The LI vineyard closest to NYC is...

...Loughlin Vineyard.

I've heard the rumor of a vineyard in Sayville for a while but haven't really found the time to investigate until this past weekend.  Lucky for me I did a little research before hand or I would have never been able to find this shack in the high marsh grass of the south shore.  Now don't read that as a bad thing.  I am always up for a good adventure and this was no different.

A few traffic lights east of town, tucked away off a dirt road just north of 27A lies one of the most unexpected treasures in the quaint village of Sayville.  The family owned and operated Loughlin Vineyard has been producing a mix of red, white & blush since 1985. 

Estate grown & bottled in Sayville, the wine is strictly sold from this wood shack which is heated by an old wood burning stove and run by Mr. Loughlin himself.  With production hovering around 1000 cases per year Mr.Loughlin cheerfully proclaims, "that's why the wine is so expensive".  At $22 a bottle I'd say it was a bargain just based on the experience alone.  In addition to the non-existent tasting fee & free cup of wine "because it's the holidays".

Typically I would spend some time writing a long winded and partially inebriated review of the wines, but this is one time it has so much less to do with the product than it does the atmosphere.  On a biting cold day, walking into the charming rustic shack was shocking yet strangely homey.  Decorated with a pebble floor and some classic photos of days gone by we were immediately greeted by the old man who looks like he would rather be fishing than pouring wine into plastic cups.  Again, he could have poured me kerosene and I wouldn't have known the difference.  I was too intrigued with my surroundings.  *Don't worry, the wine was actually pretty good.

In the summer, there's a perfectly good stretch of vines with some lawn chairs scattered about for your enjoyment.  Of course there is music on the weekends & even a wooded path if you'd prefer to take in more of the Souci Lake nature preserve, but that's obviously for another day.

I suppose my only real advice is to get out and see this place for yourself.  If you're tired of the genpop madness of the NoFo, this place is the polar opposite of that.  Not a chance in hell I will give you directions because that's half the fun.  I expect that if you really want to get here, you'll figure it out on your own.

Chances are I won't be checking back in until after the holidays so I wish everyone the very best.

Happy Holidays!

-ES

http://www.loughlinvineyard.com/

Last Night's Bottle - Coppola 2009 Diamond Claret

As time goes on I'm getting much better at this.  Not the blogging, but the drinking. I used to only drink wine coolers & zima (insert sarcasm here), but now I blog about wine...go figure.

So as the title states, I popped yet another bottle of vino last night before wrapping multiple strands of white lites around the most oddly shaped Christmas tree in recent memory. I suppose I should have taken a picture to share with the group.

*This is not my tree.*

Coppola 2009 Diamond Claret

 

Winemaker's notes:

2009 was an excellent vintage that featured only light spring rain, warm summer weather and no abrupt climate changes at season's end. This allowed us to be highly selective during harvest, choosing the very best fruit only when completely ripe. The result of these amazing conditions is a perfectly balanced and elegantly textured wine with supple tannins, rich fruit concentration and alluring notes of spice and wood. It is a lovely accompaniment to filet mignon topped with bleu cheese, grilled lamb chops or truffle buttered potatoes.

My notes:

Nose consistent of fruity flavor with a helping of spice.  Well balanced & buttery with a perfect blend of acidity. Subtle oakiness (thats right I said, oakiness) with a sweetish & savory finish. $18.99

Grape for grape, Coppola puts out some of the most recognizable and well rounded wines for the value.  I rarely if ever find myself saying, "This wine kinda sucks".  While I will state that some of their pricier bottles are not that much better than their more common brands, the label itself is always a standard in my rack.

That's all for now.

Until next time,

ES

http://www.franciscoppolawinery.com/

Last Night's Bottle - Colores del Sol 2009 Malbec

The holiday season has officially begun. Last weekend turned out to be what felt like one of the longest ever with my cousin in town and I must say my old bones are still paying for it days later.  Or it could just be that I have been pre-emptively training before I dominate the holiday dinner table in two weeks. Either way, I'm psyched for the holidays.

Last night I sampled a bottle of Colores del Sol Malbec for the very first time.  I most likely bought it wandering around the wine store looking for something different to try.  This was probably one of my better blind purchases.

From the bottle:
The vineyards producing Colores del Sol, in Argentina's most famous Mendoza region, are among the highest, sunniest, and driest in the world. This memorable Malbec brims with the enticing aromas and robust flavors of dark cherry, juicy blackberry & delicate rose petals. Sweet oak & mocha notes, with hints of smoke, glide over rounded tannins for a bold , full-bodied wine.

From my senses to your eyes:
A plum, blueberry & floral nose. Initially there is a subtle sweetness with a smokey bite. Low acidity, somewhat on the lighter side, but ultimately smooth & supple on the palate with a soft finish. $6.99

I tend to be drawn to some of the S.American wines based on price alone.  And in this instance I am pleased to report that I made a fine choice.  Based on the value & quality this wine is an easy buy. For those looking at less expensive bottles, I would surely recommend the Colores del Sol.

Until next time, happy tasting!

-ES

www.coloresdelsolwines.com



Last Night's Bottle - More Organic Please - Bonterra 2009 Pinot Noir

I hope you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving.  I sure as hell did.  It was surprisingly sane low-key this year. 

Moving on...

For anyone who hasn't already noticed, I've been on an organic kick lately.  Unfortunately, the choices @ the local wine shops are less than desirable.  In any case, I'm making my way through the few choices they do have to offer.

While better than Stellar Organics from last week, Bonterra's 2009 Pinot Noir still didn't live up to expectations. Not bad by any means, but definitely not great either.

Bonterra website tasting notes:
This Pinot Noir has aromas of strawberry, raspberry and cola accented with hints of oak spice and vanilla. In the mouth, this wine is rich with nice soft tannins with flavors of berries, vanilla and spice that fade into a lovely long finish.

ES tasting notes:
Ripe fruit aromas of berry & plum. On the thin side, but silky with a subtle hint of vanilla & oak. Smooth lasting finish. $18.99

Again this wine was superior to the bottle from Stellar, but I was still left dissatisfied.  The good news is that organic winemaking is gaining in popularity.  With that said, the only direction to go from here is up.  I look forward to discovering new labels of organics and reporting back to you. 

If anyone has any good organic recommendations, throw them my way. If I can find it, I'll try it and be happy to share my experiences with you.

Hope you all make the most of the last day of the long weekend.

Until next time,
ES

http://www.bonterra.com/

 

Last night's bottle - To be or not to be organic...that is the question.

It's fair to say that I often preach the benefits of fair trade, eating organic, being green etc.  But the reality is that it's easier said than done to just one day transform you daily habits to meet the goal of living a wholly organic lifestyle. So for me I simply do what I can, when I can to be a responsible human and minimize my effect on destroying the planet and or/my body.  And there you have my best attempt at a PSA for organic living.

Last night was one of the few times I decided to open a bottle of organic wine and grabbed a bottle of Stellar Organics 2009 South African Shiraz off the shelf.  For anyone who has read this blog, it's probably not a surprise to hear me say that I am a big fan of Shiraz.  I mean my blood is red for a reason, I keep my body properly stocked with red wine as much as I can. It runs through my veins.

As for last night's bottle, I wasn't sure what to make of it at first.  Organics are not my specialty.  So I can simply tell you what I thought and you can choose whether or not to try it for yourself. 

The color was deep and dark as you might expect, but the nose is uncharacteristically light and airy.  The palate not as deep & rich as expected but this bottle does in fact go down easy. Hints of dark fruit jump out with a hint of cedar which make way for an earthy finish. The acidity is low and not at all overpowering. Ultimately, I found the wine to be well balanced but lacking in depth.

In short, this is a "fine" bottle of wine.  Definitely worth bringing to impress share with friends that may or may not be @ the OWS rally this morning.  In all seriousness, this would be good addition to your rotation.  Its always good to be diverse and this pleasant organic is a good start.

Until next time.

Cheers,
ES

http://www.stellarorganics.com/

Last Night's Bottle - Layer Cake 2009 Shiraz

Last call before a much needed vacation. 

This is my first bottle of Shiraz in awhile.  I have been spending more time on the locals than just randomly purchasing bottles from the local wine-o.

Layer Cake Shiraz - 2009

Vineyard Notes: Layer Cake Shiraz is produced in South Australia which is arguably one of the top shiraz-growing regions of the world.  Within SA, the McLaren Vale is the most diverse and historic sub-region with vines dating back to the 1830’s.  The microclimates within McLaren Vale are what give Layer Cake Shiraz its complexity.  For our Shiraz, we pull from vineyards all over McLaren Vale; from the full-clustered, sandy soiled blocks on the sea coast of Gulf St. Vincent, to the Terra Rosa based, tiny-berried wind- blown hills across the Vale.  The vineyards are all within a few miles of each other, yet give us a broad array of flavors to blend into a complete wine.  Each year we pull a small amount of fruit from tiny vineyards in Padthaway and Wrattanbully for added layers; combined they represent less than 10% of the blend.

Personal notes: Deep & dark yet smooth. Fruity aromas of berry & plum mixed with a subtle potpourri of spice. This wine possesses a ripe fruity palate with mild earthy undertones. I got a kick out of the self proclaimed description of this wine being "A pure fruit bomb".  It is undoubtedly well balanced with a lingering finish.

For the price of $14.99 I would definitely grab a bottle or two next time to share with friends.

Until next time, happy tasting!
-ES

A taste of Broooklyn

I was faced with a mission of brining home something good without breaking the budget. Well I guess that is always my mission when it comes to buying wine. 

Last night I found a bottle of Brooklyn Oenology 2006 Social Club Red ($13.99) collecting dust in the "local" section of a nearby liquor store. It was by accident was I even there in the first place seeing that they tend to stock a lot of garbage, but this time it was a mistake I would come to appreciate.

BOE as they like to call themselves proclaim their wines to be "a celebration of both heritage and the artisinal resurgence in Brooklyn".  Ok, you got me.  "Artisinal" is the current buzz word to describe everything from spray cheese to paint colors. But whatever, they had me at the word "local".  Seriously, if you've read anything I've written before (all 3 of you), you know I am a huge supporter of all things artisinal, uh I mean local.

Onto the wine.  The Social Red is a Bordeaux style blend of Merlot, Cab Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec & Syrah. Yes, yes, yes & yes. This is like the holy trinity of wine for someone like me.  Wait, a trinity is a group of 3...anyway. So yes, this wine has all the makings of a true champ.  There are floral notes of rose & not so floral notes of plum. The wine posseses a woodsy flavor with hints of cherry & clove. They say chocolate as well, I say I was already too impressed to tell.  The finish was bold & deep yet lasting & smooth. That is not a contradiction. Next/first time you try this wine you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.

In short, this wine was a slam dunk for me.  And for the record, the wine while billed and labeled as a Brooklyn Hipster really grew up on the NoFo.  So either way the NYC snobs will probably still look at it as B&T all the way. That's why I support the snobs, they tend to ignore good wine from unsuspecting places.  That only means more amazing red for us.

Happy Tasting!
-ES

www.brooklynoenology.com/

A tale of two tastings

What better way to reward ourselves after the Shelter Island 5k than a trip back west through LI Wine country? 

A relatively little known new add to the tasting scene is Mattebella Vineyards in Southold.  Since August, Mattebella has been entertaining guests out of their quaint tasting shed while showcasing their wines which are cheerfully advertised as being produced "the old fashioned way".  The wines are harvested sans machinery and the vineyard is "committed to using sustainable viticulturural practices, while incorporating as many organic practices as possible into their farming method".

Mattebella has prided themselves on a more friendly, laid back environment and it shows.  The shed and accomodations are simple yet effective.  While they are open through December, this is purely a seasonal establishment.  Figuring that it will take a few seasons to work out the kinks, I still suggest stopping in to say "Hi" and grabbing a bottle on the go.  Unless of course the sun is shining  and your lucky enough to grab one of the Adirondack chairs out back.

The second stop of the day was a few clicks down the road @ Sherwood House in Jamesport.  The tasting house is a converted 1860's farmhouse complete with fireplace, deck and event barn.

From the second you arrive you feel as if you've stepped into a Williams Sonoma catalog. The farmhouse chic decor spills out to a patio complete with raw bar featuring local oysters & clams. For me, that's as close to heaven as I'll ever get.  The wine isn't so bad either.

In all seriousness, if you enjoy the scenery as much as you enjoy wine, Sherwood is the place for you. Dan's paper has rated them among the very best in multiple categories the last few years and I tend to agree with their asessment. Some vineyards pride themselves on style over substance, but in this particular instance Sherwood has acheived both near perfection.

46005 Main Road (Route 25)
Southold, NY 11971
http://www.mattebella.com/

TWO TASTING ROOMS:

1291 Main Road, Jamesport & Oregon Road, Mattituck
http://www.sherwoodhousevineyards.com/

Brooks & Porter Steakhouse - A mild departure from just talking about wine.

I recall a time when this place was called The Crease and I'd spend entire Sundays dominating plates of wings & pitchers of beer while watching 10 different football games simultaneously. Sadly, those days are long gone. On the bright side, a fancy more adult less college frat house steakhouse has sprung up where the old pub once stood. 

Brooks & Porter has been anchoring Merrick village for the last few years and turning out charred pieces of meat like a factory ever since it's inception.  Upon a my first visit shortly after their grand opening I was surprised to find a pretty damn good steakhouse in an otherwise generic "main" street lined with stores perpendicular to Sunrise Hwy.  That was then.

Since we have moved to the "outer reaches" of Suffolk, it had been awhile since we had been there.  Some old friends of ours who still live nearby suggested we stop in and check it out for dinner.  Without question, we agreed and met them for dinner last night.

To be fair, I know about as much about steaks as I do wine. If I like what I taste, then I'll go back for more.  Hence, this was our second time back.  Knowing I had been there before I suppose I spent a little time looking around and perhaps a bit more critical as well.  The decor screams modern steakhouse with it's combination of simple lines, dim lighting & deep dark wood finishings. But oddly enough, the menu is framed as if the place were 100 years old and once called Ye Olde Meat House (i.e. a bit gimmicky).

The menu is what you would expect with the typical assortment of different cuts made to order, various offerings of fish, a raw bar & chicken for those who don't like beef.  One item of note is that the restaurant offers various side sauces to "compliment" your steak.  Maybe I'm old school, but to me a steak should be able to stand on it's own.  But that's just me.

The wine list was pleasantly long and the waiters good at pretending to know a little bit about everything that was on there.  In addition, they will serve a bottle in a decanter and single glasses in a mini-carafe. Did someone just say "gimmicky"?  Ah yes, that was me in the last paragraph.

Having said that, I obviously ordered a beer. 

Which brings me to me next point. I tried something I had never tried before and thought maybe the glass it was poured into was dirty. On the other hand, the beer might have had some depth and meant to possess that smokehouse flavor. Rather than send it back, I powered though and even ordered another.  Let's just say that after trying the second beer, my instincts were correct. The smokehouse flavor was in fact not meant to be part of the brew master's plan...MMMmmmm.

Our waitress was great, but @ 8pm on a Saturday night the busiest night of the week she made it seem pretty standard to already have been sold out of 3 items on a not so extensive menu. Although, she did say that the head chef was a bit finicky and sent a full order of fish back to their purveyor.

dirty glass - check
limited menu - check

I can't say that I've ever really not liked a steak.  But I can say that I have had a few steaks that stand out above all the others.  This was not one of those times.  My sirloin was bit overcooked.  Even I know enough about proper cooking times & temperatures. I would expect that for $50, my chef would know far more about that than me.  But again, I powered through and moved on.  I don't ever send anything back unless it might kill me.

dirty glass - check
limited menu - check
overcooked steak - check

Lastly, there was dessert.  Let me say this, go for the pumpkin cheesecake if nothing else.  I sincerely mean that.  While the entire meal was forgettable with the exception of the company I was with, the cheesecake stood out above all else.  It would seem that Brooks & Porter has a much more prosperous future as a dessert studio than steakhouse.

As previously mentioned, this place used to be pretty damn good.  But that was about 3-4 years ago. Last night proved to me that Brooks & Porter has officially jumped the shark. If you're looking for a good steakhouse, this is a pass.  On the other hand, if you're in the mood for an amazing piece of pumpkin cheesecake then by all means order two.

It is safe to say this was our final trip to B&P.  If I want a piece of cheesecake, I suppose I'll have to spend some more time searching for a good bakery.

Until next time,
ES

Brooks & Porter Steakhouse

16 Merrick Avenue

Merrick, NY 11566

(516) 379-9400

http://www.brooksandporter.com/

Last Night's Bottle - Leo Family Red

I originally couldn't recall if someone gave this as a gift or I bought it myself but then it finally dawned on me that we purchased @ the Winemaker Studio the last trip out. Either way, we drank the bottle dry. 

This is the first and so far, only wine released under the Leo Family label. A blend made of sustainably farmed grapes: 80% Merlot, 7% Syrah, 6% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon from the North Fork of Long Island. Aged 18 months in French and Hungarian oak, released spring 2011.

A robust, smokey, woodsy blend with undertones of fruit (prune & berry) & spice (clove).  Very well balanced with low acidity & tannins.

Paid $40 which is above my usual budget but I feel worth every penny.  My only regret was that I didn't overcelebrate (i.e. drink way too much) all weekend with the family & friends. I would have enjoyed it a little more if I wasn't fighting off the after effects of my weekend long bender. Will have to better observe my limitations next time.

Cheers.

-ES

NYC Wine Bar Review: Ayza Wine & Chocolate Bar

Sometimes I take it for granted that I work in the greatest city in the world.  Perhaps it's because I rarely find myself able to escape the commuter's corridor of midtown Manhattan. But before Irene supposedly ends the world as we know it, I made it a point to get out one last time and take in some of what this otherwise wonderful city has to offer.

Just beyond the shadows of Penn Station lies Ayza Wine & Chocolate Bar. This is a small yet elegant space with seating for about 20 and possibly 5 more at the bar. But if you find yourself there on a summer night, the outdoor sidewalk patio is the preferred option. 

Whether inside or out, nothing quite compares to watching passersby while enjoying one of the bar's 90+ wine selections. If wine is not your thing, they offer a handsome list of specialty martinis as well.

Food options vary but are somewhat limited. While I didn't stay long enough to eat, I did peruse the menu and decided the wiser choice might be to stick with the tapas style appetizers and forgo the entrees altogether. Or you could do as the name suggests and sample some of the decadent chocolates that are available. I should also add that they do offer a 2 course, prix fixe lunch menu for $9.95 on weekdays.

Whatever your taste, Ayza has a little something for everyone.  It wouldn't hurt to remind yourself every now & again that if you stray a few blocks from the loud frat houses lining the Avenues next to Penn Station you can find a tiny gem in Ayza.

Ayza Wine & Chocolate Bar

11 W.31 Street

(b/t 5th & Broadway)

NYC.NY 10001

212.714.2992

http://www.ayzanyc.com/

Last Night's Bottle - Jordan 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon

On an otherwise typical Thursday night, we decided to open a bottle of Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon to enjoy with dinner and some Jersey Shore. That's right I proudly watch that trash and although this season is the worst one yet, I still find myself drawn to it.

The Jordan name is readily available, easily recognizable and typically reliable from one of California's most well known producers.

While I find the wine to be classic in most every sense of the word, the price ($35-45) could be considered somewhat excessive for a slightly above average bottle of wine. I have have enjoyed similar wines for much less $.

About the wine:

A rich crimson color leads to blackberry, cherry & currant notes with mild mineral undertones & subtle spice that jump out at you right away.

The palate is full of berry flavor followed closely by cinnamon & vanilla and a hint of wood.  The wine itself is soft with an understated acidity.

Again I did enjoy this bottle, but it is what I would expect from a large producer such as Jordan. In one word, "reliable".  If you have the dollars to spend, by all means don't let the price fool you.  If you prefer to find that diamond in the rough for a small cost, then move on to something you haven't already tried before. I think it is safe for me to say that Jordan's Cabernet doesn't stand out among 100's of other similar wines out there.

More to come next week.

In the mean time, Happy tasting!
-E.S.

Final Chapter - Part 3 of 3: The Winemaker Studio

At long last I have been able to devote some time to my final post from last week's trip to the North Fork.

Our third stop was @ The Winemaker Studio, a cooperative tasting room in Peconic, New York. The informal minimalist space with the giant chalkboard features a rotating list of Long Island winemaker's independent, private labels for tasting and/or purchase. The Studio offers a wide range of Long Island wines and styles from some of the most well respected local winemakers.

-From their website: "Hosted by Anthony Nappa Wines, we also feature other winemaker’s private label wines as well as a rotational list representing local winery brands with a focus on limited production wines, unusual wine styles, and library selections. The Winemaker Studio is well suited to highlight esoteric, obscure, and interesting wines."

A bit off the beaten path of the main roads featuring the bulk of the Fork's wineries, a small store front on Peconic Lane welcomes passers by to stop in and enjoy some of the lesser known wines from around the area. Our tasting room host was generous and knowledgeable. Even to the gentleman next to us who insisted on slurping every sip of his wine and letting everyone around him know how much he knew about wine. I love these self proclaimed "wine professionals".  Someone please slap me if I ever become so pretentious.

Moving on, the Studio offered a full list wines to be sampled at $2-3 a taste or $7-15 a glass to be enjoyed nearby at one of the few tables. The standard varietals were represented and I strongly recommend listening to the man behind the counter because he knows what he is talking about and happy to offer his opinion or advice to anyone seeking it. 

As this was our last stop of the day, I only limited myself to two tastings. The good news is that both were pure knockouts!

2010 "Anamoly" White Pinot Noir (Anthony Nappa Wines) - According to the tasting notes, this is a white wine made from red grapes.  Hmmm...that's an interesting start. This wine possesses a rich, full body with tart yet sweet fruit flavors which is somewhat misleading, but all comes together with a lightly acidic finish.  I found myself allowing enough time for this wine to linger as long as I could.

This was nearly my favorite wine of the day...except for that I had allowed myself one more wine to taste.

3.5 of 5

2009 Shiraz (Suhru) - We were lucky enough to experience some of the Suhru product at an event earlier in the year and fortunately knew what we were in store for.  The Shiraz is a deep and rich red color with a nose of white pepper, spice  & tea. It has been referred to a "spice rack" of aroma. And I wholly agree with that accusation. To match the color, the palate bursts with red fruits like plum & cherry and again with a lingering taste of the white pepper and subtle vanilla finish.

As I previously stated, this wine was a knockout.  Perhaps it is because I am a sucker for anything spicy or a wine that pops in your mouth. This was all of that and then some.  Of course, we bought a bottle for home and while I do enjoy sharing good wine with friends, this bottle is for me. I will just strongly suggest that everyone get out to the Winemaker Studio and try for yourself.

4 of 5.

Overall, we had a wonderful day. I have been trying to dedicate myself to hitting up some of the places we've never been before or that tend to be smaller and more fan friendly.  It is a much more pleasant experience when you're not rushed or force fed a general flight tasting then expected to buy everything in sight.  I don't go to wineries to hear a pushy sales pitch.  So far this approach has suited us well.  The last few drives out east to the smaller maybe less well know producers have yielded some of our favorite places to enjoy a lazy afternoon.  I suggest you do the same.

Until next time, happy tasting!
-ES

http://anthonynappawines.com/tws_home.html

Next Stop: The Old Field Vineyards Part 2 of 3

Our second stop of the day was @ The Old Field Vineyards in Old Field.  Where Baiting Hollow is located at the beginning of the wine line, Old Field is situated at the end.


Upon entering the white gates and down the dirt road you can see that the converted barn is going to be full of character.  The type of character you would expect of Long Island's seemingly long lost agricultural roots.  And much like the understated beauty of the grounds, OFV is quietly making their name on reputation alone.  It is my understanding that their wines are sold exclusively through the tasting room.

OFV started first with it's Pinot Noir and now produces a variety of Merlot, Cab Franc, Chardonnay, Blush de Noir, and what I overheard was their "best selling" Blanc de Noir sparkling wines.

2009 Blush de Noir - A refreshing white with a definitive taste of peach and subtle strawberry finish. Another great summer wine that is refreshing yet not overpowering.

2.5 of 5.
 
2009 Mostly Steel Chardonnay - This was a surprisingly crisp & well balanced steel fermented Chardonnay. Hints of grapefruit, green apple & lime give it a mild acidity but again, very well balanced and stands out among some of the better Chardonnay's I have tried.

2.5 of 5

2009 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay - I supposed it goes without saying that this wine has a distinctively oak nose and palate and posses lighter characteristics as opposed to the "Mostly Steel" outline above.

I personally enjoy the oak fermented wines, but proudly admit that the steel was more appealing to me.

2 of 5.

2008 Cacklin Rose - Every year I see more and more Roses entering the local marketplace.  And more and more I find myself enjoying these wines.  Old Field's Cacklin Rose is no exception.  This Merlot Rose whets the palate with a sweet & sour balance of cranberry & strawberry yet mildly acidic. 

The tasting notes suggest this is a perfect wine to pair with "turkey sandwiches, fish tacos or a steak right off the grill". Let's just say that I will be trying all of the above and report back on that at a later time.

3 of 5.


2006 Cabenet Franc - The Cab Franc was a bit of an anomaly for me. At first taste it was more fruity than I might have anticipated. Hits of blackberry, raspberry & cinnamon gave it somewhat of a holiday feel. 

While it was most certainly a good wine, and Cab Franc being one of my usual favorites, this one did not appeal to my usual sensibilities.

2.25 of 5
  
2004 Merlot - To be expected, this wine was more earthy than the Cab Franc. Notes of cranberry with an organic feeling oak finish made this wine stand out to me. 

If I were writing any other review, I'd most likely be touting the Cab Franc as my clear favorite and the Merlot a distant second. But in this case, it was the other way around.

2.75 of 5

Rooster Tail (Dry Red Table Wine) - I am always looking for a good red table wine to pass around at dinner and just watch everyone enjoy every last drop. But typically the stigma of the "table wine" designation tends to make people feel that they are sacrificing quality for price. While that me be the case, I feel as if a clear leader has emerged from the pack. This blend (91% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc) is smooth and light with notes of cherry & spice. 

This wine is great for larger, informal gatherings. No quality has been sacrificed here and I even brought a bottle home for another time.

3.25 of 5

2002 Commodore Perry Merlot - An extremely well balanced and smooth wine with a subtle fruitiness that will improve over time. An earthy, herbal nose with notes of bright blackberry, current & plum lead to a lingering rich chocolate finish.

This was my second favorite wine of the day.  You'll learn what the first was in my next post.  I was skeptical that the price and story behind the production of the Commodore Perry was a setup for me only to be eventually let down, but this wine was in no way a disappointment.  I should also mention here that a portion of the proceeds from these bottle are donated to the tsunami victims in Japan.

3.75 of 5

Aside from just the wine, I am a strong proponent of a vineyard's character and the characters that work there.  We were immediately greeted and felt like friends from the second we walked in the door.  The grounds are as inviting as the staff.  The old barn & resident family of roosters & chickens take you away from the hustle and make you feel right at home on the east end.  I really can't say enough positive things about the OFV. 

One last item of note and because it's how I pay the mortgage and can afford to take these semi-regular excursions, I feel compelled to mention that the vineyard offers movies on the lawn Thursday nights throughout the summer. The features vary from Animal House to North Shore to Stand By Me. For $5 per car this may be one of the single best recession buster values I have ever heard of. I encourage you all to take in a movie under the stars...it can't be beat.

Happy Tasting!
-E.S.

http://www.theoldfield.com/

North Fork Wine Tasting 8/12/11 : Part 1 of 3

Starting with the requisite traffic jam on the LIE, it turned out to be an amazing day with the wife tasting wine and taking in as much of the North Fork as we could in a few short hours.

Once past the traffic our adventure began @ The Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard in Baiting Hollow. We've sampled the wine at various events prior to making the trip, but this was our first actual visit to the vineyard and tasting house. The house is just that. A beautifully refurbished 19th century farm house converted into a tasting room that is charming but certainly more comfortable for smaller groups than large crowds.  The modest patio and lawn with picnic tables behind the house is the better choice to stretch your legs and enjoy your wine.  Simple cheese platters are offered for sale as well.

But let's get to the good stuff...the wine. Being our first stop we started off slow with a long day ahead of us.  I volunteered to sample a few reds and the Mrs. a combo of the remaining reds and white.

Merlot - The 2004 Merlot smells of black cherry and plum with a hint of smokiness that I really appreciated. (There are certain times where it just sneaks up on you). The palate is rich with oak and mild tannins provide a nice even finish.

If I had an extra bottle I would love to hold on this and let it age a while longer before giving it another try.

2.5 of 5.

Cabernet Sauvignon 2007- At first glance I noticed the standard deep red color. The taste is dark fruit flavors of black cherry and black currant with dark chocolate. The oak aging contributes to the smokiness and coffee bean flavor of the wine. This wine has good structure and again, I'd like to allow it to sit and age before giving it another try.

2.5 of 5.

Cabernet Franc - The 2007 Cabernet Franc at first nose also exhibits fruity black cherry aroma like the Merlot followed by with subtle hint of blackberry. The palate is earthy and the tannins mild with a lingering finish. While not overwhelming, I felt it to be less well rounded than I had hoped & lacked a real identity.

To be fair, I usually tend to enjoy Cab Franc over other wines and there was no exception to that trend today. But overall it didn't hold up to some of my favorites.

2.75 of 5.
 
Cabernet Franc Rose 2008 - A dryer style Rosé. This wine offers while full of fruit flavors has a definite bite to it. An almost overwhelming grapefruit and citrus blended palate followed by touch of strawberry gave it the impression of a sour candy.  I don't mean that to be disparaging, but rather that this wine tended to linger far longer than any of the others I tried today.

Personally not my favorite of the day, but I did appreciate the way it snuck up on my palate. I tend to enjoy strong flavors whether they work or not.

2 of 5.

Mirage 2007 - One of the "horse rescue wines" the vineyard produces, this is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Dry on the palate with a smooth finish, this is a strong offering for a blend where a portion of the profits go to the BHFV horse rescue organization.

2.5 of 5.


White Satin 2010 - A peach and herbal nose lead to a palate consisting of green fruits like apple and pear with a twist of citrus that posses an abrupt, refreshing finish.

In my humble opinion there is a place for most every wine.  This a cool white that works beautifully for a summer day and/or backyard cookout

2.25 of 5.

Overall, we enjoyed BHFV about the same as many others on the North Fork. The staff was friendly and the wine perfectly drinkable, but average in comparison to some of the other east end vineyards. 

As previously mentioned, a notable aspect to be commended is the BHFV's support to "save the horses". The family has rescued many of the animals from livestock auctions who now instead call the stable on the property their new home.  In addition, portions of the sale of various wines are donated to BHFV horse rescue efforts. I respect their commitment to these animals and urge anyone who visits to show their support as well. 

http://www.baitinghollowfarmvineyard.com/

Happy Tasting!

-E.S.

Weekend Wines

Here's a quick look at what we drank this past weekend. I'm always looking for a strong value without the guilt of having to cut my debit card in half. Enjoy!

Castle Rock - Pinot Noir

2009

Cherry and tea aroma with plum & mild spice flavors lead to a lasting finish that compliment this medium bodied wine nicely. Not something I would buy on my own so thankfully I received this bottle as a gift. But obviously you are your own judge.

*Personal rating of 2 of 5 @ est. of $8.99

Franciscan Estate - Cabernet Sauvignon

2007

Hints of black cherry and plum on the nose with distinct flavors of plum, cocoa and possibly tea or tobacco.This is an extremely well balanced wine with a smooth yet robust finish. One of my "go-to" Cabernet's that seemingly never lets me down.

*Personal Rating of 3.5 of 5 @ $15.99

*Wine Enthusiast Rating of 94

Marques de Caceres - Rioja Blanco

2010

Fruity on the nose with hints of pear and green apple. The mixed fruit flavor is refreshing without any overwhelming acidity. This is a great summer white for the price. Do not let the screw off cap scare you off, it just makes it easier to open while enjoying a perfect sunset at the beach.

*Personal rating 3+ of 5 @ $5.88 (You cannot deny the excellent value here.)

*Wine Enthusiast Rating of 87

Happy Tasting!

-E.S.



New York Vines – A Quick Guide to NY’s Most Prominent Wine Regions

North Fork of L.I. – The North Fork of Long Island’s east end was primarily dedicated to potato farming as recently as the 1970’s. Over the last 35 years it has slowly evolved into one of the premier wine making regions of the U.S. and seemingly exploded onto the scene within the last 10.  While smaller than the Finger Lakes wine region, Long Island is home to approximately 4,000 planted acres and 60 vineyards.  This has helped catapult New York State into the 4^th largest wine producing state in the country. 

While many of the farms have retained some of the old charm, the wine making is a relatively new endeavor for some.  But that is not to say that many premier wines have sprung from this region in more recent years.

NOTABLE VARIETALS: cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, chenin blanc, dolcetto, gewurztraminer, lemberger, malbec, merlot, petit verdot, pinot blanc, pinot gris, pinot noir, riesling, sangiovese, sauvignon blanc, semillon, shiraz (syrah), tocai friulano, viognier

http://www.liwines.com/

Hudson Valley/Catskills Region – Heading north of the city, dotting the path of the Hudson River and the surrounding valley, sits one of America's most historic wine regions. A combination of the river's effect on the air that funnels down the valley has made this region a perfect home to more than 20 vineyards & wineries. This includes the storied Brotherhood Winery which is the oldest in the country.

For those in search of a short day trip from the city, a small group of wineries on the west side of the river have organized the Shawangunk Wine Trail named after the nearby New Paltz mountain range. Or on the east side, the Dutchess Wine Trail which resides predominantly in the county of the same name.

NOTABLE VARIETALS: seyval blanc , baco noir, chardonnay, cabernet franc.

http://www.hudsonvalleywinecountry.org/

Finger Lakes Region – Home to approximately 90 wineries, the Finger Lakes are home to the state’s largest wine producing region.  Broken into 4 trails aptly named after the larger lakes (Canadiagua, Seneca, Keuka, Cayuga), this region boasts over 9,100 acres of operating vineyards.

Small towns along the trails like Watkins Glen, Seneca Falls, Skaneateles offer ample opportunity to embrace some of the local culture with a plethora of options for shopping, dining, museums or more simply a lazy walk around town.

NOTABLE VARIETALS: chardonnay, riesling, pinot noir, cabernet franc, ice wine as well as several Frenc-American native varietals. 

http://www.fingerlakeswinecountry.com/