Clos de Gat 2015 | Har'El Syrah | Ayalon Valley

Wine Identification
This is a 2015 red wine from the Clos de Gat winery. It hails from the Judean Hills region of Israel, specifically within the Ayalon Valley appellation.

Origin and Winemaking
The vineyards are situated on the foothills of the Judean Mountains in the biblical Ayalon Valley, covering an area of 19 hectares. The site features historical significance, preserving an ancient stone press (gat) dating back over a millennium before the Roman period. The wine is made from 100% Syrah grapes. Harvesting is conducted manually with rigorous selection to ensure fruit quality. In the winery, the grapes undergo light pressing and are transferred to open fermentation tanks. Following fermentation, the wine is aged for 16 months in French oak barrels, with thirty percent of these being new. The maturation process includes racking every four to six months to maintain clarity and stability. Finally, the wine is bottled without filtration and is suitable for vegans.

Expected Profile
As a Syrah-based red wine from Israel’s Judean Hills, Clos de Gat presents a structured profile shaped by its specific terroir and oak aging. The use of French oak, with a significant portion being new barrels, suggests the presence of subtle vanilla, spice, and toast notes that complement the primary fruit characteristics of the Syrah grape. The unfiltered bottling implies a fuller mouthfeel and textured tannins, while the extended barrel aging contributes to a smooth, integrated finish. The manual selection and careful vinification indicate a focus on purity and expression of the varietal character within the context of this historic Middle Eastern terroir.

Overall Character
Clos de Gat represents a modern yet historically rooted approach to Israeli winemaking. By combining traditional Syrah cultivation with meticulous French oak aging and vegan-friendly production methods, it offers a refined red wine that balances international stylistic influences with local heritage.