Finger Lakes - Best of the Whites

Best Whites
1. Anthony Road
2. Atwater












Best Riesling
1. Ravines 2007 Dry
2. Wiemer 2007 Dry
3. Lamoreaux Landing 2008 Dry
4. Atwater 2008 Dry

Best Gewurztraminer
1. Anthony Road 2008
(Lamoreaux Landing 2007, Penguin Bay 2007)

Best Chardonnay
Ravines












Best Pinot Gris/Grigio
Anthony Road Pinot Gris 2007

Best Sauvignon Blanc
Ravines 2008













Best Sparkling
1. Swedish Hill (Penguin Bay) - "Blanc de Blanc"
2. Weimer - "Blanc de Noir 2003"

Best Dessert/Sweet
1. Anthony Road - "Sweet Dream"
(Standing Stone - "Vidal Ice" or "Chardonnay Ice", Wiemer - "Late Harvest Riesling 2008", Wagner - "Vidal Ice")

Best White: Other
Lamoreaux Landing - "Estate White"

Fox Run

Seneca Lake (West - Penn Yan)
670 Rt 14
Penn Yan, NY 14527

800-636-9786
foxrunvineyards.com
info@foxrunvineyards.com

Hours: 10am-6pm Mon-Sat, 11-6 Sun
Tasting Fee: $2, Tours: hourly until 4pm, Reservations: not required









On paper, Fox Run's tasting room looks like an ideal stop for the western shore of Seneca Lake. Wine & Spirits gave it a "Top 100 2008 Winery of the Year" and the cafe food smells great. The Dutch Colonial-style building has good views of the lake and a rear patio with vineyard views. (We took advantage of the patio with a quick snack of cheese, cured meats and bread after our tasting.) The tasting menu offers lots of selection and even includes a Ruby Port. All these things weren't enough to score it a spot on our list to revisit.

The winery was very busy. (Remember, this is a Sunday afternoon in late October.) A large busload of tourists had just unloaded - talk about crummy timing! Fortunately, they were milling about without much direction and hadn't found the tasting bar. Although busy, we didn't have to wait long for a spot at the bar. Our wine ambassadors were working hard at pouring for the crowd three deep in some spots, so efficiency was king. Fox Run's best-selling wine is a sweet, local white varietal. We were pleased when our host was flexible with the tasting menu and allowed us to pick alternatives from the drier side.

Wines were hit or miss. A few were good but not for the price. I think that if we were there during a slower day, the winery staff would have been able to make more accurate recommendations.









Selections from tasting menu (purchases in bold):
Reserve Chardonnay 2006 - $14.99. A traditional Chardonnay with strong peach fruit and vanilla. Odd cheese flavor at finish. "Barrel maturation," 0.5% RS.
Dry Riesling 2008 - $15.99. Focus is on citrus fruit for this wine. Heavy on the lemon and acidity. Not balanced. 0.9% RS
Arctic Fox - $8.99. The Best-Seller! Very light, sweet white wine blend. Did not have strong flavors. Citrus and apples. 2.1% RS
Cabernet Franc 2006 - $14.99. Smoky with violets. Tart, interesting; not my favorite version of the varietal. No residual sugar.
Merlot 2006 - $14.99. More tannic than the Cab Franc. Tight, needed more time to open than the tasting allowed. "Velvety plum and wild blueberry flavors."
Lemberger 2007 - $14.99. Really smooth and soft; light tannins in balance. Doesn't have the green pepper spice of Anthony Road's Lemberger blend. "Intense berries, plums and dried sage... full-bodied, moderately tannic." No residual sugar.
Reserve Riesling 2008 - $30.00. The same issues I had with the regular Riesling are present here: too much acid, not balanced and lots of lemon. From the description of "intense aromas of kiwi, jasmine, red raspberries, lemon, mango and nectarine," I was very interested. Felt like I wasted a higher-end pick on this wine. 1% RS
Reserve Cabernet Franc 2005 - $40.00. Pleasant nose, herbal flavors with vanilla finish. No residual sugar. A good wine, but not $40 good. Best of the tasting. Here's to finishing on a strong note!









Other wines from the tasting menu:
Ruby Vixen
Gewurztraminer 2008
Semi-Dry Riesling 2008
Reserve & regular Pinot Noir 2007
Sable
Fox Trot Red
Ruby Port
Meritage 2007

Prejean Winery

Seneca Lake (West - Penn Yan)
2634 Route 14
Penn Yan, NY 14527

315-536-7524
prejeanwinery.com
info@prejeanwinery.com

Hours: 10am-5:30pm Mon-Sat, 10-5:30 Sun
Reservations: not required

Prejean's tasting room is surrounded by vineyards just off the main road. This winery made my list because I'd heard the Late Harvest Vignoles and Riesling were worth checking out. The location of this winery between Heron Hill and some highly recommended wineries to the north made it an easy choice for a quick stop.

Our visit was on a late Sunday morning. We figured by this time most of the weekend wine drinkers would be long gone. Our host's weariness indicated they had in fact come and gone. The tasting room was fairly empty save for a small, but rowdy group of middle-aged folks who left in a small party bus. The room has lots of merchandise, heavy on the puns, dotted between the wine bins. The wines really deliver for this crowd. For us, the wines were (overall) not complex enough, thin or too similar to other wineries. I think having visited once, we can pass next time to try out a new winery.

The tasting menu covers five wines. Since there were two of us, we didn't duplicate selections to maximize our exposure to as many of Prejean's wines as possible. The tasting fee is refunded incrementally with purchases.








Selections from tasting menu (purchases in bold):
Dry Riesling 2007 - $11.99. The whites we sampled were all considered dry or medium dry, but there is a sweet/semi-sweet menu as well. My notes for this wine just read, "Don't like" without further elaboration. I was expecting a wine that more closely matched the description of a "crisp wine with aromas of lime and orange peel... flavors of tropical fruit." Pretty sure that is not what I found.
Pinot Gris 2007 - $14.99. This bottling leaned more toward the sweet side of the tasting menu. Pineapple flavors dominated.
Dry Gewurztraminer 2006 - $16.99. This pretty, yellow wine is actually crisp and lean although the description says it has a "floral, creamy nose... with a rich mouthfeel." Lots of pineapple aromas. I liked it better than the Pinot Gris, but felt it was thin/watery. Barrel-fermented.
Marechal Foch 2008 - $10.99. Our lone purchase. I felt this was a good example of the varietal. The wine was interesting, featured pleasant flavors and good tannins for the price. Marechal Foch is a cold-hardy varietal hailing from the Loire Valley (FR), so you can understand why it enjoys some degree of popularity in the Finger Lakes. The wine we sampled featured chocolate and cherry flavors and a dry, berry finish with a body reminiscent of Beaujolais.
Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - $15.99. Another one with minimal notes. Found this one to be sour, not in a good way.
Cabernet Franc 2007 - $15.99. Cherry, plum and toasty oak. Not a winner. Still thin, but better than the Cab Sauv.
Merlot 2006 - $17.99. This was one of the few wines I didn't think was watery, thin or flat. This one was just "meh" with some fruit. I'm enjoying revisiting my tasting notes even if the wines weren't a hit.
Pinot Noir 2006 - $14.99. No scribbles on this wine. I'm sure it fit in with the rest of the bunch.
Late Harvest Vignoles 2008 - $12.99. Ah, the long-awaited and heralded dessert wine. High hopes were checked by the previous wines, but still keeping an open mind. The notes just keep getting more amusing - "Woah, sweet but checked by acidity. Prefer thicker style. Refreshing." Drinking companion, who is not a white or dessert wine devotee, found "sweet and sour sauce... no wait, more like orange sauce." *sigh*












Other wines from the tasting menu:
Riesling 2007
Gewurztraminer 2006
Cayuga 2007
Semi-Sweet Riesling 2008
Bird of Paradise (Chardonnay Port)
Cabernet Port 2006
Reserve & non-Reserve Chardonnay 2007
Proprietor's Red

Heron Hill

Seneca Lake (West - Himrod)
3586 Route 14
Himrod, NY 14842

607-243-7109
heronhill.com

Hours: 10am-6pm Sun-Thurs, 10-7 Fri & Sat
Fee: $5, Reservations: not required

Heron Hill was the first winery of the last day. I was excited that we had an extra day of tastings ahead of us; some of the wineries were highly regarded. Heron Hill was one of them. They're noted for being green winery using organic methods whenever possible and always keeping sustainable farming practices in mind.

For convenience's sake, we visited the tasting room on Rt. 14. Their beautiful Keuka Lake site was just too far - next time! The tasting fee covers 6 wines; we shared our tastes so for two people it's more like 12 wines. Heron Hill prorates the fee back with a purchase. We found the wine room host to be knowledgeable and friendly. He gave good advice and direction toward certain wines based on our disclosed preferences, giving a bonus pour of a similar style or different vintage. It was a quiet, slow start to a Sunday. The tasting room had a few more visitors by the time we left, but had the room to ourselves almost the whole time. Definitely focus on off-peak hours or days if you want the intimate, intellectual conversations.









Selections from tasting menu (purchases in bold):
Reserve Chardonnay Unoaked 2007 - $18.99. Crisp with clean finish. "Light peach and apricot aromas." 0.15% RS
Eclipse White 2007 - $13.99. Blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. Toasty and ideal for someone on our gift list. 0.66% RS
Reserve Old Vines Riesling 2007 - $22.99. Love the nose. Clean finish. Like it but not at this price point. "Light citrus aromas with tart steel, mineral finish." 0.8% RS
Ingle Vineyard Riesling 2006 - $14.99. Very nice wine; represents a great value. "Crisp wine... apple and lemon." 1.76% RS
Ingle Vineyard Pinot Noir 2006 - $14.99. Woodsy, berries and touch of spice. Light body. Prefer this style over the Reserve. "Small European oak barrel aging... floral aromas of strawberries." 0.02% RS
Reserve Pinot Noir 2007 - $27.99. More body, stronger aroma, markedly stronger tannins. Longer vanilla finish. Oak and vanilla dominate. Needs time to calm down and present other flavors. "Fruit forward... deep color and delicate nuances." 0.3%
Ingle Vineyard Cabernet Franc - $14.99. Bold. Green pepper, spice on nose and mid-palate. Like this one. "Small European oak barrel... intense berry flavors." 0.2% RS
Reserve Blaufrankisch 2007 - $32.99. Tight; spice and tannins without balance of fruit. Traditional California Pinot Noir nose. Aromas are stronger than flavors. "Deep blackberry and plum flavors, finishing with vanilla and spice notes and soft tannins." 0.2% RS

Other wines from the tasting menu:
Classic Chardonnay Unoaked 2008
Ingle Vineyard Chardonnay 2005
Classic Dry Riesling 2006
Game Bird White
Classic Semi-Dry Riesling 2007
Classic Semi-Sweet Riesling 2008
Classic Cabernet Franc 2006
Eclipse Red 2005
Late Harvest Chardonnay 2007
Late Harvest Vidal Blanc 2007
Late Harvest Muscat Ottonel 2005
Ingle Vineyard Late Harvest Riesling 2006
Riesling Icewine 2003

Ravines

Keuka Lake (West - Hammondsport)
14630 State Route 54
Hammondsport, NY 14840

607-292-7007
ravines@citilink.net
ravineswine.com

Hours: 10am-5pm
Fee: $3 & $5, Reservations: not required

Ravines produces restrained, terroir-specific wines that follow the example of the fine Burgundian and Bordeaux wines. This was my favorite winery out of the 15+ we visited over the weekend. You have two options for wine tasting: with or without chocolate. It's never a question for me... so I enjoyed pairings of wine with the artisan chocolates from Hedonist, sharing nibbles with Brian. The chocolate pairing is well worth the nominal fee.









The second floor tasting room overlooks Keuka Lake. While the room buzzed with activity around our group, I was oblivious after my first sip of Chardonnay. The wines were so impressive that I think I did a happy dance more than once. Our host, Lisa, was super sweet and knowledgeable. After much effusive praise over the wine and chocolate (sesame seed and sea salt being my favorite), we found out we shared a common bond: Neuchatel chocolate. It was such a great whirlwind of an experience that my tasting notes were left behind.









Selections from tasting menu (purchases in bold):
Dry Riesling 2007 - $16.95. Elegant style with a great nose and lush tree fruit (apple & pear) flavors with a citrusy edge and minerally finish. Wonderful example of a well-made, truly dry Riesling. Bought three bottles!

Argetsinger Vineyards Dry Riesling 2007 - $24.95. I had heard great things (91 pts in Wine & Spirits) about this single vineyard Riesling and wanted to see how it compared to the regular Riesling, but it was not on the tasting menu. Lisa was kind enough to offer a bonus pour for comparison. It is a much more restrained style - elegant with lean fruit, good minerality and zingy acidity. While I can appreciate this elegant wine, the lush style and flavors of the Dry Riesling '07 were more appealing to my palate. (The Argetsinger vineyard on Seneca Lake is one of the the oldest vineyards in the area. Older vines typically produce wines with more personality.)

Ravines Chardonnay 2007 - $18.95. Color me impressed. This is not a varietal I usually reach for. I find the majority of Chardonnay to be heavy-handed and over-oaked. This wine was anything but. It is an elegant, balanced Bordeaux-style wine offering up pear, citrus, fig and hazelnut aromas. (The search to sniff out the fig particulary excited me.) Great acidity with just the right amount of oak. Ravines uses a traditional Italian drying technique, appassimento, to create rich, lush flavors from only the best Chardonnay grapes.

Sauvignon Blanc 2008 - $17.95. An unusual and enjoyable example of Sauv Blanc! Bright aromas of lemon and wet stones. Bracing, but balanced acidity and strong Alsatian minerality create a tight framework for the lemon, lime and tropical fruit flavors. Crisp and intense with an extended finish. Elegant, reserved but with a laser-like focus. Best with food. Picked up two of these goodies.

Gewurztraminer 2008 - $24.95. The Finger Lakes region is an ideal growing area for this persnickety cool-climate grape. This happens to be one of the wines I don't have much memory for. Really wish I hadn't forgotten those notes.










Dry Pinot Rosé 2007 - $14.95. This wine gets its salmon hue from the amount of time the juice and skins of the Pinot Noir grape are in contact. Great for sipping with or without food, summertime is a great time to enjoy this dry, delicate wine.

Meritage 2006 - $24.95. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot grapes aged in toasted French oak barrels, the Meritage is classic Bordeaux style wine bursting with fruit. Pleasant tannins. This was the favorite wine for a member of our group.

Cabernet Franc 2007 - $18.95. Another lusciously soft wine with beautiful fruit and spice with a solid finish. I preferred the style of this wine only slightly over the Meritage '06.

Pinot Noir 2007 - $22.95. Hands down the best Pinot Noir of the whole trip. Given the time to taste all of the area Pinot Noirs, I would bet this would still be the best example of the varietal and terroir. A fine example of a Burgundian style Pinot Noir! Light red color with violet and brown undertones. Aromas of rose and clove with raspberry, cherry and touch of vanilla. Earth and smoke aromas emerge as the wine breathes. Great nose! Elegant and soft flavors of cherry and Red Delicious apple peel; long berry finish. Tart and earthiness in background. Lush but moderated mouthfeel. Spice comes out toward the end. After the second day, the wine presents more soft fruit and earthiness. Lots of complexity! Light tannins with an almost imperceptably bitter finish. Loved it so much I bought three bottles.

Other wines on the tasting menu:
Dry Riesling 2006
Pinot Gris 2007
Keuka Village White 2007

Chateau Lafayette Reneau

Seneca Lake (Central South - Hector)
5081 Route 414
Hector, NY 14841

800-469-9463
clrwine.com
info@clrwine.com

Hours: 10-6 M-Sat, 11-6 Sun
Fee: $5, Tours: No, Reservations: Not required

After hearing positive notes about their red wines before the trip, I had high hopes that this high-traffic winery would pull through with a winner or two. Overall, the reds lacked body or flavor. The whites were similarly styled and leaned more to the semi-dry level of sweetness.

The extensive tasting menu covered 17 wines. For the first winery of the day, it is quite an undertaking. Visited on a busy Saturday, so our host wasn't able to provide much information. Thankfully there was a tasting sheet with detailed notes.









Selections from tasting menu (purchases in bold):
Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 - $19.99. Tart, don't like.
Pinot Noir 2006 - $19.99. Very floral with a sweet fruit nose. Dry style without a lot of flavor. Did not like.
Cabernet Franc - $18.99. Tart, smoky and light. 2/5
Merlot 2003 - $14.99. Jammy nose. Savory, soup smell finish - strange. Better than the previous wine. 2.5/5
Cuvee Rouge - $9.49. Couldn't get past the strong body odor aroma. Sweet. 1.5/5
Roaring Red - $9.99. Blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Baco & 10% Pinot Noir. Nice wine for summer. Pleasing flavors with good finish with lingering sweetness. Tannins and touch of sweet. 2.5/5
Chardonnay (Barrel Fermented) 2006 - $14.99. Pear aroma, juicy flavors. Silky texture. Not flavored strongly - watery.
Chardonnay (Proprietor's Reserve) 2008 - $19.99. Ripe flavor and aromas. Pear and apple dominate. Flat finish.
Dry Riesling 2008 - $14.99. Not dry. An okay wine but too pedestrian and flat. Peach, melon and some citrus.
Seyval-Chardonnay - $14.99. White flower and tree fruit aromas. Smooth but finish falls flat. Not complex. 3/5
Pinot Noir Blanc 2007 - $9.49. Not that bad! Watermelon and strawberry. Targeted at White Zinfandel drinkers.
Northern White - $9.99. Floral aroma, lush texture. Acidity balances out the sweetness and is not offensive.
Emperor's Blush - $9.99. Did not care for this wine. Blend of vinifera and hybrid grapes. Watermelon and strawberry.
Riesling Semi-dry 2008 - $14.99. A nice style Riesling, but sweeter than I prefer. Tree fruit aromas with similar flavors.
Meadow Mist - $7.49. Passed on this wine. The wines at the bottom of the list were sweeter than I prefer. This wine was a blend of Native American and French-American hybrids designed to create a fruity rose.
Niagara Mist $7.49. Passed on this wine. Niagara grape and all of its grape flavors are present.
Late Harvest Riesling 2008 - $14.99. Very perfumed nose. Not as rich or syrupy as the other late harvest or ice wines.

Other wines not on the tasting menu:
Cabernet Sauvignon Owner's Reserve 2005 - $59.99

Wagner

Seneca Lake (Central North - Lodi)
9322 Route 414
Lodi, NY 14860

607-582-6976
wagnervineyards.com

Hours: 10-5 M-Sun
Fee: $1, Tours: set times, Reservations: Not required

Just up the road from Penguin Bay, Wagner is one of the older wineries on Seneca Lake. Their vineyards envelope the tasting building, which enjoys views of the eastern shore of Seneca Lake. Folks say they haven't changed much since opening. This is a good thing if you enjoy wines with a touch of sweetness. Wagner's dry wines lean toward semi-dry; same for semi-dry to sweet. They do sweet wines well - my favorite wine of the ten samples was the Vidal Blanc Ice, a dessert wine reminscent of Sauternes.

There's also a brewery and beer tasting for the non-wine drinkers the group.












Selections from tasting menu (purchases in bold):
Dry Riesling 2007 - $13. A little thin, but otherwise fine. Pleasing citrus flavors. Residual sugar 0.23%. 3.5/5
Cabernet Franc 2006 - $15. Dusty berry and spiced nose, restrained berry flavors. Low tannins, lighter color than expected. No residual sugar. 3/5
Merlot 2004 - $16. Very similar to the Cab Franc flavors, but drying with a touch more fruit. No residual sugar. 2.5/5
Melody 2007 - $8. Too sweet and light. Peach, citrus. Residual sugar 0.8%. 1.5/5
Semi-dry Riesling 2007 - $13. Nice flavors, but not my style. Residual sugar 2.0%. 2.5/5
Sunset Red - $n/a. Aroma of sweetened Red Delicious apples. Concord grape dominates flavor - bleh! Red blend best served chilled. Residual sugar 3.5%. 0.5/5
Niagara - $7. One of the grapes native to the region, tends to be aromatic and fruity. Off-putting aroma - cat pee? Sickly sweet. Definitely not my style. Residual sugar 6%. 0.5/5
Vidal Blanc Ice 2006 - $22. Varietal is an old French hybrid. Very similar to Sauternes but a touch more unrefined sweetness. Grapes are commercially frozen rather than waiting for frost to freeze crop (which gives the winemaker control over harvest and reduces costs). Taste difference between the two methods is said to be minimal. 3.5/5
Chardonnay 2007 - $11. Flat, unappealing; possibly because this wine was added on after the reds and dessert wine. No residual sugar. 1.5/5
Reserve Pinot Noir 2007 - $25. Better than Penguin Bay's, not a good value. Light style, still tight. 2.5/5












Other wines on the tasting menu:
Gewurztraminer Semi-dry & Dry 2007 - $12
Riesling Select 2007 - $13
Chardonnay Barrel-Fermented 2007 - $11
Reserve Chardonnay 2007 - $14
Vintner's Chardonnay - $12 (1.5L)
Seyval Blanc 2006 - $8
Cayuga White 2007 - $8
Delaware 2008 - $7
Vignoles 2008 - $8
Reserve Red, White & Blush - $7
Alta B Red, White & Blush - $6
Riesling Ice 2007 - $22
Vignoles Ice 2007 - $22
Celebration Cuvee 2005 - $15. Sparkling.
Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - $15
Meritage 2007 - $22

Penguin Bay

Seneca Lake (Central South - Hector)
4565 Route 414
Hector, NY 14841

607-546-5115
penguinbaywinery.com
info@penguinbaywinery.com









Hours: 10-5:30 M-Sat, 11-5:30 Sun
Fee: under $5, Tours: No, Reservations: Not required

Casual tasting room located on the main road surrounded by vines with views of the lake. Winery produces value-minded, well-crafted wines. Go for the riesling & gewurztraminer. Try the sparkling wines while you're there; not many wineries produce them.

Selections from tasting menu (purchases in bold):
Pinot Grigio 2007 - $16. Lush, well done pinot grigio. Dry, strong pear aromas.
Surfside Chardonnay 2007 - $14. A dry, stainless steel fermented. Crisp & fruity. Not my style, but a nice wine.
Gewurztraminer 2007 - $18. Just a touch of sweet, very nice. Aromatic, spicy wine done in Alsatian style.
Blanc de Blanc Champagne - $14.99. Really enjoyed this semi-dry sparkler. Style and flavors reminded me of the Riondo prosecco.
Valvin Muscat 2007 - $16. Dessert wine from Muscat grape. Sweet, luscious. Good wine for my dad, who has recently discovered muscat. Crisp.
Rose of Chambourcin 2007 - $11. Light, clear red with delicate flavors and aromas.
Pinot Noir 2006 - $17. Great smoky nose, smooth but finish isn't strong.
Maroon Four - $14. Great nose on this dry, barrel-aged Shiraz-style blend. Tart with odd, unappealing finish.
Cabernet - $14. Cabernet Sauvignon/Franc blends of the '04 & '06 vintages. Light enough to be approachable. Purple-red color. A nice example of the varietal in this terrior.









Other wines on the tasting menu:
Naturel Champagne - $18
Pinot Noir Brut Rose Champagne - $18. Dry
Percussion (semi-dry white blend) - $12. Semi-dry white blend.
Riesling 2008 (semi-sweet) - $15. Semi-sweet.
Golden Spumante Champagne - $13. Semi-sweet.
Tuxedo White - $9.50. Sweet blend of Niagara and Diamond grapes.
Humboldt Red - $11. Semi-dry red blend of Rougeon and Isabella grapes.
Tuxedo Red - $9.50. Sweet, Concord grape.

Elyse

The last winery of the day is never easy. Especially when the tasting covers 10-12 wines and the tasting room host keeps pulling out bottles from under the bar. Most of these wines were so heavy with tannins, my tongue had shriveled up for want of water or food. Luckily, we had a stash of crackers in the car which were put to good use mid-way through. By the end of the hour plus tasting, we had sampled some two dozen wines - almost all red and powerful. If you're looking for an intimate tasting experience and are a fan of bold Napa Cabernets, give Elyse a try.

Elyse Wild Horse Valley Chardonnay 2005
Napa Valley, California - $37
Butter, lemon cream.

Elyse Hudson Vineyard 2004
Napa Valley, California - $42
Red blend: 90% grenache, 10% syrah. Sweet strawberry flavors, no residual sugar.

Elyse Tietjen Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Napa Valley, California - $80
Very cherry, berry. Very smooth. My favorite of the two Cabernets.

Elyse Morisoli Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Napa Valley, California - $80
More of a bite than Tietjen. More tannic harshness. Would need time to mellow.



Elyse Korte Ranch Zinfandel 2006
Napa Valley, California - $35
Made from 25-65% old vines, this is a good, but very tannic wine from the St. Helena AVA.

Elyse Morisoli Vineyard Zinfandel 2005
Napa Valley, California - $37
I liked this one. Jammier, notes of strawberry and young fruit. Interesting that I prefer the Zinfandel from this vineyard but not the Cabernet.

Elyse St. Helena Petite Syrah 2005
St. Helena, California - $37
Rosemary, eucalyptus, huckleberry and spice.

More at Elyse Winery.com


And visit Woodhouse Chocolate if you're ever in the area. It's worth the stop in downtown St. Helena. I highly recommend the quatre epices, thai ginger, toasted coconut & honey truffles. (And since I'm such a packaging/design nut, I couldn't bear to toss the box. It stills smells like chocolate.)

Gary Farrell

A winemaker renowned for beautifully crafted Pinot Noirs, Gary Farrell Winery is an iconic name. The dramatic architecture of the hilltop tasting room enhances the amazing vistas of the Russian River Valley. It was a hike, but well worth it. This was our first stop on "Pinot Noir Day".



Gary Farrell Rochioli Chardonnay 2005
RRV, California - $38
Drink now-2012. Clean, flinty, melon and touch of oak with harmony and balance. Rated 91 points in WS.

Gary Farrell Starr Ridge Chardonnay 2005
RRV, California - $38
Drink now-2011. Floral aromas, lots of depth and complexity. Rated 91 points in WS.

Gary Farrell Westside Farms Chardonnay 2005
RRV, California - $38
Slightly tart, long finish with butter and oak. Brian likes this one. Drink now-2011. Fresh, snappy, elegant with long finish. Rated 91 points in WS.

Gary Farrell Cresta Ridge Chardonnay 2005
RRV, California - $38
This Chardonnay was my favorite. Picked up minerality immediately. More crispness and minerality than Redwood Ranch Sauvignon Blanc (below). From the winemaker: Bursts with aromas of orange blossom, citrus zest and hints of toffee. Luscious, fresh cut green melon, spiced pear, interesting mineral components.

Gary Farrell Redwood Ranch Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Sonoma County, California - $25
new French oak, very citrusy, not grassy. "Bright, forward aromas of grapefruit, gooseberry, lime and melon. Generous flavors, richness on mid-palate, never strays from crisp refreshing acidity. Rated 91 points in WS.



Gary Farrell Sonoma County Merlot 2003
RRV, California - $32
Picked up the mint and cedar aromas. Very interesting. From the winemaker: Complex aromas of blackberry, chocolate-cherry, mint and cedar. Juicy expressions of wild berry fruit, cassis and green peppercorn.

Gary Farrell Collins Vineyard Zinfandel 2005
RRV, California - $40
Notable nose. Cranberry, very tart, really needs decanting for a few hours. Will be prime in 2011-2013.

Gary Farrell Starr Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir 2005
RRV, California 2005
Very good, but needs more time to develop in bottle.

Gary Farrell Carneros Ramal Vineyard Pinot Noir 2005
RRV, California - $50
Very good. Beautiful now, but can age up to 12 years for greatness.

Gary Farrell Santa Barbara Bien Nacido Pinot Noir 2005
Santa Barbara County, California - $50
Favorite Pinot from the tasting. Pretty aromas & silky, elegant tannins. Nose of raspberry, black cherry with hint of spice. Fine, rich and voluptuous textures. Decant, cellar up to 10 years. Rated 87 points in WS.



More at Gary Farrell wines.com

Pride

Pride was one of the best wineries we visited during our weeklong stay in Napa an Sonoma. Their Cabernets and Merlot were well-crafted expressions of the beautiful mountaintop location. The tasting room experience made an impression... not only because Scott Stooker, the man pouring our wine, knew his stuff and loves the wines, but because he is a former Delawarean. After playing the "Who do you know?" game, we discovered he worked at the same small company and had several mutual friends in common. You always find people from Delaware wherever you travel!

It's best to save this winding drive for after lunch! An even better reason to wait for lunch is the incredible views from the picnic area atop Spring Mountain. The winery straddles the Napa and Sonoma County line and, on a clear day, you can see the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada range.

Pride Napa Chardonnay 2006
Napa Valley, California - $37
Crisp. Toasty nut flavors thanks to a cool fermentation in French oak barrels.

Pride Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Spring Mountain, California - $66
Cellar til 2018. Very dark color. Slight pepper, very tannic & powerful. Grown on volcanic soils at elevation of 2,000+ feet. Another 90+ wine.

Pride Merlot 2005
Spring Mountain, California - $56
Merlot with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Dry, bolder style. Long finish, cellar until 2016. Everyone really liked this one. (The 2001 vintage received rave reviews and scored 90+ points in several industry publications.)



Pride Vintner Select Merlot 2005
Spring Mountain, California - $75
Lush, hedonistic. Single vineyard bottling. Production: 490 cases (sold out). This vintage was rated 93 points by Tanzer and 91 points from WS.

Pride Sangiovese 2005
Spring Mountain, California - $55
Very vanilla. Currently only sold at the winery. Rated 88 in Wine Advocate.

Pride Cabernet Franc 2005
Spring Mountain, California - $60
Really good. Nice tannins; juicy, fruity, soft. Very good example of Cabernet Franc. The best expression of this varietal on the entire trip. Rated 89 in WS and 91 in Wine Advocate.


More at Pride Wines.com

Rombauer

We stopped at Oakville Grocery for picnic provisions before headed up the road for our AM tasting at Rombauer. This was the first stop on day two. This winery made it on the list because a group member loves their Chardonnays. Rombauer has an excellent picnic site with valley views.

Rombauer Carneros Chardonnay 2006
Napa Valley, California - $29
Up to quality of previous vintages, excellent, toasty, vanilla and oaky. Had with picnic lunch. From the winemaker: Rich wine with layers of tropical fruit, peaches, & pears. Creamy textres of apples, pears. Hint of citrus & light oak, lingering finish.

Rombauer Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California - $38
Okay, weak. From the winemaker: Aromas of violet, black currant, cherry, plum, wild berry backed by spice. Flavor burst lingers, adds complexity.



Rombauer Diamond Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Napa Valley, California - $60
Earthy on nose, very drying tannins. From the winemaker: Rich, ripe plum & blackberry, vibrant & intense without overpowering. Finesse and polish on finish with ripe, integrated tannins.

Rombauer Napa Valley Zinfandel 2005
Napa Valley, California - $28
Sweet, jammy. From the winemaker: Ripe & luscious w/vivid aromas of boysenberry & wild berry, layered flavors of raspberry, blackberry & boysenberry. Fruit explosion, berry flavors linger on palate. Hint of oak, spice on finish.

Rombauer Zinfandel Port
Napa Valley, California - $45
Not raisin-y for a port. Vanilla, hint of pepper on aftertaste. From the winemaker: Chocolate, plum berry aroma. Long lingering finish of fruit & vanilla.


More at Rombauer.com

Peju

Peju was the second winery we visited our first day in Napa. The grounds makes quite an impression as you drive up. The long driveway is lined by skinny sycamores being trained to bend over the drive (but they are still young so it is more of a lean). And the buildings are a mix of French provencal and Dr. Seuss. The rear tasting room, with granite floors and counters and stained glass windows, is the more beautiful of the tasting rooms. Tasting menu was extensive, highlighted by unique red/white blends and dry rose wines. We did not encounter so many dry, light reds at any other winery.

It is definitely worth a visit for the grounds and architecture. Since it's right off the main drag in Napa, it is easy to find and stop in.

Peju Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Napa Valley, California - $18
Grapefruit, "cat pee" on nose. From the winemaker: Pale straw yellow color. Tropical fruit mixed with fresh citrus, lychee & passion fruit. Crisp, fresh & lively on the palate. Long finish.

Peju Provence
Napa Valley, California - $22
Provence: California red & white blend. Very interesting and unique; slightly sweet, summer sipper. Like a white Zinfadel or rose. From the winemaker: Proprietary blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, and French Colombard. Pleasing impression with refreshing finish.

Peju Rose of Syrah
Napa Valley, California - $25
(This wine was not available during our visit but we have since sampled several bottles.) Aromas of light cherry and other berries, dusty & melon. Dry rose style with light body. Brilliant red-orange color. Same light flavors as aromas. Paired well with smoked salmon, pickled red onion & goat cheese boursin. From the winemaker: The color is vibrant rouge with fragrant aromas of pear, fresh raspberries and ripe strawberries as well as a hint of spicy gumdrop. Delicate flavors of red berries, citrus notes with a whisper of Seville orange creamsicle. This wine is enticing and smooth on the palate with a creamy finish. It is an interesting wine for a summer event; surprising and refreshing. Rarity increases appeal. 3.5/5

Peju Estate Fifty/Fifty 2005
Napa Valley, California - $85
Red blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Cherry color, coats glass thickly, dry finish. From the winemaker: 50% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon. Bright red berry fruit, ripe plum, dark dried cherry and currant aromas. Deep and rich.

Peju Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Napa Valley, California - $40
Brian liked, better than Cakebread's Estate Cab. Watermelon, slightly bitter. From the winemaker: Aroma of bing cherry, vanilla, clove, blackberry, black pepper, cassis, toast, roasted coffee, fresh herbs and green olive. Palate is big, rich and round. Lengthy finish, soft supple texture and nicely integrated tannins.



Peju Rutherford Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Napa Valley, California - $105
Hold until 2013-2014 to reach prime. Vanilla, dry. From the winemaker: Concentrated plum, blackberry nose and hint of cocoa aromas. Rich and powerful, layers of concentrated flavors with nice roundness. Rich and lengthy finish; complex and well developed tannins.

Peju Estate Zinfandel 2005
Napa Valley, California - $28
Very jammy, heavily coated glass. From the winemaker: Dark purple & garnet in color. Aromas of raspberry, cranberry, dried cherry and clove. Bright blackberry jam, round spicy flavor. Big bold tannins, long lingering finish.

Peju Estate Cabernet Franc 2005
Napa Valley, California - $45
Not a blend - 100% Cabernet Franc. Good minerality; powerful, puckering tannins. From the winemaker: Aromas of concentrated plum, mingled with spice, red currant, vanilla and violet. Full body, flavor of plum blackberry pie, espresso bean and hints of anise, fresh herbs and white pepper. Soft, luxurious mouthfeel.

More at Peju.com

Cakebread

First stop on the first day. Expectations were high, but reigned in. After all, I didn't know what to expect. The folks at Cakebread gave us a guided tour of the grounds and some of the winery facilities. They had just finished bottling the week prior so things were a lot quieter. We had our tasting in the cellar room, which was quite atmospheric (and chilly). Their French style Chardonnay made quite an impression as did the Syrah.



Cakebread Napa Valley Chardonnay 2006
Napa Valley, California - $38
French style of Chardonnay. Loved minerality and flavor. My favorite white of the tasting. 5/5

Cakebread Reserve Chardonnay 2005
Napa Valley, California - $54
Disliked, too oaky. American style. 3/5

Cakebread Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Napa Valley, California - $40
Unoaked, french style.



Cakebrea Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Napa Valley, California - $23
Typical, nothing outstanding. From the winemaker: Crisp, full body; complex. Added small amounts of Sauvignon Musque to contribute lovely floral aromas & Semillon to soften acidity, add citrus tone and enrich mid-plate.

Cakebread Napa Valley Syrah 2005
Napa Valley, California - $50
Loved syrupy, very ripe fruit flavor. My style of syrah. From the winemaker: Seductive, varietally expressive aroma of ripe black fruit, violets, white pepper, roasted coffee and sweet vanilla. Full body; lush blackberry, plum and fig; savory spice. Supple tannins and long toasty finish. Best flavor 2011-2013.




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Kreutz Creek Vineyards

Some of my favorite wines from the Brandywine Valley Wine Tour in September 2008...

The Whites
Kreutz Creek Chardonnay
Pennsylvania - $19
Different & light for an oaked Chardonnay, great finish. One of the better wines Kreutz Creek wines. From the winemaker: "Very nice vanilla, oak & citric smells, buttery flavor & holds entire way thru finish."

The Reds
Kreutz Creek Wickerton Red
Pennsylvania - $15
One of the better reds. Chancellor grape blended w/Kordeaux; smoky, medium body of berries.

Kreutz Creek Kordeaux
Pennsylvania - $20
Different & fun, eucalyptus notes. From the winemaker: "Bordeaux blend of cab, cab franc, merlot & petite verdot loaded w/eucalyptus, berries, vanilla and little oak. Excellent & distinctly shows terrior of area."

Kreutz Creek Kordeaux Reserve 2006
Pennsylvania - $25
Medium tannins, concentrated long finish but not highly complex. Like this on. From the winemaker: "Big flavors of berries, oak, black velvet body."

Dessert
Kreutz Creek Ruby "K" Port
Pennsylvania - $15
I am not a port fanatic, but would never turn down a tasting. Pleasantly surprised to find no raisin aftertaste on this one... which is one of my turn-offs, especially when it comes to tawny. Not bad for a local port. Notes from the winemaker: "Cherry flavor complemented by dark chocolate."

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Chadds Ford Winery

The Whites
Chadds Ford Proprietor's Reserve White 2007
Chadds Ford, PA - $13
Apple aroma, flavors like a sweet Pinot Grigio without a lot of acid. Too sweet and basic for me. From the winemaker: "Light, crisp, fresh, & clean. All purpose, non-barrel aged." 2.5/5

Chadds Ford Naked Chardonnay 2007
Chadds Ford, PA - $16
Like it more than the Proprietor's Reserve White. Taste of mushrooms, strong asparagus aroma and flavor - distracting. Flawed. From the wine maker: "No oak, delicious fruit, natural flavors, crisp acidity." 2.5/5

The Rose
Chadds Ford Sunset Blush 2006
Chadds Ford, PA - $13
Very sweet - did they add sugar? Bright pink color. Too much sweetness to enjoy. I've had better white zinfandels. Couldn't rate.

The Reds
Chadds Ford Pinot Noir 2006
Chadds Ford, PA - $16
One of their better wines. Earthy nose; very smoky with strong smoke finish, cherry, simple & elegant style with lighter body. From the winemaker: "Soft warm fullness & medium body w/delicate black cherry, brown sugar and smoke." 3/5

Chadds Ford Due Rossi 2005
Chadds Ford, PA - $25
Sangiovese & Barbera blend. Smooth, supple tannins; good acidity. Flavors: spicy red berry, vanilla. Needs to decant; too tight, couldn't pick out much so early. Like their Pinot Noir better. Opened bottle just for our tasting. From the winemaker: "Laden with uncountable flavors & bursts in mouth w/sweet vanillins, big bouquet of flowers, ripe jammy fruit, licorice."

Chadds Ford Proprietor's Reserve Red 2007
Chadds Ford, PA - $13
Smooth, light body, soft tannins. Bacon, sour cherry aromas & flavors with spicy finish. Better than Penns Woods Chambourcin but still not a favorite grape. From the winemaker: "100% chambourcin, with smooth flavors of cola, cherry & blackberry."

Chadds Ford Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Chadds Ford, PA - $19
Needs to open up - too tight. Oaky finish, very light for a Cabernet. White chocolate flavor at end, fine tannins w/long finish. 2/5

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Penns Wood Winery

The Whites
Penns Word Proprietor's Reserve 2006
Pennsylvania - $23
One of my favorites from this winery, enjoyable. Lovely nose; citrus on palate reminscent of Pinot Grigio, green apple & lemon, a little more viscosity than Sauvignon Blanc. From the winemaker: "Deep lemony gold in color. Blend of Chardonnay & Pinot Grigio has warm nose packed w/generous armos of melon, tropical fruit, and citrus."

Penns Wood Chardonnay Reserve 2005
Pennsylvania - $33
Tangerine & spice on nose. Light body, thinner than what I'm used to but style typical of the terrior. Vanilla note on finish. Light oaking. From the winemaker: "Vibrancy on palate with aromas of juicy apple and tangerine, hint of vanilla."

Penns Wood Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Pennsylvania - $32
Grapefruit pith on nose, light minerality. Prefer French style of minerality, which this has. A little thin. From the winemaker: "Deep golden with notes of green in color, complex w/hints of tangerine peel, grapefruit pith & traces of minerality."

The Reds
Penns Wood Proprietor's Reserve 2004
Pennsylvania - $23
Cedar, red & black berry, earthiness! Some florals, nice acidity; light, lingering flavor and light, supple tannins. From the winemaker: "Blend of Cabernet and Merlot, floral bouquet, dark red fruit."

Penns Wood Ameritage 2004
Pennsylvania - $46
Earthy, barnyard, some light pepper on center of tongue. Smooth & elegant, like it but not for price. Prefer bolder style. Less than 70 cases produced. Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot, Carmine, Sangiovese, and Nebiolo grapes.

Penns Wood Chambourcin 2008
Pennsylvania - $28
Like the nose, not the palate. Bitter smack in beginning, sour palate, some barnyard & earthiness. Picked up on sage & pepper. Did not like; apparently this grape is not one of my favorites as I've learned from other tastings. From the winemaker: "Bouquet of pomegranate, black pepper, sage."

Penns Wood White Merlot 2006
Pennsylvania - $18
Merry Edwards Pinot Noir nose, carmelly pink color. Not a lot of complexity, good summer sipper. Really cool nose, mocha & light light tannins. From the winemaker: "Cassis, black raspberry, mocha and underlying minerality."

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West Cape Howe Unwooded Chardonnay 2007
South Australia - $16.99
Lush with firm acidity and full creamy texture. Tropical fruit and earthy red apple, pear spiced nose. Lemon butter finish. Enjoyable flavor. Tasted at a Harry's Seafood wine event.