The 2008 CHARDONNAY RESERVE, opens a bit creamy and buttery, the oak a bit too prominent, but I was pleasantly surprised to see its acidity come to the fore with air, wrapping itself around the fruit. It held its own while this was open, supporting the wine, making it refreshing, and making its finish rather succulent. Aged sur lie for four months, this has a very pleasing and lingering finish for a wine in this price range. I think its acidity will let it hold a few years, but I also think it will show best when it is youngest. The fruit is sourced from Manara Vineyard, near the Lebanese border. Drink now-2012. Recanati, one of Israel’s larger wineries, makes all Kosher wines. The Yasmin lineup is also Mevushal. The regular bottlings—the “Diamond” series, because of the diamond on the label—is the next step up, followed by the Reserves and the Special Reserve. The “reserves” are where the best intersection of quality and price begins—they are reasonably priced and structured like moderately serious wines. Well made in general, they provide some easy drinking bang for the buck. This, in fact, is the best collection I’ve seen from Recanati. The Special Reserve is actually special and justifies that big, fat bottle, and the regular reserves are pretty nice values.Importer: Palm Bay International, Port Washington, N.Y.; tel: (516) 721-5123.