Clean Up - Aisle 6

Posts have been few and far between over the past few months but things have been a bit crazy in the Good Life world.  In addition to the usually holiday nonsense, we suffered the loss of a parent and a dear friend, within the span of two weeks, which kind of put a damper on things...to say the least. 

My mother-in-law didn't drink...ever...although she did accidentally take a sip one night and promptly spit it back into the glass -  my PIC's glass!  That doesn't mean that we haven't been working our way through the cellar so, in the spirit of my good friend Donna, who was always up for a drink and a good time, let's start clearing out the backlog.

We'll start with Penns Woods 2007 Ameritage.  This deep garnet wine had some oak on the nose but  not in a woody way at all.  The firm tannins mellowed in the glass with some time but there was something on the palate that I found somewhat unpleasant and a hint of latex squeaky toy on the finish.  It was kind of surprising because we have enjoyed several of their wines.  It wasn't cooking wine but we didn't enjoy it as much as we have other Penns Woods wines.  Also from Penns Woods, we tried the Lacrima Dolce dessert wine.  There must have been something about it that we liked when we tasted it at the winery but it is sitting in the pan sauce section of the refrigerator.  This wine is overwhelmingly banana - not something that I look for in my dessert wines - but some may find it pleasant with the right pairing.

Speaking of dessert wine - there's Atwater and Billsboro, from the Finger Lakes, and Pearmund from Virginia.  The Billsboro Apres, a late harvest Vignoles, is one of our very favorites - loads of mango and tropical flavors, honey and a hint of vanilla.  My PIC cannot handle Chardonnay but we both love Atwater 2008 Chardonnay Ice.  It's honey and peach with a beautiful balance of acid and sweetness.  Finally, was the Pearmund 2009 Late Harvest Mt. Juliet Petit Manseng.  White chocolate on the nose, creamy on the palate, and honey on the finish.  Perfectly sweet but not cloying.

And then there's Shalestone Vineyards Beyone Rose.  We first tasted this at the event to celebrate the life of Deb Whiting and we immediately knew that we needed more!  75% Pinot, 25% Syrah, it's a non-rose rose.  It's a gorgeous ruby color with black cherry and subtle spice on the palate - we cannot get enough of this.  It's equally good chilled or at room temperature.....and probably sold out as of this writing!

Some winners, some losers.  I think I'll call it a night.  Stay safe and among friends!!

Little Cheddar Goldfish and the Castle on the Hill

When we were out this Fall visiting a couple of Bucks County wineries, the folks at Crossing Vineyards suggested we make a stop at  Buckingham Valley Vineyards and Winery.   It's a family owned and operated winery and the first self-serve tasting we have ever encountered!  Seriously?  Like a kid in a candy store....like a pig in mud...we were as happy as a clam at high tide! 

We got our glasses and instructions and were set loose in the tasting room.  The bottles were lined up at the edge of the tasting bar, if that's what it would be called in this situation.  We found six reds (Cab Sauvignon, Chambourcin, Chacellor, Dechaunac, Merlot and Diego Red), six whites (Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Vidal Blanc, Seyval Blanc, Riesling, and Niagara), and six fruit wines available for tasting.  Here's what I want to say:  The crackers were REALLY good!!

We made a hasty, but polite exit and headed to Sand Castle Winery.  Thanks to Penny we made it before closing.  The building is impressive but more in a banquet hall/wedding/Bar Mitzvah kind of way.  In jeans, we were feeling a little bit under-dressed but we quickly shook that off and headed for the Tasting Room.

There were 11 wines on the tasting menu, starting with the 2005 Johannisberg Dry Riesling, a middle-of-the-road, Alsatian-style Riesling.  Some mineral on the nose, green apple and little acidity - well-balanced, but not acidic enough for me - definitely a crowd pleasing kind of wine, though.  The 2005 Chardonnay Private Reserve and the 2006 Classic Chardonnay were not my cup of tea.  I found something on the nose unpleasant, but I'm not a huge Chard fan, anyway.

The NV Dry Rose, a blend of the Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay Classic, was light and fruity.  It came across as almost sweet on the palate but I can see it as another middle of the road, crowd pleasing summer sipper.  We next tried the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon which neither one of us remembers much about.  The NV Claret was a little too sweet for our taste and we both passed on the Cuvee Blush when it was described to us as slightly sweet.

The 2005 Johannisberg Riesling had mineral and a hint of petrol on the nose with tropical fruit on the palate.  3% RS and beautifully balanced.  The 2003 Late Harvest Johannisberg Riesling, another beautifully balanced wine.  Loads of honey, peaches, and tropical fruit.  13% RS and enough acidity that it's not cloying.  The tasting ended with the Alpine Spice, a mulled wine...apres ski, but not for me.

All in all, not a total bummer of a day.  We took a couple bottles of the 2005 Dry Rielsing and a couple of the LH Rielsing so stay tuned!