Posts Tagged“merlot”

Keuka Spring Vineyards 2013 Wiltberger Vineyard Field Blend Dry Rose

Last year, Keuka Spring Vineyards winemaker August Deimel crafted one of the NYCR tasting panel’s top two 2012 roses, so when he sent  the 2013, it didn’t take me long to get it in the tasting queue. Keuka Spring Vineyards 2013 Wiltberger Vineyard Field Blend Dry Rose ($17) is completely different from that stellar 2012.  It’s a field blend — a blend of lemberger, cabernet franc, merlot — and smells of trawberries and cream with hints of peppery spice and spring flowers. The dry, medium-bodied palate is richer than the 2012, with watermelon and red cherry flavors backed by more of that…

Race Wines 2010 Merlot

Race Wines is the new label from veteran North Fork winemaker Greg Gove, who most recently served at Peconic Bay Winery’s winemaker. The current releases were made at PBW before it closed, but he is now making his wines at Lenz Winery. I expected Race Wines 2010 Merlot ($20) to taste a lot like Gove’s Peconic Bay Winery 2010 Merlot, and while there are some similarities, they are far from the same. Aromas of cherry cordial and strawberry preserves are backed by notes of cocoa powder, toasty oak and vanilla — all with a smoky edge. The palate is dense…

Paumanok Vineyards 2010 Merlot

Paumanok Vineyards‘ “white label” merlot is often among the best values in under-$30 North Fork merlot. The Paumanok Vineyards 2010 Merlot ($28) continues that tradition with its fresh, fruity aromas of black plum and black cherry backed by high-toned floral notes and a sprinkling of grilled savory herbs. Well-balanced and juicy, the medium-bodied palate is fruit-forward and fruit-driven. Crunchy fresh cherry qualities mingle with flavors of plum, violets, and grilled and woodsy herbs. The tannins are well integrated and round while still providing grip. A medium-long finish lingers nicely with floral and cherry skin notes. It’s bottled under screwcap (of…

Merliance Seeks New Executive Director

Merliance—the alliance of Long Island producers of quality merlot and merlot-based blends—seeks an Executive Director to run its non-profit trade association. The group, formerly known as Long Island Merlot Alliance, needs to replace Donnell Brown, who has left the group to become SeniorMarketing Manager at Wolffer Estate. From the announcement: [box_light]Our Executive Director will work from home on a part-time basis (approximately 16 hours/week), ensuring our organization runs smoothly, gains stature and new members, achieves our marketing and research goals, and annually produces our cooperative blend, also called Merliance. Our ideal candidate is a self-starter, capable of/comfortable with working independently from home,…

The Grapes of Roth 2006 Merlot

The first Grapes of Roth merlot release since Wolffer absorbed the brand, the Grapes of Roth 2006 Merlot ($44) reflects the less-than-perfect growing season, but still maintains the reputation the label has earned since debuting with a 2001 merlot. Nutty oak and loamy earth lead the way on the nose, with understated fruit in the form of dried cherries and blueberries beneath. Meaty and mouth-filing, the palate features cottony tannins that frame restrained, slightly tired fruit flavors that mingle with toasty oak, graphite and a dried mint note. On day one, the finish shows a slightly bitter edge that softens…

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,…

Lenz Winery 2008 Estate Selection Merlot

Lenz Winery and winemaker Eric Fry have earned their reputation on the backs of old-school, Old World-styled wines made on the North Fork of Long Island. What isn’t discussed nearly enough, however, is the value their wines deliver. In a region where winery prices have escalated significantly over the past five years, the prices for Lenz wines have remained near-constant. The most expensive red, their Old Vines Merlot, is $55 and their most expensive white, their Old Vines Chardonnay, is $25. At those prices, those wines are typically good local values, but perhaps the best value — consistently, vintage after…

Why Does Long Island Produce So Much Chardonnay and Merlot?

Regan Meador in his Kickstarter pitch for Southold Farm & Cellar indicated that he wants to plant some “weird grapes” on the North Fork of Long Island rather than more chardonnay and merlot. The April edition of Wine & Spirits Magazine presents the results of a survey of the most popular wines served in U.S. restaurants. The trends are that the preference for chardonnay continues to decline from 27% to 12% over the past decade, while sauvignon blanc continues to increase and is now in the 8% range, while the preference for sparkling wines at restaurants is in the same…

Macari Vineyards 2008 Estate Merlot

You’ve probably read that 2008 wasn’t a superlative vintage on Long Island. Compared to 2005, 2007 or 2010 that’s probably true, but over time I’ve found that with an extra year or two of bottle age, many 2008s come together nicely — offering far less intensity than those lauded years, but also a bit more complexity and a lot more food-friendliness. And as if that weren’t endearing enough — very few 2008s fall victim to the “let’s see how much we can charge for this” pandemic. Macari Vineyard Estate Merlot ($19) is a well-priced red that will improve an array…

Whitecliff Vineyard NV Red Trail

People think that I hate hybrids — but that just isn’t true. There are hybrid grapes that I think are pretty awful generally — I’m looking at you seyval blanc and traminette. But at the end of the day, if a wine tastes good, I don’t care what grape it’s made from. This wine tastes good, even if it’s a four-grape blend that includes three hybrids that I haven’t enjoyed much in the past. Whitecliff Vineyard NV Red Trail ($14) is a blend of dechaunac, frontenac, noiret and merlot — and the result is a spicy, easy-drinking red. Fresh strawberry…