The Eclectic Company

Four high tech professionals.

Four winemakers.

One wine importer.

Toto Restaurant, Tel Aviv.

The wines were on the eclectic side as well.

Domaine Aux Moines, Savennieres, Roche Aux Moines, 1994

Mute and austere. with a disturbing note of mildew at first. Not very pleasant on the palate, but the nose at least does pick up honeyed nuances and depth. And the acidity is surprisingly lively, even if there is little nuance, interest or fun.

Not imported to Israel, price unknown.

Pierre Gaillard, Saint Joseph, Clos de Cuminaille, 2007

A lovely, classic nose: pepper, bacon and flowers. Still a little unformed flavor-wise, but charming nonetheless with a tannic bite and gives a complete North Rhone experience. I'd buy more than a handful if I could.

Not imported to Israel, in the UK THIS costs about 165 GBP per case, in bond. Special thanks to Eran Pick for bringing this. It might not have been the greatest wine in the lineup, but I'd been waiting some time to taste Gaillard.

Chateau Sociando-Mallet, Haut-Medoc, Cru Bourgeois, 1998

Classic Left Bank, showing more cassis than currants, with cedar and minerals. Velvety despite a tannic bite. What a joy: due to the vintage, it's very easy to drink right now and will hold for several years.

WineRoute imports recent vintages for about 300 NIS.

Two local reds:

Savion, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009

Jammy, with spicy aromatic interest. This is sweet and has very little in common with the previous claret, yet there is some structure there. I think it's a typical Israeli boutique red that tries to curb the alcohol and ripe fruit as best it can.

Price unknown.

Arka, 2009

Segal's Avi Feldstein's latest project displays red fruit, sweet tannins and just a note of vanilla which does doesn't infringe on my sensibilities but rather reminds me the 2001 Dishon Cabernet. I will just regard it as Avi's fingerprint. Very nice, I will look it up upon release.

Not released yet, price unknown.

And back to France:

Chapoutier, Coteaux d'Aux en Provence, Teraa d'Or, 2000

A modern and sweet nose, cassis, figs with spicy, earthy elements. Sweet tannins. Tasty and somewhat elegant despite the size.

The Scottish Company used to import this, I think for about 200-300 NIS back in the day.

Catherine et Pierre Breton, Bourgueil, Les Perrieres, 1995

Fresh red fruit, tobacco leaves, savory tannins. Bordeaux without makeup, with a juicy acidity that is more Bourgogne than Bordeaux. Saline finish. A very cool wine. Intriguing.

80 USD from K and L Wines and worth every bit.

Chateau Talbot, Saint Julien 4me Cru, 2000

A big claret with meaty tannins and black fruit, and noticeable brett. A conservative wine, in the good and bad sense - it doesn't really take a lot of chances, unless the brett counts, but it gets the job done. Good acidity though. I expected a bigger spark from 2000.

WineRoute imports recent vintages for about 450 NIS. If it were any cheaper, I'd say go for it.

Darting, Pfalz, Durkheimer Nonnehgarten, Kanzler Eiswein, 1999

Essence of lychee and tofee. Very yummy, even if it doesn't have the raciness of a Riesling based icewine. Sweet and viscous.

Not imported, about 50 euros for a half bottle.

Domaine Aux Moines, Savennieres, Roche Aux Moines, 1994

Mute and austere. with a disturbing note of mildew at first. Not very pleasant on the palate, but the nose at least does pick up honeyed nuances and depth. And the acidity is surprisingly lively, even if there is little nuance, interest or fun.

Not imported to Israel, price unknown.

I just saw this wine turning up again at US retail for barely more than $20. I remember several years ago when the same thing happened and in the mid-2000s the domaine still had lots of old wine for sale. (Perhaps still today). There's a reason for that, as you found.

There was also a bit of the classic cop-out line from the persoon who brought it: "It realy needs food!"

There was also a bit of the classic cop-out line from the persoon who brought it: "It realy needs food!"

So this person has tasted the wine before and liked it better than what it showed with you?

All my experiences with this producer have been pretty similar.

No, she'd tasted it at the winery years ago. The wine is always better at the winery. Doesn't that sound familiar?

Hi Chaim -

Thank you for the great notes. I do not recall ever seeing a Kanzler from Darting before, and have never had anything that crossing. In the US, at least, the name Kanzler is probably better known as a single vineyard on the Sonoma Coast. I'm sure that there are no Kanzler grapes being grown in the Kanzler vineyard, however.

Since you said that it was not imported, did you buy it at the winery?