Once a month I attend a wine evening in my neighborhood. Each couple brings a bottle of wine and a dish to pair it with. Hosting is rotated among the couples and the hosting couple also brings an opening or desert wine depending on the circumstances. The level of wines are nice but they are not stratospheric like RCC’s and of course as described above, the format is quite different. We call these evening’s Wine & Dine. For those who find the RCC concept a bit daunting, this is a great way to enjoy wine with friends in a pretty relaxed laid back atmosphere. I haven’t decided yet whether or not to post about those each month , but certainly on occasions that I take notes on a specific wine that is interesting or particularly good or topical I will try and give full notes.
Last night we enjoyed the 2016 Jacques Capsouto Vignobles Côtes de Galilée Village Cuvée Eva Blanc (that’s a mouthful). Just last week I had this wine at Sommelier and it was one of the better whites there. Last night I got to spend a little more time with it and took full notes, so it seems like a good time post them:
The wine is made of 60% Grenache Blanc, 20% Clairette, 15% Rousanne, & 5% Marsanne. This is the 3rd vintage of this wine and these are the same varieties used in the previous 2 vintages with slightly different amounts. The 2014 was spectacular, the 2015 was a slight step down but still very nice. These are the same varieties used in the previous 2 vintages with slightly different amounts. Overall the profile is inline with prior vintages as well, with a pale straw color and citrus and grass on the nose. In the mouth you have a light bodied wine with medium acidity, citrus, saline and and stone fruit with a wonderful nuttiness on the finish – more so than in prior vintages.
I have to say that when drinking this wine properly rather than just a sip and rushing through a brief impression, the wine is really impressive. I can’t say for sure that it’s as good as the 2014- but it’s better than the 2015 for sure.
It happened to be paired with a pan roasted salmon with almonds and tropical fruit and ginger sauce – and it worked really well together with the nuts accentuating the nuttiness in the wine and vice versa.
Bottom Line:
- Price: About NIS 90
- For Aging: No
- Would I Buy Again: Yes
- QPR Rating: Average
- Taste/Depth/Quality: Very Good
- Overall Rating (1-5): 4