Merlot Chalk 2005 of the Adama Tabor series is a red kosher wine containing 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes that grow on chalky soil. The low yield, a soil high in minerals and a twelve month aging process in French oak barrels has enhanced the unique taste of this grape. The barrels were divided into 65% American oak and 35% French oak, half of which were new. The grapes were harvested during the early morning and the late night hours and were brought to the winery shortly after. The Merlot grapes were fermented with their skins in stainless steel containers at 25 degrees Centigrade for a month in order to capture the maximum flavor, aromas and color from the skins. This gave a better blend of the grape's flavors and aromas without diminishing its original character. The kosher wine was bottled and taken down to the winery's cellar to rest for several months.
