2023 Domaine du Castel 'C' Blanc du Castel, Israel, Judean Hills, Wine Review

This is 100% Chardonnay grown in the Judean Hills just west of Jerusalem. Deeper golden in color, clear and bright. The nose is nice with lemons, roasted almonds and a touch of buttered popcorn. Medium to full bodied. Good balance. On the palate, lemons and spice with a touch of melon. Good finish. It seems like this went thru partial (or maybe full) malolactic fermentation. The resulting wine is approachable but will likely mature over the next three to five years. Drink over the next ten. This is nice on its own but will work well with Matzoh Ball soup.

Grade:

A-

Score:

Vintage:

2023

Current Price:

$60.00USD

2018 Domaine Du Castel La Vie Blanc du Castel, White Blend, Israel, Judean Hills, Wine Review

Vintage:

2018

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$22.00USD

This wine and it's Red counterpart are some of the best values from Israel. This is a blend of 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 45% Chardonnay and 5% Gewurztraminer. It is basically the third level wine in their hierarchy. Light golden in color with a touch of green. The nose is nice with citrus, slight orange peel and slight floral notes. Very steely. On the palate this is light bodied. Very crisp and refreshing. It has some depth but it more about raciness than complexity. Very food friendly or on its own. A nice match for soft cheeses to start a casual evening outside. This probably shoul

2016 Tzora Vineyards Judean Hills, Israel, Judean Hills, Wine Review

Vintage:

2016

Score:

Grade:

B+

Current Price:

$30.00USD

This is a modern style of Chardonnay from the center of Israel. It is 90% Chardonnay with 10% Sauvignon Blanc added. This is a very nice white with energy and some verve to it. Light golden in color. The nose has lemons and minerals. Slight oak but no butter. On the palate, this is clean with nice minerality and slight lemon/citrus. Good length. It is drinking well now and probably should be drunk up in the next year. It will go well with lighter foods, salads and sea foods.

2017 Tzora Vineyards Judean Hills Blanc, Israel, Wine Review

Vintage:

2017

Score:

Grade:

B+

Current Price:

$30.00USD

This is a 75/25 blend of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. It is quite lively and enjoyable. Light golden in color with some silvery/green swirls. On the nose, this has some peach and some citrus with a slight minerality and herbal note. On the palate, this is slightly crisp with good fruit. It seems like it probably needs to be consumed quickly. Right now it has nice peaches but they dissipate in the glass. Good finish. This worked well with an Israeli Chapped Salad and also with Matzoh Ball Soup (Veg broth). Get the most current vintage you can.

2020 Recanati Chardonnay Reserve, Israel, Galilee, Wine Review

Vintage:

2020

Score:

Grade:

B+

Current Price:

$30.00USD

2010 Golan Heights Winery Yarden Blanc de Blancs, Israel, Wine Review

Vintage:

2010

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$29.00USD

This is much better than the 2009 (tried two years ago). The 2010 should, however, be consumed now. It is not really showing oxidation, but the fruit is fading. That said, this is a solid wine that made for a fun start to our Passover Seder. We consumed it before actually sitting down to the Seder. It went well with dried fruits and nuts and "mock" liver. Light golden in color with a fair amount of medium-ish bubbles. The nose has some green apples and minerals with slight ginger and slighter oxidation. On the palate, the apples carry thru along with some minerality. Not a lot of a

2023 Domaine du Castel 'C' Blanc du Castel, Israel, Judean Hills, Wine Review

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