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Posts Tagged“2010”

Atwater Estate Vineyards 2010 Moffett Block Blaufrankisch

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Some think that pinot noir is the future red wine star of the Finger Lakes — and that may be true. But for right now, I’ve been most impressed by the latest crop of Blaufrankisch-based wines I’ve tasted from the region, this Atwater Estate Vineyards 2010 “Moffett Block Blaufrankisch ($38) included. The Moffett Block is ten rows (.7 acre) of blaufrankisch that was planted in 2006, and honors Bill Moffett who first planted wine grapes on the farm in the 1970s. The nose oozes with black and blue fruit — plums, blackberries, black cherries and blueberries — along with subtle…

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Arrowhead Spring Vineyards 2010 Cabernet Franc

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I’ve enjoyed many of co-owner/winemaker Duncan Ross’ wines from Arrowhead Spring Vineyards in the past, but his cabernet franc remained elusive — mainly because it’s typically only available in the winery’s tasting room. So on my recent visit to Empire State Cellars, not long after Duncan had been there to pour several of his recently released reds, I was thrilled to find this bottle of Arrowhead Spring Vineyards 2010 Cabernet Franc ($25). The ripeness of the 2010 Niagara vintage is on full display from the moment the wine settles in the glass — and so are the 22 months this…

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Heron Hill Winery 2010 Pinot Noir

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Heron Hill Winery 2010 Pinot Noir ($15) offers a somewhat muted nose of wild strawberries, flowers and brown sugar that leads into a light-bodied palate that is a bit juicy but generally soft. Flavors of red berries and cherry cola are nice, but concentration and structure are a bit lacking here. Producer: Heron Hill Winery AVA: Finger Lakes ABV: 12.5% Price: $15* (2.5 out of 5, Average-to-Very Good)

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Heron Hill Winery 2010 Reserve Blaufrankisch

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With aromas of red cherries, cherry cough medicine and toasty, somewhat raw oak, the nose on the Heron Hill Winery 2010 Reserve Blaufrankisch ($40) only shows subtle hints of the peppery spice one typically expects with this variety. Medium bodied with drying wood tannins and a bit too much oak character (which covers up some of the fruit and complexity) the palate does show more of that varietal black pepper spice. The finish is medium-length with red cherry, raspberries and vanilla oak. On day two, it showed a bit more fruit on the palate, but not enough to balance overall. One of the…

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Arrowhead Spring Vineyards 2010 Pinot Noir

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Think that pinot noir that retails for under $20 isn’t very good? Get yourself a bottle of Arrowhead Spring Vineyard 2010 Piont Noir ($18) and unlearn that widely held belief. Just-crushed raspberries and pomegranate fruit dominate the nose and tell you what’s coming on the ripe, concentrated palate — more raspberry and pomegranate with chalky, gently grippy tannins and fresh acidity. With some time open, a faint spicy, Dr. Pepper-esque note steps forward a half step. It’s not complex or a wine to age for 10-15 years, but it’s satisfying and delicious. Producer: Arrowhead Spring Vineyards AVA: Niagara Escarpment ABV: 13.6% Price: $18* (3…

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Scarola Vineyards 2010 “Cappella” Chardonnay

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Apple and pear fruit aromas are slightly buttery, with gentle hints of citrus blossom beneath. Weighty and a bit hot on the finish, this chardonnay is fruity — apple, pear and pineapple — with a caramelly-toasty edge. Well balanced acidity matches the ripe, concentrated fruit, but that heat on the finish detracts. Producer: Scarola Vineyards AVA: North Fork of Long Island ABV: 13% Price: $18* (2.5 out of 5, Average-to-Very Good)

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Benmarl Winery 2010 Ridge Road Estate Cabernet Franc

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Toasty oak and caramel candy mask red raspberry and peppery spice aromas on the nose. Lacks fruit on the palate as well — tasting far older than it is. Medium-full body, dominated by oak and Werther’s Originals flavors. Ripe, medium-intensity tannins bring nice structure, but the oak influence is just too strong here. Not a very good value at $28, although it’s great to see more estate-grown cabernet franc in the Hudson River Region AVA. Producer: Benmarl Winery AVA: New York ABV: 13% Price: $28*   (2 out of 5, Average)

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Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars 2010 Unoaked Chardonnay

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This is Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars‘ first unoaked chardonnay — and this wine is a solid start to what I hope is a new wine in the on-going portfolio. The nose is dominated by aromas of golden delicious apples and pineapple with hints of citrus in the background. Plump, fruity and showing good concentration of fruit flavor, the medium-bodied palate is simple — gobs of apple and pineapple — but balanced. Once the wine warms nearly to room temperature, a subtle nutty-leesy component emerges, bringing just a bit of complexity. Producer: Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars AVA: Finger Lakes ABV: 13.2% Price: $15*   (2.5…

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Hermann J. Wiemer 2010 Magdalena Vineyard Riesling

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You’ll find several wines made in the Finger Lakes with vineyards listed on the label. Academically, I really enjoy the opportunity to taste wines grown in smaller parcels and kept separate throughout the winemaking process. But there is also a bit of marketing gimmick to them. If a vineyard isn’t distinctive and mature, you’re really just using vineyard desingations to do it. Some vineyards haven’t ‘earned’ it yet. On the other end of the spectrum is Magdalena Vineyard, owned and managed by Hermann J. Wiemer. It is one of the few grand cru sites in the Finger Lakes. It’s one of the…

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Previewing Arrowhead Spring Vineyards’ 2010 Reds

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If Arrowhead Spring Vineyards has its way, “Black Friday” will be renamed “Red Friday” on account of its annual day-after-Thanksgiving wine release event where the winery will once again change the landscape of locally grown reds by releasing several from the 2010 vintage, including the Estate Arrowhead Red, Estate Meritage Reserve, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Cabernet Franc, Estate Merlot and their 2011 Pinot Noir. The 2010 vintage was as close to perfect as any for red grapes in Niagara thanks to a long season combined with warm temperatures and dry conditions. I recently had the opportunity to taste these wines…

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