A rare, port-style Cabernet Sauvignon dessert wine from one of Israel's pioneering boutique wineries — bottled in 2009, aged six years in barrel, and made in tiny quantities.

Katlav Winery sits in the hills of Moshav Nes Harim, in the Judean Hills west of Jerusalem. Founded in 1998 by Yossef Yttach — one of the first boutique winemakers in modern Israel — Katlav is named for the strawberry tree (arbutus) that grows wild in the region. The bottles all bear the silhouette of an ancient olive tree from Yossef's own front yard. Ben Porat Yossef is the winery's flagship dessert release: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, vinified Port-style, with the fortified sweetness held in balance by years of barrel rest.

Tasting notes

Dense, near-opaque garnet pouring almost black at the core. Aromas of stewed black plum, fig jam, dried cherry, and dark cocoa, laced with warm baking spice. The palate is rich and full-bodied — concentrated black fruit compote, raisin sweetness, soft tannins, and a long finish carrying chocolate, espresso, and a whisper of alcohol heat. The 17% ABV reads as warmth, not burn.

Pairing

The classic move: dark chocolate desserts, Stilton-style aged cheeses, or simple roasted nuts and dried fruit. Equally compelling alongside a flourless chocolate torte, pecan pie, or after a heavy fleishig meal as a dessert pour in its own right. Will hold up to a fine cigar.

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