WTF Is Going On With This Blog?!?!

Posted on January 5, 2012 by

That’s what I am asking myself today.  I am sure some of you who have read this and continue to read this blog are asking as well.  And rightfully so.  It has been over a month since I posted and I think I posted 3 times in 2 months.  This blog fell off the deep end and I never threw a life preserver.  Is there still a chance to save it?  I think so.

There is bullet list of reason for my blog tanking.  But lets face it, after May, it got real empty here.  Sure, I could blame running around after a one year old.  Or  how about the fact that my duties as President of the Medford Chamber of Commerce started to take its toll.  Another reason, the loss of my grandfather is one that I still struggle with.  Could I blame the secrete society of unnamed wine tasters that I run, it has consumed alot of my time.  Or how about my work, we have had one of the busiest years in over 3 years.  Pick one, any one, they all work.

One of the many reasons I started to tread water with blogging was due to the fact that I was just not delivering the goods.  My writing sucked ( I am not a writer at all, and I don’t pretend to be).  The more I wrote, the worse my posts seemed to be.  I got bored writing about what I was tasting.  But I never got bored tasting.

Another reason that weighted heavy on me is the fact that maybe I was too honest.  There is not an evil bone in my body and I always look for the good in everything and by doing that I try to pump things up and make them bigger than what they are.  That sometimes can cloud ones view.  I thought to myself, maybe if I was just honest instead of trying to coax something out of nothing.  That is one thing I think I will always struggle with.

However, one of the main problems that came into play this year was a story I could have written, a negative story about trials and tribulations of a vineyard.  It would have been about neglect and ultimately loss.  I had some inside scoop and I could have been a real reporter and reported about things from the inside.  It would have fit in to my thoughts of bringing you my adventures in wine country.  But because I am a cheerleader of the Long Island wine country, this story would not have fit me, it would have changed me and who I am on this blog.  It could have hurt people and it could have excelled me as a reporter.  I chose not to write about it and take the high road.  I even thought of writing it as a ghost writer and publishing it elsewhere, in the end I chose not to.  It ate at me all year-long.  Since it ate at me, I pushed myself further and further away from my blog.  And it hurt my blog.  That one story I could have written and did not write  weighed on me and hurt the stories I tried to write and never got to write.

I never got to write about the great tasting I had with Raphael’s new wine maker Les Howard and how his 2010′s were doing and the interesting direction he was taking his wines.  I never got to write about Anthony Nappa’s Winemaker Studio’s grand opening.  I never got to write about the opening of Empire State Cellars either.  I never got to talk about Evan Dawson’s great book “Summer in a Glass” which I found so inspiring.  I was never able to write about the 2008 Merlot Tasting I held for my tasting group ( I may try to resuscitate that one) .  I never got to visit with Kelly at Macari, or Patrick at Shinn, or visit with Jake at Jamesport. The barrel tastings I did with Edward at Pindar and the tastings at Channing Daughters never saw the light of day.  I never got to talk about the Cabernet Franc Tasting for HARVEST at Clovis Point and more importantly, I never got to work an hour of harvest this 2011 season.

I am not beating my self up here, I am just trying to be honest and let you know what is going on in my head.  What inspired me to “rant” about this were two blogs.  The first one, The Passionate Foodie, Richard Auffrey’s well done adventures in wine, food and sake his rant, “Wine Bloggers, I Call You Out Once Again” put all bloggers up to a challenge.  And another, Evil Bottle’s post, “The Wine Blogger Dilemma”, both made me think and reassess what I am doing here on my blog.  Last year, Richard put all bloggers up to a challenge and I failed at it.  This year he called us out once again and I am going to try to redirect this blog.  The Evil Bottle is a new blog for me, one I found when reading Richards post.  Both of them made me stop and think and now I am in the process of refining things here on my blog.

So where is this going to go, what am I going to bring you in 2012.  I think I have the answer.  Honest wine reviews.  Interviews with the people in wine country.  And the occasional barrel tasting, wine country events I attend and some random thoughts of mine.  Nothing less than that and if you happen to get something more, then we both will win.

I am not a wine expert, I hold no credentials.  I have a nose, a plate and an enjoyment for wine.  What I would like to do with this blog is bring you along with me on this educational journey.  I will let you know what I am tasting, what I thought of it and hopefully a little about what went into the bottle.  I am not going to score the wine, I am not going to recommend the wine and I am not going to tell you not to try it.  You should be able to pick them up from my posts.

I am also not a writer, like I said earlier.  My grammar will suck and there will be some run on sentences and spelling errors.  I will do my best to make it perfect, but after all, this dyslexic wine taster is “editing and publishing” my own stories.

One thing I would like to bring you, but I am not sure I will deliver it acutely is wine from other regions.  As my palate has expanded and I believe I have fine tuned it, I have tasted wines from around the world.  Some good, some eh and some bad.  This is important as my palate grows and as yours should as well.

So expect some subtle changes in the posts, maybe they will not be that noticeable.  I hope to post as often as I did in the past, three post per week, there were some weeks when I had as many as five.  No matter what happens on UndertakingWine.com, I want it to be productive and inspiring.  I want you to want to go out and buy that bottle of wine or visit that winery I talk about.  Let’s enjoy this ride again, I am looking forward to 2012 in wine country.  I hope you are too.

Posted in Uncategorized | 9 Comments

Influence Wines 2010 Riesling

Posted on November 21, 2011 by

Erik Bilka has made wine for some time for many people on Long Island.  As a production wine maker at Premium Wine group, he probably had his hands on some of your favorite wines.  But you did not know it.

In 2009, Erik, a Buffalo, NY native took the opportunity to make wine under his own label and put his name on the bottle.  So Influence Wines was born.  I really liked Erik’s 2009 release and I was looking forward to the 2010 release.

In 2010 Erik continued to make wine, this time he purchased grapes from Dalrymple farms in the Finger Lakes on Seneca Lake.  His Influence was found for sure in the winemaking.  No added sugar, no added acid, it shows true essence of the Riesling grape and the region it was planted in, the Finger Lakes.

Here you can read from Influence Wines website what happened to the grapes at harvest and how they arrived on Long Island:

Once harvested, Influence Riesling is delivered to White Springs Winery in Geneva, NY on Seneca Lake, where the experienced staff led by Derek Wilber crush, press, and cold settle the juice, which is then shipped to Premium Wine Group on the North Fork of Long Island. Upon arrival, winemaker Erik P. Bilka begins the winemaking process. The juice is fermented in stainless steel tanks. Before completion fermentation is halted in order to maintain the natural residual sugars found in this semi-dry vintage. The refining process which involves separating natural occurring sediment from the final product is done delicately in order to preserve the fruits integrity.

On the nose aroma’s of fresh sliced peach, tropical pineapple and stoney minerality jump out at you.  Lime, more tropical fruit and some dried fruits rise up as the wine warms to room temperature.

On the palate lime, citrus, melon, pear and peach mix beautifully with bright acidity and just a hint of residual sugar.

On day two there were some tea leaf elements and some tropical notes with a hint of wet slate.

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Posted in 2010, Finger Lake Region, Influence Wines, Long Island, Riesling | 2 Comments

Bedell Cellars 2009 Cabernet Franc

Posted on November 19, 2011 by

Most of the 2007 red wines are gone from the tasting rooms, but some have still some they are holding on to.  Some wineries are rolling out the 2008 reds at this point and some are even rolling out 2009′s.  2008 was a challenging year, but the 2008′s that I tasted remind me of some of the 2006′s.  2008 will not go down as a great vintage,  non-the-less, with a little time in the bottle, you can find some diamonds in the rough.

Rich Olsen Harbich, winemaker at Bedell Cellars did not make this wine, Kelly Urbanik started it, Rich finished it.

The Bedell Cellars 2009 Cabernet Franc ($30) is a beautiful wine that shows why Cabernet Franc when in the right hands, is perfect for the Long Island Region no matter the vintage.

On the nose, loads of cherry, raspberry, dried strawberry and cedar lead the way with notes of dried herbs like sage and thyme are in the back ground.  Earthy spice notes emerge with a hint of vanilla bean.

The palate brings more cherry and raspberry with a hint of bay leaf and more earthy aroma’s.  Some smoky, sweet tobacco/cedar box flavors also develop with time in the glass.

Unfortunately, this wine is sold out at the winery, however, I have noticed it at a few local wine shops.

Sláinte!

*I received this bottle as a sample from the vineyard
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Posted in 2009, Bedell, Cabernet Franc, Long Island | Leave a comment

Clovis Point 2005 Merlot

Posted on October 11, 2011 by

Clovis Point Vineyards in Jamesport on Route 25 was always a vineyard that we would either hit or miss.  It has nothing to do with their wines, for some reason we would drive right past it.

We have had great times in their tasting room and have always found very nice wines when we visited.  Our visits and experiences at Clovis Point were always memorable, however, there was something that just did not make it a destination for us and I really have no answer as to why.

That all changed with a bottle of Merlot.

Clovis Point Winery 2005 Merlot ($25) was a memorable wine from a memorable vintage.  John Leo, the wine maker at Clovis Point as well as production wine maker at Premium Wine Group, made a fantastic Merlot in 2005 at Clovis Point.  A blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, it reminds us how great the 2005 vintage was.

On the nose aroma‘s of cherry, black cherry, raspberry and juicy plum lead the way with hints of Tobacco, earthy spice like cardamom and clove.  Smoky cedar notes are around on this almost sweet-smelling wine, without a hint of sugar.  It’s hard to explain, but you just have to trust me (or try it yourself).

The juicy ripe fruit that I found on the palate is there, but what leads the way on the palate are some great smoky, earthy flavors with a hint of sweet vanilla, chocolate and cigar box notes.  Great vibrant acidity with biting tannins round out this wine.

This Merlot was a beautiful wine that had an old world feel to it.  If there is any left, make sure to get some, if not, you missed out on a fantastic local wine.

Sláinte!

Posted in 2005, Clovis Point, Long Island, Merlot | Leave a comment

It’s Drink Regional Wine Week!

Posted on October 11, 2011 by

Just in case you did not know, On Sunday October 9th kicked off the 4th annual Drink Regional Wine.  It runs through OCtober 15th.

What’s”Drink Regional Wine Week” you ask?  Well this sums it up best.  It was started 4 years ago by the site, drinklocalwine.com in an effort to get wine writers, bloggers and enthusiast to talk about something other than California, Oregon and Washington.

You won’t find that problem here on undertakingwine.com, but around the country people forget about the other 47 states that grow and produce wine.

This is your week Long Island.  Let it shine.  If you are tasting, drinking and enjoying a Long Island Wine, let me know.  Post it here.  And if you can come up with an essay in 47 words or less, send it to drinklocalwine.com and they will enter you into a contest.

To get better acquainted with why local wine is important and why Regional Wine Matters.

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Posted in Event, Long Island, Thoughts, Wine | Leave a comment

Martha Clara Vineyards 2007 Clusters

Posted on October 6, 2011 by

Martha Clara Vineyards introduced us to a new dessert, port style wine.  Ciel has been around for years, but with the ripe highly regarded 2007 vintage, winemaker Juan E. Micieli-Martinez wanted to make a port style wine with some of the estate grown grapes.

Port wine is a style of wine.  To be more specific it is a fortified wine that is produced in Portugal, hence the term Port wine. It is typically a sweet, red wine, often served as a dessert wine, and comes in dry, semi-dry, and white varieties.  Long Island makes plenty of fortified wines, but to use the word Port, is technically a no-no.  The word port does not appear anywhere on the label of this bottle.

This Martha Clara Vineyards 2007 Clusters ($29) is an perfectly balanced blend of Estate Grown grapes; 34% Merlot, 33%Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Cabernet Franc.  The grapes were hand harvested in November 2007, fermented in stainless steel and aged for 3 years in neutral oak barrels.

On the nose I was picking up notes of dried strawberry, blueberry and cherry.  Jamy for sure with hints of alcohol.  Chocolate cover cherry drops, tobacco , cedar and vanilla round out the nose with some hints of spice Cassis and liquor as the wine is open for a while.

When first tasted there are notes of baked fruit compote, strawberry, raspberry, blackberry and blueberry.  Clover honey, brown sugar and baking spices also appear at the back-end of the taste.  Stewed plum, chocolate and vanilla caramel and roasted nuts also emerge with time open and in the glass.

The wine showed some heat, thanks in part the hot 2007 vintage and the high alcohol (19%).  I enjoyed this wine, the acidity was just right that it kept me coming back for another sip.

The wine did change over the course of 5 days time and I found it more enjoyable on days two, three and four.  The flavors developed more and the wine developed a complexity.

Sláinte!

*I received this bottle as a sample from the vineyard
Posted in 2007, Desert Wine, Long Island, Martha Clara | Leave a comment

Shinn Estate Vineyards 2008 Wild Boar Doe

Posted on October 3, 2011 by

Year in and year out this is one, if not my favorite offering’s from Shinn Estate Vineyards in Mattituck.  A play on words, it pays homage to the Bordeaux varieties. In this offering it brings 40% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Malbec, 15% Petit Verdot, and 5% Cabernet Franc.

You will hear, or read for that matter, me say that the 2008 vintage was a tough one for grape growing, but here, Shinn Estate Vineyards 2008 Wild Boar Doe ($30) shows how hard work in the vineyard will bring in great fruit for a winemaker to blend together and make a delicious wine.

On the nose I was picking up notes of blackberry, raspberry, plum, cherry and hints of blueberry.  Earthy and spicy — you pick up notes of clove, nutmeg, dried herb and fresh cracked peppercorns.  There are some floral notes, like dried lavender and violets.  It was hard for me to take my nose from the glass.

On the palate a mélange of berries leads the way, some dried and some baked.  There is an element of cassis, earth and spice with a hint of cedar and tobacco.

The wine is packed with chewy tannins and delicious, mouth-watering acidity.  A food friendly wine that works perfectly with grilled meats and grilled veggies.

The finish brings a bit more spice than fruit and the fruit element is along the lines of cassis.

Back in March of last year when I went to the Annual Shinn-Dig Futures dinner, I had declared this to be the best Wild Boar Doe to date.  I think my notes from then still stand up.  You can read more about it and the event here.

Sláinte!

Posted in Blended Wine, Long Island, Red Wine, Shinn Estate Vieyard | Leave a comment

Raphael Vineyards 2010 “First Label’ Sauvignon Blanc

Posted on September 26, 2011 by

A few weeks back I talked about Raphael Vineyards 2010 estate Sauvignon Blanc.  This time I want to talk about their other Sauvignon blanc.  The one made from older vines that were planted when Raphael began in 1998 from the 3 acre founding vineyard.  This label is reserved for the older vines.

2010 was one of the best vintages to date.  It might be the best one in fact.  Raphael Vineyards 2010 First Label Sauvignon Blanc ($26) shows just how good the vintage was.

On the nose, tropical notes lead the way with some kiwi, grapefruit, and a lemon lime mix.  Notes of sweet herb, like basil and hints of green grass round out the nose with hints of salinity as the wine warms in the glass.

On the palate, fresh-cut grass leads the way with all the fruit that I picked up on the nose carry over on to the palate – grapefruit, lemon, lime and some tropical flavors.

Bright, crisp clean acidity that carried for a while then gently balanced out to give the wine some heft on the palate.

The finish brought some herbal notes with hints of gooseberry with a moderately long finish.

Sláinte!

*I received this bottle as a sample from the vineyard
Posted in 2010, Raphael, Sauvignon Blanc | 2 Comments

Martha Clara Vineyards 2010 Sauvignon Blanc

Posted on September 21, 2011 by

I know what you are thinking — It’s September, why am I talking Sauvignon Blanc?

Well, I got a little backlogged and since we are in a bit of an Indian Summer, I still felt this was perfect for this time of year.  To be honest, I love Sauvignon Blanc any time of the year, but the summer is the perfect time to drink this.

Martha Clara Vineyards got alot of Press for their 2 Riesling offerings from 2010 and some of their wines may have fallen under the radar.  This might have and it should not be overlooked in my opinion.

In the past, Martha Clara Vineyards, in Riverhead, has made Sauvignon Blanc’s with a nod to New Zealand, a bit more grassy.  This one is no different, but with a bigger bolder nose and palate than I recall.

The Martha Clara Vineyards 2010 Sauvignon Blanc ($19) has 10% Semillion in it, which I think enhances and really makes this wine sing.

On the nose the wine gives off some musky notes with notes of fresh grass, some salinity and peperoncini notes.  Then as you swirl the glass some more, more tropical aroma’s like kiwi, pineapple, papaya mix with lemon and grapefruit.

The palate brings more tropical notes with kiwi, lime grapefruit, sweet herbs and grass.  There is a bit of a floral element as the wine comes closer to room temperature.

The wine has a great balance with a lightning bolt of acidity that is palate cleansing and keep the glass coming back to your mouth.

A fruit forward finish of grapefruit and lemon with a hint of grass lingers for a while.

Sláinte!

*I received this bottle as a sample from the vineyard
Posted in 2010, Long Island, Martha Clara, Sauvignon Blanc | Leave a comment

Waters Crest Winery 2009 Late Harvest Night Watch

Posted on September 20, 2011 by

Last week I talked about how sparkling wine does not get its due respect here.  The same can be said for dessert wines here on my blog.  It’s not that I don’t like them, I just don’t seem to drink them.  Unless there is some kinds of desert involved.

The very first time I visited Waters Crest Winery in Cutchogue, I walked away with a bottle of Jim Waters late harvest Desert wine.  When I recently attended a wine dinner at The Melting Pot and Jim’s wines were paired perfectly with 4 courses, the only thing missing was his Late Harvest.  However, Jim knew better and brought some for all to taste.

Year in and year out, this is one of our favorite dessert wines.  Here’s why Waters Crest Winery 2009 Late Harvest Night Watch ($45) is one to seek out and why it was a finalist on the NY Cork Report’s Wine of the Year for Long Island Desert Wines.

On the nose this golden-colored wine was bursting with apple, apricot, melon, peach and clover honey.  Notes of baking spice, candied ginger, orange blossom and orange peel rounded out the nose.  As the wine warmed the notes of fresh peeled oranges dominated.

On the palate, this viscous, honey like wine brought notes of dried apricot and peach with hints of spice, clove, almonds and more clover honey.

The wine showed great balance between the acidity and sugar.  There is a lot of sugar here and the key is to bring enough acidity to make it balance, this wine delivers.

The finish is delicious with notes of honey, apricot and baking spice.

Make sure you stop in and have a taste, you won’t be sorry and you will probably walk out with a bottle.  There is not much left, this was a very limited production wine, so don’t miss out.

Sláinte!

*I received this bottle as a sample from the vineyard

Posted in 2009, Desert Wine, Long Island, Waters Crest Winery | 1 Comment

Raphael Vineyards 2010 Rosé of Merlot

Posted on September 14, 2011 by

When one looks at a Rosé  bottle one might think that a Rosé  is a wine for your grandma, that person who is looking for an off dry wine or one who thinks adding ice to wine is ok.

This Rosé from Raphael Winery fits none of the above scenarios.  Made in the dry style that most of us from Long Island or who drink alot of Long Island wine have grown to enjoy and have gained a good deal of accolades.

This Raphael 2010 Rosé of Merlot ($24) is not your grandmothers Rosé.  Packed with loads of strawberry and bramble on the nose it lees to some grapefruit, blueberry and a hint of plum.  There is an herbal note that mixes nicely with an earthy note.  On day two a note of grapeskin emerges.

The palate is where it gets you.  Bright acidity with a hint of tannins this wine shows much darker than it appears.  Strawberry, herb, earthy spice and a hit of fresh herb.  THere is no mistaking that this Rosé was made with the Merlot grape.

The finish has a nice length to it with mix of floral and herbal hints and some earthy spice.

Sláinte!

*I received this bottle as a sample from the vineyard
Posted in 2010, Long Island, Raphael, Rose | Leave a comment

Bedell Cellars 2006 Blanc de Blancs

Posted on September 13, 2011 by

There is just not enough sparkling wine on my blog. I really like sparkling wine, but I, like most, only drink sparkling wine on special occasions. We all should change that. It is a wine, it just has some bubbles.

Sure, it is great to toast with. It is perfect to christen a boat with. The sound of champagne flutes chiming as we toast.  Nothing says Happy New Year more than a bottle of bubbly.  It really does make one feel all warm on the inside.

This bottle from Bedell Cellars in Cutchogue recently won the “Best Sparkling Wine” Category at the annual New York Wine & Food Classic.

Now,  I am not saying that this bottle of Bedell Cellars 2006 Blanc de Blanc ($48) is the wine you would have everyday. The price tag is a bit steep. But for that special occasion, this might be the one to reach for.

In the nose hints of apple — golden delicious and granny smith dominate with hints of baking spice like cinnamon. Notes of yeasty bread round out the nose with a hint of salinity.

The palate brings more of the apple notes with some pear and melon. More baking spices appear as well with a deep oceanic breeze note. Crisp bright acidity is balanced beautifully beautifully on the palate.

The finish is lengthy with hints of pear and more salinity.

I really liked this sparkling wine made in the traditional méthode champenoise. My wife and I toasted each other for our 3rd Anniversary with this as we munched on chocolate covered strawberries.  While that may not have been the best pairing, it worked for us.

Sláinte!

*I received this bottle as a sample from the vineyard
Posted in 2006, Bedell, Blanc de Blanc, Chardonnay, Long Island, Sparkling Wine | Leave a comment

Raphael 2010 Sauvignon Blanc

Posted on August 24, 2011 by

IMG00040-20110708-1952When Les Howard, Raphael’s new winemaker, arrived from Pindar Vineyards in August of last year, he had about just enough time to go over the barrel cellar before the first bins of fruit were being harvested.

Les could not wait to get into things and make sure the almost perfect 2010 vintage was going to go smoothly.

Les was going to make some changes.  He was going to do things a little differently than Rich Olsen-Harbich, Raphael’s former winemaker.  This was expected.  One thing that was changing was the labeling of Raphael’s Sauvignon Blanc.  This Sauvignon Blanc used to fall under the “Grand Cru” label.  These were newer plantings than the other “First Label” Sauvignon Blanc.  Some customers would get confused by the labeling, this just makes it easier.  Nothing will be lost by losing a label.

Les’s first offering as winemaker at Raphael that I had a chance to taste is Raphael 2010 Sauvignon Blanc ($20).  This Estate version is a bit more edgy than the one from older vines, the First Label Sauvignon Blanc (I will be reviewing it next week).

On the nose I was picking up hints of lemon, lime grapefruit and tropical fruit notes.  There was an essence of salinity with hints of fresh-cut grass and basil.  A hint of pineapple peeked through as the wine warmed.

When tasted the notes of lemon and lime jumped right out.  Hints of Grapefruit and pineapple rounded out the palate.

Packed with bright acidity, this was palate cleansing.  I it was calling for shellfish, but went perfectly with our summer pasta salad.

The wine finished with a hint of sweet herb and lemon.

Sláinte!

*I received this bottle as a sample from the vineyard
Posted in 2010, Long Island, Raphael, Sauvignon Blanc | Leave a comment

Riesling Tasting at Martha Clara Vineyards August 26th

Posted on August 23, 2011 by

Martha Clara Vineyards recently received some huge press thanks to their Estate Reserve Riesling that won top prize at the Annual Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association Competition last month in Haymarket, VA.  The wine was the highest rated out of 560+ wines tasted at the competition.  The estate Reserve Riesling that won that award is made from the Riesling grapes that are from the Martha Clara Vineyard estate.  A review of that wine will appear here next week.

They also received a great deal of press about their regular offering of Riesling.  It won the Governor’s Cup at the recent NY Wine and Food Classic, which is the best wine out of all the wines tasted that day.  It was the best wine out of 740+ wines submitted from over 100 wineries across the state.  This wine that won top prize as the best wine in New York was made with Finger Lakes fruit from Dalrymple Farms on Seneca Lake.

With that being said, Martha Clara vineyards winemaking team of  Juan Micieli-Martinez and Robin Epperson-McCarthy wanted to offer a friendly wine competition at their 2011 Summer Concert Series at the Pavilion.

In honor of Riesling and Summer, Martha Clara Vineyards and Influence Wines will both offer their Riesling to taste side by side.  These Riesling are from the Dalrymple Farm on the Western Side of Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes Region.  Erik Bilka, winemaker and owner of Influence Wines and Martha Clara Vineyards  wine making team of Juan Micieli-Martinez and Robin Epperson-McCarthy sourced their Riesling from Dalrymple Farm.

This is a unique opportunity to taste the wines, harvested the same day, pressed together but fermented and bottle in each winemakers style.  According to Juan, “This will highlight the influence that winemakers can have on a wine during production.”

All guests that attend the concert on August 26 will have the opportunity to taste these wine side by side and buy each of the Riesling as well.

Martha Clara Vineyards and Influence Wines have been doing this at all of their Summer Concert Series, I just have not been able to make any of the earlier ones.  With all the press surrounding the recent award-winning wine, this should be interesting.

Erik, Juan and Robin will be on hand to answer any questions you have that night.

I hope to see you all on August 26th

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Posted in Event, Long Island, Martha Clara, Riesling | 2 Comments

Bedell Cellars 2009 First Crush (White)

Posted on August 22, 2011 by

Bedell Cellers in Cutchogue,  one of Long Islands oldest vineyards, is one year into it tenure with one of Long Island’s most experienced winemakers, Rich Olsen Harbich.  His first offering at Bedell was the 2010 Taste Rose.  It was such a hit that it sold out before the summer was finished.  However, there are still some wines left over from the former winemaker Kelly Urbanik, who now holds the same duties at Macari Vineyards.  This is one of her last offerings while at Bedell Cellars.

Bedell Cellars 2009 First Crush White ($18) is their entry-level white.  It sees no oak and is a perfect summer sipper, either for the picnic, fresh caught fish or sitting out with friends, it really satisfies.  It is a blend of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Sauvignon Blanc.

On the nose aroma’s of fresh tropical fruit, like pineapple, mango and papaya lead with hints of melon and juicy apple.

Lush, thanks to the heavy amount of Chardonnay, the Sauvignon Blanc brings a crisp zippy acidity feel to the palate.

On the palate notes of apple and ripe pear mix with a rocky minerality and juicy citrus.  Hints of tropical mango, papaya and passion fruit fill the palate out as the wine warms to room temperature.

Sláinte!

*I received this bottle as a sample from the vineyard
 
 
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Posted in 2009, Bedell, Blended Wine, White Wine | Leave a comment

Roanoke Vineyards Smackdown 4 Recap: The Audience Wins!

Posted on August 19, 2011 by

The Audience Team: Alan J. Wax, myself and Jared Skolnick. Photo credit to Lenn Thompson

In the above photo, this is kinda what we were talking about when the first wine was poured at the Roanoke Vineyards 4th Smackdown:

“…Ok.  There is no question this is a Riesling…”
“…It’s young for sure…”
“…I am leaning Finger Lakes; it has that stoney minerality and a lighting bolt of acidity…”
“…Can we name the winery for the Extra Credit…”
” …I say Ravines…”
“…Or it could be Red Newt…”
“…Remember, it has to be 90 or better…they all have been in the past…”
“…Red Newt just got a 90…”
“…we all agree, Riesling, from the Finger Lakes, 2009 Vintage, from Red Newt Winery…”
“…Wait, this tastes of something I have had before.  That acidity…it just reminds me of Ravines…”
“…Sorry guys, I am going with my gut on this one.  It is from Ravines…”
 

It may not be word for word, there may be some paraphrasing but this is how I remember it.  My fellow audience panel members were Jared Skolnick, COO of Grand Cru Classes, Alan J. Wax of the Patch and myself.  As we walked in to Roanoke Vineyards on Saturday night for the Smackdown,  Scott Sandell, creative director of Roanoke Vineyards pulled us aside and said in so many words said, “can you do us a favor…we need you”.  And so, we were there to represent the 100+ audience members there that night.

The European Team. Photo from Alan Wax at Patch.com

The audience watched two panels, one representing the USA; Christopher Tracy, winemaker and partner of Channing Daughters Winery, and writer and former vintner Louisa Hargrave and Michael Cinque, owner of Amagansett Wines & Spirits and a partner in Red Hook Winery,  the other panel an International Team consisting of Spaniard Miguel Martin, winemaker at Palmer Vineyards, German Roman Roth, winemaker for Wolffer Estate Vineyards, Roanoke Vineyards andGrapes of Roth, and Frenchman Pascal Zugmeyer, a certified sommelier.  We all tasted seven wines that night from around the world blind.

The audience team nailed the first wine with 100 points,  2009 Ravines Cellars Dry Riesling from the Finger Lakes.  It was a great feeling, but that feeling lasted for such a short time.

The next five wines we did not fare so well.  The second wine, we thought was a California Chardonnay, it was in fact a California wine, but no chardonnay was in this Bordeaux style white blend, it was a 2008 Arietta, On the White Keyes, a blend of Sauvignon blanc and semillion from California.

Next up was a red, we knew that for sure.  We thought it was a Pinot Noir from Oregon, Willamette valley to be exact from the great 2008 vintage.  Boy were we wrong.  We all felt ashamed and hung our heads low after it was revealed that this wine was from our home town. 100% Merlot, Long Island, Blend from the members of the Long Island Merliance, the 2008 Merliance.  It was not released, but I can assure you the audience sure wish it was.  It showed very well and I think it stole the show.  This wine will be released at the Second Annual Harvest Festival.

The American Team. Photo taken by Alan Wax at Patch.com

The American Team. Photo taken by Alan Wax at Patch.com

The next two wines were defiantly not our style and sure did stump us they were from the same producer but from two different vineyards.  The fourth wine was from a Smackdown wine alumni Orin Swift, maker of the Prisoner.  This one was a 2008 Orin Swift Papillion Napa Valley Red, a Bordeaux-style blend.  We thought it was a GSM (Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvèdre) from Australia.

The fifth wine was also from Orin Swift, but instead of from California, he went to France to make this, 2009 Orin Swift D66, a Vin de Pay des Cotes Catalanes in southern France.  This really stumped Pascal, the Frenchman.  He was not the only one.  We thought for sure this was an Amarone, dooped once again.

The sixth wine was one that I enjoyed the most.  It was a 2004 Scholium Project Babylon, a Petit Sirah.  This wine, made by winemaker, Abe Schoener, who also happens to make wines for Red Hook.  At this point we thought that the Smackdown was going to take a turn back to the 90+ scores.  We felt this was a local wine made in a hot year like 2007.  Weguess, Bedell 2007 Musse.  Boy were we off the mark.

Could there be redemption for the audience.  We hope so.  Some members of the audience came up to us and cheered us on and let us support before the last wine was poured.  This tasting was more of a mind game.  We had to do more analyzing and clue work.  We needed to think outside the bottle and outside the glass.  Some audience members offered suggestions and some insight about what the last wine could be.  We had to stop and think.

The last wine was also a Abe Schoener wine, from Red Hook, which Michael Cinque is a partner in.  Red Hook makes wines from grapes grown on Long Island.  This next one was made with grapes from Macari vineyards and made in Brooklyn and named after one of the owners, Joe Macari.  The last wine, 2008 Red Hook Winery Joe’s Tears, a Bordeaux-style.  This stumped everyone, but us.  Granted, we were the audience team and some members of the audience suggested different wines, but when Joe’s Tears was mentioned, we gave it a strong consideration.  Sure, we tossed around the idea that it was a Cabernet Sauvignon based wine from California.  But when we wrote Joe’s Tears down, we felt we had nothing to lose.

When the moderator for the event,  George Taber announced the wine, the audience Team erupted with cheers.  We guessed two out of seven wines.  We did better than the experts.  We were winners.  I could not call us winners with out our “official” coach and Winemaker Smackdown alumni Kelly Urbanik, the winemaker at Macari Vineyards.  As an audience member her insight into some of the wines was extremely helpful.

Those in attendence enjoying the BBQ prepared by Chef Keith Luce. Photo taken by Alan Wax from Patch.com

Those in attendance enjoying the BBQ prepared by Chef Keith Luce.

The night concluded with a delicious BBQ dinner prepared by chef Keith Luce of Luce & Hawkins in Jamesport.  The BBQ chicken and brisket were highlights for me.

After George Taber, the only reporter to witness the 1976 Judgement of Paris,  signed some more of his books the audience went home winners in more way’s than one.  Roanoke has found a wonderful way to bring people together, to taste wines that we may not all get a chance to, in a relaxing environment.  Kudos to the Roanoke Team, Richard Pisacano and his wife Soraya, Scott Sandell, the entire tasting room staff, the pourers that evening, the Wine Ambassadors who helped out, Chef Keith Luce and his team that prepared the BBQ, all of the winemakers, the USA team and the International team, Lenn Thompson of the NY Cork Report who was the official taster for the night, Tracy Ellen Kamens, Smackdown Alumni and official scorer for the night, George Taber and everyone in between who I may have missed.  You all made the audience enjoy that night and because of you we all won.

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Posted in Blind Tasting, Event, Long Island, Roanoke Vineyards, Wine Education | 4 Comments