Daniel Lifshitz, Rani Osnat and I met up at Elba, which is a Tel Aviv bistro that I'd been wanting to try for a while now. My expectations were quite satisfied: it's a very friendly place with delicious food that marries France and Israel. Daniel got to hawk his Bourgogne Crown wares to checf Yair Yosefi, who's not only a terrific guy and a great conversationalist, he also knows his wine.
Raveneau, Chablis Premier Cru, Butteaux, 2005
Light touch of sea breeze, good acidity for the vintage, with bracing Chablis minerality. Not just a warm vintage Chablis, albeit one with deft balance, but a warm sea Chablis, that is one that evokes the Mediterranean and not the Atlantic. Less complex than the 2004 was at a similar age, but develops nicely with air.
Burgundy Wine Collection, this used to sell for 270 NIS, prices are not over 400 NIS, making it as pricy as a Grand Cru (admittedly, it's as good as a Grand Cru).
La Maison Romane, Corton Grand Cru, Les Perrieres, 2008
Lovely barnyard stink and exotic spices! Vibrant acidity, as well. This bottle, opened at the restaurant was way too young, but a pleasure to follow as it develops. Whatever, its youth is apparent in the way the fruit shows itself primary as opposed to closed.
Bourgogne Crown, 500 NIS.
Nicolas Potel, Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru, 2002
Weightier than the Corton with rusty tannins. Typical Cote de Nuits spices, but I miss the Gevrey gaminess. A good drink, but I find it less interesting than the Maison Romanee.
Not imported to Israel, price unknown.
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