Lenn Thompson, Editor and Publisher
There's been a lot of TasteCamp content this week (for obvious reasons) so let's get back to some of the actual wines being made in New York. Not that this wine doesn't have a TasteCamp connection — we tasted this Roanoke Vineyards 2006 Cabernet Franc ($32) on our visit to Roanoke Vineyards Saturday morning.
As you've probably read elsewhere, 2006 wasn't a great vintage for reds on Long Island. It was cooler growing season and was marked by
a lot of overcast days and higher-than-average rainfall. Still, even in down years, the best producers put out quality wines, like this one.
The nose on this ruby-brick red shows sweet red fruit aromas — cranberry and red cherry — with vanilla, a bit too much oak, toasted nuts, tobacco leaf and hints of anise.
The medium-bodied palate is a little earthier than the nose, with the leafy, oaky notes more pronounced and fruit a bit subdued on the forepalate. The sweet vanilla cran-cherry flavors come back on the mid-palate and contnue through a medium-long finish, where they are joined by dusty earthy and cocoa powder flavors. The tannins are relatively light, but food-friendly acidity brings structure.
There might be a bit too much oak here for the fruit, but it's not over the top.
Grape(s): 87.5% cabernet franc, 6.25% cabernet sauvignon, 6.25% merlot
Producer: Roanoke Vineyards
AVA: North Fork of Long Island
ABV: 13.2%
Price: $32
Rating: 
(3 out of 5 | Recommended)
(Ratings Guide)