Posts Tagged“2012”

Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars 2012 Dry Riesling

This was the second wine I tasted during last week’s virtual tasting of 2012 Finger Lakes rieslings, and it was a welcome step up. Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars 2012 Dry Riesling ($15) offers intense aromas of grapefruit and lime are accented by notes of citrus blossom, wet river rock, smoky gun flint and just a touch of botrytis. The palate is more peachy, but still shows bright citrus fruit — mostly grapefruit — and a minerally vein that runs from start to finish. Crunchy acidity provides great focus and verve. The medium-long finish is dry, but not harshly so.…

Three Brothers Wineries and Estates 2012 Zero Degree Riesling

Last week I was able to take part in a virtual (via Twitter) tasting that featured a handful of 2012 Finger Lakes rieslings — including this one. All wines we re-tasted the following day as well. Three Brothers Wineries and Estates 2012 Zero Degree Riesling ($14) offers understated aromas of mixed citrus zest, under-ripe peach and citrus blossoms. Dry with light citrus and floral flavors, the palate is a bit sharp and sour — lacking fruit and concentration to balance the acidity. The finish is short, but bitter in a citrus pith way. Unfortunately, this is one of those ‘lemon water’…

Bellwether Wine Cellars 2012 A&D Vineyard Wild Ferment Riesling

As I mentioned last week, Bellwether Wine Cellars is open for business, having opened its doors with a pinot noir and three rieslings available for tasting and purchase. The first thing you’ll notice about Bellwether Wine Cellars 2012 A&D Vineyard Wild Ferment Riesling ($27) is that it’s bottled under a crown cap — not something you see very often. It’s not just because Bellwether Hard Ciders has that equipment around, though. Along with being fermented with ambient yeasts (a topic of some debate of late), this wine was bottled with far less SO2 (only 50 ppm) than is typical in the Finger…

Bellwether Wine Cellars 2012 Sawmill Creek Vineyard Riesling

Bellwether Wine Cellars opened its doors today, offering tastes of its 2011 Sawmill Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir and three distinct rieslings. I got to taste all three — two dry, one semi-dry; one fermented with ambient yesasts, two not — and will write about all of them over the next few days. But today, we focus on the Bellwether Wine Cellars 2012 Sawmill Creek Vineyard Riesling ($22), which is likely to be the crowd-pleaser of the riesling lineup. Peach and green apple aromas are joined by a squirt of lime, honey and a bit of apple blossom on a pleasant,…

Anthony Nappa Wines 2012 “Bordo” Cabernet Franc

It is a point of some debate, but I’m of the belief that you cannot — and should not — remove all of the ‘green’ flavor from cabernet franc. Many try, either through extensive leaf-pulling programs, extended hang time and/or aggressive use of new oak barrels. But at the end of the day, ‘green’ is just part of the cabernet franc’s varietal character and I want to taste it. Now, I’m not suggesting that I want bell pepper or asparagus or green bean to be the dominant aroma or flavor in any wine. There is a difference between under-ripe character…

Waters Crest Winery 2012 Sauvignon Blanc

2012 appears to have been a good year for Long Island sauvignon. Waters Crest Winery 2012 Sauvignon Blanc ($19) is a well-priced, lemon-bomb of a sauvignon blanc that shows lemon character in many guises on the nose — everything from lemon pulp and peel to lemon balm and lemon verbena. There are also notes of grapefruit and cut grass. On the lighter side of medium bodied, the palate is bright and similarly citrusy with the addition of Golden Delicious apple flavors. Though a a tiny bit dilute on the mid-palate, this wine finishes well with a lingering apple and lemon…

Palmer Vineyards 2012 Syrah

Winemaker Miguel Martin recommends lightly chilling his Palmer Vineyards 2012 Syrah ($20) and it’s easy to see why — it’s tastier that way. At normal drinking temperature, this light red (almost a rosado) — one that was made with 40% carbonic maceration — lacks a bit of structure with low tannins and not quite enough acidity to make up for it. But lightly chilled, the acidity is more apparent, framing peppery red fruit flavors accented by subtle violet character. So chill it down, grill some pork chops or tenderloin and enjoy it on a warm summer night. Producer: Palmer Vineyards AVA: North…

Robibero Family Vineyards 2012 “87 North”

This blend of 50% vidal and 50% cayuga (grown on the east side of Seneca Lake) is a great example of what is possible with white hybrid blends. Robibero Family Vineyards 2012 “87 North” ($16) is citrusy on the nose — mainly grapefruit and lemon — with a bit of canary melon and citrus blossom. Fruity and medium-light bodied, the palate is super-fresh with straight forward sweet melon and citrus flavors and spritzy acidity. The finish is a bit abrupt and shows a bit of pithy bitterness, this is a fun summer wine. If it were $13 like it was in…

Anthony Nappa Wines 2012 Sciardonne (Chardonnay)

Well-priced and unoaked, Anthony Nappa Wines 2012 Sciardonne ($18) offers concentrated tropical fruit aromas with a hint of ginger and a distinct note of apples cooked down in butter. Rich and almost viscous, the palate is cut through by a lightning bolt of acidity that enlivens flavors pineapple and papaya, wild strawberry and butter. The finish shows a rustic, lightly bitter element, but shows nice length. Producer: Anthony Nappa Wines AVA: North Fork of Long Island ABV: 13.4% Price: $18* | Buy Now From Empire State Cellars (3 out of 5, Very good/Recommended)

Macari Vineyards 2012 “Katherine’s Field” Sauvignon Blanc

Always among the top sauvignon blancs coming from the North Fork, Macari Vineyards 2012  “Katherine’s Field” Sauvignon Blanc ($23) is an early favorite from the 2012 batch just hitting shelves now — and I dare say the best since Kelly Urbanik took over as winemaker. Aromas of grapefruit, sweet lime, green apple and honeydew show ripeness and nary a scent of grass or other ‘greenness.’ Medium-to-fuller bodied but well balanced with citrusy, juicy acidity, the palate offer more lime and grapefruit flavors backed by green apple and a gently glycerin mouthfeel. Finishing lively and focused with a squeeze of grapefruit, it’s…