Posts Tagged“Review”

Channing Daughters Winery 2012 “Sylvanus Vineyard” Blaufrankisch

I’ve since become quite fond of the grape, but I have Channing Daughters Winery and winemaker Christopher Tracy to thank for introducing me to blaufrankisch (also known as lemberger) with the winery’s 2003 bottling. That 2003 was 100% Blaufrankisch, but over the years, Tracy has blended it with merlot some years and with this Channing Daughters Winery 2012 “Sylvanus Vineyard” Blaufrankisch($28) he blended in 25% Dornfelder. Meaty and fruity, the nose shows layers of black-and-blue berry fruit, briar, violets and spice. Medium-bodied and ripe, the palate shows concentrated dark fruit flavors framed by both fresh acidity and grippy tannins. Spicy note linger…

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Red Tail Ridge Winery 2011 Blaufrankisch

It’s extremely rare to find wines that taste exactly the same year-to-year in New York State. And that’s okay. Vintage variation is just part of the package. Not tasting the same isn’t the same as wines not being delicious every year. Winemakers on the East Coast understand what they need to do in cooler years versus the warmer ones. Harvest decisions change. Winery decisions change too. Red Tail Ridge makes some of the best blaufrankisch in New York — and not just in warmer years like 2010 (that was a great wine, though). Though in different ways, I liked the…

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Macari Vineyards 2012 “No. 1” Sauvignon Blanc

Macari Vineyards winemaker Kelly Urbanik Koch made one of my favorite wines of last summer, from sauvignon blanc. This wine, Macari Vineyards 2012 “No. 1” Sauvignon Blanc ($27) is a completely different animal, however. Half the fruit for this wine was skin fermented in a 500L barrel and the other half was left on the skins for one night in a stainless steel tank. Notes of canary melon, fresh hay, white flowers, Meyer lemon and tangerine mingle on a nose that is muted right out of the fridge but opens up a bit more as it warms to room temperature. Broad and…

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Dr. Konstantin Frank 2012 Gewurztraminer

  I’m not sure why exactly, but Finger Lakes gewurztraminer doesn’t get nearly the attention that it should. It sits firmly in riesling’s racy, trendy shadow, but the category consistently impresses with varietal character and depth — all with the kind of acidity that makes Finger Lakes whites so appealing. Dr. Konstantin Frank 2012 Gewurztraminer ($15) delivers what can be great about Finger Lakes gewurz at a great price point. Big lychee-meets-rose pedal aromas dominate the nose with underlying notes of candied lemon peel, pear and just a bit of peach pit. Broad and mouth-filling, but with nice focus, the…

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Treleaven Wines 2012 Semi-Dry Riesling

  Peachy and floral on the nose with notes of gritty pear and a touch of clover honey, Treleaven Wines 2010 Semi-Dry Riesling ($15) is a fresh, friendly example of Finger Lakes riesling. The mouth-watering, crunchy palate offers similar pear and peach fruit character with honeysuckle and citrus overtones. Subtle sweetness fills out the mid-palate, leading into a nearly dry, grapefruity finish with plenty of cut. Harvest Date(s): October 2 ABV: 11.3% RS: 3.5% TA: 12 g/L pH: 2.9 Production: 1,991 cases Price: $15* (3 out of 5, Very good/Recommended)

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Red Tail Ridge Winery 2012 “Block 606” Riesling

Red Tail Ridge co-owner and winemaker Nancy Irelan clearly enjoys experimenting.  She’s already garnered attention for growing and working with unique varieties like teroldego and dornfelder, but with the 2012 vintage she also tried some different things in the cellar with the Finger Lakes’ most beloved grape — riesling. This Red Tail Ridge Winery 2010 “Block 606” Riesling ($25) was made with hand-picked fruit that was whole-cluster pressed and allowed to ferment without inoculation. Fermentation took 76 days to complete. The result is a dry, lower-acidity style of riesling that shows some complexity — particularly on the nose.  Featuring aromas…

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Lieb Cellars 2013 Bridge Lane White Blend

A few weeks ago, Lieb Cellars announced and started rolling out a portfolio-wide rebranding. Perhaps the most visible change is to the winery’s second-label “Bridge Lane” brand. The brand’s new look and logo offer a not-at-all-subtle hint as to the biggest news — several of the wines will now be available in bottle, in 3L bag-in-box and also in disposable kegs. Look for a post on the rebranding soon, today let’s focus on Lieb Cellars 2013 Bridge Lane White Blend, which is $20 per bottle but $48 for a box (the equivalent of four bottles). It’s a blend of 26% pinot blanc,…

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Keuka Spring Vineyards 2012 Riesling

People sometimes ask me what a “typically Finger Lakes riesling” tastes like. This Keuka Spring Vineyards 2012 Riesling ($15) is a well-priced example. Aromas of mixed apples and pears meld nicely with notes of fennel frond, lime and citrus blossom on a fresh, appealing nose. Crunchy, racy acidity frames flavors of apple, pineapple, fennel, citrus and green melon. There is some sweetness on the midpalate, but it’s well balanced by that same acidity, finishing crisply and nearly dry with a subtle river rock minerality. This is the kind of riesling that will appeal to a wide array of palates —…

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Wolffer Estate Vineyard 2010 “Cassango” Cabernet Sauvignon

Made with 89% cabernet sauvignon from Martha Clara Vineyards on the North Fork and 11% “Christian’s Cuvee” merlot from the winery’s oldest estate merlot block, planted in 1990, Wolffer Estate Vineyard 2010 “Cassango” Cabernet Sauvignon ($40) offers aromas of mixed cherries and currants accented by spicy, toasty oak with dried leaf earthy notes. Supple bordering on soft, the medium-bodied palate features red cherry and cola flavores layered with toasty oak, loamy/dried leaf earthiness and savory dried herbs on the long, fresh finish. AVA: Long Island ABV: 13.3% Brix: 21.2/22.8 TA: 3.9 g/l pH: 3.75 Oak Program: 20 months is French and American oak Production: 146 cases…

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Damiani Wine Cellars 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

Damiani Wine Cellars 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve ($45) — proved me wrong. I can admit it.  I have to. Finger Lakes pinot noir — and to a lesser extent Blaufrankisch — have been coming on strong in recent years. But cabernet sauvignon? I’ve been less then enthusiastic after tasting seeral. Maybe cabernet can only get here in one or two out of ten years, but this wine is a new benchmark for the variety in the Finger Lakes. Its concentrated, brooding nose offers aromas of blueberry, currant and plum with a savory/umami edge and an integrated dose of oak and…

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