Posts Written OnAugust 11, 2008

Now this is something a little different and definitely delicious.  Winemaker Roman Roth has outdone himself with his Wolffer Estate 2005 Claletto Cabernet Sauvignon ($85), a wine that makes his 2005 Barbera (Long Island’s first) seem absolutely pedestrian. Made with 100% cabernet sauvignon (from Roanoke Vineyards on the North Fork) a portion of the grapes were allowed to dry on the vine, resulting in an Amarone-style wine that brings a lot of flavor and alcohol (15.9% ABV) to the glass. Extremely dark, and inky in the glas, this wine has dense, warming aromas of speck-wrapped roasted figs, anise, blackberries and…

Millbrook Vineyards & Winery’s recent ad campaign is both disappointing and annoying. I think it sets the "drink local" movement back at least ten years. As you can see to the right, they are lauding themselves as having "All the beauty of France, all the taste of California." Not wanting to take anything out of context, it’s important to note that I understand what they are trying to do here. With gas prices and the economy the way that they are, the "staycation" (a vacation where you stay close to home) is a hot trend. They want people to know…

You’ve probably noticed that LENNDEVOURS has a new sponsor, the California Wine Club. When the first contacted me, I wasn’t interested… and with good reason. This is a New York wine blog and I don’t sell advertorial. But, when they offered to send me the monthly club shipments and let me write open, honest reviews of the wines if I want to, I became a bit more interested. When they told me that they’d be up for me doing blind tastings against New York wines, I decided they were a company worth partnering with. So, please welcome the California Wine…