Posts Written OnJanuary 13, 2010

Lenz Winery 2002 Estate Merlot

By Lenn Thompson, Editor-in-Chief It wasn't that long ago that I wrote a bit about Lenz Winery and their belief that, because American's don't know how to age wines, they'll age them for us. That's true for their high-end reds, but it's also true for their mid-level "Estate Selection" lineup. This Lenz Winery 2002 Estate Selection Merlot ($23) was just released a couple months ago, following up on one of my favorite under-$25 local merlots, the 2001. And, while perhaps a bit less complex than that wine, this is still a fine value. The nose is a bit less funky…

Roanoke Vineyards 2008 Barrel Tasting: Hard-Fought Mature Fruit Lead to Pretty, Elegant Wines

Members of the Roanoke Vineyards wine club tasting 2008 reds in the Wolffer Estate cellar. By Lenn Thompson, Editor-in-Chief Friday night, on a cold, windy East End night, I joined 20 or so members of Roanoke Vineyards' wine club at Wolffer Estate Vineyards (where Roanoke's wines are made) to taste Roanoke Vineyards' 2008 reds from barrel. It was part wine club event, part futures tasting — the winery's first — and offered an excellent opportunity to taste these wines for the first time. Plus, it's always a pleasure to taste and talk with winemaker Roman Roth and Roanoke Vineyards co-owner,…