Posts Tagged“2006”

The Grapes of Roth 2006 Merlot

The first Grapes of Roth merlot release since Wolffer absorbed the brand, the Grapes of Roth 2006 Merlot ($44) reflects the less-than-perfect growing season, but still maintains the reputation the label has earned since debuting with a 2001 merlot. Nutty oak and loamy earth lead the way on the nose, with understated fruit in the form of dried cherries and blueberries beneath. Meaty and mouth-filing, the palate features cottony tannins that frame restrained, slightly tired fruit flavors that mingle with toasty oak, graphite and a dried mint note. On day one, the finish shows a slightly bitter edge that softens…

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Comtesse Therese 2006 Hungarian Oak Merlot

By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor 2006 was anything but a banner year on the North Fork. What was a mediocre growing season to begin with was worsened by two early frost events in early fall. The reds from the vintage generally — remember, there are always exceptions — reflect that as a lack of ripeness and fruit intensity. This Comtesse Therese 2006 Hungarian Oak Merlot ($21) largely lacks under-ripe or green flavors but does lack some concentration. On the nose, scents of cigar box, black pepper and brown spice are a bit too much for the understated red cherry aromas.…

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Long Island Merlot Alliance 2006 Merliance

By Lenn Thompson, Editor in Chief Regional Wine Week continues today with a review of the Long Island Merlot Alliance's latest release, Merliance 2006 ($35).  Formed in 2005, the Long Island Merlot Alliance (LIMA) strives to develop quality standards in the production of classically-styled Long Island merlot and to establish Long Island as the leading region for merlot in the New World.  After an initial press splash, the group has been somewhat understated, choosing to focus on vineyard research and conducting tastings to identify the qualities that help define "typical" Long Island merlot. In March, founding members Raphael, Pellegrini Vineyards, Sherwood…

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Roanoke Vineyards 2006 Cabernet Franc

Lenn Thompson, Editor and Publisher There's been a lot of TasteCamp content this week (for obvious reasons) so let's get back to some of the actual wines being made in New York. Not that this wine doesn't have a TasteCamp connection — we tasted this Roanoke Vineyards 2006 Cabernet Franc ($32) on our visit to Roanoke Vineyards Saturday morning. As you've probably read elsewhere, 2006 wasn't a great vintage for reds on Long Island. It was cooler growing season and was marked by a lot of overcast days and higher-than-average rainfall. Still, even in down years, the best producers put…

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Wolffer Estate 2006 Reserve Merlot

When I sit down to one of the Sunday morning wine tastings I conduct here on our dining room table, I never quite know what I’m going to get. I taste wine from every corner of New York State and, frankly, sometimes it can be an extreme sport. There is a lot of bad wine being made in New York, people. There. I said it. That’s one reason I appreciate Wolffer Estate so much. 99% of the time, I know what I’m going to get — elegance, balance and quality. This Wolfer Estate 2006 Reserve Merlot ($20) is a fine…

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Bedell Cellars 2006 Reserve Merlot

2006 was a relatively cool year on the North Fork, but the vineyard management and winemaking teams at Bedell Cellars were able to coax impressive amounts of ripeness out of the grapes that went into Bedell Cellars 2006 Reserve Merlot ($48). The nose offers intense red cherry and plum aromas with quite a bit of toasty oak and vanilla. After a few hours of air time, light hints of spring herbs emerge, but are still dominated by red fruit and oak. Medium bodied and mouth filling in the flavor department, the palate shows red raspberry and red cherry candy flavors,…

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WTN: Shinn Estate Vineyards ‘Red’ (North Fork)

Long Island, admittedly, doesn’t offer many red wine values under $20. So when I tasted Shinn Estate Vineyards’ latest non-vintage labeled ‘Red’ table wine, which is $15, I had high hopes. Would this be a wine I could tell people about when they want an every day-priced red? Yes…and no. I really liked the Red from a couple years ago, but this one, which is actually made from grapes grown in 2006, isn’t quite as good despite its redeeming qualities. The previous bottling was 75% merlot and 25% cabernet sauvignon, so this is quite different, made with 99% merlot and…

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WTN: Domaine CC 2006 Rose (North Fork)

Like most any American wine region, there are almost as many styles of rose being made on Long Island as there are wineries. You have some that are almost full bodied, big, soft and round on the palate and as dark as some light reds. You also have much lighter wines that are fresh, crisp and definitely much more like white wines. Personally, I almost always prefer the latter style. I like my rose to have high, but balanced, acidity, fresh fruit flavors and maybe even a little floral character. Corey Creek Vineyards‘ latest rose, their 2006 Domaine CC Rose…

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The Best Long Island Wines of 2006

As 2006 comes to an unseasonably warm close here on Long Island, I thought it a good time to list and highlight some of my favorite Long Island wines of 2006. I’m a lucky guy. I’m tasting and writing about Long Island wines as much as — and probably more than — anyone else. I consider myself even luckier because I’m doing so as the region really starts to reach maturity. Remember, this industry only started in 1973. Its still a baby by wine region standards Over the past few years, local winemakers have really started hitting their stride, crafting…

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Harvest Lunch @ Wolffer Estate Vineyards, December 9: Taste the 2006 Vintage

On Saturday, December 9 at 12:30 p.m., Wolffer Estate Vineyards will host a harvest luncheon, where winemaker Roman Roth will offer the first tasting of Wolffer’s 2006 vintage. A traditional harvest lunch will also be served in the cellar. It’s $35 per person for wine club members and $40 per person for non-members. To RSVP call 631 537-5106 Ext. 20. Most everyone I’ve talked to says that 2006 was a surprisingly good harvest, with good flavors. This is a unique chance to taste these just-made wines. Unfortunately, Nena and I have a lamaze class all day on the 9th, so…

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