Posts Tagged“2011”

Channing Daughters Winery 2011 “Sylvanus Vineyard” Tocai Friulano

You don’t see a lot of tocai friulano on the east coast — or even in the U.S. — but it seems well suited to Channing Daughters Winery’s home vineyard in Bridgehampton, NY. They make a second version from fruit grown on the North Fork, but I preferred the Sylvanus Vineyard bottling in a tasting last week. As with many of New York’s top white wines, texture and mouthfeel are what set Channing Daughters Winery 2011 “Sylvanus Vineyard” Tocai Friulano ($24) apart. Whole cluster pressed and fermented in both stainless steel (68%) and old oak (32%), the nose is pretty and…

Hector Wine Company 2011 Essence (Syrah Blend)

Hector Wine Company 2011 Essence ($25) is a blend of 40% syrah, 40% cabernet sauvignon and 20% merlot. It shows many of the aromas you’d expect from a syrah blend made in cooler vintage. Aromas of black and white pepper, high-toned red fruits and just a bit of blueberry are joined by notes of American oak. Medium-light on the palate, more peppery spice notes and cran-raspberry flavors are overwhelmed a bit by barrel flavors — particularly on the finish. Tannins that I suspect are from barrel rather than skins/seeds are a bit rustic as well. Lacks fruit for balance. Producer: Hector…

Hudson-Chatham Winery 2011 Chelois

Hudson-Chatham Winery,  located in Ghent, NY, has assumed a leadership position in the Hudson River Region AVA when it comes to focusing on quality versus tourism. There are other too, of course — places like Tousey Winery, Whitecliff Vineyard and Millbrook Winery — but what makes Hudson-Chatham unique is that owner Carlo DeVito and winemaker Steve Casscles are leading the region in quality primarily with hybrid grapes. Hudson-Chatham is probably best known for its delicious and surprisingly age-worthy baco noir-based wines but one of the grape (and wine) that I find most interesting in the portfolio is chelois — a…

Peconic Bay Winery 2011 “Lot #7” Merlot

Peconic Bay Winery “Lot #7” Merlot ($15) is 100% merlot from Peconic Bay Winery’s estate vineyards, and offers a high-toned, plummy nose with notes of plum skin, violets and cranberry. Light bodied and framed by just enough acidity (rather than tannins), the palate offers a peppery edge to just-ripe cherry and plum flavors that turn a bit under-ripe and stemmy on the finish. Simple and gulpable, it’s a solid effort from a tough growing season, but nothing more. Producer: Peconic Bay Winery AVA: North Fork of Long Island ABV: 1.2% Price: $15* | Buy now from Empire State Cellars (2 out of 5,…

Red Newt Cellars 2011 Sawmill Creek Vineyards Riesling

Though not quite as good as the stellar 2009 bottling, Red Newt Cellars 2011 Sawmill Creek Vineyards Riesling ($21) was still a standout in a recent tasting. Opening with floral aromas, the nose quickly turns peachy, honeyed and with a squirt of lime juice and just-cut Gala apple. Bursting with grapefruit, peach and lime flavors, the medium-bodied palate shows nice balance between richness and freshness thanks to juicy, citrusy acidity. That acidity stretches out the finish, which shows more lime and grapefruit flavors. Producer: Red Newt Cellars AVA: Finger Lakes ABV: 11.1% RS: 1.3% TA: 7.9 g/L pH: 3.0 Price: $21* (3.5 out of 5…

Boundary Breaks Vineyard 2011 No. 198 Reserve Riesling

If you like balanced, low-alcohol riesling affected by botrytis — also known as noble rot — Boundary Breaks Vineyard 2011 No. 198 Reserve Riesling ($30) is a fine example. I do like those types of wines, by the way. Nuanced and highly aromatic, the nose offers layers of honey, herbs, candied orange peel, citrus blossoms, ripe peach and golden raspberries. Sweet but balanced, the palate isn’t quite as complex as the nose showing peach, apricot chutney, citrus zest and just a hint of wet stone minerality. The finish lingers nicely and shows decent focus. A touch more verve would elevate…

Silver Thread Vineyard 2011 Pinot Noir

One hallmark of a grape well suited to a region is how it performs in non-ideal growing seasons. This Silver Thread Vineyard 2011 Pinot Noir ($22) is the forth or fifth 2011 Finger Lakes pinot noir to impress. Maybe those focusing on it really are onto something. Red cherry, raw button mushroom and dried orange peel aromas are joined by a dusting of baking spice on a pretty, edging on sultry, nose. Light bodied but anything but dilute. the palate is fresh with crunchy red fruits, subtle spice and an earthy edge. The finish isn’t long, but it doesn’t drop…

Red Tail Ridge Vineyards 2011 “RTR Vineyard” Semi-Dry Riesling

  With aromas of gun flint, pear and green melon, the Red Tail Ridge 2011 “RTR Vineyard” Semi-Dry Riesling is a wine that will appeal to casual sippers and riesling-lovers alike. Juicy with good-not-great acidity, the palate delivers a forward fruitiness that combines melon, citrus and pineapple. The finish lingers a bit, is nearly dry and shows a sprinkling of talc. Producer: Red Tail Ridge Winery AVA: Finger Lakes ABV: 12% TA: 7.4g/L pH: 2.97 Residual Sugar: 15.7 g/L Production: 630 cases Price: $16*| Buy now from Empire State Cellars   (3 out of 5, Very good/Recommended)    

Standing Stone Vineyards 2011 Riesling

Darker in the glass than expected (two bottles were opened) there are signs of oxidation here. The nose shows cider-y apple notes with some bruised peach and dried pineapple. The palate is cider-y too with a yeast note and a squirt of grapefruit. Not flabby, but lacks focus and has a short, somewhat bitter, oxidized finish. Producer: Standing Stone Vineyards AVA: Finger Lakes ABV: 11.4% Price: $14*     (Not Recommended to Average)

Bellwether Wine Cellars 2011 Sawmill Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir

When I recently posted a picture of a home-cooked meal on Facebook, a friend demanded to know who made the rose that filled the glass next to my plate. That wasn’t rose, friends. That was Bellwether Wine Cellars 2011  Pinot Noir ($30), a pinot that artfully reflects the cooler, cloudier 2011 season in the Finger Lakes without any color enhancement in the form of corot noir, noiret or — if this were California — syrah. If the Bellwether name sounds familiar, it should. Bellwether Hard Cider is well regarded for its often-outstanding lineup of traditionally styled ciders. The winery is a…