Shinn Estate Vineyards 2005 Nine Barrels Reserve Merlot

Posted on December 22, 2009 by Michael Gorton, Jr.

Recently I was elected to the Position of President of the Medford Chamber of Commerce.  I was asked on twitter what my celebratory wine would be.  I really had to think.  It was easy to go to a desert wine after the meeting.  Or I could have popped the cork on some bubbly.  Or some seductively good desert wine.  While I drove home I was thinking, what is the best bottle you have that you have not opened yet.  My gut was telling me one thing, but I went with what my head was telling me.  Shinn Estate Vineyards 2005 Nine Barrels.

This is no longer available in the tasting room, but it is available in my cellar, though I only have 2 left. (According to David Paige, co-owner of Shinn Estate Vineyards, you can find this now and then at special Shinn-Dig’s that they host.)

2005 was a great year, until, the rain came.  Then there were folks that built arc’s and left the island, from what I am told.  Some vineyards picked before 20 some odd inches of rain fell.  Some picked after the rain and some lost their crop.  A real mixed bag of wine from the 2005 vintage.

This wine was picked after, David Paige and Barbara Shinn decided to hold out and take the chance and wait, and wait…and wait.  And boy where they lucky.  Their Nine Barrels is a blending of the best barrels in their cellar with the bulk of the wine being Merlot.

On the nose, I was getting chocolate, licorice and some blackberry jam and some ripe red currants.  I was picking up some plum and tobacco with a hint of exotic spice with the touch of vanilla.  The exotic spice is one that I seem to find often in Shinn Estate Vineyards, which is delightful.

The elements that I was getting on the nose were some of the same elements I was getting on my palate.  The spice on the nose was not as strong.   I was picking up some toasted nuts too.  There was an earthy minerality that I was really getting into.  The earthy element was the aroma of fresh picked mushrooms.  And the mineral element was a wet slate aroma on my tounge.

This is not in the tasting room anymore, I don’t want you to get to excited over this and run out and buy it.  But if for some reason you find it someplace, pick it up.  You will not be disappointed.

So on the night I was elected president of the Medford Chamber of Commerce, I toasted with this wine.  This wine got my vote of praise, just as I did that nigh.

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Channing Daughters 2008 “Ramato”

Posted on December 21, 2009 by Michael Gorton, Jr.

Channing Daughters, located on the south fork of Long Island in the town of Bridgehampton.   It is usually overlooked by me because it is on the “other fork”.   In fact I have a tendency to ignore the vineyards and wineries of route 25, I tend to ride Sound Avenue out east; Shame on me.

This wine was introduced to me via The New York Cork Club.  The NYCC is a wine club that focuses on wine of New York State.  You can find out information about the club here and I highly recommend this to all of my readers.  I am a club member. (The NYCC is a great Christmas gift to give to someone)

When I opened this wine, Melissa and I made an Italian inspired dinner and I thought this would be a great wine for the meal.  It is 100% Pinot Grigio grapes.  But this is not your everyday Pinot Grigio.

Ramato is a unique wine; it is an “orange wine”.  To give you an understanding of what an “orange” wine is; I give you this explanation from Wikipedia:

Notice the orange tinge.

Orange wine

is wine made from white wine grape varieties that have spent some maceration time in contact with the grape skins. Typically white wine production involves crushing the grapes and quickly moving the juice off the skins into the fermentation vessel. The skins contain color pigment, phenols and tannins that are often considered undesirable for white wines while for red wines, skin contact and maceration is a vital part of the winemaking process that gives red wines its color, flavor and texture. Orange wines get their name from the darker, slightly orange tinge that the white wines receive due to their contact with the coloring pigments of the grape skins.

Now that Wikipedia has helped me explain this wine, it now for my tasting notes.

On the nose I was getting this very cool aroma of fermentation.  If you want to know what grapes smell like while they are working to become wine, open this bottle and take a whiff.  There was this nutty, spicy aroma that reminded me of a Christmas spice cookie.  There were also elements of pear and apple along with some honey and a touch of vanilla.

The taste of this wine was even better.  It was very silky on the palate.  It had great body and substance.  I was picking up some of the elements that I had on the nose, but I was getting a little baked apple or bear flavor.  There was a touch of toast and vanilla.

I messed around with this wine, mainly because my wife and I both felt that it had a lot of red wine elements.  So we let it come to room temperature and the fruity elements were more pronounced.  The colder it was, the more of the acidic it was.

I believe that this wine is a wine that can show well fresh out of the cooler or fresh off the wine rack.  Try it both ways.  It is alot of fun.  We enjoyed it; I have a feeling you will to.

Keep your eyes open in the future, I plan on making a trip to Channing Daughters in the New Year.  From their website and just by tasting this, there are alot of good things going on at Channing Daughters and I cannot wait to go and visit and share my experience.

Posted in Channing Daughters, Long Island, Orange Wine, Pinot Grigio | 3 Comments

Martha Clara 2008 Gewurztraminer Short Sip

Posted on December 18, 2009 by Michael Gorton, Jr.

Gewürztraminer is one of my favorite white grape.  I love the spicy element and the honey like aroma that comes from this wine.  I also love it when it is in a desert wine.  It is a very difficult wine to grow and not many vineyards on Long Island grow this grape.  But I have found one that does and does it well.

A little history and background of this wine.  On the vine it is a rose colored to almost a red colored grape.  It has a tendency to look like a “red” grape on the vine, put produces a wonderful straw colored wine.  It tends to have a bit more natural sugar than most grapes.  But it can also be a dry type that will show some wonderful tropical fruit flavors.  It is a very aromatic wine, and at times it has shown some bubbles in the glass.

This Gewürztraminer is from Martha Clara in Riverhead, NY.  I have not been to Martha Clara in quite some time, but after tasting this, they are on my list of places to go and taste soon.  This bottle was given to be as a gift.  It does sell on line for $18.99, but I have seen it for less in some wine shops.

On the nose I was getting lychee.  This is very common with Gewürztraminer.  A reason why this wine goes great with Asian dishes.  There were elements of spice and dried candied fruit. On the cold side, there were element of tropical fruit, but as it was coming up to room temperature, it was picking up some apricot and peach with a hint of rose and a creamy vanilla.

The taste was more of the same. I was picking up some pear and apricot with a hint of apple.  The colder this wine was the more acidity there was.  I prefer this wine just off chill.

This wine is now one of my favorites on Long Island.  I am very happy to see Gewürztraminer showing up in a dinner wine instead of a desert wine.  Not that I don’t like gewürztraminer as a desert wine, but because of the high sugar levels in the grape naturally, it makes an easy wine to turn it in to a desert wine.

The next time I am out east, I want to stop in Martha Clara and enjoy some wine like this one.  If you see it in your local shop, due pick it up.  If you have never had a gewürztraminer, then go out and start with this one.  The price is right and the taste is right.

I was not disappointed, and you should not be either.

Posted in Long Island | 2 Comments

There has been alot happening…Mr. President & Daddy!

Posted on December 15, 2009 by Michael Gorton, Jr.

in my world.  So much so that I have not been able to keep you updated on my wine undertakings.  But rest assured, I am making my way back…in the meanwhile here are the things that I have been undertaking outside the wine world:

  • I was elected President of the Medford Chamber of Commerce.

This is a huge undertaking, in the business world and in the neighborhood I work in.  I have a great board of directors and we are really moving forward on some exciting things in Medford.  There will be some challenges and some great rewards from this endeavor.  I just hope it does not take away from my wine tasting.

  • I’m gonna be a daddy!

Yes, that’s right, I saved the best excuse for last.  My wife, Melissa and i found out a while back, but we wanted to wait to make it official.  Baby is due July 21, 2010, and we won’t know till it’s due what it is.  I am very excited because of this.  I have always wanted someone to call me daddy, and someday soon that will happen.

So, as you can see, I have been busy with other issues, good issues.  I have a few posts due out this week so sit tight and be patient with me…good things come to those who wait.

Gonna change this to "Daddy's little Long Island Wine Promoter"

Posted in Long Island | 2 Comments

A visit with Scarola Vineyards own Frank Scarola

Posted on December 8, 2009 by Michael Gorton, Jr.

A few weeks ago,  I spent some time out in wine country, visiting a few vineyards tasting some new releases and enjoying the bounty that the North Fork has to offer.

One such place I had scheduled to visit was with Frank Scarola of Scarola Vineyards.  I was first introduced to Frank’s wine a while back when I was working harvest with Shinn Estate Vineyards.  David and Barbara opend a bottle of his 2005 Merlot and we were all blown away.  Eyes wide open and mouths thirsty for more, we were firing descriptions back and forth about this wine.  Our minds were going crazy trying to figure out how this wine was born.

Following that day I was on a mission to find Scarola wines somewhere any where…I just needed to have them.  I was very excited a few weeks later when I met Frank at Shinn Estate Vineyards for a “Tweet Up”  Frank had stoped by to caht with David & Barbara.  He got mixed up in some beer tasting and wine tasting and then he was gone!  I never got a chance to chat with him and talk to him about his wine.

I finally decided to e-mail Frank and see if he could help me out.  (Like I had no doubt, I was contacting the man himself).  He sent me an e-mail telling me that he could drop some off at my house or I could come out to his “wine country” project in Mattituck.  He wanted to show me the Bed & Breakfast that he was putting together.  Guess which option I chose.

The loation is not marked, there is no number on the house.  It is this cute cedar house located on Sound Avenue, just east of Macari Vineyards and west of Leib Cellars.   There are a few other “Barns” on the property, also finished in Cedar.

When I arrived Frank was walking around with the builder going over some plans of the site.  When he was finished, Frank and I sat down and enjoyed a little conversation over a glass of his 2007 Chardonnay.  This was a chardonnay I was digging.  It was fermented for a few weeks in oak barrels, just enough to give it that edge. The Majority of it was in stainless steel.   The acidity was srong and there was great fruit showing.

Frank then opened a bottle of his 2005 “Messeria” Merlot.  Massera, means family farm in italian.  Frank family is from Italy and he only came here to America in 1960.  He keep his wine close to his heart and makes it in the old world style his family would have made it in Italy.  The lable of Scarola Wins also pays hommage to his family’s arrival in the new world, America.  The Goden Arch you see is reminiscent of teh arch at Ellis Island, where his family came through.

As I tasted this wine, it all came back those wonderful flavors and aroma’s I had back then.  This, in my layman’s opinion, is the best merlot I have had to date.  The price is right, the taste is right and now chatting with the man that created this wine cemented my opintion.  I talked with Frank about the day I first had this and the questions that came up when Barbara, David and I were tasting it.  Frank made me guess where this came from, and when I tell you, you may be as suprised by it as I was.  This 2005 merlot was taken from a lot at Martha Clara.  And it was picked after the rain that fell on long island for about 10 straigt day and droped about 20 inches.

While this wine was fermenting at Wolfer estate, under the eye of Roman Roth, Frank told me there was this aroma that was happening durng fermentation and aging.  It was not a plesant odor, but Frank was un sure what to do with it…take a chance or disregard it.  Then all of sudden, it was gone and it was geourgous! (A full review of this wine will appear later.)

We then went on to tour the soon to be Bed & Breakfast.  All of this is still in the early working stages, nothing is final.  Frank hopes to open in Spring 2010.  It will be a wine theme B&B.  There will be vines and grapes growing on the property.  It is to small to be a fully operational vineyard.  Frank wants you to feel as if you are on a vineyard.

Frank is also planning on hosting wine events and wine related events at the future bed & breakfast.  Frank is also hoping to host your next party too, when the B&B opens.

Frank and I then walked around his property.  He showed me the couple of barns on the land.  The first barn from the house used to hold potatoes.  When Frank opened the huge cedar door, that he held with his sholder, you coudl still get an aroma of potato.  Frank has great ideas on what to do with these barns.  Obviously, he will store wine.  But he also has alot of great ideas of things to do for visitors and guests.  Very innovative and exciting, I will be taking part in them for sure!

The next barn was a bit up the hill.  This had a nice view and a perfect layout for…a wedding.  I could totaly see a wedding here.  The only issue might be parking.  But if it were a small wedding or gathering like that, then it could happen.  I would not mind being a guest at one wedding here!

Frank than showd me his thoughs and plans for planting some organicaly gronwn vines.  He would make wine with it, but it would be small lots.  This would be for show as well, to give you the feel of being on a vineyard, looking out and taking in all the beautiful views.

As we finished up the tour and the discussion on the location, i was very excited for Frank.  I was excited to get my hands on some more great Scarola wine.  But more importatanly I was excited for wht this bead & breakfast will mean fo for the north fork and Long Island Wine Region.  Looking to the future, I can see my self at this location, helping Frank in any way and taking part in any activity he plans on holding.

Frank is one of the nicest guys I have met in this undertaking of mine.  He is an idol of mine now, and there are alot of idols in my book, but he is at the top of the list.

Frank tells a story of when he first was inspired to make wine and venture out on the great Long Island.  He read an article about some smaller winemaking folks in a New York Times article and thought to himself, (in so many words) Heck if they can do it why can’t I.  And Frank Scarola did.  After spending a good portion of the day with him, traveling back to his house to buy some wine, I too  said to myself, “Why Can’t I”.

Posted in Long Island, Scarola Vineyards, Winery Visit | 1 Comment

Shinn Estate Vineyards 2007 “Rebellion” Estate Merlot

Posted on December 3, 2009 by Michael Gorton, Jr.

Rebellion, according to Wikipedia, “is a refusal of obedience or order”.

Rebellion according to this bottle is, grapes that wildly fermented with indigenous yeast.

This is a natural type of wine.  Nothing added (except sulphur at the crush pad organic nutrients during fermentation) this is what happens naturally to grapes when you let their own naturally forming yeast do the work.

This also happens to be Shinn Estate Vineyards first release of the  “benchmark 2007 vintage”, that according to the back of the bottle (and from what I have tasted).  Only 49 cases of this wine were produced.  That is 588 bottles.  Not alot, but there was alot happening with this bottle.

On the nose I was getting a huge amount of Cherry and raspberry.  There was some floral notes that I just could not put my finger on.  I was getting some earthy minerality.  Reminded me of freshly opened bag of topsoil.  The minerality was a wet slate essence.  I was also getting some spicy dried herbs, a toasty vanilla aroma and the faintest smell of coca powder.

The taste was amazing.  Not like any other Shinn merlot I had, and I have had some.  It was a bit tight at first…so I let it alone for about an hour in my glass.

After that time I was picking up an awesomely good Bing cherry tartness, some roasted coffee bean and an herbal note that reminded me of bay leaf.  There was this element of exotic spiciness that I find and love in Shinn Estate Vineyards wine; it was a bit on the peppery side but not a biting spice, very enjoyable.

I have to say, this wine was very thirst quenching.  There were alot of tannins here, but not the kind that made it undrinkable.  The kind of tannins that made me take another sip and another sip and another sip, where I had to refill my glass.

My wife loved it, and she too wanted more.  It satisfied he thirst as well.

This is retailing in the tasting room for $25 a bottle and it is well worth it.  I tasted this the second day and the tannins were much softer, not as thirst quenching but still just as good.  The fruit elements of the wine were showing a bit more.

I wanted to try this along with the 2007 Estate Merlot, but I figured I would do that another day.

I highly recommend you pick up a bottle of this “Rebellion”.  I picked up 2 so that leaves only about 586 left.

Thomas Jefferson once said, “I like a little rebellion now and then.”  I promise, you will too.

Notice the Ingredients on the back of the label...Very Cool!

Posted in Long Island, Merlot, Shinn Estate Vieyard | Leave a comment

Scarola Vineyards 2004 Merlot “Masseria”

Posted on November 30, 2009 by Michael Gorton, Jr.

Scarola Vineyards does not have a tasting room.

Scarola Vineyards does not have a vineyard, per se.

Scarola Vineyards dose have some of the best Merlot I have ever had!

Frank Scarola is a small producer of wines here on Long Island.  I recently visited with him (there will be a post this week about it…soon) at his soon to be Bed & Breakfast.  I also had a bottle of Scarola vineyards 2005 Merlot with David Paige & Barbara Shinn after a full day of harvesting a while back.  And from that moment, Frank had me.

This is from Scarola Vineyards information sheet:

Scarola Vineyards is a small Long Island Winery dedicated to sustaining a family tradition begun generations ago in Bari, Italy, where proprietor Frank Scarola’s parents were farmers and wine makers. In 1960 Frank and his family came to the United States, where they settled in New York City and continued the family radition of producing delicious Vino.

This is his 2004 Merlot.  It is from Roanoke Vineyard and Indian Neck Vineyard.  It is a blend of 84% Merlot and 17% Cabernet Franc.  Aged for 19 months in barrique barrels.  Only 148 cases were made.  It retails on their website for $16.95.

On the nose, I was picking up some wonderful notes of blackberries and plum.  I was also getting some wonderful chocolate notes and a floral note that reminded me of lavender.  There was a herbal element, that I could not put my finger on, but it reminded me my herb garden on a windy day.  There was a touch of cedar and tobacco. 

This wine had a feeling of “warmth”.  What’s that, you say, well warmth is the feeling you have when you come home from work, slip on your comfortable clothes and cover your self up in a blanket.  It is a real homey wine.

The taste of this wine was even better.  There was some wonderful black cherry and cocoa notes.  There was a hint of fresh coffee beans and exotic spices.  A little char was there too.   I was getting this caramel, toffee like, toasty vanilla flavor at the finish after a while which was really cool.  The tannins were nice and soft and made this wine a real treat.

My wife gave this a taste and said, “Nice guys make nice wine”.  She could not be more spot on.

Posted in Long Island, Merlot, Notes, Scarola Vineyards | 3 Comments

Being Thankful

Posted on November 27, 2009 by Michael Gorton, Jr.

I started writing this a while back and found it hard to put into words.  I kept leaving it and going back to it time and time again.  I would look at it and not see the direction it was going.  I had a point, but I could not get it across.

Then I read this post on the New York Cork Report by Evan Dawson, and it was like he hacked into my Word Press account and read my article.  What he said is what I was trying to say.  As I read through it, and spoke with him on twitter about the article…I was inspired to attempt it again.  So here goes.

This past year has been an eye-opening year for me.  I married the woman I love in September of 2008.  We were married at vineyard on the North Fork and decided to continue our wine theme wedding out on the west coast in California, Napa & Sonoma Wine Country.

We had a great time enjoyed lots of Pinot and Zinfandel.  Some oaky Chardonnay and tongue biting Cabernet’s.  But the one thing we missed was the personal service that I have grown to appreciated and at times maybe a little take for granted.  The only personal service I saw was in two wineries, Alexander Valley Vineyards and Sausal Vineyards.

Here on Long Island, there is a community.  And within that community you will find a beautiful mix of wine makers, vineyard managers, and vineyard owners who are all active and participating in all aspects of the daily going on in each and every vineyard.

I remember talking to my wife about this while on our honeymoon.  I said in so many words, “I find it amazing and awesome and unreal all at the same time.  We are spoiled and fortunate that back home, we can walk into Shinn and find Barbara and David.  I betcha if we walk into Mondavi, we won’t find a Mondavi.”

There truly is something to take a vineyards walk with the vineyard manager.  Or taste wine from barrels with the winemaker.  Or taste a flight with the owner.  All of these things are possible with all of the vineyards and wineries on this beautiful land we call Long Island.

I am so thankful for the opportunities that have been given to me this year.  From tasting wine with big boys and the little guy and everyone in-between this year.  I am thankful for my opportunity to help with harvest, and I am thankful for the opportunity to make wine.

I started this blog back in July.  And from what some of you may have read from these past few months, alot has happened and gone on.   And to those of you, and you know who you are, I am thankful for that opportunity you have all given me.

I am thankful for everyone that I have met along this path thus far.  I know I have not met alot, but those I did meet, thank you for allowing me to talk with you and taste with you.  You are the reason I write about what you do.

Lastly, I am thankful for my wife.   She has allowed me to do this.  Melissa, I know that this may take away from “our” time at times, but thank you for letting me have a little hobby.

And to those of you who I have not met, but plan on meeting you soon, thanks for welcoming me and giving me that opportunity to tell people what goodness comes for Long Island.

Thank you to everyone I have met along this undertaking.  I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to talk, taste and enjoy the chance meetings we have had.  I am glad and thankful for the relationships that we are building.

And lastly, thank you to everyone who is helping make the Long Island Wine Region one of the best regions in the world.  Thank you for making it easy to write.  By growing grapes and producing amazing wines, you make my job easier.  Keep reaching to make every vintage better than the last.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Schneider Vineyards “Le Breton” 2007 Cabernet Franc

Posted on November 24, 2009 by Michael Gorton, Jr.

Last week I reviewed Schneider Vineyards 2005 Cabernet Franc Petit Verdot.  It was for Wine Blogging Wednesday and I kept it as close to the project as possible.  I did not go into a little of the background of Schneider Vineyard, I hope to share as much information about Schneider Vineyard as I can find here.

Schneider Vineyard is a small producer owned and operated by Bruce and Christiane Schneider.  They don’t have a tasting room, but their wines are rather tasty.  Their main focus is on Cabernet Franc, they are attempting to produce world-class, boutique style Cabernet Franc.  The Schneider’s began making wine on Long Island back in 1994.  You can find Schneider Vineyard wines in numerous hotels and restaurants across the island and in the city.  You can also find Schneider Vineyards in the “Tasting Room” out in Peconic on Peconic Lane.

This wine is their 2007 Cabernet Franc, “Le Breton”.  2007 is going to wind up being one of the best growing years on Long Island.  It was ideal for the fruit on the vines to set, grow, ripen and tasty.  There has not been a season like 2007, and who knows when you will see another like it. So when you see any red wine from long island, and it happens to be the 2007 vintage, you really cannot go wrong.  You will find various wines from various wineries with outstanding red wines.  This wine will be one of them.  

On the nose, there is a large amount of red berries.  I was picking up some raspberry and juicy cranberry.  There was a wonderful aroma of new leather.  I was also picking up some Tobacco, now when I say tobacco, I am not talking smoke.  I am talking about the smell of a humidor or the smell of a fresh rolled cigar.  I was getting the both of those aromas.  There was also this very cool earthy freshly turned dirt aroma.  It may not sound appealing to some, but it reminds me of the spring time.  I was also picking up the slightest aroma of fresh hay and straw.

The taste of this wine was even better.  At first it was on the spicy side.  It was overwhelming at first, but I knew that this wine needed some time in the glass to really open up on the palate.  I let it sit there for a while and eventually I came back and there were explosions in my mouth all over the place.

I was getting some Blackberries and raspberries with this subtle hint of boysenberries.  There was a menthol flavor that was moving in the direction of peppermint note.  There was a smoky element what was really cool.  I was also getting the slightest dusting of chipotle pepper powder.

The finish was long and spicy.  I was getting a minerality element that I could not put my finger on.

I re-tasted this wine the following day and another day later.  The fruit in this Cabernet Franc was really coming through and the other not fruit flavors were disappearing.

I really loved this wine.  I picked it up in my local wine shop for about $20.  And it was well worth it.  I would recommend you try this wine.  It is a great example of what Cabernet Franc is all about and how well it can be done here on Long Island.

I would pick this up again and I will be on the lookout for more wine from Schneider Vineyard…you should too.

Posted in Cabernet Franc, Long Island, Notes, Wine Store | 3 Comments

Champagne, Chopin and Caviar at Pindar Vineyards

Posted on November 19, 2009 by Michael Gorton, Jr.

Monday,  I mentioned that I will be at Raphael for a release party on Sunday November 22.  Well, just across the street, well almost, Pindar Vineyards will be having their annual  Champagne, Chopin and Caviar event.  There will be tours all weekend at Pindar Vineyards, the times are 12:30, 2:00 and 4:00.  I am not sure what time I will be there, but I am shooting for the 2PM slot, after my visit at Raphael.

If you wanted to meet the Wine Undertaker, that’s me, post here and hopefully we can get in on some fun Long Island Wine and Bubbly tasting.  And if time allows, maybe we can visit another vineyard or two.

Pindar is located at 37645 Main Road (Route 25) in Peconic, NY

Here is the information on the event:

Complimentary tour & tasting featuring our Pindar Cuvee Rare. Join us as we demonstrate the final stages in the production of our Cuvee Rare in the traditional “méthode Champenois”. Watch as we disgorge, dosage, cork and wire our Cuvee. Enjoy a tasting of our most recent vintage along with appetizers. Tours are complimentary on a first come basis, Saturdays & Sundays at 12:30, 2:00 and 4:00pm, through November 23rd.


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What Wine to Pair with Your Thanksgiving Dinner?

Posted on November 19, 2009 by Michael Gorton, Jr.

This is a question that is posed every year to those who like wine, those who drink wine, those who make wine and those who sell wine.  So to answer a few e-mails that I have received on this issue that haunts the novice in all of us, I have decided tell you my suggestions.

This, honestly is a very easy and straightforward answer to everyone’s dilemma.  We all have our favorite side dishes to accompany our Tom the Turkey dinner.  Weather if be yams, or Brussel sprouts, or stuffing or creamed corn.  We all have a favorite.  And we all eat what we like.

So drum roll please….this Thanksgiving, I will be drinking…..what I like.  You should do the same.

If you like Zinfandel, drink Zinfandel.  If you like Chardonnay, drink Chardonnay.  If you don’t like Pinot Noir, don’t drink Pinot Noir.  See, its simple.  Drink what you like drinking…you cannot go wrong.  So bring over your favorite Merlot to Mike & Melissa’s.  Or make sure you have plenty of your favorite Riesling on hand for all of your guests.

The only suggestion I would have is for you to bring some local wine.  Wine from your neck of the woods!

After Thanksgiving, I will then tell you what I was pouring.  I would love to know what you were pouring and what you thought of it…so how about you tell me what you had!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Find your Muse – Wine Blogging Wednesday #63

Posted on November 18, 2009 by Michael Gorton, Jr.

This is only my 3rd Wine Blogging Wednesday and to say that I found this edition a breeze; that would be a lie.  To say that this edition was a challenging; well that would also be a lie.

The wine I chose was an easy one.  I have seen it in my local store for a while and was waiting for the right post.  This would be that post.  The writing of it in the style that the host Rob Bralow had asked us to write might seem as a challenge at first, but because of the wine, this post was effortless.

Rob Bralow, of Wine Post was asked by Wine Blogging Wednesday founder, Lenn Thompson, of The New York Cork Report.  Lenn asked Rob to host and this is what Rob came up with, taken directly from his blog:

For the next Wine Blogger Wednesday, I present a simple challenge with the following guidelines:

  • Choose a wine they you know well and have enjoyed many times, but perhaps have not had the time or the motivation to write about OR a wine you have seen in your wine shop that you have been meaning to try.
  • Time how long you enjoy the wine. Round numbers are more than acceptable but exact numbers get extra points.
  • Take twice that amount of time to write your blog post. Use the time to find out something you might not have known about the wine and to edit your writing. A wise man once told me that there is no good writing, only good rewriting.
  • NO SAMPLES! Too often the wines written about are out of convenience rather than genuine interest. Make this one of the wines that you decided to purchase.
  • Last but not least, give your writing some flare. Use a style that will challenge you. Be creative and enjoy writing for the sake of the words. Be picky about which words you use. Think about the rhythm and the rhyme. Poetic phrase will be rewarded.

So without further delay, here is what I pen,

 before I put my head down to lay:

On this day I muscled up enough courage.

There was this bottle, of which I had some knowledge.

I have noticed her a few times before,

But never thought she was worth the offer

 

My weekly visits to my favorite cellar,

She was always there lying softly on her side,

I could not think she would be worth some forty two dollar.

 

So, on this Wednesday, wine blogging Wednesday at that,

she would not hide.

Like the attractive woman at the bar,

I always admired from afar,

I had inkling what she was all about,

But honestly, there was little doubt.

 

I picked her up and walked on out.

I dreamed on my way home of what she would be on my snout.

What I have here is a beautiful creation,

Two of my favorites in this nation,

Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot,

Something about these, two I do know.

 

From Schneider Vineyards this 2005 Vintage comes

On this North Fork of Long Island where my focus is from.

Upon the open, my eyes were wide,

There was nothing in my glass that could hide.

On the nose there were some wonderful red fruits

Raspberry and Bing cherry were in cahoots!

While there was a wonderful mix of Earth

It was showing some nice green like from a tomato leaf

Basil leaf and fresh herbal mix as well that made it worth.

As it sits longer in the glass the Black pepper and Spice,

Were all but to nice.

 

There was this wonderful leather aroma,

That blended well with tobacco leaf.

But in the end there was so much going on

That I almost forgot about the floral note.

 

Finally my mouth was calling,

I almost felt as if it were bawling.

This wine had my knees buckling,

And saying, “Wow this is something”

 

I tasted this wonderful flavor cascade,

There was Boysenberry and blackberry

Some wonderful juicy plum

This wine was no ho hum!

 

The flavors continued with some excellent chewy tannins

Along with some tobacco, slate and pencil shavings.

 

My one night stand with the bottle of my dreams

Was more than I could have wanted.

My only hope is that I wake up

With a little extra in the bottle for tomorrow.

The wine-cup is the little silver well,
Where truth, if truth there be, doth dwell.
William Shakespeare, English poet and writer, (1564-1616)

 

Posted in Blended Wine, Cabernet Franc, Long Island, Wine Blogging Wednesday | 3 Comments

La Tavola Release Event at Raphael

Posted on November 16, 2009 by Michael Gorton, Jr.

On Sunday November 22 Raphael will be releasing a new wine creation from their winemaker, Richard Olsen-Harbich.  You can expect to see me there, more than likely at the start of the event.  So if you are looking for something to do on Sunday, stop by and say hello.  I hope to see you there!

Here is the press release from Raphael:

Raphael will debut an amazing handcrafted wine at an amazing price. This newest addition to the Raphael line is called La Tavola- meaning, “the table” in Italian. This 2007 vintage blend of Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc was created for everyday enjoyment on your mealtime table. Released just in time for the holidays! Join Raphael at their tasting room in Peconic as they celebrate this special new release.

Winemaker, Richard Olsen-Harbich describes his latest wine, “It reflects a blend of three of the most important red wine varieties of the region, and is one of the North Fork’s great wine values from an outstanding vintage year.”

Who: Raphael Vineyard and Winery

What: New release event for La Tavola 2007

Where: Raphael’s Tasting Room at 39390 Main Road (Route 25), Peconic NY 11958

When: Sunday, November 22, 2009 from 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Cost: Free admission.

For more information on Raphael wine, tasting room information, special events, Reserve Club and other winery details, please visit www.raphaelwine.com.

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Raphael 2005 First Label Merlot

Posted on November 12, 2009 by Michael Gorton, Jr.

Raphael 2005 MerlotSince 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 as many as most, but I have always found Raphael Merlot to be at the top of my list.  This Merlot was one of my favorites.

In 2005 Long Island had one of the driest seasons in almost 60 years.  To be exact, according to the notes I received from Rich, “rainfall from May through October 1 totaled approximately 7 inches – the average for the region during the same period is approx. 15-19 inches”.  That is very dry.  Because of these factors, the fruit on the vines was able to ripen alot faster and the flavors were able to concentrate.  It is believed that the 2005 season was the best on Long Island to that point, almost as good as the 2001.

So when I tasted this 2005 First Label Merlot from Raphael with Rich when I visited them at the end of the summer, I found myself at first enjoying the Raphael 2002 First Label alot.  But as time went on, and I re-tasted this at home, I was drawn back to this wine.  Every time I tasted this wine, there was something else happening.  There were new layers being unfolded time and time again.

On the nose, I was getting this awesome black cherry, black berry, currants and juicy plum.  There was a wonderful earthy aroma that mixed with the fresh tobacco aroma of when you first open a cigar box.

When I tasted this the dark berries that I enjoyed on my nose were now on my palate.  The aroma of a humidor was very much present in the taste of this wine as well.  The tannins were very nice and really made this wine strong.

I recall Rich explaining this wine, (hopefully I am correct, remember I did not take notes and if I am wrong, forgive me) it is still young, like a teenager trying to fit into its body, maybe playing basketball for the first time, limbs moving in all directions.  But, the more you let this get adjusted, the better it is.  By the 3rd day this wine was really showing well.  The aromatics were strong and the taste was incredible.

Now for the sad news, this is not available in the tasting room.  It did retail for about$18.00 and let me tell you, it drank like it was $40.  A very solid wine and a great bang for your buck.  If you ever do come across this wine, please pick it up and grab a bottle for me while you are at it.

(Apparently, my excitement for this wine had me all crossed up.  The picture is the 2005 First Label Merlot, WHICH HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED YET.  The notes I had received with the tasting were for the 2005 Estate Merlot.  This review id for the  Merlot Pictured  Raphael 2005 First Label Merlot…Sorry for any confusion.)

Posted in Merlot, Raphael, Winery Visit | 2 Comments

Pindar 2007 Cabernet Franc

Posted on November 11, 2009 by Michael Gorton, Jr.

When you think of Pindar, you may think of some sweet wines, a White Zinfandel type.  Or you may think of their Winter White, since it their number one selling wine.  And you know what, that’s fine.  As long as folks are drinking Long Island wine.

Those wines are not my speed, but in my early days of wine drinking…a long time ago, I had my share of White Zinfandel.  But as all things go, we progress and expand our palate.  We try new things and eventually we find a wine we enjoy and always look to buy or have on hand. Which is exactly what happened to me and where my palate is today.

Pindar 2007 Cabernet FrancA perfect example of where my palate is this 2007 Cabernet Franc from Pindar Vineyards.  Let me first tell you that this has not been released yet, and I am not sure when it will be, nor am I sure of the price of this.  But when it is released be sure to taste it and you may want to add this to your cellar collection.

When I visited with Pindar and Les, they both knew from reading by blog that I was a huge fan of Cabernet Franc.  If you recall we tasted through some of the 2008 in barrel and some 2006 in bottle.  Then the wanted me to taste their 2007.

A little reminder, 2007 was an unusually warm and dry year for this cool weather region of Long Island.  The fruit ripened much earlier and the amount of quality grapes that vineyards saw and achieved was unheard of.  This 2007 vintage may be the best yet recorded for wineries and vineyards of Long Island.

You can taste all of the goodness this 2007 Cabernet Franc has to offer.  There are big juicy berries right up front on the nose.  I was getting loads of blackberries and raspberries.  There were elements of chocolate and fresh roasted coffee beans.  There was the wonderful earthy note that filled the glass and at the end, there was the wonderful herbal, minty note.  This was a wine that once you put your nose in the glass, it was very difficult to take it out.

The taste was even better.  The same fruit notes that were there on the nose carried over onto my palate.  There was also this juicy cherry flavor that was coming through.  There were some elements of dried herbs and spice.  There was some minerality there that reminded me of the smell of wet slate.  There was a slight toasty note that finished off with a hint of vanilla.

I really loved this wine.  IT had alot happening and all of it came together.  The tannins were mild and the acidity level was just right.  This Cabernet Franc was well balanced and delicious.

I drank this wine by itself; I did not pair food with it.  I had it in the tasting room at Pindar and again later that day.  This wine was only getting better as the day went on and even into the next day.

If you pick up this wine, and I highly recommend that you do, keep it in your cellar for a while.  But if you do give in to temptation, then make sure that you open this for a few hours before you quickly consume this wine with friends.

Posted in Cabernet Franc, Long Island, Pindar, Red Wine, Winery Visit | 3 Comments

Making my first Vintage!

Posted on November 10, 2009 by Michael Gorton, Jr.

Cabernet FrancOn Sunday was the start of a beautiful thing, my first vintage of Cabernet Franc.  Along with my parents and my cousin Melissa, we met at Raphael Vineyards around 9AM.  We were greeted by their winemaker, Richard Olsen-Harbich and Lenn Thompson, of The New York Cork Report and a bunch of Lenn’s followers.

Lenn is NY’s premier wine blogger and an idol of mine.  When Lenn mentioned on twitter a few months back about this opportunity at Raphael, I was all but to excited.  I immediately extended this opportunity to my family to see if a bunch of irish americans could make alcohol from grapes instead of hops.Harvesting

It was a beautiful morning that day, not your typical first weekend in november.  We were able to harvest two rows of beautifully ripe and sweet Cabernet Franc.  Tasting the grapes, I tasted some wonderful raspberry and juicy plum.

After we harvested we got down to the fun stuff.  We were able to stomp our feet, just like Lucy did.  As you can see from the pictures, everyone was having fun!

Our grapes were then sorted and destemed and pressed into a holding tank till fermentation is finished.

Check back in a few weeks, you will see another report of how my wine is doing.

In the meanwhile, I will have to come up with a name, any suggestions?

Stompers

Stomping

Posted in Wine Making | 3 Comments