New York State Wines Ready for Summer!

As part of New York State Wine Week at Garnet, we held a tasting that included two of the top producers from the Finger Lakes region: Ravines Wine Cellars and Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard. Wiemer has been listed on Wine and Spirits Top 100 wineries in the world for the past 6 years while Ravines has been featured on the Wine Spectator top 100 wines list twice since 2010. 

The region’s unique soils combined with the lakes’ moderating effects on weather have made it ideal for many cooler climate varietals to thrive. The 2012 vintage featured a long, warm growing season adding richness and depth to the reds which was perfectly showcased in the Wiemer Cabernet Franc. A wetter than normal summer in 2013 meant ripening was a bit behind schedule but a perfect September and October saved the day. Rieslings fared very well and the 2013 Ravines Dry Riesling showed beautifully, ready for the summer months ahead. 

Those inclined to seek out a sweeter rendition can look for the Late Harvest Riesling from Wiemer. Lucious yet elegant, it’s a perfect match for lobster come June.  Oskar Bynke, co-owner of Hermann Wiemer explained that the 2014 season started off with quite a scare. Record low temperatures in March and April led to some vine damage and vintners crossed their fingers waiting for bud break. In mid-May that arrived and after a cooler growing season, another beautiful fall resulted in racy rieslings showing high acidity and bright fruit. 

 Oskar Bynke, right with Deborah Anaymo and Eric Elkin, Garnet's New York State wine buyer.

Rounding out the tasting were two unsung heroes from Ravines. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot don’t always find success in cooler climates but Morton Hallgren of Ravines proves that the right vineyard sites and deft wine-making win out every time. Those who long for Bordeaux of the distant past will be delighted by this balanced and nuanced blend. The Village White turns French-American hybrid varietals Cayuga and Vignoles into a surprisingly complex and delicious white wine.

Ravines Village White 2013

Very pale gold. Pretty nose with flowers and fragrances of orchard fruit, peaches, pit fruit and grapefruit – a complex and deliciously inviting nose! Lychee comes out with more air. Soft, medium bodied with balanced acidity. Long, persistent finish that includes citrus flavors and apples. $11.99

Ravines Dry Riesling 2013

Pale gold. A bit shy on the nose to start with hints of petrol, white floral notes and some lemon-lime. A touch lighter than the Village White. Dry and austere with nice acidity. Well balanced with an excellent, mineral-laced finish. $16.99

Ravines Meritage 2009

A Meritage (rhymes with heritage) is a blend of the usual Bordeaux grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc but made outside of Bordeaux. Beautiful transparent ruby color. Oak on the nose with hints of spice, earth and more than a little rich currant alongside some asphalt and other mineral aromas. Complex nose! Medium bodied with a citrusy element, dry cranberry and savory cherry fruit on the palate. A long finish completes the picture. $23.99

Wiemer Dry Riesling 2014

Medium gold color. A hint of fresh cream with green pear and honey on the nose. Some effervescence on entry. Juicy wine with great balance, bright acidity and a long finish. Light to medium bodied with excellent texture. Refreshing! $18.99

Late Harvest 2013

An 18-Carat gold hue to this wine, ie gorgeous. Rich, ripe fruit aromas on the nose. Round, medium-full body. Good persistence with minerals and soft stone fruit flavors. Luscious without being over the top. $27.99

Cabernet Franc 2012

Another gorgeous robe, this one the color of the ruby slippers from the Wizard of Oz, befitting the deliciously complex wine that follows. Plenty of earth on the nose along with soft cranberries. Very inviting. Hints of oak from neutral/used barrels. Very aromatic and ripe but at the same time elegant. An expansive, dry palate with good fruit and mineral flavors. Finishes well.  $24.99

-Christian Botta & Eric Elkin

Garnet Sales Staff Afghan Kebab House Wine Tasting

On a blustery Saturday night in February, the Garnet sales team headed over to the Afghan Kebab House on Second Avenue and Seventy-First to take advantage of this friendly restaurant’s corkage-free BYOB policy and delicious cuisine, sampling some of our favorite wines. The food was great and so was the company. But the wines took center stage as we paired mainly old world styled wines with the hearty, spicy Afghan meal.

Ferrari Blanc de Blanc NV

This Italian Blanc de Blanc (100% chardonnay) has nice weight with 12.5% alcohol. It’s  dry and slightly earthy with flavors of ripe yellow apples. Good texture and mousse. Excellent as an aperitif, this delicate sparkler is elegant, feminine, and balanced. ($22.49)

Peter Schandl Pinot Blanc 2011 Halbtrocken

A light to medium-bodied off-dry charmer, this Austrian pinot blanc has hazelnuts on the nose, with good acidity and just a hint of sweetness on the palate. There is a hint of beefy bouillion on the nose, as well. Perfect with the spicey appetizers, it’s a beautiful soft-textured wine with rich but subtle fruit on the palate and a very long finish. ($23.99)

Crasto 2012 Superior Douro

A beautiful purple robe is followed by violets, slate, and earth on the nose. Soft and full-bodied but with good structure. Dark fruit flavors include plums and red currants which are supported by sweet tannins. This mildly spicy wine has an expansive finish and it was great with the lamb shank. ($26.99)

L’Heumeur Vagabonds Domaine Le Clos du Serres 2011

An inky purple color suggests that this will be a full-bodied wine. Red currants along with fresh meat, cumin, and floral aromas make up the complex nose. Black currants on the round, silky textured palate. The tannins are mostly resolved but the remaining soft tannins hold everything together and cut through the fat of the lamb shank. Ready to drink, rich, and satisfying. ($27.99)

Domaine de la Morderee Lirac Dame Rousse 2012

Pepper, garrigue, and thyme on the nose. Tons of thyme along with red and black currants on the palate. Beautifully balanced and complex. Full-bodied with very good acidity.  Lavender develops on the nose with more air time. Drinking very well right now. ($23.99)

Bedrock Old Vine California Zinfandel 2013

Winemaker Morgan Twain-Peterson is the son of Zinfandel legend Joel Peterson, the founder of Ravenswood. A pretty wine, the 2013 Bedrock Old Vine Zin has lots of oak and berries plus a saline note on the nose. Full-bodied with tons of berry fruit and oak on the palate. Fine tannins appear on the finish and dovetail nicely with the velvety, soft texture. A little out of place in this tasting that featured mainly European and more old-world styled wines, the Bedrock Zin was nonetheless elegant and complete and the favorite of one of the tasters. ($29.99)

Tokaji Royal 2008 5 Puttonyos Tokai

The designation ‘puttonyos’ refers to the traditional baskets that are used to measure the botrytis-infected grapes that are added to the blend to increase sweetness. Six puttonyos is the maximum, although that level is rare. The wine has a beautiful golden amber color. There is apricot on the nose along with an orange peel note that carries through to the palate. Less sweet than expected, the wine has excellent acidity that keeps the wine refreshing. The nose and palate develop more nuance as they open up in the glass. Lighter than a Sauternes at 11.5% alcohol.  An endless, resonant finish lasts until the next sip. ($52.99)

-Christian Botta

A Super Red Burgundy From Marsannay

I recently tried a terrific red Burgundy that is a wine that you won’t want to miss out on. The Domaine Bart 2012 Marsannay “Champs Solomon” is a single vineyard wine that according to Pierre Bart may be upgraded to premier cru in the not too distant future. As it is, the site is one of the top vineyards in Marsannay and Bart is a top producer there, which combined with the small but high quality vintage of 2012 makes for a very nice bottle indeed.

The deep ruby red wine has a nose of flowers, berries and the telltale signs of the 25% new oak that this cuvee receives. On the palate the wine is medium-bodied with excellent grip (the combination of tannins and acidity that provide structure). There are plenty of subtle berry flavors along with a nice earthy note.

I drank the wine with some medium rare hanger steaks and after the food was finished, the smokey, earthy notes and tannic structure came to the forefront, suggesting that this wine will work nicely for mid-term aging. Burghound, aka Allen Meadows, one of the top if not the top Burgundy critics, calls this wine an “outstanding top value,” although he suggests holding the wine until 2019.

However, it will certainly be all gone from stores by then! And you don’t have to wait four years to uncork this beauty. See for yourself – a taste of a top Burgundian terroir is yours for the astonishing price of… $26.99!

-Christian Botta

Tasty Cab Franc for a Song

A new red wine arrival at Garnet is getting some notice. Domaine Laroque’s 100% cabernet franc bottling is tasty and priced for everyday enjoyment and/or parties. The wine sports an opaque purple robe and has earthy, woodsy cab franc scents on the nose. There are hints of raspberries and minerals, too. A dry entry is followed by a juicy mid-palate with delicious red fruit and a solid finish. Domaine Laroque 2013 is a very pleasant and quaffable medium-bodied dry red wine that will go with all kinds of cuisine including meat dishes, fish, pasta and hard cheeses. Good balance and good value with an elegant personality – just $9.99!

Domaine Laroque hails from the Cite de Carcassonne Indication Geographique Protege - Carcassonne is in the southwest region of France and the famous, walled medieval city there gives the appellation and the town, its name. -Christian Botta

Delicious Red Zins Provide Cold Weather Comfort!

Baby it’s cold outside! And when the temperature drops, it makes you want to snuggle up with a hearty red wine. One of my favorite wines to cozy up to is red Zinfandel from California, made from one of the heartiest and most robust of the red grapes. Zins offer plenty of body along with rich berry flavors, spice and a smooth structure, perfect for sipping in front of an open fire or at the table with full-flavored, winter fare.

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 The Four Vines 'Truant' 2011  is a wine with much to recommend it. At only $10.99, it’s a notch above the competition in finesse and smoothness, with a core of spicy berry fruit and a judicious use of oak. Medium to full-bodied, it’s a Zin that bridges the gap between cheap and cheerful and the big boys.

Another favorite of mine is the Mettler 2012 Old Vines Lodi Zinfandel 'Epicenter.'   A powerful, full-bodied wine, it has a darker fruit tone than many Zins, with rich blackberries that resonate with an earthy, gravelly complexity. The wine has great balance and pairs well with a variety of full-flavored dishes. A particularly memorable meal I had included the Mettler Lodi Zin and a spit-roasted Peruvian chicken! Another steal at $16.99.

It will come as no surprise that the 2012 Ridge Three Valleys is both an excellent value and a wine to savor on a special occasion, as well. There are aromas of ripe raspberry and black pepper, and dark fruit comes on as it opens up in the glass. The tannins are sweet and contribute to the soft mouth-feel. The richness of the fruit is balanced by nice acidity.  As we've come to expect from Ridge, it’s a delicious and balanced wine that works well with a variety of foods or on its own. $24.99.

-Christian Botta

Garnet's Eastern European Wine Tasting

Garnet held a tasting of European wines in the store on Thursday, November 13, and there were plenty of tasty, good value wines on hand. The NY Sales Manager Dalibor Kostan of U.S.A. Wine Imports was on hand to provide an excellent informational presentation, while color commentary was provided by Zlatko Hriljac, the “Godfather of Slovenian wines.”

2013 Pullus Pinot Grigio

From Slovenia. Very pale copper, a beautiful color. Peach on the nose. Crisp, dry, mineral, good finish. Highly quaffable and very refreshing yet thought-provoking at the same time. They’ve been making wine in the same location since 1239! ($12.99)

2012 Enjingi Grasevina Welschriesling

From Croatia. The name is a mouthful and so is the wine! A dry late harvest white, this is certified organic with no added sulfites. Rich nose with nutmeg, minerals, flowers. Round on the palate and full-bodied with a long finish. ($12.49)

2013 Ivica Pilizota Plavina

A small production red wine that is aged in stainless steel. Some soft woody tones despite the absence of oak. Cherry fruit and a mineral component frame the long finish. ($12.99)

2012 Pilizota Winery Babic

From a waterfront vineyard. Beautiful ruby color, although the nose is a bit shy. The palate makes up for it though with dry, medium-bodied berry fruit that is quaffable with good balance. ($16.99)

2012 Kozlovic Estate Teran

Opaque ruby purple robe. The grape Teran provides a perfumed raspberry nose to this red that is made by a fifth generation wine maker. Aged in large Slovenian casks, there is some band-aid on the palate which also has good red fruits and a smooth finish. Juicy and delicious. ($16.99)

2010 Katunar Vineyards Anton Syrah

This syrah undergoes a native yeast fermentation. There is an attractive floral nose with good complexity on the palate, soft tannins and a very good finish. Nice balance is complemented by tasty dry cherry fruit flavors. ($15.99)

2010 Zlatan Plavac

Translucent ruby with brown highlights. There is some earth on the nose. From young vines, this descendent of Zinfandel has a touch of sweet oak on the nose from the huge oak casks that the wine is aged in. Quite dry with a good finish. ($17.99)

2009 Enjingi Zweigelt

Made from the Zwiegelt grape, a dry late harvest provides richness to this biodynamic red wine, and winemaker Ivan Enjingi makes his own barrels by hand. There is some sweet oak on the nose. There is a similarity to pinot fruit on the palate, plus an earthy mineral component. Medium bodied, smooth and lush. ($20.99) –Christian Botta

Photo: Jason Johnson

Garnet's Holiday Tasting a Major Success - Happy Thanksgiving!

We want to say thanks to our customers who made this year’s Grand Holiday Tasting a big success. The event was moved back to the main event space at the National Bohemian Hall at 321 East 73rd Street and there was a large and enthusiastic crowd on hand to sample from over sixty white, red, sparkling, dessert wines and more.

A small portion of the wines that really stood out for me would include Domaine Pierre Savoye Morgon Vieilles Vignes Cote du Py 2011, a medium-bodied Cru Beaujolais that sports an enticing nose with gamey spice and mushroom aromas. The palate is dry and balanced with rich, dark fruit flavors. This wine would make a perfect accompaniment for any Thanksgiving meal ($16.99). 

The Tormaresca Aglianico Bocca di Lupo 2007 is a knockout and perfect for someone who yens for a full-bodied wine that has some age and is ready to go. The dark fruit flavors, well-integrated oak, acidity, and supple tannins are all in perfect balance. The Feudi di San Gregorio Greco di Tufo 2012 is a charmer that won’t break the bank, with soft white fruits on the palate and balanced acidity to keep you coming back for another sip ($15.99).  

A wine that would go beautifully towards the end of the Thanksgiving meal (or any meal) or as an aperitif is the Domaine d’Orfeuilles Vouvray Reserve d’Automne 2002. A dessert wine made of 100% Chenin Blanc, this wine is mature with beautiful flavors reminiscent of roasted almonds and honey along with a magnificent texture ($26.99). The Domaine Grosbois Chinon “Gabare” 2011 is robust and ready to go, a silky expression of Cabernet Franc that will satisfy those in search of a full-bodied wine with earthy dark fruit flavors and tons of finesse ($29.99).

Pinot Noir is a staple of the Thanksgiving dinner table, as are American Wines. You can’t go wrong on either count with the Soter Vineyards Pinot Noir North Valley 2012, a gorgeous wine that has precise but exuberant berry fruit along with spices framed by a solid structure of tannin and acidity that will work with a large spread ($31.99).

Sale prices for those that attended the event will be honored until Tuesday, November 18^th. Have a Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at Garnet!

–Christian Botta

Photos: Jason Johnson