Posts Tagged“2013”

Standing Stone Vineyards 2013 Saperavi

Though originally planted at Standing Stone Vineyards with blending in mind, Saperavi — a cold-hardy grape originally from Georgia (not the state) — has earned co-owner/wine Marti Macinski accolades. And she’s only been bottling it on its own since the 2005 vintage. In a region where dark, inky reds are anything but the norm, it’s easy to see the appeal. Beyond the color — which ultimately has little (no) bearing on a wine’s quality or even intensity — there is even more to like. Standing Stone Vineyards 2013 Saperavi ($30) oozes with plum and blueberry fruit aromas that are accented by a slightly…

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Silver Thread Vineyard 2013 Dry Riesling

In the three-plus years since Paul and Shannon Brock bought and took over Silver Thread Vineyard, they’ve quickly pushed the label’s reputation forward. Paul makes wines in a clean, focused style that is well suited to the region and to the vineyards the couple buys fruit from. Silver Thread Vineyard 2013 Dry Riesling ($18) is made using fruit from a variety of sources — 32% was estate grown fruit on Seneca Lakes, while 33% came from Gridley Bluff Point Vineyard (Keuka Lake), 30% from Doyle East Seneca Vineyard (Seneca Lake) and 5% Randolph O’Neill Vineyard (Cayuga Lake). Crisp and clean, the nose is…

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Knapp 2013 Dry Riesling

With aromas of lemon drop, peach flesh and pit and a subtle floral quality, Knapp 2013 Dry Riesling ($16) is fruity and forward without being too candied. Thought sweeter than many would expect from a wine labeled “Dry” there is a nice balance between the residual sugar — which brings a bit of mid-palate fullness — and citrusy, juicy acidity that lingers with a distinct lime finish. Peach flavors are ripe and plush with citrus at the edges and a bit of apple skin. This was the surprise of a recent tasting. Producer: Knapp Wines AVA: Finger Lakes ABV: 12% Production: 302 cases…

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Anthony Nappa Wines 2013 Sciardonne

Anthony Nappa Wines 2013 “Sciardonne” Chardonnay ($20) straddles the line between typical no-oak chardonnay and barrel fermented styles. Though it doesn’t see a splinter of oak, it’s still full-bodied and concentrated with fruity aromas of mandarin orange and peach backed by notes of pineapple, dried flowers and a bit of butter. Full-bodied and mouth-filling, the palate shows excellent balance with enough acid to keep it from tasting heavy or tiring and a nice little saline note on the end of a medium-long finish. Producer: Anthony Nappa Wines AVA: North Fork of Long Island Harvest Date(s): October 5, 2013 Vineyard Source: McCullough Vineyards…

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Fox Run Vineyards 2013 “Doyle Family Vineyard” Chardonnay

I don’t like a lot of domestic chardonnay, but I like this one a lot — and, at $12 a bottle, Fox Run Vineyards 2013 “Doyle Family Vineyard” Chardonnay ($12) could be the state’s best bang-for-the-buck rendition. I’d certainly reach for it over many bottles that cost up to twice as much from other parts of the state. It really over-delivers and is made in a style that suits the Finger Lakes well. Pink grapefruit, tangerine and sweet floral notes dominate a nose that is fruity, but still somewhat lean and minerally. Medium-light bodied, the palate shows similar flavors, with the…

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Hosmer Winery 2013 Sauvignon Blanc

  I drink a lot of New York sauvignon blanc — especially in the summer — but it’s nearly all from Long Island, where the grape thrives consistently, almost regardless of vintage. The handful of Finger Lakes bottlings that I’ve tried over the years have always underwhelmed, often tasting thin and uninteresting. This Hosmer Winery 2013 Sauvignon Blanc ($16) just might make it into the rotation — especially at the price. The nose is bright,  with surprisingly complex aromatics — gooseberry and green melon with sweet floral notes, tarragon and sandalwood. As it warms, it becomes less about the fruit aromas and…

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Anthony Nappa Wines 2013 “Reminisce” Sauvignon Blanc

With aromas of pink grapefruit, gooseberry and sweet melon — with just the faintest bell pepper note — Anthony Nappa Wines 2013 “Reminisce” Sauvignon Blanc ($22) is a fine representation of Long Island sauvignon blanc that shows both typicity and style. Medium bodied, the palate is snappy with grapefruit and melon flavors up front with savory herbal accents that linger through a long, mouth-watering finish. The mid-palate shows wonderful, juicy texture, which helps make this a standout. Producer: Anthony Nappa Wines AVA: North Fork of Long Island Brix: 22 (average) Harvest Date(s): September 23, 2013 Vineyard Source: Raphael (Peconic, NY) …

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Macari Vineyards 2013 Rosé

Macari Vineyards 2013 Rosé ($17), a blend of 60% cabernet franc, 38% merlot, 2% pinot noir, doesn’t jump out of the glass at you. It’s more subtle on the nose than that, but if you pay attention, the melange of red cherry, straweberry and sweet herbs is quite elegant. Medium bodied with a serious bolt of acidity, the palate is fruit forward, but not overly fruity because of nice, savory herbal notes. There is an earthy component too that is somewhat reminiscent of raw button mushroom. All of that acidity sticks out just a bit, but overall this is a wine that…

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Wolffer Estate 2013 “Summer in a Bottle” Rose

Even though it was just released in May — 1,530 cases worth — Wolffer Estate 2013 “Summer in a Bottle” Rose ($24) is sold out at the winery.  Yes, you read that correctly. More than 1,500 cases gone in about two months. You still may find it at shops or restaurants, but you can’t get it at the winery anymore. That’s pretty incredible and a problem that many wineries would love to have. Of course it’s not really a problem for Wolffer Estate. Winemaker Roman Roth makes five different roses — three still, one sparkling and one dessert wine — so there…

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Raphael 2013 “First Label” Sauvignon Blanc

Not that long ago, Raphael produced what I considered the benchmark sauvignon blanc on the North Fork of Long Island. It was fruit-forward but not too ripe or fruity. It was minerally but not austere and flavorless. Then, with some  staffing changes in the cellar came a fall off. The wine was still solid, but rarely more. The 2013 vintage was winemaker Anthony Nappa’s first at the helm and after tasting Raphael 2013 “First Label” Sauvignon Blanc ($28) Raphael could be on its way to again becoming a quality leader in the region. Sourced from the estate’s oldest sauvignon blanc vines, this intensely aromatic white shows…

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