By Lenn Thompson, Editor-in-Chief
This week, we have a bunch of mini-reviews that, as always, come directly from my tasting notebook with minimal editing.
Bedell Cellars 2007 Taste Red ($35): Nose of sweet cherry, vanilla, brown spice, black pepper and subtle violet note. Core of sweet cherry and plum on a medium-full palate. Tannins are a bit astringent at this stage, but nice spice, vanilla with dusty chocolate, menthol/pine and a slightly earthy edge. (3 out of 5 | Recommended)
Bouke 2008 Bouquet Dessert Wine ($36): Chardonnay and gewurztraminer. Floral nose with intense ginger aromas with fresh apple. Sweet, but delicate on the palate with ginger spice leading the way for candied orange peel and honey. Feather light. Finishes dry and clean. (3 out of 5 | Recommended)
Fulkerson Winery NV Burntray ($12): Made with cab sauv and Noiret. Big black pepper aromas with lightly floral notes, vanilla and dark fruit. Tastes almost like a black pepper-coated cherry. A little thin on the palate and the oak and acid are a little out of balance. Pepper is interesting at first, but there's not much else here. (2 out of 5 | Average)
Fulkerson Winery 2007 Cabernet Franc ($14): Dusty on the nose with plum, vanilla, subtle spice and light green edge. Nice plummy core with spice. Juicy with a lot of vanilla that pushes the green flavors back a bit. A little astringent. (2.5 out of 5 | Average-to-Very Good)
Lenz Winery 2006 White Label Chardonnay ($12): Pineapple, apple and lemon zest on the nose with subtle sweet corn and spice. Sweet core of tree and tropical fruit, with light spice and lees character and vanilla. Great balance. Acid is fresh, but well integrated because of bottle age. Medium-long finish with a gentle herbal note. (3 out of 5 | Recommended)
Lenz Winery 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($15): Pure, high-toned cherry aromas with tobacco leafe, cedar and a light leathery edge. Medium body, bright cherry flavors with leather and more cedar. Good acidity. Light tannins. Solid value for everyday red. Drink soon. (2.5 out of 5 | Average-to-Very Good)
Lucas Vineyards 2008 Cayuga White ($9): Pear nose with a little bit of herbal-grass. Maybe the most subtle foxy note, but it adds complexity, rather than distract. Juicy pear and apple on the palate with green apple acidity. 2.75% RS brings roundness and sweetness, but balance is good. Simple. Fruity but not foxy. (2.5 out of 5 | Average-to-Very Good)
Paperbirch 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Fine Ruby: Prune, vanilla, black licorice and roasted nuts on the nose. Fruity on the palate, with dried plum and cherry with licorice and vanilla. Sweet, but far from cloying. Good balance. (2.5 out of 5 | Average-to-Very Good)
Ravines Wine Cellars 2007 Keuka Village White ($12): Clean, fresh apple and citrus nose. Light body with fresh apple/pear tree fruit and light citrus zest flavors. Great, citrusy acid that balances 1% RS very well. Short on the finish, but refreshing. Good value. (2.5 out of 5 | Average-to-Very Good)