Clos de Gat, Chardonnay, Judean Hills

Mature Israeli white wines (at Eli Raban's home, Rehovot) : dry tart & oak-vanilla nose, rich dry white fruits flavours, good acidity level, quality finish

Clos de Gat sale & tasting (Clos de Gat winery) : golden straw color dried apricot and buttery aroma with tropical fruits notes med-full bodied, smooth, tropical fruits flavors, oak-vanilla, very good acidity, fairly good harmony, oily & silky, long tropical aftertaste.

Giving it an extra point since last time, because this is a phat White Burgundy with everything in place, no problems with prem-ox and simply: superb quality. White Burgs this great cost around USD 150, whereas this one cost around USD 30. Rich, fulfilling and made wife not say "wow" but at least accept to drink this again. Suda-sensei never before had a white wine he liked, and scurried through this btl in a Pjainsic fashion :-) Still on the …

Creamy texture with pear, baked apple taste. Excellent with seafood.

Light yellow color; appealing, ripe pear, baked apple nose; rich, baked apple, baked pear, light cinnamon palate with good acidity; medium-plus finish (14% alcohol; 12 months in oak, 2/3's new)

Clos de Gat tasting (Bin 281 (organised by M. Raab)) : golden straw colour dried apricot and buttery aroma med-full bodied, smooth, very good acidity, fairly good harmony, oily & silky, long tropical aftertaste.

2nd London off-line w/out UK CT'ers (http://www.tufnellparktavern.com) : Non-blind. Had immediately. Impression: Outstanding with wow. A yellow wine with a bashful, yeasty, young Chard aroma greeting you. In the mouth it shows off a great structure of a non-oaked Chard that made me think of an un-oaked Meursault. Great acids, fine concentration and a "fatty" character. This one definitely has the future in front of it.

A gift from an Israeli friend. This is a big wine, rich and full and buttery. The oak is a little too intrusive, but I am sure I am drinking this too young. 14% alcohol, but the wine carries it well. All this gives it a rich mouthfeel and a long finish. Impressive, in a Californian way. vg

Israeli wines (Israel Vacation) : This is an interesting wine. Made very much like a California Chard. Golden in color. Lemony, buttery and heavy dabs of oak. Nice full bodied texture. Lemon chiffon and oak on the palate. Some heat. Not my favorite style of Chard, but done very well for this style.