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Posts Tagged“2011”

Palaia Vineyards 2011 “Hello my name is Irene” (White Blend)

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As you may remember, 2011 was a tough growing season in the Hudson River Region — mostly because of Hurricane Irene. Winemakers — like all people, really — deal with disasters differently. Jan Palaggi, owner/winemaker at Palaia Vineyards took what lemons she could find and made a bit of lemonade. When nearby Woodbury Creek flooded most of her vineyards, she most of her grape crop “Any grapes that were on the vine, rotted, or had to be cut off because the trellis either fell over or washed away,” she told me in a recent email. “People kept asking me if…

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Raphael Winery 2011 First Label Sauvignon Blanc

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Challenging growing season shows here on the nose, which is surprisingly subdued. Light aromas of fresh and candied lemon are joined by subtle notes of minty herbs. Lighter bodied as well, there are mild flavors of citrus and under-ripe melon as well as light grassy-herbal notes. There is also plenty of fresh acidity — but not really enough of everything else to bring balance. Producer: Raphael AVA: North Fork of Long Island ABV: 12.4% Price: $26* (2.5 out of 5, Average-to-Very Good)

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Raphael Winery 2011 Riesling

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Offers aromas of slightly bruised pear, apple, white flowers and spice. The palate is less interesting — showing generic fruitiness that is somewhat stale — with a bit of a floral note and sharp acidity seems a bit disjointed. Finishing a bit sour and medium-short, this wine just isn’t particularly good — probably the result of a difficult growing season. Producer: Raphael AVA: North Fork of Long Island ABV: 11.8% Price: $20*

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Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars 2011 Semi-Dry Riesling

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Located on the eastern side of Seneca Lake, Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars can always be counted on to deliver good values in under-$15 riesling — and this Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars 2011 Semi-Dry Riesling ($14) continues that tradition. Very fruity on the nose, it offers aromas of green and yellow apple, sweet juicy musk melon and golden raisin. Though noticeably sweet, the palate packs a fruit cocktail-like melange of apple, peach, melon and honey flavors, with subtle grapefruit and golden raisin notes with enough balancing acidity to keep it from being cloying — though a bit more verve through the mid-palate would…

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Martha Clara Vineyards 2011 Sauvignon Blanc

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Clean aromas of Meyer lemon, honeydew melon and grapefruit are backed by subtle citrusy herb notes. Medium-light in body, showing flavors of green melon and mixed citrus fruits. Clean and fresh with light green apple skin and fresh-cut grass notes on the finish. Medium-length finish with a crisp, palate-whetting freshness. Producer: Martha Clara Vineyards AVA: North Fork of Long Island ABV: 12% Price: $20* (3 out of 5, Very good/Recommended)

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Silver Thread Vineyard 2011 Doyle East Vineyard Riesling

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When Paul and Shannon Brock took over Silver Thread Vineyard in the summer of 2011 — just before harvest — fans of Finger Lakes wines were anxious to see what Paul, who is also the winemaker, would do with the wines. Obviously they weren’t very involved in the growing of their estate’s grapes but with careful harvest-time decisions and sourcing of grapes from other growers, the Brocks released a series of impressive 2011 rieslings, including Silver Thread Vineyard 2011 Doyle East Vineyard Riesling ($25), a tiny, 23-case production. Juicy and fresh on the nose, this riesling offers notes of pear —…

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Bedell Cellars 2011 “TASTE” Rose

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Rose isn’t relegated to spring and summer duty in my house. We drink it year round and as long as its dry (or nearly so depending on how balanced any residual sugar is), we’re usually pretty happy. I don’t expect transcendence from rose. Maybe that’s wrong of me and I should expect more — at least on occasion — but I really just want rose to be balanced and food friendly. But, on occasion I find rose that is just a bit more than that. Bedell Cellars 2011 “TASTE” Rose ($18) is one of those wines because of its texture,…

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Fox Run Vineyards 2011 Dry Riesling

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White flowers and flint bring nuance to a citrusy nose with underlying nectarine aromas. The palate is peachy with a bit of pear, honey and lime/grapefruit citrus flavors. Dry and energetic — but not hard or austere — the lime juice-y acidity is nicely integrated and lengthens the finish nicely. Flinty/smokey note on the finish. Producer: Fox Run Vineyards AVA: Finger Lakes ABV: 12% Price: $16* (3.5 out of 5 | Very Good, Recommended to Outstanding and Delicious, Highly Recommended)

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Martha Clara Vineyards 2011 Gewurztraminer

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Surprisingly subtle on the nose — gewurzt is usually much more effusive — aromas of underripe melon and kiwi are joined by subtle varietal floral/lychee notes. A bit dilute and light both in terms of body and flavor. Some residual sugar, but ultimately the snappy acidity comes off a bit shrill because there isn’t enough body to balance it. Producer: Martha Clara Vineyards AVA: North Fork of Long Island ABV: 10-.5% Price: $21* (2 out of 5, Average)

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Hudson-Chatham Winery 2011 Leon Millot

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As I taste more wines made from hybrid varieties — particularly red ones — I’m starting to think that the problems I’ve had in the past with these wines is not so much a grape problem, but rather a winemaker/winemaking one. For many years, the winemaking talent in regions reliant on hybrids (mainly because they are on the viticultural fringe) has been a bit lacking when compared to the world’s top regions. Wines like baco noir and DeChaunac weren’t very good, sure, but neither were the wines made from merlot, chardonnay and riesling. I was talking this over with a…

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