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Posts Tagged“2010”

Duck Walk Vineyards 2010 “Aphrodite” Late Harvest Gewurztraminer

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Duck Walk Vineyards 2010 “Aphrodite” Late Harvest Gewurztraminer ($25) bursts with intense lychee and peach aromas, backed by brown baking spices and surprisingly understated floral notes. Well balanced, it is sweet, but far from cloying, and screams gewurztraminer with its combination of peach, pineapple, lychee, candied ginger and rose petal flavors. The finish is clean and bright, even if it doesn’t linger very long. Producer: Duck Walk Vineyards AVA: North Fork of Long Island ABV: 11% Price: $25   (3 out of 5, Very good/Recommended)

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Freedom Run Winery 2010 Estate Cabernet Franc

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I think my Niagara-based colleagues here at the NYCR would agree that their home region has yet to hone in on a ‘signature variety.’ Many grapes have been consistent performers, including chardonnay, pinot noir and cabernet franc. Does Niagara need a signature variety? I have mixed feelings on the matter, but will explore them in an upcoming post. For now, we can say that it can be helpful to be known primarily for one grape — think Oregon (pinot noir) or the Finger Lakes (riesling) closer to home. On the other hand, merlot as Long Island’s signature variety has been…

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Heron Hill Winery 2010 Unoaked Chardonnay

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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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Bedell Cellars 2010 Cabernet Franc

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Despite what casual observers or even some writers will tell you, a hot, dry growing season doesn’t automatically mean the best — or the most exciting — wines. When a local red wine captures the ripeness and intensity of such a vintage, but also retains its varietal character and regional distinctiveness — that’s when I really start to pay attention. Bedell Cellars 2010 Cabernet Franc ($35) is one such wine. Made without a splinter of new oak — and with ambient yeast — this wine offers an alluring, complex nose with layers of strawberry preserves, black cherries, blackberries, Chinese five…

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Sheldrake Point Vineyards 2010 Waterfall Chardonnay

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Aromas of green and golden apples, lemon zest and citrus blossom are lightly blanketed by notes of toasted oak and buttery pastry. The oak influence is dialed back on the palate, but the fruit character is a bit lacking — just a bit of apple and pear tinged with a bit of vanilla. Juicy acidity keeps the mouthfeel lively and fresh. Well made and certainly not over-oaked or unbalanced — but just not distinctive. Producer: Sheldrake Point Vineyards AVA: Finger Lakes ABV: 12.7% Price: $14*

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Martha Clara Vineyards 2010 Pinot Grigio

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Martha Clara Vineyards 2010 Pinot Grigio ($20) shows off the heat of the vintage — in both good and not-so-good ways. Apple and dried pineapple aromas dominate the nose with a faint limoncello note — both the citrusy lemon character and the slight booziness. Some heat on the palate as well, with apple, peach and pineapple flavors and a short finish. Producer: Martha Clara Vineyards AVA: North Fork of Long Island ABV: 13% Price: $20*   (2 out of 5, Average)

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Benmarl Winery 2010 Slate Hill Red

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Benmarl Winery 2010 Slate Hill Red ($19), a blend of merlot, cabernet franc, petite verdot and malbec source primarily from Long Island, shows aromas of plums, cherries, dried herbs and raw oak on a slightly underripe nose. Soft and approachable, the palate is low on tannins but has just enough acidity to provide some structure. It’s plummy with dried herbs and leaves on the finish. Simple and solid, but unremarkable. Producer: Benmarl Winery AVA: New York ABV: 13% Price: $19*   (2 out of 5, Average)

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Hermann J. Wiemer 2010 Semi-Dry Riesling

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Juicy pears and white flowers dominate an effusive nose, accented by subtle almond note. Off-dry but balanced, the palate shows not only pear fruit, but a distinct fig quality up front that leads into a long, floral finish that shows a light slate note. A bit more acidity would bring focus and elevate the wine a bit, but the residual sugar is still balanced enough to avoid being cloying. 2,200 cases produced. Producer: Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard AVA: Finger Lakes ABV: 11% Price: $17*   (3 out of 5, Very good/Recommended)

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Arrowhead Spring Vineyards 2010 Semi-Dry Riesling

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Made using Finger Lakes fruit, this Arrowhead Spring Vineyards 2010 Semi-Dry Riesling ($16) is a friendly, fruity wine with aromas off green apple, lime zest and just a touch of blanched almond. The palate is juicy, with gentle residual sugar that is balanced by solid acidity, with fruit cocktail flavors of green apple, peach and citrus. Producer: Arrowhead Spring Vineyards AVA: New York ABV: 12% Price: $16*   (2.5 out of 5, Average-to-Very Good)

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Wolffer Estate Vineyards “White Mischief” Chardonnay

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Wolffer Estate Vineyards winemaker Roman Roth makes some of my favorite oak-influenced chardonnay. Yes, I do have favorites in the category, I just don’t reach for them often. His best chardonnay, “Perle” is one of the top made on Long Island, and I guess you could call Wolffer Estate Vineyards 2010 “White Mischief” Chardonnay ($35) its sister wine — but made with ambient yeasts. Fermented 70% in stainless steel and 30% new French oak, the nose overflows with tropical pineapple, peach, and pear fruit aromas and notes of lilac and lavendar and only the faintest evidence of vanilla oak. Mouth-filling and…

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