By Lenn Thompson, Editor-in-Chief

Standingstone_07pinot

As you learned in Jason Feulner's recent post, Standing Stone Vineyards stands today where Gold Seal Wine Company and two Frenchmen, Guy DeVaux and Charles Fournier, first experimented with vinifera varieties on Seneca Lake. As Jason said, the winery has built a reputation in a few categories. I know them best from tasting several of their dessert wines over the years, many of which are tremendous values.

This is the first pinot noir I've tasted, and there is a lot to like here.

The heat of the 2007 is on full display here, the nose is ripe and fruity with red cherry and raspberry fruit aromas with leaf tobacco, leather and a faint note of acetone that blew off after a few minutes.

The palate is similarly ripe with cherry leading the way, backed by leather, cherry cola, earthy spice and a tart cranberry note.

The tannins are ripe and slightly velvety and the acidity is still fresh bordering on firm. The spicy finish is medium in length and tart with cranberries.

Producer: Standing Stone Vineyards
AVA: Finger Lakes

ABV: 12.3%

TA: .65 g/L

pH: 3.2

Cases Produced: 175

Price: $25*

Rating: 30 (3 out of 5 | Recommended)  

(Ratings Guide)