Anyone living on Long Island knows how cool this spring has been. It’s warming up though and today I started to see bud break pictures from across Long Island wine country in my Twitter feed. As I see or receive more pictures, I’ll make sure to add them to this post. Petit Verdot at Macari Vineyards Pinot Blanc at Lieb Cellars Cabernet Franc at Shinn Estate Vineyards Cabernet Franc at Bedell Cellars Teroldego at Southold Farm + Cellar
Harvest season is nearly upon us across New York wine country. In fact, I’ve heard reports of grapes destined for sparkling wine coming in this week. It’s a busy time of year at every winery — and it has been for me too as we worked to finalize this month’s picks. This is a pretty classic ESC club shipment — we focus on the grapes that regions do best as well as some of New York’s top producers. I hope you enjoy the picks as much as my friends and I have of late. “Hello New York” Wines Raphael 2013…
At their best, Long Island reds straddle the line between fruity and earthy. Shinn Estate Vineyards 2010 Wild Boar Doe ($30) is on the fruitier side, but still hits the mark. This playfully named blend of 40% merlot, 23% cabernet sauvignon, 17% malbec, 15% petit verdot and 5% cabernet franc is effusively aromatic with ripe black and blue berry fruit, violets, peppery spice and a pleasant meaty note. Mouth filling and plump, the palate shows dark berries, violets, black pepper, Chinese five spice and earthy, nutty oak notes. Drinking well today, it should reward another few years in the cellar…