Let the trumpets blare! “Hear Ye! Hear Ye!” Imagine the elders about to read a note from the king…that is what is playing in my head as I sit to write this, my first official wine review.
So I guess, to many, this is no surprise, I have decided to open a bottle of Shinn Estate Vineyard’s 2006 Wild Boar Doe ($30).
Let me first start off my telling all of you, those that don’t know me, my wife and I were married there September 6, 2008. And this wine and this vintage was our wine of choice, so it holds a special place in my heart. But this will be unbiased(to the best of my ability), I figure that I should do this tasting first then move on to the other wonderful wine we have on Long Island.
Shinn Estate Vineyard is located at 2000 Oregon Road in Mattituck. At Shinn Estate Vineyard they practice sustainable organic farming. The wine they make is a hands on, labor of love that Barbara Shinn and David Page work hard at and participate in along with winemaker Anthony Nappa.
Now on to the tasting…Upon opening the bottle and pouring my first glass, there is a very strong black pepper, spicy, berry on the nose, maybe even a little cherry. On the palate, I taste some blackberry, raspberry, slight prune, with coriander spice flavors. In the mouth the wine is velvety and just a little acid. Finish is smooth, some pepper and maybe just a hint of vanilla bean.
After I let the wine sit for about 30 minuets, nothing has changed. But an hour later, wow…very aromatic. The spice has moved to the back and the ripe blackberry and raspberry is front and center with maybe a little cherry. The flavors continue on to the palate, with the peppercorn spice flavor at the end. And the finish is incredibly smooth and has just the right amount of acid. As this wine sits and aerates, the bright raspberry and blackberry aroma develops and is transitioned beautifully to the palate and finish.
4 hours later this is singing! Big blackberry nose and peppercorn finish, with a linger of dark chocolate.
Shinn’s Wild Boar Doe is a play on words, it represents a Bordeaux style wine…get it…wild Bordeaux…This vintage consists of a blend of 40% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Malbec, 15% Petit Verdot, and 5% Cabernet Franc. This wine is a wine that goes well with roasted meats, stews and nice bold cheese, I had some Gorgonzola with my taste. It is a wine that I feel shows what Long Island wines are all about and how good they can be.
I highly recommend you pick this up at your local wine shop, but if you cannot find it, ask for it or go and visit Shinn Estate Vineyards. It is recommended that you can drink this upon purchase, but will age for a few more years to come. I plan on checking back on September 6, 2013 and giving it a try.
Undertaking Wine 
Mazel tov on your first post!
Shinn impressed a lot of people at TasteCamp East 2009, so it’s not surprising that this wine is good.
Are you going to focus solely on LI wines?
Tom,
Thanks for the kind words.
My plan is to focus on LI wines. There are not to many people that focus on Long Island, and I feel there is alot to offer here. There will be some other area’s sprinkled in of my favorite regions and varitals.
Great way to kick off the new blog, Michael. Shocking that it’s a Shinn wine 😉
As you probably know, 2006 wasn’t exactly a 2007- (or even 2005) type year, but Shinn’s 06 reds are among the best out there.
Welcome to the blogging world on Long Island. Glad to not be the only one out here now!
Lenn,
Thanks for the kind words. I really was going to throw a cruveball, but changed my mind at the last minuet.
You are right, we are all waiting like kids at christmas for the 2007 reds to be unwrapped!
I’m gunning for #1…;)
Great job Michael and welcome to the wine blogging community. Very cool to see you focus on LI wines…nice niche. Glad you are here and look forward to what you have to say! Please let me know if I can do anything for you.
Michael
Mihcael,
Thanks for the welcome, it is appreciated. I also appreciate your offer….will let you know.
Michael
Great blog, uncle Mikey!
Michael,
Barbara and I are very flattered that you chose Shinn for your first undertaking. Thanks for not burying us. We look forward to reading your heavenly posts.
David Page
Thanks so much Miss L & Miss J…Love you guys!
David & Barbra,
I cannot write anything, I am laughing to hard. 🙂
My best work always get buried, so I know how you feel. 😉
Thanks so much!
Michael
Excellent first post Michael, extremely well worded and so incrediably descriptive my mouth is watering for a bottle. Keep up the great job and I look forward to your blog. Talk to you later.
Michael,
My Son the writer. Great job! But then you are good at all you do. Maybe you will be able to mention the Williamsburg Winery upon your return from the family reunion. Again Great job.
Dad
Thanks so much Kelly!
Wine tunrs me into a wordsmith 😉
Hey Dad,
Thanks! A writer….yea…thank God for sepll check! I plan onwriting about that while we are away at the Family Reunion. If there were more vineyards closer, we would visit. See you tomorow morning.
Love, your son the writer…
Nice – good to see another LI Wine blog! I heard there was another one (lenneatsalot or something?), but it was run by a Pirates and Steelers fan so I really can’t support it.
Good luck. 😉
(i kid, i kid)
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