Bishop Estate Vineyard and Winery - February 2019 -They have some different varietals - The Overworked Dry Riesling had mineral aroma with tangerine and lemon flavor and an acidic finish while the Persuader LaCrescent, also with mineral aroma but white peach flavor and a slight sweet finish. The Cranberries Dream, Niagara with some cranberry added, was sweet from
the Niagara and could have used a touch more cranberry to balance it.
Initiative Marquette was light in hue, had weak plum flavor but finished with a some tobacco, the ODA Shiraz had some brown in the light hue and was also weak in flavor, but slightly sweet on the finish, but the Dark Bishop Whiskey Barrel Cabernet Sauvignon, was smooth, complex with flavor and ended with a mild caramel, bourbon lingering finish.
Wednesday, January 15, 2020
Pennsylvania - Bucks County - Wycombe Vineyards
Wycombe Vineyards and Winery - February 2019 -The 2016 Traminette had light floral aroma and flavor with a honeysuckle ending, while the Chardonnay, aged using oak chips, had a tart taste, mild oaking and a light vanilla bean finish.
The 2013 Reserve Chambourcin had a mild purplish hue, earthy aromas and plum flavor, but a weird finish, the Smokehouse Red, a Chambourcin and Cabernet Franc blend, had similar aromas to the reserve, with dark cherry flavor, medium tannins and cedar and tobacco on the finish, while the 2016 Cabernet Franc, very dark in color, had a tannic beginning and a black pepper finish.
I had to try the Dandelion wine only because it is made from the flower. I had a slight sweet ending, but reminded me of a white balsamic vinegar.
The 2013 Reserve Chambourcin had a mild purplish hue, earthy aromas and plum flavor, but a weird finish, the Smokehouse Red, a Chambourcin and Cabernet Franc blend, had similar aromas to the reserve, with dark cherry flavor, medium tannins and cedar and tobacco on the finish, while the 2016 Cabernet Franc, very dark in color, had a tannic beginning and a black pepper finish.
I had to try the Dandelion wine only because it is made from the flower. I had a slight sweet ending, but reminded me of a white balsamic vinegar.
Pennsylvania - Dauphin - J & P Winery
J & P Winery - Jan 2020 - For the dry white wines, we tasted Chardonnay, although light on flavor, had a nice buttery caramel finish, the barrel-aged Vidal Blanc, similar to the Chardonnay with buttery caramel, but with more acidity, which went back and forth as it finished, and the Seyval Blanc, which had an off aroma, but a nice acidic finish.
The sweeter whites wines tasted were Delaware, with a nice grape aroma, was less sweet than the Cayuga. The Moscato had nice honey and orange aroma and flavor, with a balanced sweet ending, the Chardonel had a buttery finish, but something was off, and the Niagara was balanced like the Moscato.
The Corot Noir, unoaked, had a nice blueberry start with a cranberry finish, the Foch, with earthy aromas and beginning on the palette, ended fruity, the Merlot, which is not fermeted to dry, had a slight sweet ending, and the Fredonia had a sweet tart finish.
The peach was very peachy, with a sweet ending. and the Creamsickle was creamy, but could have used more orange to be reminiscent of the classic frozen dessert treat.
The sweeter whites wines tasted were Delaware, with a nice grape aroma, was less sweet than the Cayuga. The Moscato had nice honey and orange aroma and flavor, with a balanced sweet ending, the Chardonel had a buttery finish, but something was off, and the Niagara was balanced like the Moscato.
The Corot Noir, unoaked, had a nice blueberry start with a cranberry finish, the Foch, with earthy aromas and beginning on the palette, ended fruity, the Merlot, which is not fermeted to dry, had a slight sweet ending, and the Fredonia had a sweet tart finish.
The peach was very peachy, with a sweet ending. and the Creamsickle was creamy, but could have used more orange to be reminiscent of the classic frozen dessert treat.
Pennsylvania - Snyder - Shade Mountain Winery and Vineyard
Shade Mountain Winery and Vineyard - Jan 2020 - A tasting at the PA Farm Show consisted of 2017 Chardonnay, medium bodied with a nice buttery ending, while the 2017 Riesling was on the sweeter side with a nice orange finish. The 2016 Cabernet Franc was earthy with a buttery ending, the Proprietor's Red, made with Chambourcin, had a slightly sweet finish, similar to a Fredonia wine while Rascal Red, their sweet sangria, was fruity with a light sweet ending.
The big surprise was the Six Dwarfs' Mint, fermented spearmint, which had a nice aroma, good flavor and a slight sweet finish. This can be added to other beverages, giving needed flavor. Granny Z's Mint Iced Tea, which is brewed tea with the mint wine added was good, but could have used more tea flavor
The big surprise was the Six Dwarfs' Mint, fermented spearmint, which had a nice aroma, good flavor and a slight sweet finish. This can be added to other beverages, giving needed flavor. Granny Z's Mint Iced Tea, which is brewed tea with the mint wine added was good, but could have used more tea flavor
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
Pennsylvania - Erie - Courtyard Winery
Courtyard Winery - Jan 2020 - The PA Farm Show hosted this western PA winery. On the drier side, we tasted 2019 Dry Riesling, with pear flavor and a not too acidic finish, Chambourcin, with mild grape aromas and a slight vanilla lingering finish, Teroldego, the name of the grape, with fruity aromas, mild oak and tannins, the 2017 Captain's Red, made from Cabernet Franc, with dark cherry flavor, but the possibility of the oak masking some barnyard on the finish, and the UnEven Keel Port, with dried fruit flavor and a slight chocolate, orange finish.
For the sweets, we tasted Twisted Red, a sweetened Fredonia wine, and Chocopello, with cocoa aromas and melted chocolate on the Fredonia finish.
For the sweets, we tasted Twisted Red, a sweetened Fredonia wine, and Chocopello, with cocoa aromas and melted chocolate on the Fredonia finish.
Pennsylvania - Dauphin - Armstrong Valley Winery
Armstrong Valley Vineyard and Winery - Jan 2020 - Another PA Farm Show winery, we tasted Chardonnay, a traditional naked Chardonnay, but left with a small amount of unfermented sugar, which gave a nice hint of sweet and the 2018 Rose, a blend of Pinot Noir and Chambourcin, which gave nice fruity notes. The 2017 Cabernet Franc had plum and dark cherry flavors, medium bodied with a mild oak finish while the Blackberry merlot, with 3% sugar had a plum beginning and the blackberry finish.
The Midnight Desire, a chocolate and berry wine, had the chocolate quickly disappearing into a sweet grape and blackberry ending. The Fort Halifax Raspberry port was smooth and not overly raspberry, but the Fort Halifax port, with no additional flavor, was better with the grape taking the center stage.
The Midnight Desire, a chocolate and berry wine, had the chocolate quickly disappearing into a sweet grape and blackberry ending. The Fort Halifax Raspberry port was smooth and not overly raspberry, but the Fort Halifax port, with no additional flavor, was better with the grape taking the center stage.
Pennsylvania - Dauphin - Cassel Vineyards of Hershey
Cassel Vineyards of Hershey -Jan 2020 - While visiting the PA Farm Show, we tasted their Oaked Chardonnay (they also have a stainless steel version at the winery), which is mild, with a light buttery finish, Winner's Circle White, a blend of Vidal Blanc, Chardonnay and Traminette, with the floral notes, acidity and buttery finish, each grape standing on its own, and the Vidal Blanc, which had the acidity balanced with a slight sweet finish.
The Winner's Circle Red, a blend of Chambourcin, and Cabernet Franc, was fruity with medium tannins while the Cabernet Franc had dark cherry flavor, medium bodied with light tannins. The Homestretch Red, a blend of Chambourcin, Concord and Lando Noir, a semi-sweet, was not too sweet but interesting with the Concord finish.
The Winner's Circle Red, a blend of Chambourcin, and Cabernet Franc, was fruity with medium tannins while the Cabernet Franc had dark cherry flavor, medium bodied with light tannins. The Homestretch Red, a blend of Chambourcin, Concord and Lando Noir, a semi-sweet, was not too sweet but interesting with the Concord finish.
Wednesday, January 8, 2020
Pennsylvania - Bucks County - Rushland Ridge Vineyards and Winery
Rushland Ridge Vineyard and Winery - February 2019 - This winery has several different varietals which I had not tried before. I was able to taste as many as possible, pouring the wines myself.
The Vidal had a nice mineral aroma with a mild, acidic finish while the Seyval had citrus aromas and a crisp finish. The Ravat, similar to a Riesling had a semi0dry finish while their Country Wine, a blend of Villard and peach had a nice peach aroma with mild peach flavor.
Millot, a northern climate grape similar to Sangiovese, was fruity with a white pepper finish, Foch, another northern climate grape, had a deep hue and a spicer, black pepper finish, and the Cabernet Franc had cherry aromas and flavors followed by a smoky,tannic finish.
The Vidal had a nice mineral aroma with a mild, acidic finish while the Seyval had citrus aromas and a crisp finish. The Ravat, similar to a Riesling had a semi0dry finish while their Country Wine, a blend of Villard and peach had a nice peach aroma with mild peach flavor.
Millot, a northern climate grape similar to Sangiovese, was fruity with a white pepper finish, Foch, another northern climate grape, had a deep hue and a spicer, black pepper finish, and the Cabernet Franc had cherry aromas and flavors followed by a smoky,tannic finish.
Pennsylvania - Bucks County - Rose Bank Winery
Rose Bank Winery - February 2019 - The Sauvignon Blanc had a nice peach aroma, but finished with smooth tropical fruit notes while the Chardonnay, slightly naked, a mild honey aroma and a green apple finish. Serendipity, a blend of Riesling and Pinot Grigio, had the aroma and minerality of the Pinot, but the body and sweetness of Riesling while the Vidal Blanc had citrus aromas and a slight sweet finish.
The Merlot was fruity with plum flavors, medium-bodied and a mild vanilla finish. The Chello taste reminded us of powdered lemonade but had hints of lemon rind, after we got past the aroma of a cleaner, but the Hallowine, a pumpkin spice wine, had mild cinnamon flavor which cut the sweetness. The Cappavino had a deep red hue with mild coffee aroma,but more of an espresso flavor, similar to what you have in tiramisu. Fleming's Chocolate Orange Port had a milk chocolate aroma with chocolate and orange flavors, but the alcohol content overpowered the finish.
The Merlot was fruity with plum flavors, medium-bodied and a mild vanilla finish. The Chello taste reminded us of powdered lemonade but had hints of lemon rind, after we got past the aroma of a cleaner, but the Hallowine, a pumpkin spice wine, had mild cinnamon flavor which cut the sweetness. The Cappavino had a deep red hue with mild coffee aroma,but more of an espresso flavor, similar to what you have in tiramisu. Fleming's Chocolate Orange Port had a milk chocolate aroma with chocolate and orange flavors, but the alcohol content overpowered the finish.
Pennsylvania - Bucks County - Buckingham Valley Vineyards and Winery
Buckingham Valley Vineyards and Winery - February 2019 - Upon entering the winery, you are given a glass and a tasting sheet. Although you are allowed eight tastes, there is no limit to the amount you can drink or pour yourself. Because we were going to several wineries, we limited ourselves to a typical taste.
The Pinot Gris had a mineral aroma with a nice tangerine, acidic finish while the Chardonnay was bland. The Seyval Blanc had a sweet aroma, but a ild smooth finish while the Vidal was similar to the Gris in aroma and acidic finish. We finished the whites with their Riesling, nice grape aromas with a semi-sweet, slightly acidic finish. The Chambourcin was weak on aroma, flavor and finish while the Merlot was full of plum flavor and a smooth smoky finish. Nana's Apple Pie had the flavor, but no aroma.
The Pinot Gris had a mineral aroma with a nice tangerine, acidic finish while the Chardonnay was bland. The Seyval Blanc had a sweet aroma, but a ild smooth finish while the Vidal was similar to the Gris in aroma and acidic finish. We finished the whites with their Riesling, nice grape aromas with a semi-sweet, slightly acidic finish. The Chambourcin was weak on aroma, flavor and finish while the Merlot was full of plum flavor and a smooth smoky finish. Nana's Apple Pie had the flavor, but no aroma.
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