Tasting Red Tail Ridge wines from the Finger Lakes Region - April 13, 12-5pm
What: Perpetuelle Change (Solera Method) Brut Nature Cuvee No. 2; $34
Where: Finger Lakes, New York State, USA
What: 31% Cuvee No. 2, 28% Zweigelt, 21% Pinot Blanc, 13% Pinot Noir
Sparkling wine production requires high levels of acidity in the fruit, and because of the dosage (addition of sugar), does not necessarily place a premium on full ripening. Hence the affinity of sparkling wine production and cool climates like Champagne in northernmost France. The Finger Lakes climate shares many of the Champenois attributes necessary for the production of great sparkling wine, which is usually made non-vintage, that is, by holding back some of the older wine in reserve. Here, RTR draws on wine from the full range of vintages from their inception by way of the Solera Method. Aromatics of Meyer lemon and wet limestone are lifted by enticing notes of honeysuckle and marzipan. The palate is soft with a creamy and mouth filling mousse. The lemon pith and mineral core continue to resonate with undertones of vanilla-laced pears. A strong acid spine carries through to the finish leaving behind hints of cinnamon spice.
What: 2022 Dry Riesling RTR Estate Vineyard; $22
Where: Finger Lakes, New York State, USA
What: Riesling
Few wines reach the heights of flavor concentration and acidity of Riesling, consistently lauded by wine experts as making the world’s greatest white wines. The grape itself reaches some of its greatest heights in Germany, Austria, and Alsace, but the Australians are also justly proud of their cool (great Southern Ocean) Riesling. From the cool climate of New York State’s Finger Lakes come some of the greatest Rieslings in North America. RTR planted the vines 17 to 18 years ago in glacial till and aurora soil. Fifty six per cent of the juice was vinified 6 months in neutral French or Hungarian puncheon or barrique, 44% vinified in stainless steel. 596 cases produced. On the nose are ripe, juicy peach and fresh apple with honeysuckle, cantaloupe, and a hint of pineapple. Full, fresh flavor through the mid-palate with a citrus and mineral finish. Juicy tropical fruit lingers on a long aftertaste. Great now but this will age well for years.
What: 2022 Sans Oak Chardonnay RTR Estate Vineyard; $22
Where: Finger Lakes, New York State, USA
What: Chardonnay
A refreshing Chardonnay for devotees of the unoaked interpretation. Chardonnay is so ubiquitous that wine experts recognize three sensory profiles based on climate: cool, moderate, or hot. Cooler climate Chardonnay, as from the FLX, tends to be dominated by an apple and lemon flavor profile. For cool climate Chardonnay, oak should either be used judiciously, or, not at all. In a cooler climate the more delicately ripening expressions of Chardonnay, use of oak could overwhelm the aromatics and flavors. From 16 year old vines harvested at the very end of September. The RTR Sans Oak Chardonnay has aromatics of Bosc pear and golden delicious apple and fennel seed. Flavors of vanilla-laced pears, honeysuckle and orange blossom. 629 cases produced.
What: 2023 Dry Rosé RTR Estate Vineyard; $22
Where: Finger Lakes, New York State, USA
What: 51% Zweigelt, 49% Cabernet Franc
For her 2023 Dry Rose Nancy Irelan draws upon the cool climate varietals of Zweigelt (an Austrian grape) and Cabernet Franc, which the great dry rosés of the French Loire are made from. On this rosé, you may notice a light spritziness, which can be very enticing in a delicate rosé. Rosé from the Basque region is well-known for use of light spritz, which adds mouthfeel and texture to the wines. The grapes were harvested between mid-September and early October. Fruit from young vines, planted in 2017 and 2019 was selected. As the vines age their fruit will become eligible for red wine production. Aromatics of mixed citrus, herbs and watermelon rind. Flavors of white cranberry, raspberries, mint and wet limestone. Weighty mouthfeel with slight spritzy feel and lingering, zippy finish.
What: 2023 Sans Oak Blau Franc Blend; $24
Where: Finger Lakes, New York State, USA
What: 50% Blaufrankisch, 50% Cabernet Franc
In her 2023 Sans Oak Blau Franc Blend, Nancy Irelan draws on indigenous Austrian (Blaufrankisch) and French varietals (Cabernet Franc), of which the Winestone community is more likely to be familiar with. By way of introduction, Blaufränkisch is a dark-skinned variety of grape used for red wine in Central and Eastern Europe (Austria and Hungary). Blaufränkisch, which is a late-ripening variety, produces red wines which are typically rich in tannin and may exhibit a pronounced spicy character. Wine aficionados may also know it as Lemberger. Here the Blaufrankisch was harvested in mid-October and the Cab Franc in late October. The depth of the Finger Lakes provides warm surface air deep into the Autumn, in this micro-climate, which would otherwise be too cold to sustain viable grapes. Soft, subtle complex aromas of blueberry, cherry jam, white pepper, and juniper. Flavors of plum, dried flowers, spice, wet earth, smokey finish.
Where: Finger Lakes, New York State, USA
What: 31% Cuvee No. 2, 28% Zweigelt, 21% Pinot Blanc, 13% Pinot Noir
Sparkling wine production requires high levels of acidity in the fruit, and because of the dosage (addition of sugar), does not necessarily place a premium on full ripening. Hence the affinity of sparkling wine production and cool climates like Champagne in northernmost France. The Finger Lakes climate shares many of the Champenois attributes necessary for the production of great sparkling wine, which is usually made non-vintage, that is, by holding back some of the older wine in reserve. Here, RTR draws on wine from the full range of vintages from their inception by way of the Solera Method. Aromatics of Meyer lemon and wet limestone are lifted by enticing notes of honeysuckle and marzipan. The palate is soft with a creamy and mouth filling mousse. The lemon pith and mineral core continue to resonate with undertones of vanilla-laced pears. A strong acid spine carries through to the finish leaving behind hints of cinnamon spice.
What: 2022 Dry Riesling RTR Estate Vineyard; $22
Where: Finger Lakes, New York State, USA
What: Riesling
Few wines reach the heights of flavor concentration and acidity of Riesling, consistently lauded by wine experts as making the world’s greatest white wines. The grape itself reaches some of its greatest heights in Germany, Austria, and Alsace, but the Australians are also justly proud of their cool (great Southern Ocean) Riesling. From the cool climate of New York State’s Finger Lakes come some of the greatest Rieslings in North America. RTR planted the vines 17 to 18 years ago in glacial till and aurora soil. Fifty six per cent of the juice was vinified 6 months in neutral French or Hungarian puncheon or barrique, 44% vinified in stainless steel. 596 cases produced. On the nose are ripe, juicy peach and fresh apple with honeysuckle, cantaloupe, and a hint of pineapple. Full, fresh flavor through the mid-palate with a citrus and mineral finish. Juicy tropical fruit lingers on a long aftertaste. Great now but this will age well for years.
What: 2022 Sans Oak Chardonnay RTR Estate Vineyard; $22
Where: Finger Lakes, New York State, USA
What: Chardonnay
A refreshing Chardonnay for devotees of the unoaked interpretation. Chardonnay is so ubiquitous that wine experts recognize three sensory profiles based on climate: cool, moderate, or hot. Cooler climate Chardonnay, as from the FLX, tends to be dominated by an apple and lemon flavor profile. For cool climate Chardonnay, oak should either be used judiciously, or, not at all. In a cooler climate the more delicately ripening expressions of Chardonnay, use of oak could overwhelm the aromatics and flavors. From 16 year old vines harvested at the very end of September. The RTR Sans Oak Chardonnay has aromatics of Bosc pear and golden delicious apple and fennel seed. Flavors of vanilla-laced pears, honeysuckle and orange blossom. 629 cases produced.
What: 2023 Dry Rosé RTR Estate Vineyard; $22
Where: Finger Lakes, New York State, USA
What: 51% Zweigelt, 49% Cabernet Franc
For her 2023 Dry Rose Nancy Irelan draws upon the cool climate varietals of Zweigelt (an Austrian grape) and Cabernet Franc, which the great dry rosés of the French Loire are made from. On this rosé, you may notice a light spritziness, which can be very enticing in a delicate rosé. Rosé from the Basque region is well-known for use of light spritz, which adds mouthfeel and texture to the wines. The grapes were harvested between mid-September and early October. Fruit from young vines, planted in 2017 and 2019 was selected. As the vines age their fruit will become eligible for red wine production. Aromatics of mixed citrus, herbs and watermelon rind. Flavors of white cranberry, raspberries, mint and wet limestone. Weighty mouthfeel with slight spritzy feel and lingering, zippy finish.
What: 2023 Sans Oak Blau Franc Blend; $24
Where: Finger Lakes, New York State, USA
What: 50% Blaufrankisch, 50% Cabernet Franc
In her 2023 Sans Oak Blau Franc Blend, Nancy Irelan draws on indigenous Austrian (Blaufrankisch) and French varietals (Cabernet Franc), of which the Winestone community is more likely to be familiar with. By way of introduction, Blaufränkisch is a dark-skinned variety of grape used for red wine in Central and Eastern Europe (Austria and Hungary). Blaufränkisch, which is a late-ripening variety, produces red wines which are typically rich in tannin and may exhibit a pronounced spicy character. Wine aficionados may also know it as Lemberger. Here the Blaufrankisch was harvested in mid-October and the Cab Franc in late October. The depth of the Finger Lakes provides warm surface air deep into the Autumn, in this micro-climate, which would otherwise be too cold to sustain viable grapes. Soft, subtle complex aromas of blueberry, cherry jam, white pepper, and juniper. Flavors of plum, dried flowers, spice, wet earth, smokey finish.