Posts Written OnMay 28, 2010

Osprey’s Dominion Vineyards 2007 Carmenere

By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor Carmenere on Long Island? Yes, really. This is Long Island's first carmenere, and as far as I know, the only carmenere being made on the East Coast (thought it seems like it might do well in Virginia, so maybe there is some there too.) I've had several carmeneres from Chile, enjoying the relatively few elegant ones that don't have huge extract, but I admittedly know very little about the grape. According to Wikipedia: Carménère grape is a wine grape variety originally planted in the Médoc region of Bordeaux, France, where it was used to produce…

Review: Ithaca Excelsior! 12th Anniversary Ale

By Julia Burke, Beer Editor I’ve encountered consistent quality and creativity from Ithaca Brewing Company’s high-end Excelsior line. Now into the third week of my attempt to make up for lost time drinking all the craft beer I missed while abroad, I shelled out $10 for Ithaca’s 12th Anniversary release knowing it was a special-occasion beer. This Belgian quadrupel-style beer pours a toasty four-finger head with clearly stratified lacing into a goblet, ruddy, muddy and murky with a tinge of butterscotch color. A malt-fest of hazelnut and oatmeal cookies, the nose opens up to some lovely citrus notes reminiscent of…

New York Cork Report Tasting Table: May 28, 2010

By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor It's been a while since we've published a Tasting Table — sorry for that. Our coverage of Finger Lakes riesling and Long Island rose will carry over into June a bit, but here are some of the rieslings and roses that for one reason or another. Heron Hill Winery 2008 Dry Riesling ($13, New York): Floral nose with lime candy and lemon-lime soda. Honeyed, candied citrus on the palate with a little minerality. Citrus zest on the finish a little sweet on the finish for a wine labeled "dry." Rating: 83 Heron Hill Winery 2008…

Palmer Vineyards 2009 Rose Merlot

By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor Many roses made with 100% merlot bore me. There are exceptions of course, but mostly you simple strawberry and maybe some watermelon but not much else. Blending red varieties or even blending reds and whites brings out more complexity, which I look for. But this Palmer Vineyards 2009 Rose Merlot ($19) really impressed me in a recent tasting. In fact, it's one of the best local roses I've tasted this year. Citrus blossom and grapefruit kick off the nose, followed by strawberry, watermelon (of course) and sweet red cherry aromas. Red berry fruit flavors are…

Wagner Vineyards 2008 Semi-Dry Riesling

By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor Having tasted a lot of Finger Lakes riesling this month — a lot — several characteristics that consistently ran through most of the wines. I'm not going to get into a discussion of terroir here, but flavors like lime, peach/apricot, slate minerality and anise can be found in a great many Finger Lakes rieslings. This Wagner Vineyards 2008 Semi-Dry Riesling ($13) stood out as something different and I'd be curious to find out more about the vineyard practices and winemaking techniques employed here. Different doesn't mean better or worse — it's just different. Aromas of…