Posts Tagged“cabernet franc”

The 12 LI Wines of Christmas: #3 Raphael 2005 Cabernet Franc

This post is a part of my 12 Long Island Wines for Christmas series that will run from now until Christmas 2007. See the entire series here. The first red wine of my 2007 12 Long Island Wines for Christmas is Raphael’s 2005 Cabernet Franc ($18). It won’t come as a surprise to many of you that there’s a cab franc on the list, of course. You know how much I dig the grape. In fact, it would probably be more surprising if this were the only one chosen. (Yes, that’s a hint) Cab franc is a grape that comes…

Continue Reading

4th Annual Menu For Hope: December 10-21

Menu For Hope is the annual event when food and wine bloggers the world over unite to raise money for the U.N. World Food Programme. Founded by Pim several years ago, this is one holiday tradition that I hope never falls by the wayside. This year, LENNDEVOURS is offering two prizes for the fund raising raffle: WB19: Long Island Cabernet Franc Three-Pack A lot of people think that Long Island is all about merlot, but those in the know realize that some of Long Island’s best, most-interesting wines are made with cabernet franc. This lot is a simple one. It…

Continue Reading

WTN: Wolffer Estate 2004 Cabernet Franc (The Hamptons, Long Island)

Wolffer Estate, one of two quality-focused producers in the Hamptons, focuses mainly on two varieties: Merlot and Chardonnay. They make no fewer than four different bottlings of each — including Long Island’s most expensive wine the Premier Cru Merlot, which retails for $125 and a succulent, lively late harvest chardonnay. Some of those wines are good for everyday drinking. Some are stunningly delicious and complex. But still, who can live on only merlot and chardonnay? I know that I can’t and, as you probably know, I’m a big fan of Long Island cabernet franc. Wolffer’s winemaker, Roman Roth, makes a…

Continue Reading

WTNs: Pellegrini Vineyards’ New and Upcoming Releases (North Fork of Long Island)

I tell anyone who will listen that they should try new wines whenever possible. That’s how we learn about new regions, grapes and winemakers. It’s how we expand our wine knowledge and grow as wine drinkers. But, that doesn’t mean that we can’t — and shouldn’t — come back to long-time favorites as well. Pellegrini Vineyards — and its Vinter’s Pride Encore — are just the kind of favorites worth coming back to. It was one of the first red blends I tasted on Long Island and remains one that I enjoy every time I taste it, regardless of vintage.…

Continue Reading

WTN: Sherwood House Vineyards 2004 Cabernet Franc (North Fork of Long Island)

Sherwood House Vineyards, they of the tiny little tasting room, is known primarily for their chardonnay and — to a lesser extent — merlot. Those are the varietals they’ve focused on in the past and they remain the focus today. But, as a card-carrying member of the "I Dig Cabernet Franc" club, I’m glad to see that they are bottling that variety as well. This Sherwood House Vineyards 2004 Cabernet Franc is their second such release and is has the sorts of aromas and flavors I’m looking for in cab franc. The nose is earthy and mushroomy with a little…

Continue Reading

Wine Library TV Has Fun With Long Island Franc

I’ve been talking about Long Island’s cabernet franc wines for a while…even daring to question merlot’s supremacy because of my love affair with franc. Well, Gary Vaynerchuk over at Wine Library TV loves cab franc too, especially those from the Loire Valley. Late last week though, he looked much closer to home, drinking three Long Island renditions. I for one am glad to see Gary getting back to basics. He’s toned down the theatrics and is really doing more educational work again with WLTV. And incidentally, for $13, the Pellegrini bottle was a steal. I say was because it sold…

Continue Reading

WTN: Waters Crest Winery 2004 Cabernet Franc Private Reserve (North Fork of Long Island)

Much of home winemaker-turned-pro Jim Waters’ early commercial success was based on his delicious, well-priced whites—his Riesling and Gewurztraminer in particular.    Many of Waters’ latest red release, however, have matched—and even surpassed—those early offerings. His limited-production, sometimes-hard-to-get reds are worth seeking out in his storefront tasting room tucked in an industrial park.  Even previous vintages the Waters Crest Winery Cabernet Franc Private Reserve impressed with their rich fruit and cocoa flavors. But, the 2004 release seems to take it to another level. Waters Crest Winery 2004 Cabernet Franc Private Reserve is a ripe, spicy wine that should develop even…

Continue Reading

WTN: Lieb Family Cellars Bridge Lane Cabernet Franc (NV)

My love of cabernet franc isn’t a surprise if you read this blog with any sort of regularity. They are among my favorite wines, are extremely versatile and the grape does quite well here on Long Island. But who can afford to spend the $25-$40 for the best local bottles? I know that I can’t, so I was excited to learn about Lieb Family Cellars’ Bridge Lane Cabernet Franc ($15). It’s a non-vintage blend that aims to be an every day, Chinon-style franc. And you know what, it’s pretty good. Smoky red cherry aromas with a little peppery spice and…

Continue Reading

WTN: Castello di Borghese 2001 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (North Fork of Long Island)

On the North Fork, there is an un-official red wine grape pecking order. Okay, maybe it isn’t even un-official. At the top is the almighty merlot grape, lauded by many observers as the king of Long Island grapes. And, it has earned such a reputation with good reason. It seems ideally suited to the regions climate and soil conditions–and consistently leads to many of the region’s best wines. Next in line is cabernet franc, genetic parent to cabernet sauvignon and known mostly for its popularity in the Loire region of France and as a blending grape in Bordeaux. It ripens…

Continue Reading

WTN: Corey Creek Vineyards 2005 Cabernet Franc

Despite the obvious success of Merlot on the North Fork, there are many people – myself included – who get just as excited about Cabernet Franc. This grape, a more subdued, more feminine genetic parent of Cabernet Sauvignon thrives in our climate. Fill a blind-tasting table with Long Island Cabernet Franc, however, and you’ll taste almost as many styles as there are wineries – from un-oaked, Chinon-style reds best suited to casual foods and young drinking all the way up to rich, strenuously oaked wines that can cellar well and seem almost Sauvignon-like in their flavor profile. Vintage variation and…

Continue Reading