Scheduling an RCC for Tishrei is always tricky. There are very few usable days in the month because of the chagim - early in the month is hard becasue of all of the prep for each chag and pushing it until after means that you are very close to the next month. Doing it before … Continue reading RCC Israel # 24 – Tishrei 5779
Carmel
RCC Israel # 23 – Elul 5778
Another RCC has come to a close. This month our chefs Uri & Bracha papered us with an Asian inspired menu - and each dish really shined. I would point out the highlights, but really, they were all incredible, the Sashimi had incredible freshness and heat, the Pho had some incredible flavors layered in a … Continue reading RCC Israel # 23 – Elul 5778
2017 Carmel 2 Vats Rosé
As any reader of this blog knows, I am a fan of most of Carmels' releases (outside of the Selected and Private Collection lines). I think they are usually well made and well priced - with some wines being outright QPR kings in their categories. Once such wine is the Carmel 4 Vats (a tasting … Continue reading 2017 Carmel 2 Vats Rosé
RCC Israel #21
This month Bracha cooked solo as Uri is off traveling with his lovely wife - and she did a wonderful job as usual. My favorite dish of the night was the corn gnocchi served on a puree of lamb bacon and greens topped with a sous vide egg - excellent stuff! My thanks to Andy … Continue reading RCC Israel #21
RCC Israel #20 – and on the lack of age-able whites
And now we are out of the teens.... For RCC Israel #20 we decided to go dairy in honor of the upcoming Shavuot holiday. This is always a challenge as most wines that are age-able and RCC worthy are reds. That doesn't mean there aren't excellent choices for whites and Roses - there are and … Continue reading RCC Israel #20 – and on the lack of age-able whites
RCC Israel #19
This was a very interesting night with one of our best wine lists ever. We ended up with a very international list (minus any American entries) - and each region showed beautifully. The food of course was excellent. Bracha and Uri continue to put out inventive and tasty dishes month after month. While Uri rarely … Continue reading RCC Israel #19
2017 Carmel Appellation Gewürztraminer
Last night I tasted the 2017 Carmel Appellation Rosé and was super impressed (notes to come eventually). I figured maybe they did a nice job on the Gewurtz as well. I was wrong. Sadly, while the price is OK (NIS 45), the wine itself falls flat in every area. The nose is very muted with … Continue reading 2017 Carmel Appellation Gewürztraminer
2016 Carmel 4 Vats
This being my first formal tasting note on the site, it's fitting that it is both an Israeli Wine and super Quality to Price Ratio (QPR) to boot. The 2016 Carmel 4 Vats is the third vintage of this wine and as always is made up of a blend of Marselan (from the Judean Hills), … Continue reading 2016 Carmel 4 Vats
RCC Israel #16
Our all Israeli RCC -Israel Shvat is a wrap - and it was spectacular! The food of Bracha Arnold has really never been better - every single bite was delicious. We also had some excellent surprises from the "bonus" bottles that were brought by participants - including a first taste of the new 2017 Latour … Continue reading RCC Israel #16
RCC Israel # 15
This was a very special & unique night. Not only were we celebrating the new month (late and I guess not so new anymore) but Simon Jacob's birthday - and for that, we went all out and broke a few of our rules . We opened the evening up to as many participants as we … Continue reading RCC Israel # 15