Tastingtable

By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor

These are tasting notes for some wines that have graced the NYCR tasting table recently but won't be reviewed in standalone posts.

Lucas Vineyards 2009 Dry Riesling ($14): Intense fennel frond aromas are backed by grapefruit, lime and green apple notes. Dry with fresh, citrus-juicy acidity. Lime and fennel flavors dominate with just a little gunflint-smoke. Really nice value. Rating: 85

Lucas Vineyards 2009 Reserve Riesling ($22): A bit lean on the nose in terms of fruit, with fennel and slate leading the way with some lime peel in the background. Drier style with lime, fennel and a little citrus pith. Good balance and a long finish that is all lime and river rock. Rating: 85

Hunt Country Vineyards 2009 Dry Riesling ($14): Bright, fresh nose is very floral with lime and green apple fruit. Green apple and citrus blossom green the palate. A tangy, bordering on sour, style. Good-not-great acidity. Lime and grapefruilt flavors. Light body. Medium finish. Rating: 86

Lieb Family Cellars 2005 Reserve Merlot ($22): Nose displays ripe plum aromas beneath nutty oak, cedar and tobacco. Ripe on the palate, but not over the top. Tannins are a bit chewy and the oak is a bit forward right now. Nice plum and blackberry fruit beneath, however. Just a little oaky. Rating: 86

Martha Clara Vineyards 2005 50-White ($19): "Kitchen sink" blend of chardonnay, riesling, viognier, pinot grigio, sauvignon blanc, gewurztraminer and semillon. Green pear, kiwi and peach aromas are accented by just the most subtle grassy-herbal note. Medium bodied with good acidity. The flavors are juicy and fruit salad-y with apple, peach and grapefruit-lime. Medium-short finish that is a bit bitter (from the gewurzt?). Rating: 84

Martha Clara Vineyards 2005 6025 ($40): Nose of spiced cherry compote, blackberry, blueberry and holiday spice with just a bit of minty-rosemary. Mouth-filling palate shows dark berry cobbler, orange zest and subtle herbal qualities. Oak is a bit raw on the palate, but some black pepper notes peek through as well. Firm, but well-integrated tannins bring solid structure. Rating: 87

Martha Clara Vineyards 2009 Estate Reserve Chardonnay ($19): Just-picked apple, candy-coated almond, tight vanilla, toasty oak and pineapple mingle on a complex, expressive nose. The palate brings a burst of pineapple and apple with lightly toasted almonds and a vein of lemony citrus. Tremendously well balanced. Finish is long and elegant. Rating: 89

Rooster Hill Vineyards 2008 Estate Cabernet Franc ($20): The nose is all cherries and cherry compote with subtle chocolate, bacon and orange zest notes. Medium-lighter body with red cherry-cranberry flavors with a smokey edge. Hints of dried orange peel on the long finish. Good acidity, but lacks a bit of tannin structure. Rating: 83

Rooster Hill Vineyards 2008 Lemberger Reserve ($35): Smoked pork on the nose — more like ham than bacon — with raspberry and cranberry fruit and black pepper spice. Medium body and round in the mouth with cran-raspberry fruit black pepper and a distinct smokey-savory quality. Savory herb notes emerge with time in the glass. The tannins are of medium intensity and pretty well incorporated to go along with enough acidity to bring a little freshness. Rating: 87

Rooster Hill Vineyards 2008 Semi-Dry Riesling ($16): The nose offers aromas of peach, honey, fennel, apple and pencil eraser. Apples and peaches dominate the palate with spicy botrytis notes and grapefruit zest on a long finish. Very good balance. Rating: 86

Rooster Hill Vineyards 2009 Dry Riesling ($16): White tea, white flower and juicy pear aromas on the nose. Feather-light palate with jasmine and white tea, lime, pear and hints of green apple. Really fresh and long. Well-integrated acidity. Rainwater minerality on the finish, that edges on sour. Rating: 89

Shinn Estate Vineyards 2010 Coalescence ($15): Peachy with grapefruit and lime fruit aromas and layers of sweet herbs, lemongrass and a subtle earthy quality. Quite different from 2009. Fills the mouth, starting with a cherry note before getting into intense citrus, pear, golden raisin and guava notes. Beautifully textured with good acidity. The finish is a bit short and I miss some of the focus of last year's. Rating: 84

Ventosa Vineyards 2006 Riesling ($17): Fresh and slightly bruised apple on the nose with a subtle floral note. Straightforward apple flavors — both fresh and bruised on a near-dry palate. Only decent balance. Short finish. Rating: 77