By Lenn Thompson, Editor-in-Chief
A handful of wines from the NYCR Tasting Table. As always, these mini-reviews are more or less typed directly from my tasting notebook.
Macari Vineyards 2007 Block E Cabernet Franc ($40): Made with commercially frozen cab franc. Strawberry preserves dominate the nose, with subtle spice and sweet herbs beneath. Sweet up front, but dry on the finish, with good acidity for balance. Straightforward strawberry flavors. Simple but balanced and tasty.
(2.5 out of 5 | Average-to-Very Good)
Paperbirch Highlands Fine Ruby Dessert Wine ($18): Blackberry and boysenberry jam on the nose. Simple, fruity. Decent balance of flavor, sugar an alcohol. Simpe jammy black fruit. Short finish. A little hollow on the palate.
Pumphouse Wines 2008 White ($12): House label of Premium Wine Group. Light nose of pears, flowers and lemon-citrus. Palate is a little watery with light pear and citrus flavors. Good, fresh acidity. Very simple. A summer gulper.
Pumphouse Wines 2007 Red ($12): Plum and smoke on the nose with a little earthy tobacco edge. Medium body with dark fruit but a little bitter on the mid-palate and the finish. Tannins are medium-intensity but bitter as well. Hard press fractions?
(2 out of 5 | Average)
Wolffer Estate Vineyards 2006 "Perle" Chardonnay ($29): Green tea, pear, peach and orange blossom on the nose with vanilla, oak, and hints of pine resin. Full bodied and creamy, yet lively on the palate with great acidity and length. Peach, roasted pear and faint guava on the palate with caramelized sugar, vanilla and spicy lees character. Toasty but not overwhelming.
(3 out of 5 | Recommended)