Posts Tagged“2010”

Wolffer Estate Vineyard 2010 “Noblesse Oblige” Extra Brut Rose Sparkling Wine

Wolffer Estate is one of the better-known and recognized brands in Long Island wine. Their standard dry rose is nearly ubiquitous in the warmer months (not to mention their barrel-aged rose and the new “Summer in a Bottle” bottling). Winemaker Roman Roth is also making some of the best merlot-based blends and cabernet franc on the island. What doesn’t get nearly enough attention is the sparkling wine program at Wolffer — including Wolffer Estate 2010 Noblesse Oblige Extra Brut Rose Sparkling ($40). Made from pinot noir and chardonnay, it offers aromas of fresh apple and apple skin with hints of red berries.…

McCall Wines 2010 “Ben’s Blend”

McCall Wines has earned a reputation as the producer of Long Island’s finest pinot noir, but its merlot and merlot-based blend McCall Wines 2010 “Ben’s Blend” ($48) are just as deserving of attention. This blend of merlot, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and petit verdo tintially stands out for its restrained ripeness, with aromas of blackberry and blueberry staying just this side of jammy and mingling with notes of light toast and black pepper. Framed by grippy tannins that are approachable but also portend good cellaring potential, the mouth-filling palate is concentrated with ripe black and blue fruit, an earthy edge, subtle spice and…

Roanoke Vineyards 2010 Cabernet Franc

Long Island merlot is often — and consistently — delicious. But when Long Island cabernet franc is done well — which is almost always the case at Roanoke Vineyards — it is much more distinctive and compelling. At it’s best, Long Island cabernet franc combines forward, ripe fruit with savory notes — often herbs but sometimes mushrooms or leaf tobacco — and restrained oak that frames rather than overwhelms the grape’s varietal character. Usually there is a freshness too, which makes it one of my go-to wines for the dinner table. Of the 2010 cabernet francs I’ve tasted, Roanoke Vineyards 2010 Cabernet France ($34) best exemplifies my personal local…

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…

Damiani Wine Cellars 2010 Meritage

Damiani Wine Cellars is the rare Finger Lakes winery that can be counted on for good Bordeaux-variety wines almost regardless of vintage. In warmer, drier years however, the results can move well beyond good. 2010 was one such year. Damiani Wine Cellars 2010 Meritage ($27) is a nervy, wiry blend of 44% cab sauv, 37% merlot, 19% cab franc that shows aromas of cassis, blackberry and black cherry fruit along with grilled herbs, a dusty earthiness and just a kiss of new oak. Chewy but not chunky, the palate is medium-fuller bodied and delivers a bit more raw toasty oak, but…

Wolffer Estate Vineyard 2010 “Cassango” Cabernet Sauvignon

Made with 89% cabernet sauvignon from Martha Clara Vineyards on the North Fork and 11% “Christian’s Cuvee” merlot from the winery’s oldest estate merlot block, planted in 1990, Wolffer Estate Vineyard 2010 “Cassango” Cabernet Sauvignon ($40) offers aromas of mixed cherries and currants accented by spicy, toasty oak with dried leaf earthy notes. Supple bordering on soft, the medium-bodied palate features red cherry and cola flavores layered with toasty oak, loamy/dried leaf earthiness and savory dried herbs on the long, fresh finish. AVA: Long Island ABV: 13.3% Brix: 21.2/22.8 TA: 3.9 g/l pH: 3.75 Oak Program: 20 months is French and American oak Production: 146 cases…

Damiani Wine Cellars 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

Damiani Wine Cellars 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve ($45) — proved me wrong. I can admit it.  I have to. Finger Lakes pinot noir — and to a lesser extent Blaufrankisch — have been coming on strong in recent years. But cabernet sauvignon? I’ve been less then enthusiastic after tasting seeral. Maybe cabernet can only get here in one or two out of ten years, but this wine is a new benchmark for the variety in the Finger Lakes. Its concentrated, brooding nose offers aromas of blueberry, currant and plum with a savory/umami edge and an integrated dose of oak and…

Lenz Winery 2010 Malbec

Lenz Winery 2010 Malbec ($35) — the winery’s first-ever varietal malbec release — opens with a beautiful nose of ripe plum, blueberry and currant with notes of black licorice, tar and lilac. Juicy and fruity on the palate with almost no oak footprint, the fruit edges on over-ripe with dried plum and fig notes joining the dark fruits apparent on the nose. Licorice pokes its head in on the mid-palate. The tannins are lightly grippy, but it’s acidity that provides most of the structure. Medium-long black cherry-meets-fig finish.   Producer: The Lenz Winery AVA: North Fork of Long Island ABV: 13%…

Duck Walk Vineyards 2010 Pinot Meunier

There must have been at least some sour rot in the fruit that winemaker Edward Lovaas had to work with for Duck Walk Vineyards 2010 Pinot Meunier ($23). You can smell the vinegar-y notes right up front on the nose. Behind the rot/VA are some nice red berry aromas — red cherry and raspberry — but the acetic acid is hard to get past. That off-putting character is less evident on the medium-light bodied palate, where bright red raspberry flavors mingle with note of dried cherry, prune and slightly raw oak flavors. The tannins are are grippy and the acidity plenty…