Sunday, December 29, 2019
Pennsylvania - Schuylkill - Stone Mountain Wine Cellars
Stone Mountain Wine Cellars - April 2017 - While visiting the winery, make sure to browse the farm store. We tasted Traminette, a semi-sweet with nice floral notes, 2012 Norton, from older vines, started off dry, but had a nice grape aftertaste while the 2013 Norton was similar to a dry Concord wine. The 2013 Merlot, although with nice initial plum notes, had too much bell pepper for me. The 2013 Marquette was not as flavorful as the Norton, but had better tannins.
Pennsylvania - Schuylkill - Fieldwood Winery
Fieldwood Winery - April 2017 - Some of the wine names do stand out, but not like Long Trout, we were able to make a sentence with three bottles of wine (not to be published). We tried Playful Pet, Pinot Noir, wasn't as playful as the name sounds, being weak, Ruby Bottom, Merlot, with plum flavors and medium-bodied, Mistress Manacies, Malbec, fruity than the Merlot, but similar in body, Yes Sir-Ahh, Petite Syrah, had dark cherry flavor and more full-bodied.
Naked Nymph, Chardonnay, was crisp with light buttery undertones, After Glow, Pinot Grigio, had a nice acidic finish, Sassy Wench, Saugivnon Blanc, was smoother on the palette and Velvet Touch, Viognier, was slightly sweet, but had the roughness of grapefruit.
Naked Nymph, Chardonnay, was crisp with light buttery undertones, After Glow, Pinot Grigio, had a nice acidic finish, Sassy Wench, Saugivnon Blanc, was smoother on the palette and Velvet Touch, Viognier, was slightly sweet, but had the roughness of grapefruit.
Pennsylvania - Lancaster County - The Vineyard at Hershey
The Vineyard at Hershey - Oct 2017 -The unoaked Chardonnay was crisp, but had no flavor while the oaked Chardonnay, done with chips and barrels, had a nice smooth, light buttery finish. The Dry Riesling had nice acidity after a sweet aroma. Trilogy, a blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot, lacked luster and seemed weaker than before, while Firefly, the Trilogy blend with Cabernet Sauvignon, had better flavor, but medium-bodied.
The sweet Riesling was well balanced with a slight acidic, sweet finish, while the Sparkling Moscato was sweet, but the effervescence cut it nicely. Twisted Kiss, a blend of Vidal and Chambourcin had fruity notes, but the acidity of the Vidal was intense. The Pink Catawba, balanced, would give any refreshing Niagara a run for its money.
Oct 2016 -The Chardonnay was heavily oaked with a heavy buttery finish with the Gewurztraminer had light floral notes. Trilogy, a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, was full of flavor, but lighter on the body, the Merlot, with plum notes, had more body, and Firefly, another blend, was more full-bodied.
The sweet Riesling was well balanced with a slight acidic, sweet finish, while the Sparkling Moscato was sweet, but the effervescence cut it nicely. Twisted Kiss, a blend of Vidal and Chambourcin had fruity notes, but the acidity of the Vidal was intense. The Pink Catawba, balanced, would give any refreshing Niagara a run for its money.
Oct 2016 -The Chardonnay was heavily oaked with a heavy buttery finish with the Gewurztraminer had light floral notes. Trilogy, a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, was full of flavor, but lighter on the body, the Merlot, with plum notes, had more body, and Firefly, another blend, was more full-bodied.
New Jersey - Camden County - Amalthea Cellears
Amalthea Cellars - Aug 2016 - We received a nice tour through the farm as we tasted our wine flights, which were done in different areas of the barn. The White Fight consisted of Green Dragon Tavern Chardonnay, CA grapes, with a light butter finish, 2011 Chardonnay Sue Lie, estate grapes kept on the lees, with citrus notes, Leda, a dry rose, with a blend of strawberry and cranberry, Green Dragon Tavern Riesling, Finger Lake grapes, with guava notes and balanced sweetness and acidity, and Traminette, with fora and honeysuckle notes.
The Red Wine Flight consisted of Carme, estate-grown, with blackberry notes, light oak and a lingering pepper finish, 2011 Old Vine Zinfandel, CA 100-year old vines, with a nice nose of raspberry, 2013 Merlot Reserve, a blend of estate and CA grapes, with plum and oak aromas and a smooth vanilla bean finish, Primivito, CA grapes, with notes of cocoa and dark roasted coffee, with anise and fennel finish, and Casta Mas, a blend of Carmenere, Zinfandel and Syrah.
The Off-Dry Flight consisted of Villard Blanc, estate grown, with grape aromas and a smooth finish, Callisto Gris, all CA, with sweet apple notes, Callisto Rouge, a Sangiovese blend, with plum and cherry notes, and Callisto Blanc, with mango and papaya flavors.
The Red Wine Flight consisted of Carme, estate-grown, with blackberry notes, light oak and a lingering pepper finish, 2011 Old Vine Zinfandel, CA 100-year old vines, with a nice nose of raspberry, 2013 Merlot Reserve, a blend of estate and CA grapes, with plum and oak aromas and a smooth vanilla bean finish, Primivito, CA grapes, with notes of cocoa and dark roasted coffee, with anise and fennel finish, and Casta Mas, a blend of Carmenere, Zinfandel and Syrah.
The Off-Dry Flight consisted of Villard Blanc, estate grown, with grape aromas and a smooth finish, Callisto Gris, all CA, with sweet apple notes, Callisto Rouge, a Sangiovese blend, with plum and cherry notes, and Callisto Blanc, with mango and papaya flavors.
New Jersey - Hammonton - Plagido's Winery
Plagido's Winery - Aug 2016 - Had to be careful here as we could try as many as we wanted. The Vidal Blanc had a ripe cheese aroma, while the Reverence, a blend of Marquis and Chardonnay, had a nice acidic finish. The 2006 Cabernet Franc was fruity and mellow, the 2015 Vino de Casa, a blend of Chambourcin, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, was fruity with bold oak and tannin undertones, the 2008 Merlot was mild on fruit flavors, but had nice fresh tobacco notes, but also had some fresh cut grass in there too, and the 2013 Chambourcin was fruity, but heavy on the oak. Antonia Rosso, made from the Fredonia grape, reminded me of church wine. Their blackberry was tart with the right amount of sweetness while their Pole Dancer, Fredonia aged in a brandy barrel, was sweet, but light on the brandy aroma. My wife's treat was their sangia, made by adding pineapple juice to their Antonia Rosso, the pineapple added the right about of sweet/tart ot the drink.
Saturday, December 28, 2019
New Jersey - Hammonton - Tomasello Winery
Tomasello Winery - Aug 2016 - On our way to a late day wedding in Avalon, my wife tried the Winter Chill White, their Moscato, which was sweet; the Cherry Moscato, which started off like cranberry, but the flavors got lost, with no distinction, when blended; the Artisan Orchard Apple Cider tasted as if it sat in the back of the refrigerator too long; the 2014 Vidal Blanc Ice Wine was too sweet and lost the typical Vidal flavors; and American Almonique was thick like syrup and the "natural" flavors were more like extracts.
The 2014 Outer Coastal Plain Dry Riesling was crisp with the right amount of acidity; 2014 Outer Coastal Plain Rkatsiteli, also crisp got better as it warmed up; 2013 Outer Central Plain Cabernet Franc Reserve was bland with a light oak finish; 2013 Outer Coastal Plain Petit Verdot Reserve was better with bolder fruit aromas, but had an overpowering green pepper finish; 2013 Outer Coastal Plain Blaufrankisch had bold flavors, better than the Franc, but probably needed more time in the bottle.
The 2014 Outer Coastal Plain Dry Riesling was crisp with the right amount of acidity; 2014 Outer Coastal Plain Rkatsiteli, also crisp got better as it warmed up; 2013 Outer Central Plain Cabernet Franc Reserve was bland with a light oak finish; 2013 Outer Coastal Plain Petit Verdot Reserve was better with bolder fruit aromas, but had an overpowering green pepper finish; 2013 Outer Coastal Plain Blaufrankisch had bold flavors, better than the Franc, but probably needed more time in the bottle.
Pennsylvania - Adams County - Reid's Orchard and Winery
Reids Orchard and Winery - Nov 2018 - I took the long way home from my sensory class and stopped at the Cider House in town. The Chardonnay, a low yellow hue, had a light toast with butter aroma, light-bodied with a slight butter finish. They were light on their reds, but I was able to taste the Pinot Noir, dark grape-red hue with jammy aroma, cherry (pie) flavor, which lingered on the palette, the Merlot, more jam on the aroma with a hint of smoke, with plum flavor and a smooth finish, with pipe tobacco hidden in the tannins. Reid's Red, their blend, was bold on fruit and medium-bodied, while Troika, another blend, was still as bold
as before, with cigar tobacco notes in the smooth finish.
Oct 2017 - In town for another vineyard class, I tasted the Seyve Villard because it was different. I tried some of the reds from before to see how they have aged. The Sangiovese had a spicy start with mild fruit flavor and mild oak and tannin finish while the Nebbiolo was milder than the Sangiovese, it ended spicy. The blends - Reid's Red had bold fruit flavor and a spicy ending while Troika was fruity and not as spicy.
March 2017 - I returned to the area for a vineyard class and stopped by the Cider House to see what was new on the list (and to stock up). The Pinot Grigio with tangerine notes had a crisp finish while the Muskets of Maine, their Moscato, had nice grape aroma and was not overly sweet. The Pinot Noir was light-bodied with a short finish, the Merlot was medium bodied with plum flavor, and the Seminary Ridge Red, a blend of Sangiovese and Nebbiolo, was fruity, yet bolder on the palette. I was able to try the Nebbiolo separately, which has a deep red color and a spicy finish.
March 2016 - While visiting the Gettysburg area, we stopped at the winery and tasted two whites: 2013 Chardonnay, with light buttery notes, Jennie's House White, a blend of Vidal and Cayuga, with the Vidal cutting the grape sweetness of the Cayuga, a refreshing wine which would pair well with sushi. The reds were a surprising story. Tillie Pierce House Red, a semi-sweet Pinot Noir blend was fruity, but not too sweet, the Merlot, with plum flavor had a soft tannic finish, Reid's Red, their blend of Syrah and Cabernet Franc, was bold on fruit and medium-bodied, while Troika, a blend of Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, was bold enough to captivate the palette and have a lingering finish.
It was the Petit Verdot which stole the show. Usually used in a blend, they had enough to make a batch to let it stand on its own. Dark color and dark fruit flavors with tannins to match a bold wine created a pleasing ending to the tasting.
Oct 2017 - In town for another vineyard class, I tasted the Seyve Villard because it was different. I tried some of the reds from before to see how they have aged. The Sangiovese had a spicy start with mild fruit flavor and mild oak and tannin finish while the Nebbiolo was milder than the Sangiovese, it ended spicy. The blends - Reid's Red had bold fruit flavor and a spicy ending while Troika was fruity and not as spicy.
March 2017 - I returned to the area for a vineyard class and stopped by the Cider House to see what was new on the list (and to stock up). The Pinot Grigio with tangerine notes had a crisp finish while the Muskets of Maine, their Moscato, had nice grape aroma and was not overly sweet. The Pinot Noir was light-bodied with a short finish, the Merlot was medium bodied with plum flavor, and the Seminary Ridge Red, a blend of Sangiovese and Nebbiolo, was fruity, yet bolder on the palette. I was able to try the Nebbiolo separately, which has a deep red color and a spicy finish.
March 2016 - While visiting the Gettysburg area, we stopped at the winery and tasted two whites: 2013 Chardonnay, with light buttery notes, Jennie's House White, a blend of Vidal and Cayuga, with the Vidal cutting the grape sweetness of the Cayuga, a refreshing wine which would pair well with sushi. The reds were a surprising story. Tillie Pierce House Red, a semi-sweet Pinot Noir blend was fruity, but not too sweet, the Merlot, with plum flavor had a soft tannic finish, Reid's Red, their blend of Syrah and Cabernet Franc, was bold on fruit and medium-bodied, while Troika, a blend of Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, was bold enough to captivate the palette and have a lingering finish.
It was the Petit Verdot which stole the show. Usually used in a blend, they had enough to make a batch to let it stand on its own. Dark color and dark fruit flavors with tannins to match a bold wine created a pleasing ending to the tasting.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)