2010 Yatir Forest

The 2010 Yatir Forest is a blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Petit Verdot and 8% Merlot, aged for 16 months in one-third new French oak (the rest used). This adds a layer of depth to some of the other 2010s submitted this issue and is fuller in the mouth, as well as notably more powerful. There is no question what the top-of-the-line is here. It retains finesse and charm, though, a very good thing. Less appropriate, it has fairly notable green nuances, a rather herbaceous demeanor. How you react to this wine will depend on how you react to that component – but make no mistake, it does a lot awfully well. Sensually textured, it is caressing on the palate and quite beautiful in its initial presentation. It expands in the glass as it sits, after an unimpressive opening. With those herbal notes on the finish, it shows some complexity without losing balance. There is no "wow" here, as I like to say – no big, ripe bombastic wine. It is, however, a bottle that drinks well and easily and one that should empty fast at the table. It is worth leaning up overall for its beautiful presentation and structure. Drink now-2023. Importer: Royal Wine Corp., Bayonne, NJ; tel. (718) 534-0118