Tag Archives: finger lakes

Great Western Ravat 51 (Vignobles) 1993, Finger Lakes, New York

21 Thursday Mar 2024

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Medium amber colored with high viscosity (11% ABV).  The nose of this 30 year old dessert wine has medium intensity aromas of prunes, dried figs, caramel, bruised red apple, loam, desiccated mushroom, hazelnut, stewed apricot, spun honey and aged balsamic.  I’m blown away- as this wine has spent countless years sitting upright in my buddy Rewt’s garage, countless Summers and Winters.  The palate is sweet, with 6g/100 ml residual sugar at bottling (aka 60g/L of RS).  There is a veiled level of acidity, it’s quite high but you can’t tell right off the bat.  The flavors are not as complex as the nose but I do get prunes, dried figs, caramel, stewed apricot, dried citrus pith along with it’s bitterness, caramel and a strong Darjeeling tea note on the mid palate (that would explain the loam I got on the nose).  The finish is long and savory, the mushroom and balsamic notes reappearing.  This is a very unique bottle that has stood the test of time and has given me pause- it’s almost like a tawny port with a hint of maderized Riesling.  It’s hard to explain.  I wouldn’t want to settle down to a whole bottle of this stuff, nor do I think it has the structure to pair with rich desserts but I will have a glass after dinner and see how it goes.  Salut….

Buttonwood Grove Winery Blaufrankisch 2021, Finger Lakes, New York

15 Friday Mar 2024

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Pale garnet with a watery sheen (11% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of rhubarb, pomegranate, white pepper, red cherry, strawberry leaf and tomato leaf.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a light body and very lithe tannins.  Flavors of rhubarb dominate with red cherry, white pepper and green leaf notes supporting.  The finish is a light yet zippy affair that lasts quite a while.  I picked this bottle to pair with grilled pork Tomahawks, it should do nicely as the low level of tannins will not impeded the lighter meat flavors.  I liked this wine when we toured the Finger Lakes wineries so I bought it- $25.  It gets 88 points from me and 3 stars.  Drink till 2028.  Salut….

Anthony Road Cabernet Franc – Lemberger 2020, Finger Lakes, New York

12 Tuesday Mar 2024

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Pale garnet with a copper tinge and medium viscosity (13.8% ABV).  The nose has medium (-) intensity aromas of red cherry, baking spice, pomegranate, cranberry, violets and crushed rock.  The palate is dry with high acidity, a medium (-) body and medium (-) tannins.  Red fruit coupled with some spice, minerality and a touch of violet makes for a refreshing and crisp wine with very little astringency and a nice mouthfeel.  The finish is surprisingly long on this aromatically challenged wine that I quite like.  I picked it as a lighter pairing for a traditional Lebanese dish of chicken and rice.  I think the crunchy red fruit will do nicely with the spiced rice (caraway seed) whilst the lithe tannins and zippy acidity will accentuate the chicken along with the toasted pine nuts and almond slivers.  This is an even blend of Pinot Noir and Lemberger (aka Blaufrankisch).  88 points from me for this $22 bottle makes it a 3 star wine to drink till 2028.  Salut….

Fox Run Vineyards Kaiser Vineyard Reserve Chardonnay 2021, Seneca Lake, New York

08 Thursday Feb 2024

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Pale lemon colored with medium viscosity (12.4% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of lemon zest, marzipan, brioche, white blossom, grapefruit pith, vanilla thread and white pear.  The palate is dry with medium acidity and a medium body.  Flavors of acacia, white blossom, lemon zest, marzipan and brioche with a hint of white pear.  The finish is medium in length and centers on the brioche and white blossom.  I liked this bottle at the winery and I like it now in my tasting cocoon.   It gets 89 points from me and for $17- 4 stars.  Drink till 2027.  Salut….

Anthony Road winery visit, Finger Lakes, New York

07 Wednesday Feb 2024

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Due to the weather on our recent trip to the Finger Lakes, this winery ended up being our last stop.  I was told to visit because they have a “skin-contact Riesling to die for”.  We had already visited three wineries that morning and fatigue was starting to set in so when I saw that they had a blind tasting option, I was all in!

I may be rusty on my blind tastings but I did manage 3/5, not bad for an old man!  I missed the Pinot Blanc and confused the Lemberger for the region’s similar Cabernet Franc.

We ordered a delicious cheese tray and I paired it with the aforementioned Riesling- it was interesting. Seems like Orange wines are the rage these days so I might as well get on board. It was a very relaxing afternoon. We drove to our lakeside hotel and enjoyed a delicious dinner before heading home in the morning. I highly recommend a trip to the region if it’s within driving distance. The weather is great in the summer but the crowds are probably fearsome. Salut….

Buttonwood Grove winery Cabernet Franc 2021, Finger Lakes, New York

06 Tuesday Feb 2024

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Pale ruby colored with medium viscosity (12% ABV).  The nose has medium (-) intensity aromas of capsicum, cedar, red cherry, red plum, baking spices, currants and faint licorice.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, medium (-) tannins and a light body.  The fruit flavors mimic the nose to an extent- currants, pomegranate, red plum with cedar, vanilla, chalky tannins, faint licorice and a hint of green pepper.  The finish has medium (+) length and is slightly tart.  For a $25 wine from a difficult vintage this is a very nice drop- I’m starting to appreciate and understand this varietal when made in the Finger Lakes.  It’s different from Loire or Bordeaux Cab Franc… see-through and much lighter in style.  90 points from me makes this a 3 star effort.  Drink till 2028 with Veal, roast Chicken or baked Ham.  Salut….

Fox Run Vineyards Lemberger 2021, Finger Lakes, New York

05 Monday Feb 2024

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Pale ruby with a watery sheen (13% ABV).  The nose of this Lembereger (aka Blaufrankisch) has medium intensity aromas of black raspberry, blueberry, smoky spice, vanilla bean and red cherry.  It’s not overly complex but rather pleasing.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, medium (-) tannins and a lightweight body.  The cherry hits first followed by that smoky note.  Blueberry, vanilla, red raspberry and tart strawberry play supporting roles.  The finish is juicy and delicious, medium in length.  This wine is light in body but full of deliciousness that made me buy three bottles at the winery when we visited .  I drank one the same night and polished off the second when we got home.  I felt obliged to restrain myself on the third bottle until I was ready to review it.  90 points from me ( I originally went 88, but I’m digging it more now).  My pairing tonight is charcoal grilled Sirloin, a low fat cut that will do well from this low tannin yet silky charmer.  It can be found for $18 and gets 4 stars from me.  Drink till 2027.  (I might have to order some more!).  Salut….

Red Tail Ridge Winery tour, Finger Lakes, New York

05 Monday Feb 2024

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What a gem!  We were steered to this modern, new tasting room by a fellow wino who loves Dinosaurs- which is featured on their sparkling wine label.  The place was empty due to the weather and time of year so we were in for a treat, a personalized tasting by the GM.

We started with the aforementioned sparkler, made in the traditional method but with a twist- Solera aging. I was very impressed with this salmon colored wine- 93 points with “a stunning mousse, balanced with subtle brioche”. So delicious was this wine that I bought a bottle on-sight and then ordered a case after I got home.

The 2022 Pinot Noir Rosé Pétillant Naturel was off dry, delicious and juicy with bright red fruit and a decadent mousse, 13 G/L RS.  I gave it 91 points and should have picked up more than the sole bottle I purchased.

The newest bottle we tasted was the 2022 Dry Riesling- delicious and balanced got it 93 points. The 2016 Farmer’s Muse Dry Riesling was beautiful. Petrol notes with pear and spice- 91 points.

From the reds- the stunning 2020 Pinot Noir came from an excellent vintage and it showed. A beautifully balanced wine with litheness. I gave it 95 points, just short of the 96 it got from JS. The 2022 Dorfelder came in with 91 points- in its youth the tannins are showing great structure alongside delicious sour cherry and earthy notes. The Cabernet Franc from the not-so-great 2021 vintage did well at 91 points. Nothing special noted but I did pick up a bottle or two so I must have liked it!

We finished with an amazing 2020 Teroldego. “Young with smoky dark raspberry, great tannic structure, juicy acidity and long lived”. I gave it 94 points and regret not picking us a few bottles to cellar.  We had an excellent visit and look forward to returning once the weather is better to enjoy a bottle and take in the beautiful surroundings.  Well worth the drive.  Salut….

Red Tail Ridge Perpetuelle Change Solera Brut Nature NV, Finger Lakes, New York

02 Friday Feb 2024

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Pale salmon colored with a fine yet aggressive mousse and low viscosity (12% ABV).  The nose is heavenly, unique and inviting.  Medium (+) intensity aromas of papaya, lime, blood orange, rose hip and cranberry.  I get a faint whiff right at the end of yeasty brioche and green almond.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity and a light body.   The mousse is delicate and fine- invigorating. Flavors of papaya, lime zest,  tart blood orange, bitter cherry, brioche and pomegranate lead to a medium length finish.  This is an intriguing wine that releases waves of flavors and has a beautiful mouthfeel.  I like it- so much so that I will order more.  92 points from me- at $33 it’s a relative bargain compared to French Champagne of this level.  5 stars.

An aside- this wine is made in the Solera method out of the following:

30% Previous Cuvée
38% Pinot Noir
13% Pinot Blanc
11% Riesling
8% Chardonnay

Salut….

Fox Run Vineyards winery visit, Finger Lakes, New York

02 Friday Feb 2024

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Nestled close to two other wineries that we would visit on day two of our Finger Lakes tasting journey is this little gem that overlooks the water.  It was early on a snowy and foggy day so there was no traffic and no other visitors- perfect!

They offer tastings by flight- I chose the Dry one.  It started out with a very crisp and fresh 2021 Chardonnay that was delicious and worthy of 91 points.  The Silvan Riesling  from the same vintage was awesome.  I wrote ‘delicious with some lees and slightly oaked, unique and different’.  The Red included in my flight was the yummy 2021 Lemberger aka Blaufrankisch.  This grape is popular in Eastern parts of Europe and thrives in this region.  I bought several bottles and will review one separately.  I gave it 88 points, enjoying its spicy profile.  As a courtesy, I was given a taste of the unoaked Lemberger, same vintage.  I thought it was just okay and kinda flat- 86 points.  The finale for me was a 90/91 point Dry Riesling that was crisp with hints of petrol- my style alright!  Overall a very charming tasting with great views had it not been for the dense fog and snow!  I bet it’s busy as hell in the summer time.  Salut….