It’s not everyday you have the chance taste 10-year-old wine.  It’s not everyday you have the chance to taste 10-year-old wine with winemakers, vineyard owners, fishermen, tasting room people, restaurant folk and wine enthusiasts.  It’s not every day you get to listen to them talk about past vintages, like hurricane Gloria or the 2000 vintage.  However — I could do this everyday.

This week, I was invited by Anthony Nappa (winemaker at Shinn Estate Vineyards) and Sarah Evans (Sous Chef at Luce & Hawkins) to their house in Southold for a Calm Roast and BBQ.  I was not sure that I could make it — with work and it being on a Wednesday, I did however go and I was glad I went. 

The food was awesome and there was a local striped bass that was caught by a local fisherman that morning.  I now know where to turn when I need fresh fish.

There was also a nicely arranged vertical tasting of Shinn Estate Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Nine Barrels Merlot and Cabernet Franc from 2005, 2006 and 2007.  That alone could have been the highlight.

Then, Ron Goerler, from Jamesport Vineyards popped a cork on this bottle, Jamesport Vineyards 2000 Cabernet Franc.  This is the oldest Cabernet Franc I have tasted to date.  And it was a winner.  Drinking young, I would have guessed it was a 2005.

On the nose there was some juicy black cherry and currant.  There was an earthiness to the wine with a hint of leather and spice.  There was some dried herb and a little eucalyptus too.

When I tasted it, there was some more earthy elements with a hint of dried herbs and spicy peppercorns.  The cherry carried over on the taste and was more pronounced on the palate than on the nose. 

There was great acidity and beautiful velvety tannins that rounded out the wine.  Well balanced and well made and still carrying strong.  A bunch of us tasted this with some grilled clams and it really opened up the flavor spectrum.   I could not resist the clams and the Franc.

Another highlight of the night was just the opportunity to relax and have a good time with people who are passionate about wine and Long Island’s bounty.  Chatting the night away about wine, food and good times.  Something I was looking forward to and maybe prefer to do when tasting wine with good people — relax and enjoy the wine and listen to the conversation.

Thanks Anthony and Sarah for hosting a great mid-week get together!  Thanks Ron for bringing this to the BBQ and allowing us the opportunity to taste this well made and still alive wine.

Sláinte!