Here is an aromatically enticing Franc with a bouquet of cassis, bell pepper, peppermint, violets, vanilla and earth. The palate emulates the nose and the soft texture makes it amiable to grilled calf’s liver in a mushroom sauce.
Clear medium-deep lemon yellow. Interesting medium-intensity nose of gooseberry, lemon, orange blossom, pineapple, even a bit of ground coriander. Medium-bodied with good acidity and a long finish. Tastes of pineapple, lime, lemon and a bit of lychee. Complex and elegant, an SB to be savoured, not quaffed. Drink soon.
Clear, very deep plum-red. Medium-intensity nose featuring rich black cherry, tobacco and caramel aromas. Full-bodied, tasting of cherries, plums and cranberries, and in good balance but for the slightly high tannins. Ready to drink.
The dark cherry colour flows into a mélange of plum, mint, cherries, spice, cocoa and vanilla. Complex and full-bodied, the finale is long and quite tannic at this point. My suggestion is to cellar for a couple of years and then pair with a braised brisket or roasted lamb marinated in herbs. Drink until 2022.
Based in Washingtonville, NY, in the Hudson River Valley, it’s a blend of Riesling grapes from both there and the Finger Lakes area to the northwest. Sports golden apple, floral and peach notes, a juicy, off-dry palate and a fruit-cocktail finish. A gulpable summer sipper.
Clear medium-deep yellow with lots of bubbles. Medium-intensity nose of McIntosh apple, sourdough toast and treacle toffee. Medium-bodied with simple apple and lemon flavours. Drink up.
On the nose, opulent fine cherry fruit with suggestions of cinnamon, nutmeg, mint and refined oak. Flavours of cherry, raspberry and a splash of dark chocolate in the mouth, with firm structure, substantial weight and well-modulated fruit, oak and spice on the finish.