The 2008 Yatir Forest is a blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Petit Verdot, and 5% Merlot, 3% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc, aged for 16 months in French oak. This needed about 45 minutes of air to come around and then, another hour didn’t hurt and then...oh, my. It wasn’t a wine that was obvious at first – or ever, really. If you’re looking for a jammy fruit bomb, this ain’t it. It seemed merely suave and debonair, remarkably graceful and elegant, yet sexy and flavorful nonetheless. With air, some gamey and earthy notes popped up, the tannins emerged and it became more astringent, although not overly hard. This does not have a lot of depth, which did give me some pause and some concern for the future, but it is has elegance, a lingering finish and delicious fruit. It is so utterly charming that I have to lean up a bit. Notwithstanding the tasty fruit, make no mistake – this does have complexity as well. The longer I had it open, the more I liked it, a good sign. Drink now-2019. Yatir, Carmel’s prestigious boutique in the Judean Hills, does have an importer, but note that these 2008s will not be sold as they are from a shmitta year and its importer is a Kosher specialist.Importer: Royal Wine Corp, Bayonne, N.J.; tel: (718) 534-0118.