The Wine Undertaker
I am a Licensed Funeral Director and this is my love affair with wine and the people that make Long Island wine so special. E-mail me here:
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Category Archives: Raphael
Raphael Vineyards 2010 Riesling
This is the sophomore vintage for Raphael Vineyards Riesling and the first under their winemaker Les Howard. These are young vines that still need time to develop and as they do I am sure the wine will as well Raphael … Continue reading
Posted in 2010, Raphael, Riesling
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Raphael Vineyards 2010 “First Label’ Sauvignon Blanc
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 … Continue reading
Posted in 2010, Raphael, Sauvignon Blanc
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Raphael Vineyards 2010 Rosé of Merlot
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 … Continue reading
Posted in 2010, Long Island, Raphael, Rose
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Raphael 2010 Sauvignon Blanc
When 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 … Continue reading
Posted in 2010, Long Island, Raphael, Sauvignon Blanc
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Raphael Vineyards 2001 First Label Merlot
This bottle had some dust on it. It was laying on it’s side all the way at the bottom of the wine rack at a wine shop near where I work. I knew it was a Raphael from foil cap … Continue reading
Posted in 2001, Long Island, Merlot, Raphael
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Raphael Vineyards 2009 First Label Sauvignon Blanc
It’s the summer and on Long Island Sauvignon Blanc is queen in my kingdom. If you were wondering who the king is – it’s Long Island Rose. Last week I told you about Palmer Vineyards and their Sauvignon Blanc – … Continue reading
Posted in 2009, Raphael, Sauvignon Blanc
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A Change On The North Fork
I sat in my car staring at my Blackberry in shock. I refreshed my Blackberry just to be sure my eyes were not playing tricks on me. The tweet from Howard Goldberg of the New York Times looked like this: I … Continue reading
Posted in Bedell, Long Island, News, Raphael, Wine
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Wine on Tap: Its for Me and will be for you too
Last night, I was at an event at the East Wind in Wading River, for charity, run by the Rocky Point Lions Club. It was called “A Lion’s Taste of Long Island” I am in the early stages of planning … Continue reading
Posted in Event, Food, Long Island, Martha Clara, Raphael, Roanoke Vineyards, Tasting
4 Comments
Raphael Vineyards 2007 La Tavola
La Tavola = The table; when translated to English. This is nothing like you have seen from Raphael Vineyards before. It is a very simple bottle, with a very simple label, nothing old world about this label, just shot of two … Continue reading
Posted in 2007, Blended Wine, Raphael
2 Comments
Raphael 2005 First Label Merlot
Since I have been doing this I have grown to realize that when it comes to Long Island Merlot, you have to first look at Raphael and their winemaker Richard Olsen-Harbich. I have tasted quite a few Merlot, maybe not … Continue reading
Posted in Merlot, Raphael, Winery Visit
2 Comments
Raphael’s 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon gets 90 Points from Wine Spectator
I received some excellent news the other day from Melissa Martin at Raphael. Below is a press release from Raphael about a score they received on their 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon. This will be released to the public in Mid-December. When It does … Continue reading
Posted in Cabernet Sauvigon, Raphael
2 Comments
Raphael 2005 Malbec
This 2005 Malbec I tasted with Rich Olsen-Harbich, winemaker at Raphael Vineyards. I was fortunate to take this home, taste it further, enjoy with my wife, and take notes. Malbec is a dark purple grape that is used mainly as … Continue reading
Posted in Long Island, Malbec, Raphael
5 Comments
Raphael 2006 Cabernet Franc Short Sip
This wine is Raphael Vineyards 2006 Cabernet Franc. This, however, was not one of the wine’s I tasted with Richard Olsen-Harbich, and to be honest, I can see why. I picked up this bottle at my local wine shop when … Continue reading
Posted in Cabernet Franc, Long Island, Notes, Raphael, Short Sip
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Raphael Vineyards 2004 Cabernet Franc Short Sip
This wine was given to me by Richard Olsen-Harbich, Raphael’s winemaker. I tasted this with Rich in the tasting room, but he was gracious enough to allow me to take this home and enjoy it some more with my wife … Continue reading
Posted in Cabernet Franc, Long Island, Notes, Raphael, Short Sip, Winery Visit
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Winery Visit at Raphael Winery
A few weeks back I was invited to spend some time at Raphael Vineyard. I had been in contact with Melissa Martin at Raphael after doing a review of their rose. She had asked that I pay a visit the … Continue reading
Posted in Long Island, Notes, Raphael, Winery Visit
4 Comments
Raphael 2007 Cabernet Franc
I was finally getting to an appointment that I was suppose to visit in August, but as we all know too well, the summer sometimes get the best of us. I was finally able to set a date with Melissa … Continue reading
Posted in Cabernet Franc, Long Island, Notes, Raphael, Winery Visit
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