Four Friends Vineyard and Winery - October 2016 We were headed to Williamsport and had stopped at other places along the way that we missed our first opportunity to visit. But fate would allow us to stop on the way home. Between my wife and I, we tried just about everything on their tasting menu.
She started off with their Diamond, sweet starting but not as crisp as others (too sweet for my taste). Their Delaware, mostly the grape of the same name, was more like a Niagara and the Vineyard Harvest (were told it was a blend) was not sweet at all. My wife was not too fond of the reds. She had the Red Sky, Beach Bum (hints of black cherry), Passion (not much there) and Summer Sun (tasted like church wine to me).
I had the Black Cat riesling, dry on the palate, but missing a nice finish. Their Sailaway (the tasting room server did not know what grape was in it) reminded me of a lightly oaked chardonnay, but that was sold out. The cabernet franc was either too young or just weak. Vincenzo reminded me of a zinfandel or chianti. The baco noir gave a nice peppery aroma while the dechaunac had berry flavors. Unfortunately, the Jax Red was weak and reminded me of cough medicine.
Friday, March 24, 2017
Maryland - Parkton - Royal Rabbit
Royal Rabbit Vineyards - (December 2018) It had been awhile since I visit Roy and Linda and wanted to see what I was missing. On the tasting sheet that day were the 2017 Duchess, made from the Albarino grape, is growing on me, with mineral aromas and flavors of lemon and pear; the 2016 Chatelaine, a blend of traminette and Kerner (Riesling hybrid), with typical floral notes and the flavor and smoothness of honey; Courtly Love, a rose blend of red and white wines, there was a light strawberry flavor and the tartness of cranberry. The 2015 Count, cabernet sauvignon, has mild tannins and the chocolate chip cake we were eating brought out the fruit flavors; 2015 Viscount, petit verdot, was deep purple in color with plum flavors but a short finish; and the Royal Frost Viscount, dark cherry flavor heightened when eating chocolate.
(December 2016) I had been wanting to get back to Royal Rabbit and I'm glad I made the trip. I had talked about it to a few friends and we decided to make their holiday open house a reason to go to the area. Stop by and visit Roy and Linda and get treated like royalty. Between all of us, we tried everything on the menu. I tried the Marquise and remembered the soft feel. The Comtesse, their chardonnay, was fruity, refreshing and balanced. The Baroness, made from vidal blanc, was semi-sweet, but did not excite my palate. Les Jongliers, a vignoles and petit manseng blend, had hints of lemon (grass). The acidity balanced the sweetness better than the Baroness. I tried the Chamberlain, made from chambourcin, but there is something about the grape that I have yet to overcome; maybe one day.
(March 2016) We were on the Mason-Dixon wine trail and made this the last stop of our Maryland portion of the trail. As part of the trail weekend, we got to sample a selected group of wines. I'm glad we did. The Marquise is a viognier and marsanne blend which could be used as an alternative to chardonnay with a dry but soft feel. Their Sir Isaac is a semi-sweet apple wine which reminded me of a fruity gewurtztraimer. The Abbess is an apple honey wine which immediately made me think of pork and sauerkraut. Chatelaine's Blush is a rose of seven of their red varieties and some vidal.
The Duke is a blend of cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot; fruity and mildly oaked. The Chevalier is their dessert wine made from chambourcin, petit verdot, merlot and cabernet franc. While we were tasting this one, we tried some gouda and dark chocolate; fabulous.
While speaking to Roy about his reds, I asked him about the Viscount, their petit verdot wine. I have seen this more of a blending grape and not too often as its own wine. He poured me a sample; needless to say, it was worth asking about; part of our purchases included two bottles.
(December 2016) I had been wanting to get back to Royal Rabbit and I'm glad I made the trip. I had talked about it to a few friends and we decided to make their holiday open house a reason to go to the area. Stop by and visit Roy and Linda and get treated like royalty. Between all of us, we tried everything on the menu. I tried the Marquise and remembered the soft feel. The Comtesse, their chardonnay, was fruity, refreshing and balanced. The Baroness, made from vidal blanc, was semi-sweet, but did not excite my palate. Les Jongliers, a vignoles and petit manseng blend, had hints of lemon (grass). The acidity balanced the sweetness better than the Baroness. I tried the Chamberlain, made from chambourcin, but there is something about the grape that I have yet to overcome; maybe one day.
(March 2016) We were on the Mason-Dixon wine trail and made this the last stop of our Maryland portion of the trail. As part of the trail weekend, we got to sample a selected group of wines. I'm glad we did. The Marquise is a viognier and marsanne blend which could be used as an alternative to chardonnay with a dry but soft feel. Their Sir Isaac is a semi-sweet apple wine which reminded me of a fruity gewurtztraimer. The Abbess is an apple honey wine which immediately made me think of pork and sauerkraut. Chatelaine's Blush is a rose of seven of their red varieties and some vidal.
The Duke is a blend of cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot; fruity and mildly oaked. The Chevalier is their dessert wine made from chambourcin, petit verdot, merlot and cabernet franc. While we were tasting this one, we tried some gouda and dark chocolate; fabulous.
While speaking to Roy about his reds, I asked him about the Viscount, their petit verdot wine. I have seen this more of a blending grape and not too often as its own wine. He poured me a sample; needless to say, it was worth asking about; part of our purchases included two bottles.
Pennsylvania - New Tripoli - Weathered Vineyards
Weathered Vineyards - (March 2017) I've heard good things about this winery so I decided to make it part of a trip to the area.
I tried all their whites. The riesling was aromatic with the grape bringing you into the subtle taste of sweet pink grapefruit and a nice not to acidic crisp finish. Their naked chardonnay brought out the best of the grape with a nice white peach finish, but it was the oaked chardonnay that took the (naked) best and added the buttery oak finish to give it a more balanced symphony.
The merlot had a nice chard-smoke aroma reminding me of a fresh lit pipe or cigar with raspberry notes leading to a slight vanilla bean finish. The cabernet franc was mellow with hints of black cherry; possibly a good compromise wine. The reserve cabernet franc though had hints of plum and a better tannic structure, more to my liking.
I tried all their whites. The riesling was aromatic with the grape bringing you into the subtle taste of sweet pink grapefruit and a nice not to acidic crisp finish. Their naked chardonnay brought out the best of the grape with a nice white peach finish, but it was the oaked chardonnay that took the (naked) best and added the buttery oak finish to give it a more balanced symphony.
The merlot had a nice chard-smoke aroma reminding me of a fresh lit pipe or cigar with raspberry notes leading to a slight vanilla bean finish. The cabernet franc was mellow with hints of black cherry; possibly a good compromise wine. The reserve cabernet franc though had hints of plum and a better tannic structure, more to my liking.
Pennsylvania - New Tripoli - Hackett Winery
Hackett Winery - (March 2017) While out in the area, Weathered Vineyards suggested I stop by this one, which is just down the street from them. I was able to try all their available wines.
Started off with the almost naked chardonnay, which had a yeast aroma, reminding me of Bloomer Creek in the Finger Lakes, with subtle oak undertones; enjoyable. The off-dry Vice Riesling started off with the sweet aroma of the grape ending in a smooth crisp finish. I also got to taste the dry Vice Riesling, since it was open, which started off not as sweet aroma-wise, but the finish was much better.
The handmade pinot noir had subtle hints of black cherry and a nice dry finish. The Hillcrest, a blend of cabernet franc and merlot, was a nice ending. Starting with a nice fruit-forward and ending with an earthiness undertone, it is well balanced.
Started off with the almost naked chardonnay, which had a yeast aroma, reminding me of Bloomer Creek in the Finger Lakes, with subtle oak undertones; enjoyable. The off-dry Vice Riesling started off with the sweet aroma of the grape ending in a smooth crisp finish. I also got to taste the dry Vice Riesling, since it was open, which started off not as sweet aroma-wise, but the finish was much better.
The handmade pinot noir had subtle hints of black cherry and a nice dry finish. The Hillcrest, a blend of cabernet franc and merlot, was a nice ending. Starting with a nice fruit-forward and ending with an earthiness undertone, it is well balanced.
Pennsylvania - Abbottstown - Brookmere Winery
Brookmere Winery - We visited their tasting room in Abbottstown on our return to PA from a family visit. We decided to keep our visit short so we only tried a few wines.
My wife started with their Riesling, a nice sweet aroma lead to a dry crisp finish, something we both liked and knew we could share. The Tears of the Goose, a semi-sweet blush, too sweet at the start, but also had a dry finish. She ended the tasting with their cranberry, which we missed the tartness.
I tried their Carmine, a hybrid, which was unoaked. Unfamiliar with the varietal, I liked the fruit forward flavors. Their Twisted Trio, a blend of chambourcin, cabernet sauvignon and merlot is something we could drink with dinner. I finished off with the cabernet franc. Not the best I've had, but worth seeing how it would age for a few more months.
My wife started with their Riesling, a nice sweet aroma lead to a dry crisp finish, something we both liked and knew we could share. The Tears of the Goose, a semi-sweet blush, too sweet at the start, but also had a dry finish. She ended the tasting with their cranberry, which we missed the tartness.
I tried their Carmine, a hybrid, which was unoaked. Unfamiliar with the varietal, I liked the fruit forward flavors. Their Twisted Trio, a blend of chambourcin, cabernet sauvignon and merlot is something we could drink with dinner. I finished off with the cabernet franc. Not the best I've had, but worth seeing how it would age for a few more months.
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