By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor
These are a some wines that have crossed the NYCR tasting table recently but will not be reviewed as part of a standalone post. As always, these are transcribed almost directly from my notebook with little editing:
Benmarl Winery 2009 Baco Noir ($28): Black cherries with spicy oak and leather. Medium body with low tannins and lower acid than many bacos. Red berries, brown spice — clove and nutmeg — leather and vanilla-toasty oak. A bit too much oak for me. Rating: 83
Channing Daughters Winery 2008 Mudd Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc ($20): Intense citrus on the nose with a mix of tropical fruit, saline minerality and grassy notes as well. Palate brings similar qualities with juicy — though not particularly intense — acidity. Intense fruity ripeness with mango overtones. Great texture. Rating: 87
Jamesport Vineyards 2008 Sparkling Syrah ($25): Red berries on the nose with a serious dose of black pepper. Mostly dry with subtle sweetness that brings a little mouthfeel/weight. Flavors range from raspberries to black pepper to green peppercorns. Lightly creamy mid-palate with medium-short finish. Unique, but not my favorite. Rating: 83
Lamoreaux Landing 2009 Semi-Dry Riesling ($13): Peaches, apricots, gold raspberries, golden raisins, honey and a subtle herb note on a layered nose. Juicy and appley on the palate with golden raisins and honey. Off dry for sure, but with good acidity. Peach and Meyer lemon on the mid-palate. Decent length but a little pithy on the end. Rating: 86
Lamoreaux Landing 2009 Yellow Dog Vineyard Riesling ($20): Surprisingly understated nose with citrus blossom and hints of candied lemon peel. Big acidity on the palate that is a bit awkward. Citrusy with lemon and grapefruit but not much else. Mid-palate is a bit thin. Rating: 82
Millbrook Vineyards 2008 Block 5 East Pinot Noir ($35): Nose is black cherries and raspberries that are both a bit candied. Nice wet soil earthiness and some subtle vanilla-coffee oak notes. On the palate, it's medium bodied with more oak/vanilla influence. Cherry candy and cranberries with a bit less earthiness. Okay balance and not the most elegant pinot style. Rating: 86
Osprey's Dominion Vineyards 2007 Merlot ($20): Oaky on the nose, with charcoal and smoke covering up ripe black cherry and blackberry aromas. A bit of grilled rosemary too. Palate shows too much oak as well. Medium body with ripe fruit that is pushed into the background by smoke and oak. Hints of licorice peek out on day two. Lower tannins but some freshness from acidity. Rating: 84
Peconic Bay Winery 2009 Steel Chardonnay ($24): Lemon meringue, green apple, citrus blossom, dried pineapple, lemon balm and a trace of salinity mingle on a surprisingly complex nose for a steel chardonnay. Medium body and mouthwatering with loads of citrus and floral character. Lemongrass and sweet herbs too. Nice acidity and verve. Surprisngly long with a jasmine note. Rating: 89
Shinn Estate Vineyards 2009 Haven ($36): Sauvignon blanc with 15% semillon. Aromas range from fig and green plum to fresh and dried apricots and golden raisins. Juicy fresh acidity on a medium-bodied palate. Ripe peach flavors with more fig. A bit of very-ripe banana as well as some smoky tea. Medium-long finish with more tea notes. Tasted much oakier on day two. Make sure you don't over chill. Rating: 87
Sparkling Pointe 2004 Blanc de Blanc ($42): Super fresh with apple, blanched almonds, almond cream and apple blossom on the nose. Very appley on the palate as well with sweet marzipan and and citrus nuances. Clean, good acidity. Sleek and classy. Rating: 88