Misc. Notes (May 2008)

Olivier Leflaive, Chablis Premier Cru, Vaillons, 2004

One of those time where my impressions are so similar to my last tasting note that I'll just refer you to it. A very nice wine but I simply have nothing new to add, except nothing beats two guitars, bass, drums and a good Chablis. (May 3, 2008)

Imported by WineRoute.

Domaine De La Vougeraie, Bourgogne, Terres de Famille, 2005

Vougeraie's workhorse generic is once again consistent in this excellent vintage, although it is still primal and young. Cranberry and cherry aromatics, smoke and a hint of earth lurking underneath, with a certain leafy pungency lending it a kick. The palate, while still simple and lacks a bit of stuffing in mid-palate, is suave and shows village-level weight and a gentle salinity on the finish. Should be a nice one to cellar for a two-three years. (May 24, 2008)

Imported by Tomer Gal and sold for about 100 NIS.

Heymann-Lowenstein, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Schieferterrassen, 2005

The aromatics are chalky-saline minerals overlaying ripe peaches, suggesting Chablis until a hint of apple pie tips you off. Yet the palate could only be Riesling with its hint of sweetness counterpointed by that telltale racy acidity. Deftly-balanced and long, rich yet crisp, with green apples on the finish. If this wine was a woman (or man, depending on your gender and inclinations), it would be the ultimate dream-date: charming, fulfilling and promising. Though apropos its promise, since fridge space is at a premium, I think this is a wine I'd drink early on, not because it won't last or develop (it develops a certain herbal tinge in glass which bodes well for the future until it dies out after 90 minutes or so) but because I love it now and I suspect the other German Rieslings I'm laying down won't show as well at three years of age as the 2005 Schieferterrassen does. The ultimate 90-pointer. (May 27, 2008)

Imported by Giaconda and sold for 121 NIS.

Bouchard Aine et Fils, Chablis Premier Cru, Vaillons, 2005

This is another Bouchard, not the Bouchard, which maintains the Bourgogne tradition that every family who owns a Domaine or a Maison has some estranged member with his/her own winery. My group tasted it last year blind and were impressed but I now find it less appealing, as it has lost some of its initial freshness, which was really what was so charming about that first tasting. The nose is fine, initially slightly oxidized and metallic yet with green apples and poached pears beneath that veil, but the ultimate failure is on the flat palate, which unlike the nose, does little to utilize the oxygen I provided it over the course of the evening.

Imported by Karmei Tzvi and listed at about 200 NIS which is way overpriced.

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