Posts Tagged“Review”

Silver Thread Vineyard 2012 Blackbird

Well-priced, fresh and food friendly, Silver Thread Vineyard 2012 Blackbird ($22) is a blend of 68% cabernet franc, 21% merlot, 11% cabernet sauvignon — and you can smell taste all that cab franc. Black cherry and red raspberry aromas are accented by savory notes of grilled herbs and mushroom. The medium-bodied palate features similar character with a earthy umami edge and a finish that begs another bite of food. We enjoyed it with smoky grilled pork chops recently. Producer: Silver Thread Vineyard AVA: Finger Lakes Barrel Program: 8 months in American oak Production: 340 cases Price: $22

Continue Reading

Anthony Nappa Wines 2013 “Bordo” Cabernet Franc

With aromas of red raspberry and cherry, roasted poblano, savory herbs and oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, Anthony Nappa Wines 2013 “Bordo” Cabernet Franc ($20) shows the interplay between fruity and savory that this unoaked, spontaneously fermented cabernet franc always shows. Soft and similarly savory, the medium-bodied palate shows the same berries-meet-herbs character — un-adored cabernet franc in all it’s glory. The medium-length finish brings some graphite and turns almost tinny before returning to the herbal and slightly vegetal notes. Many winemakers would manipulate that green edge out of this wine — whether through oak aging or some other bit of winemaking…

Continue Reading

Race Wines 2010 Merlot

Race Wines is the new label from veteran North Fork winemaker Greg Gove, who most recently served at Peconic Bay Winery’s winemaker. The current releases were made at PBW before it closed, but he is now making his wines at Lenz Winery. I expected Race Wines 2010 Merlot ($20) to taste a lot like Gove’s Peconic Bay Winery 2010 Merlot, and while there are some similarities, they are far from the same. Aromas of cherry cordial and strawberry preserves are backed by notes of cocoa powder, toasty oak and vanilla — all with a smoky edge. The palate is dense…

Continue Reading

Kemmeter Wines 2012 Sheldrake Point Vineyard Riesling

Kemmeter Wines 2012 “Sheldrake Point Vineyard” Riesling ($24) is a classy, expertly balanced riesling from what will likely go down as a classic riesling vintage in the Finger Lakes — one that shows ripeness and intensity without the flabby softness of some other warmer seasons. Mixed  citrus — tangering, lemon and lime — aromas are layered with notes of pear, green apple, papaya and wet river stones on an expressive-but-restrained nose. Medium bodied with subtle sweetness that is balanced by juicy acidity, the palate shows intricate citrus and pomme fruit flavors that match the nose. There is a precision and…

Continue Reading

Paumanok Vineyards 2010 Merlot

Paumanok Vineyards‘ “white label” merlot is often among the best values in under-$30 North Fork merlot. The Paumanok Vineyards 2010 Merlot ($28) continues that tradition with its fresh, fruity aromas of black plum and black cherry backed by high-toned floral notes and a sprinkling of grilled savory herbs. Well-balanced and juicy, the medium-bodied palate is fruit-forward and fruit-driven. Crunchy fresh cherry qualities mingle with flavors of plum, violets, and grilled and woodsy herbs. The tannins are well integrated and round while still providing grip. A medium-long finish lingers nicely with floral and cherry skin notes. It’s bottled under screwcap (of…

Continue Reading

Suhru Wines 2013 Sauvignon Blanc

  Though young (it seems like we’re seeing more and more new-vintage whites released before Memorial Day every year, aren’t we?) Suhru Wines 2013 Sauvignon Blanc ($19) showed well in a recent tasting with aromas of passion fruit, peach and pink grapefruit accented by a grassy spearmint note. Fuller bodied but still fresh, the palate delivers mostly lemon and grapefruit citrus notes with only subtle tropical fruit and grassy-herbal character. Though a bit hollow on the mid-palate, the finish is medium-long and balanced with ripe fruit notes lingering nicely. I like this wine enough that it will be in an…

Continue Reading

Lieb Cellars 2013 Bridge Lane Chardonnay

  When Lieb Cellars’ new Bridge Lane 2013 Chardonnay ($15) is released this summer, it won’t be available in a 3L box (it’s white blend cousin is available in one) but at $15/bottle and $260/disposable keg (retail) — which works out to $10/bottle — it’s one of the best white wine values to be found on the North Fork. In fact, positioned and sold correctly, it could help get local wines on more by-the-glass wine lists across the metro area.  Not, it’s not particularly complex or nuanced, but it is a fresh, versatile steel chardonnay that is as at home on the beach as it…

Continue Reading

Billsboro Winery 2012 Pinot Gris

Billsboro Winery‘s 2012 Pinot Gris ($16) is an under-stated wine that shows delicate aromas of mandarin orange and pink grapefruit backed by lightly floral notes and and interesting blanched-almond quality that emerges as the wine warms. Light-bodied and with just a bit of residual sugar (1%) that shows on the mid-palate, it’s fresh and lightly fruity with apricot, grapefruit and citrus blossom flavors.  The finish shows a bit of pithy citrus that combines with vivacious acidity to help it finish dry and refreshing. Producer: Billsboro Winery AVA: Finger Lakes RS: 1% ABV: 11.5% TA: 9.4 g/L pH: 2.86 Production: 274 cases Price: $16* (3 out of…

Continue Reading

Paumanok Vineyards 2012 Petit Verdot

Though still a somewhat rare oddity, varietal petit verdot has become a bit more common here on Long Island — and many of them are delicious in their intensity. Unfortunately, many of them are also quite expensive, up to $100 per bottle, making them less accessible for many customers. Enter Paumanok Vineyards 2012 Petit Verdot ($28) — not cheap, but the rare under-$30 local example. It also might be my go-to burger wine this summer. Want to experience young petit verdot? It’s all here with aromas of blueberry, black licorice, molasses, banana peel, white pepper and violets. All of the…

Continue Reading

Damiani Wine Cellars 2010 Meritage

Damiani Wine Cellars is the rare Finger Lakes winery that can be counted on for good Bordeaux-variety wines almost regardless of vintage. In warmer, drier years however, the results can move well beyond good. 2010 was one such year. Damiani Wine Cellars 2010 Meritage ($27) is a nervy, wiry blend of 44% cab sauv, 37% merlot, 19% cab franc that shows aromas of cassis, blackberry and black cherry fruit along with grilled herbs, a dusty earthiness and just a kiss of new oak. Chewy but not chunky, the palate is medium-fuller bodied and delivers a bit more raw toasty oak, but…

Continue Reading