Posts Written OnSeptember 06, 2012

Arrowhead Spring Vineyards 2008 Vidal Ice Wine

Late harvest and ‘iced’ wines — those made with grapes frozen in commercial freezers before processing — are common in New York. Real deal ice wine is not. This is the real deal and you can certainly taste the difference. Arrowhead Spring Vineyards 2008 Vidal Blanc Ice Wine ($38) smells like juicy ripe peaches and apricots drizzled with floral lavendar honey. The nose is intense and ever-moving as the wine warms to room temperature. The palate is explosive in its concentration and complexity, bursting with stone fruit flavors along with those of hay, honey, cooked sugar, golden raisin, dried apricots and lavender…

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Shinn Estate Vineyards 2011 Rose

Simple aromas of watermelon and strawberry seem to fade on the palate, which lacks fruit, particularly for the amount of skin and seed tannin here. Though fresh, with nice acidity, it seems bitter and unbalanced. Better with food, this is decidedly not a beach or poolside sipper. Shinn Estate always goes for a bolder, ‘non-wimpy’ style of rose, but perhaps 2011 wasn’t the year to accomplish that. Producer: Shinn Estate Vineyards AVA: North Fork of Long Island ABV: 13.3% Price: $16*   (2 out of 5, Average)    

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Heron Hill Winery 2010 Unoaked Chardonnay

There is a delicate floral edge the light citrusy nose that turns a bit tropical as the wine warms to room temperature. Fresh and citrusy on the palate, the light-bodied palate shows hints of Golden Delicious apple and pineapple as well, all framed by nice acidity. Though appetite-whetting and crisp, this wine is a bit short on the finish and there is a slightly bitter quality to that finish as well. Producer: Heron Hill Winery AVA: Finger Lakes ABV: 12% Price: $14*   (2.5 out of 5, Average-to-Very Good)

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