A Second Chance - Ryan William Vineyard

They say you don't get a second chance to make a first impression but this may be an exception to that old adage.  We know that our first tasting room experience can't be changed, but we decided to give them another try.  So, with our FLX newbie friends in tow, we headed down the long driveway to the tasting room.  I have to say that this tasting was very different from the first.  It was really pleasant and the impression that it made on our traveling companions was very positive.  Note:  there are no public restrooms so tinkle before you get there!

On to the wines!

The tasting started with the 2013 Gruner Veltliner, one of the only wines that pairs with asparagus - yes, really.  It's minerally with hints of lemon.  Nicely balanced with a crisp finish.

2011 Dry Riesling - Typical of the east side of Seneca Lake, it showed mineral and wet slate on the nose.  It has a hint of sweetness up front that dries out on the finish thanks to the beautiful acidity.  1.2% RS.  Lovely.

2012 Chardonnay - Done half in French oak, half in stainless steel, it's bright and quite nice.

2010 Cabernet Franc - Much more integrated than when we first tried it about a year ago.  The tannins are still really firm but the fruit is starting to show through.  Warm spices on the finish.  It definitely needs a couple of years of bottle age.  I'm still finding that it drinks kind of hot but I'm optimistic.

2012 Merlot - A very young wine; very firm tannins with some dark fruit showing up for the party.

2010 Late Harvest Riesling - This is totally honey and dried apricots but with enough acidity for balance.  Not cloying; just dessert.+

In real estate, they say location, location, location.  I'm not sure that it's all that different with wine.  All of these wines really showcase the unique terrior of the east side of Seneca Lake.  I find the distinct minerality and acidity of this region to be right up my alley.  They are limited production at just under 1000 cases so check them out before they sell out.  Ryan William stays on my watch list, for sure!

Finger Lakes Round-up

It's been a slow recovery from a fantastic trip to the Finger Lakes last week. Not only did we get to catch up with some friends in the area, but we had the privilege of corrupting, I mean introducing, friends from our neck of the woods to the region!  As a group, we did some damage; terrorizing tastings rooms and leaving nothing but chaos (and people shaking their heads) in our wake.

With the wine finally unpacked and semi-organized for storage, it seems like a good time to do a quick run down of our winery visits.  So, as my friend Janie would say, let's review!

Bloomer Creek

A great tasting with the always entertaining Kim Engle.  We really enjoy all of Kim's wines but a few standouts from this tasting - 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2011 Vin d'ete,  2012 Rose, 2010 Cab Franc, 2011 Pinot Noir, and the 2011 Auten Second Harvest Riesling.

Sheldrake Point

A really beautiful Riesling line up!  2012 Reserve Riesling, 2012 Riesling, 2013 Riesling; 2012 Gamay, and a nod to the 2011 Luckystone Red.

Red Newt Cellars 

Fifteen wines available for tasting, oh my.  2012 Semi-Dry Riesling, 2010 Dry Rielsing, 2007 Gewurztraminer Sawmill Creek, 2007 Gewurztraminer Curry Creek 2012 Cab Franc, 2011 Viridescens,  Hellbender, and the 2013 Kelby James Russell Rose which is, unfortunately, only available in the Bistro.

Barry Family Cellars

We got a behind the scenes tour, if you will, thanks to Ian Barry.  A really solid and exciting line up!  2012 Dry Rielsing, 2013 Semi-dry Riesling,  2012 Chardonnay, 2013 Rose, 2011 Pinot, Noir, and a sneak peek at the soon to be bottled Cabernet Franc!  Keep your eye on this one; good things are happening!  By appointment only; the tasting room is still under construction.

Shalestone

Always a great selection of friendly, approachable wines and a required stop along the trail.  Of particular note, are the 2012 Pinot, 2013 Beyone Rose, and the 2010 Synergy.  Some Library wines are still available for purchase - 2010 Cabernet Franc and 2007 Harmony, both are wonderful!

Damiani Wine Cellars

A huge tasting menu - 19 current releases plus 4 reserves - makes it really tough to pick out just a few favorites.  Some of the shining stars for me were the 2012 Dry Riesling Davis Vineyard, 2012 Riesling, 2012 Lemberger, 2011 Syrah, 2010 Merlot Sunrise Hill Vineyard, 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2011 Meritage, and for the bubble lovers, the 2012 Bollicini.  As far as the Reserve wines go, they are a must-taste!

Shaw Vineyard  

A perennial favorite of ours.  Eight wines are available for tasting and we love them all.  Steve's Sauvignon Blanc is probably my favorite in the region and the 2012 did not disappoint nor did the 2008 Dry Riesling.  The reds are always awesome and to pick one or two seems so wrong but the  Keuka Hill Reserve always rocks.  We also had a preview taste of the 2013 Vin d'Orange that was just released...right after we left!  Suffice it to say that a case followed us home!

Hector Wine Company

Always such a fun tasting and great wines.  Of particular interest are the 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, 2012 Gewurztraminer, Soul Red, 2012 Syrah, 2012 Essence, and the 2013 Riesling.  Also being poured and definitely noteworthy are two Forge Cellars wines - 2013 Riesling and 2013 Rose.

Ryan William Vineyard

I guess sometimes you can get a second chance to make a first impression!  Much more pleasant, comfortable tasting than our first visit.  A nice line-up of wines are being offered - 2013 Gruner Veltliner, 2011 Dry Riesling, 2012 Chardonnay, 2010 Cab Franc, 2012 Merlot, 2010 LH Riesling.  More to come about them.

Restraint is not a word with which we are particularly familiar.  You know, go big or go home.  We did both.

Heaven in Chester County

There are some places that I find incredibly difficult about which to write.  Oddly enough, most of them turn out to be some of our favorite places.  You know, it's kind of like my favorite pair of shoes - the ones
I love so much that I don't wear them.  Follow?

Anyway, I'm sure that it will come as no surprise when I say that Va La is one of those places.   We  try to be fair and objective but sometimes passion prevails.  I mean, we are the official, self-appointed Ambassadors of Va La Nation.  The only thing missing is the T-shirt.....just sayin'......

So, with no official duties on the schedule, we headed out to meet up with friends for a picnic lunch on the deck overlooking the Little Vineyard.  What could be better on a warm Spring day than an afternoon of good friends, good food, and of course, good wine?!  And, it's always a treat to spend time with The Farmer!

Between us, we put together quite an impressive spread - from pork to artichokes, pasta salad to pesto, dips, and spreads - sorry guys, no cookies this time.  Needless to say, we had an even more impressive lineup of wines to accompany our fare!  I know, it looks bass-ackwards but it actually worked.  As the afternoon got warmer, our wine got cooler!

The feast started with a 2010 Cedar - five clones of Nebbiolo and Corvina Veronese.  It had a couple hour decant thanks to our friends in the tasting room.  It had opened up to reveal leather and tobacco notes with hints of smoke and tar;  it's a men's club in a bottle!

We moved on to a perfectly chilled 2010 Silk - Corvina Veronese, Barbera, Carmine, Petit Verdot, and Nebbiolo.  This rosato is brick in color, soft on the palate and shows dark fruit and smoke with a hint of burnt sugar.

The afternoon ended with a 2011 La Prima Donna - Malvasia Bianco, Petit Manseng, Pinot Grigio, and Tocai (friuliano).  Crisp and delightful with more stone fruit than the 2010.

Before we knew it, the sun began to set over the Little Vineyard and it was time to let the The Farmer get back to pruning and the good tasting room folks go home.  Another wonderful afternoon was had by all.

Call us cheerleaders, call us what you will.  We are.......Va La!!  

Lost Creek - One Worth Watching

Our last trip to Virginia started as it usually does - with a lovely tasting at Tarara - thanks to Jordan Harris. We headed out from there,looking to make another stop and we were encouraged to go to Lost Creek.  We were skeptical; we had done a tasting there several years ago but the wines were not what we typically enjoy.  We learned that since our last visit, the property had been sold and that they were going in a different direction with their wines.  Ok, we're in!

The property is beautiful - the walk from the parking area is across a patio, under wisteria-covered pergolas, and past a bubbling fountain.  The tasting room has a more modern feel than I remembered from our last visit, in a good way, and the large fireplace makes it warm and inviting.  The music was great and there are plenty of tables for sitting and sipping.  While the flickering candles on each table were a lovely touch, the scent was overpowering and made the tasting a challenge.  Our pourer was friendly enough and, while we were not ignored, he was rather distracted by a problem with his XM Radio account and its eventual resolution.

The $10 tasting fee is for 8 wines.  We tasted five, starting with the 2012 Vidal Blanc ($22).  100% estate grown and fermented in stainless steel, it's bright and well balanced, with honeysuckle notes.

Chambourcin Gold ($20)- NV, "legacy" wine; slightly sweet - not my cup o' tea.

Reserve ($25) - another NV "legacy" wine; a light bodied Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot.

2011 Cab Franc ($29) - It's very light bodied; black cherry with hints of smoke on the nose that follow through to the palate; black pepper and spice on the finish.  We opened one the other night and it was enjoyable; it showed promise.

2011 Genesis ($29) - a blend of 10% Tannat, 43% Cabernet Franc, and 47% Petit Verdot.  The Tannat asserts itself in this blend.  It's earthy and peppery.

The other wines available for tasting were:

2012 Chardonnay ($24)
2012 Chardonnay Reserve ($27) - 100% estate grown
2012 Serenity ($22) - 100% Vidal Blanc; 1.5% RS

All in all, it was a fairly pleasant tasting experience and the Cab Franc showed enough promise that we will definitely give it another try this year.