esc-clubThis morning I’m happy to announce the wines that will be included in the March 2014 shipment of our wine club.

If you aren’t familiar with the club, you can learn more here.

“Hello New York” Wines

Red Tail Ridge Winery 2012 Good Karma: This blend of riesling with 11% unoaked chardonnay blended in is driven by flavors of pear and lemon-lime, with some tropical fruit at the edges with gently fresh acidity balances just a bit of sweetness. Best of all, proceeds go to charity

Suhru 2010 Red Blend:  Proving that Long Island Bordeaux-style blends can be affordable, this blend of merlot, cabernet franc, petit verdot and cabernet sauvignon delivers fresh crushed berry fruit flavors with a touch of oak and a fleeting herbal edge. Fire up the grill this spring and crack this open (it’s closed under a screwcap).

“Getting to Know New York” Wines

Red Newt Cellars 2011 Curry Creek Vineyard Pinot Gris: It’s hard for me to get excited about pinot gris (or it’s other name, pinot grigio). The 2008 vintage of this wine absolutely blew me away a few years ago, and this wine lives up to that personal memory. Fresh and fruity with melon and citrus flavors and wildflower notes, it certainly shows what is possible — at least at Curry Creek Vineyard.

Shinn Estate Vineyards 2010 Wild Boar Doe: This approachable-but-still-age-worthy blend of 40% merlot, 23% cabernet sauvignon, 17% malbec, 15% petit verdot and 5% cabernet franc is mouth-filling and plump on the palate with dark berries, violets, black pepper, Chinese five spice and earthy, nutty oak notes. Drinking well today, it should reward another few years in the cellar too.

“New York Wine Trail” Wines

Paumanok Vineyards 2013 Chenin BlancThis club (and personal) favorite is back. It was released right off the bottling line this winter — starting the countdown to when it is sure to sell out — so we’re including it while it’s available. My advice? Don’t open it until mid-summer. That’s when it will really begin to sing.

Channing Daughters Winery 2010 Refosco: When I first tasted this wine, I was almost goofy I  was so smitten. Chunky and crunchy with a rustic edge and plenty of grip, this bold red is plump and juicy with intense dark fruit and herb blossom flavors — with that sort of bitter tartness you often find in Italian reds. It was released to the winery’s wine club this month, so we’re lucky to be able to include it as well.

“Excelsior” Wines

Keuka Lake Vineyard 2011 Falling Man Vineyard Riesling: Over time, the Falling Man Vineyard on Keuka Lake has proven to be one of the great riesling vineyard sites in the Finger Lakes. This wine shows great tension and verve, along with layers of fruit, fennel and floral flavor and good concentration. Drink now… or cellar for at least a few years.

Bedell Cellars 2010 Taste Red: Some 2010 reds are just ‘too much’ of one thing or another — alcohol, ripeness, whatever. Not here where ripe-but-restrained fruit is backed by spice and herbs and everything that makes Long Island reds delicious, food friendly and age worthy. Again, drink now or cellar for at least a few years — but likely more.

Join the club today — and we’ll send you delicious New York wines six times a year!