verdot 7%, Malbec 2%, Tannat 3%. The composition of the varieties varies from year to year according to the nature of the harvest in order to emphasize the "Yatir" character, and the uniqueness of the region and its vineyards. Vineyards: several plots in Yatir Forest The wines from the different vineyards were aged separately in small and large oak barrels for a year before creating the final blend. The wine was bottled in March 2021, and remained at the winery for a further year to age in the bottle
Tasting Notes: Its color is purple, and the wine is endowed with an aroma reminiscent of ripe raspberries, with a hint of smokiness and spices. Fruity taste - combines ripeness and freshness. Suitable for continued aging for a period of five years or more
Yatir Forest Vineyards 2019 Vintage: Cold winter, average rainfall (219 mm). March was colder and rainier than usual. Extreme spring climate – a small amount of damage took place whilst in bloom, with a heatwave leading to a greatly reduced the yield. Comfortable summer, no extreme heat events. A continuous and high-quality ripening. Overall, the harvest, which was slightly later than average, began in the second week of August, and ended at the end of September.
Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon 34%, Syrah 22%, Merlot 17%, Petit Verdot 13%, Malbec 8%, Tannat 3%, Cabernet Franc 3%. The composition of the varieties varies from year to year according to the nature of the harvest in order to emphasize the "Yatir" character and the uniqueness of the region and its vineyards Vineyards: several plots in Yatir Forest. The wines from the different vineyards were aged separately in small and large oak barrels for a year before creating the final blend. The wine was bottled in March 2020, and remained at the winery for further year to mature in the bottle.
Tasting Notes: Crimson color. Possessing aromas reminiscent of ripe raspberries, with hints of smokiness and spices. Fruity flavors, combining maturity and freshness. Potential aging period of five years or more.
Yatir Forest Vineyards 2018 Vintage: Warm winter. Significantly rainy spring season - total precipitation: 244 mm. – similar to the annual average. The winter season commenced later than usual (the trend over recent years). A spring season with several extreme hot spells. Pleasant summer season with lower evaporation than usual & cool nights. Consistent and high-quality ripening.
Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon 45%, Syrah 24%, Petit Verdot 16%, Malbec 9%, Tannat 6%. The composition of the varieties varies from year to year according to the nature of the harvest, in order to emphasize the "Yatir" character, and the uniqueness of the region and its vineyards Vineyards: Several plots in Yatir Forest. The wines from the different vineyards were aged separately in small and large oak barrels for a year before creating the final blend. The wine was bottled in March 2019 and remained at the winery for further year to age in the bottle.
Tasting Notes: The color displays purple hues, and the wine is endowed with aromas reminiscent of ripe raspberries, with touches of smokiness and spices. Fruity taste, combining ripeness and freshness on the palette. Suitable for continued aging for a period of five years or more.
Yatir Forest Vineyards 2017 Vintage: The winter of 2016-2017 started late (end of December) but had good cold spells, above the yearly average. Rainfall was average for the region (250 mm), and the last rainfall was at the end of February. The low temperatures prevailed until the end of March, which probably caused a slightly late awakening of the vines (between a week and ten days) but with high uniformity. From mid-spring, there were many heatwaves, which also continued from June until August. Due to the heatwaves, the ripening process was short this year. Towards the end of August, temperatures moderated, and the end of the ripening period was characterized by pleasant and comfortable weather.
Yatir Mt. Amasa 2016 is composed of Petit Verdot 41%, Cabernet Sauvignon 31%, Syrah 12%, Malbec 12%, Tannat 6%. The composition of grape varieties varies from year to year depending on the nature of the vintage, highlighting the unique " Yatir" character of the area the vineyards. The wines from the different vineyards were aged separately in oak barrels for a year before the creation of the final blend. The wines from each vineyard are aged separately in both small and large oak barrels for a period of one year, before the creation of the final blend. Following bottling in March 2018, the wine remained in the winery to mature in its bottle for a further two years.
Tasting Notes: Deep purple hues with aromas reminiscent of ripe raspberry, with hints of smokiness and spices. Integrates ripe fruit with refreshing flavors. This wine will age well for at least five to ten years.
Yatir Forest Vineyards 2016 Vintage: The winter was colder with more rainfall than usual in the Yatir region. This led to uniform and excellent awakening of the vines in the spring. The hot weather in the month of June attributed to the cessation of the growth at the ideal point in time, which also contributed to the development in the color of the grapes' skins. During the harvest season, the weather was pleasant, which influenced a bountiful harvest with high quality grapes.
Yatir Mt. Amasa 2015 is composed of 31% Petit Verdot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Syrah, 12% Malbec, 6% Cabernet Franc, 3% Tannat. The composition of grape varieties varies from year to year depending on the nature of the vintage, highlighting the unique " Yatir" character of the area the vineyards. The wines from the different vineyards were aged separately in oak barrels for a year before the creation of the final blend. The wine was bottled in May of 2017 and left for two more years in the bottles for further maturation. The wine will continue to age for at least five years from vintage.
Tasting Notes: The wine displays a deep crimson color with a ripe raspberry, slightly smoky and spicy aroma. Full fruit flavors, mature and full-bodied.
Yatir Forest Vineyards 2015 Vintage: The winter of 2015 started later than usual. The very cold temperatures only began in mid-December, although January was cold and in February there were a few days of extreme cold, accompanied by snowfall. Winter lasted into April, with slightly lower temperatures accompanied by heavy rain throughout the month (320 mm). Bud arousal was a little late, and from April to July, the climate was comfortable. During the spring months, temperatures were high and changeable with spring like temperatures during the summer. From the end of July temperatures did not drop at night, which led to a delay of about two weeks in the ripening of the grapes and a decrease of 10% in the yield.
Yatir Mt. Amasa 2014 is composed of 32% Petit Verdot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Syrah, 20% Malbec. . The composition of grape varieties varies from year to year depending on the nature of the vintage, highlighting the unique " Yatir" character of the area the vineyards. The grapes were harvested from several sections in the Yatir Forest between an elevation of 650 to 900 meters. The soil consists of clay and limestone. The wines from the different vineyards were aged separately in oak barrels for a year before the creation of the final blend. The wine was bottled in March of 2016 and left for two more years in the bottles for further maturation. The wine will continue to age for at least five years from vintage.
Tasting Notes: The wine displays a deep crimson color with a ripe raspberry, slightly smoky and spicy aroma. Full fruit flavors, mature and full-bodied.
Yatir Forest Vineyards 2014 Vintage: That year the winter was mostly dry, with only two substantial rainfall occurrences. The spring season was filled with wintery events, including significant spring rain; a total of 277 mm of rainfall (above the normal average). Summer and fall were relatively comfortable, with no major episodes of heat waves.
Yatir Mt. Amasa 2013 is composed of 48% Syrah, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Malbec, 10% Petit Verdot. The composition of grape varieties varies from year to year depending on the nature of the vintage, highlighting the unique " Yatir" character of the area the vineyards. The grapes were harvested from several sections in the Yatir Forest between an elevation of 650 to 900 meters. The soil consists of clay and limestone. The wines from the different vineyards were aged separately in oak barrels for a year before the creation of the final blend. The wine was bottled in March of 2015 and left for two more years in the bottles for further maturation. The wine will continue to age for at least five years from vintage.
Tasting Notes: The wine displays a deep crimson color with a ripe raspberry, slightly smoky and spicy aroma. Full fruit flavors, mature and full-bodied.
Yatir Forest Vineyards 2013 Vintage: Rainfall in the vineyards in 2013 were 248 mm, slightly less than the average, with most of the rainfall occurring in the first half of the winter. The accumulation of cold bouts (important for the consistency of early growth sprouting) is common place in this region. The ripening period (May-August) was relatively easy, with not too many heatwaves, and with cool nights. The harvest, which was earlier than usual, began in early August with Viognier, and was completed with the harvest of the Petit Verdot grapes at the beginning of September. The average yield was slightly higher than normal (900 kilo per dunam). The grapes were of high quality and of naturally high acidity.
Yatir Mt. Amasa 2012 is composed of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Shiraz, 14% Petite Verdot, 6% Merlot, from a number of plots in the Yatir Forest vineyards at altitudes between 650 and 900 meters above sea level. The composition of species of the wine differs from year to year, depending on the nature of the harvest, in order to emphasize the “Yatir” character and uniqueness of the region and its vineyards. The wines from the various vineyards are matured separately in oak barrels for one year prior to creating the final blend. The wine was bottled in March 2013 and left at the winery for another year and a half to age in the bottle. It is suited to continued maturing for another five years or more.
Tasting Notes: the wine is a deep purple in color with a fragrance reminiscent of ripe plum, a touch of smoke and spices. The taste of the wine is fruity, ripe and medium bodied.
Yatir Forest Vineyards 2012 Vintage: Winter 2012 was cold and wet, and spring and summer of that year were warmer than average. With early but uniform budding and flowering and slightly delayed growth due to the heat, overall conditions were appropriate for producing an extremely high quality grape.
Yatir Mt. Amasa replaced Yatir’s Merlot / Shiraz / Cabernet. The wine is comprised of 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 25% Shiraz, 5% Petit Verdot and 3% Malbec, from several plots in the Yatir Forest vineyards, situated 650-900 meters above sea level. The composition of the varieties varies from one year to the next, depending on the nature of the harvest and in order to accentuate the Yatir-like quality and the singularity of the region and its vineyards. The wines from the different vineyards were aged separately in oak barrels for one year before the final blend was created. The wine was bottled in March 2013 and was left at the Winery for an additional year and a half to further age in the bottle. Suitable for further aging for a period of five years or more.
Tasting Notes: the wine’s color is purple, endowed with an aroma that is reminiscent of ripe plums and a tad of smoke and spices. The wine has a ripe fruity flavor and a medium body.
Yatir Forest Vineyards 2011 Vintage: the winter in 2011 was low on precipitation and on cold spells (175 mm. of rainfall. A considerable amount fell in the spring). The spring that followed was cloudy and colder than average. The growing season was exceptionally comfortable and moderate. The ripening of all grape varieties was slower than usual but linear and continuous. Harvesting was delayed by three weeks on average and ended on Sukkoth Eve (October 12) – the latest date in the history of the winery.
The wine is comprised of 27% Merlot, 39% Shiraz, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Malbec, from several plots in the Yatir Forest vineyards, situated at an altitude of 650-900 meters. The composition of the varieties varies from one year to the next, depending on the nature of the vintage and in order to accentuate the Yatir-like quality and the singularity of the region and its vineyards. The wines from the different vineyards were aged separately in oak barrels for one year before the final blend was created. The wine was bottled in April 2012 and was left at the Winery for an additional year to further age in the bottle. Suitable for further aging for a period of five years or more.
Tasting Notes: the wine’s color is purple, endowed with an aroma that is reminiscent of ripe plums and a tad of smoke and spices. The wine has a ripe fruity flavor and a medium body.
Yatir Forest Vineyards 2010 Vintage: the amount of precipitation was normal for the region. Most of the rain fell at the end of the winter and at the beginning of spring. Blossoming and flowering took place early that year, however an August heat wave deferred the ripening process. Harvesting of the red varieties was completed by the end of September.
The wine is comprised of 34% Merlot, 44% Shiraz and 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, from several plots in the vineyards of the Yatir Forest, situated 650-900 meters above sea level. The composition of the varieties varies from one year to the next, depending on the nature of the vintage and in order to accentuate the Yatir-like quality and the singularity of the region and its vineyards. The wines from the different vineyards were aged separately in oak barrels for one year before the final blend was created. The wine was bottled in April 2011 and was left at the Winery for an additional year to further age in the bottle. Suitable for further aging for a period of five years or more.
Tasting Notes: the wine’s color is purple, endowed with an aroma that is reminiscent of ripe plums and a tad of smoke and spices. The wine has a ripe fruity flavor and a medium body.
Yatir Forest Vineyards 2009 Vintage: the winter was arid, lacking rain (only 70% of the average amount of rainfall). Most of the rain fell at the end of the winter and at the beginning of spring. There was a 15% decline in crops, compared with the previous year and the ripening process was deferred by 7-14 days. Harvesting of the red varieties was completed by the end of September.
The wine is comprised of 44% Merlot, 25% Shiraz, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Malbec. The composition of the varieties varies from one year to the next, depending on the nature of the vintage and in order to accentuate the Yatir character and quality and the singularity of the region and its vineyards. The grapes were harvested in several plots, located in the Yatir Forest, at an altitude of 650-900 meters. The wines from the different vineyards were aged separately in oak barrels for one year before the final blend was created. The wine was bottled in May 2010 and was left at the Winery for an additional year to further age in the bottle. היינות מהכרמים השונים התבגרו בנפרד בחביות עץ אלון במשך שנה לפני יצירת הממסך הסופי. היין בוקבק בחודש מאי 2010 והושאר ביקב עוד שנתיים להתבגרות בבקבוק.
Yatir Forest Vineyards 2008 Vintage: it was a less than average rainy winter in our region - 140 mm. of rainfall in the Ramat Arad vineyard and 210 mm. in the Yatir Forest. The last significant rain fell in January, leaving the vineyard soil to be very dry during the spring, which led to moderate growing of the vines. August was relatively comfortable, without any serious heat waves. The ripening of the grapes was steady and efficacious in all the vineyards. Harvesting of the red varieties was completed by mid-September.
The wine is comprised of 33% Merlot, 21% Shiraz, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 8% Malbec and 7% Cabernet Franc. The composition of the varieties varies from one year to the next, depending on the nature of the vintage and in order to accentuate the Yatir-like quality and the singularity of the region and its vineyards. The varieties were harvested in several plots, located in the Yatir Forest, at an altitude of 650-900 meters. The wines from the different vineyards were aged separately in oak barrels for one year before the final blend was created. The wine was bottled in April 2009 and was left at the Winery for an additional year to further age in the bottle.
Yatir Forest Vineyards 2007 Vintage: the level of rainfall that winter in the Yatir Forest vineyards was below average. The months of spring and the first half of summer were free of any heat waves. August, however, had multiple heat waves. Some of the varieties, such as Merlot and Shiraz ripened early, while other varieties had delayed ripening, through the end of September.
