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Wine Press: North Fork vintners weigh in on recent releases

JANE STARWOOD | A glass of Duck Walk rosé  is poured.

Below are local winemakers’s notes on recent releases

BAITING HOLLOW FARM VINEYARD
2008 Mirage Named after one of the vineyard’s rescued horses, this smooth and sumptuous estate blend combines Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

2009 Angel This full-bodied, oak blended Chardonnay named for BHFV’s first rescued thoroughbred offers a rich, rounded structure with notes of vanilla and flavors of pear and apple, with a hint of citron. Perfect with lobster, fish and bold white-meat entrées, it also goes well with light pasta dishes and vegetarian fare.

BEDELL CELLARS/COREY CREEK VINEYARDS
2008 Taste White A refreshing, exotic fusion of Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Viognier and Riesling. Made primarily in stainless steel, showing aromas of chamomile, apples and pears and flavors of juicy, intense stone fruit, citrus peel, honeysuckle and minerals. Pair with grilled red snapper or fresh oysters.

2009 First Crush Red A Merlot and Cabernet Franc blend aged in stainless steel, with bright purple-fruit aromas of crushed grapes, sweet plums, bing cherries, raspberries and spice. Mouth-filling, with lovely softness, light tannins and zesty acidity.

2009 CC Rosé A blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot with gorgeous watermelon aromas, light spices and flavors of strawberry, peach and pink grapefruit. Completely dry, with very fine, natural acidity and a pleasing salmon-pink color.

2009 Late Harvest Riesling Sublime aromatics of ripe white peaches, candied apricots and almonds. A racy interplay of sweet and tart offers up echoing, mouth-watering flavors of citrus, sweet baked apples and honey with a slight mineral edge. The palate is alive with balanced acidity and a rich lush feel that oozes decadence. Pairs well with fruit sorbets, strudels, almond cream tarts and bread pudding, or enjoy on its own at the end of a fine meal.

BELLA VITA VINEYARDS
2009 Rosé of Merlot Light strawberry in color with flavors of watermelon and a hint of pink grapefruit. Serve chilled for any occasion.

Prima Rossa A Bordeaux blend aged in French oak, this wine exhibits a bouquet of rich blackberry and sweet tobacco melded with soft tannins. Pair with marinated steaks, aged cheeses and spicy game.

CASTELLO DI BORGHESE
Riesling 2009 Lovely aromas of jasmine and orange peel with hints of rose petals and orange peel. This well-balanced wine has pear and peach flavors with crisp acidity followed by layers of green apple. Stainless-steel fermented, this mouthwatering wine is complemented by touches of mineral flavors and pear overtones.

Chardonnay 2009 Stainless-steel fermented. This ripe, rich and complex wine has layers of pear, green apple and cream. The clean, crisp finish melded with hints of vanilla creates a gracious, well-balanced dinner wine. Pair with a smooth, buttery Gruyere and red apples.

COMTESSE THÉRÈSE
2006 Aquebogue Estate Merlot Black cherry, chocolate and buttery caramel on the nose, along with a faint herbaceousness reminiscent of a Cabernet Franc rather than a Merlot. Good with hamburgers, dishes seasoned with oregano, and Italian sausages.

2006 Aquebogue Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Deep cherry color with a nose recalling baked cherry pie or warm cherry strudel. Medium body with hints more of French tarragon than mint. Pairs well with rack of lamb with roasted rosemary potatoes, buttery dishes, or just for drinking on its own.

DUCK WALK VINEYARDS
2008 Pinot Grigio A dry white that opens with notes of apricot, pineapple and green apple and has a remarkably lingering finish. A fantastic “cocktail” wine, it also pairs well with pasta topped with a cream- or oil-based sauce.

2008 Blue Duck Merlot A very rich bouquet of dark berries, dried cherries and cassis. Considerable oak aging results in notes of cedar and toasted oak with a smooth, rich finish. Excellent paired with red meat, pastas and firm, mild cheeses.

2009 Rosé Opens with subtle notes of strawberry and raspberry and finishes crisp and clean. Delightful on its own, it also pairs well with light appetizers and summer salads.

GRAMERCY VINEYARDS
Rosé Wine The color is light salmon with a rim of gold. Beautiful floral aroma with wild strawberry and hints of ripe apples and some lime. The mouth-feel is elegant with great depth and character. Vibrant ripe fruit is well balanced by crisp acidity and great minerality. The finish is extremely long, dry and refreshing, making it extremely food friendly and versatile.

Merlot Dark red, almost ruby in color, with a classic aroma. Wonderful blackberries with hints of smoked sandalwood, fine black pepper and a sweet scent of ripe fruit, all wrapped in beautiful licorice, toasted oak and some lead-pencil notes. The mouth-feel is rich and forward with bright fruit and elegant tannins that are well layered. The finish is long and well balanced between ripe berry notes and classic maceration characters.

HARBES FAMILY FARM & VINEYARD
2007 Old Barn Merlot Black cherry, plum, violet and pine tree notes abound with a hint of white pepper on the palate. Medium bodied, this Merlot is soft and smooth with a long and subtle finish. Enjoy with grilled tuna steak, roast lamb or hamburgers.

LIEB CELLARS
Bridge Lane Bubbly Silver This “méthode champenoise” sparkler is classically styled. Aged two years on the lees, producing a bouquet of yeast, toast and baked bread. Earthy, with deeper flavors of baked apple and honey wrapped within soft, creamy bubbles. Elegant but full-bodied, it pairs well with seafood and sushi, foie gras, patés and triple-cream cheeses.

2008 Bridge Lane Chardonnay Fermented entirely in stainless steel to retain purity of character, the style emphasizes bright aromas of stone fruit and green apple, along with some tropical notes. Crisp, clean flavors delight the palate, leaving a fresh finish and a lingering minerality with a subtle earthy edge. This wine is extremely versatile and with its light body and liveliness on the palate, it can be served as an apéritif or with any light fare.

MARTHA CLARA VINEYARDS

2009 “P No Gree G-O” Delivers enticing notes of flint and mineral with hints of candied pineapple. Vibrant acidity makes this a wonderful summertime sipper. Chill and pair with fresh goat cheese, garden fresh pesto with crumbled feta or herb-rubbed, grilled poultry and roasted summer vegetables.

2009 Viognier Offers aromas of a fresh summer bouquet accented with notes of white peach and lemongrass. The richly textured palate offers flavors of fresh-cut pineapple and white fig and a palate-pleasing, balanced acidity. Pairs well with herb-crusted roasted poultry or pork loins. Fresh-baked quiche makes a delightful pairing.

ONE WOMAN WINES & VINEYARDS
2008 Sauvignon Blanc Stainless-steel fermented to perfection, this wine features an array of tropical fruit notes such as mango, passion fruit, strawberry, lychee and crisp green apple.

2008 Rosé Barrel-fermented for eight months to evoke a full-bodied yet dry blush wine, this rosé features hints of smoke and cherry blossom upon the palate, while not being overwhelming. The finish is crisp and peppery.

OSPREY’S DOMINION
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Blended with Merlot to add suppleness and breadth to the palate. Aromas and flavors of chocolate, raspberry and black cherry overlay a smooth, velvety texture.

2007 Reserve Chardonnay Represents a selection of the best barrels of the vintage. Aromas of pineapple and orange peel dominate, with complex suggestions of green apples, toasted oak and vanilla, balanced by a refreshing acidity. Gold medal, 2010 New York Wine and Food Classic.

2009 Sauvignon Blanc Sweet Table Wine Hand-harvesting of selected portions of the vineyard’s Sauvignon Blanc vineyard commenced in late October 2009. The golden fruit was then frozen solid and pressed slowly to yield a luscious, syrupy juice.

PECONIC BAY WINERY
2009 Steel-Fermented Chardonnay A blend of four different clones, showing aromas of orange peel, pear, tropical fruits, lemon grass and citrus and a spicy, rich character, producing a complex yet balanced wine that has never seen the inside of an oak barrel.

2009 Riesling This dry wine represents an aromatic departure for the vineyard, resembling the floral Rieslings produced on granitic soils in Alsace. This grape is truly a chameleon in the way it mimics its terroir.

PINDAR VINEYARDS
2009 Peacock Chardonnay Crisp and lively, stainless-steel fermented, with hints of pear, apple and just a touch of vanilla. Superb paired with lightly seasoned fish, veal, poultry and cheeses.

2007 Mythology A lively and robust blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Decanting will open up hints of black currant and plum on the nose and earthy, woodsy flavors of tobacco, dried cherries and toasted vanilla.

RAPHAEL
2005 First Label Merlot Full of ripe fruit, this Merlot shows great complexity and exhibits the strength and ripeness from an outstanding vintage. Dark fruit flavors of blackberry, blueberry and beach plum prevail, with mint, eucalyptus, leather and tobacco aromas. Dense and jammy, yet supple and harmonious, with layers of floral freshness integrated elegantly with toasty oak and vanilla.

SHERWOOD HOUSE VINEYARDS
2009 White Merlot A sandy blush made from 100% Merlot cluster-pressed to release only the juice of each grape with little contact from the skin. This crisp, light wine with subtle fruit taste pairs well with a summer day.

2005 Merlot Accents of spices and dark chocolate complement the black cherry aroma. Its complex nose brings subtle oak and vanilla scents that linger down to the palate. Round and velvety, the wine displays the full maturity of its vintage.

2005 House of Sherwood Blanc de Blanc Respecting meticulously the “méthode champenoise,” this sparkling wine is made from the vineyard’s estate-grown Chardonnay. Picked early to preserve the higher acidity that characterizes the base wines used in Champagne and sparkling wines. Aromas of citrus and white pears come to the palate, blended with toasty and doughy characters from three years of aging in contact with the fine yeast from the second fermentation. Fine bubbles convey all the qualities of this delicate and exciting wine.

SHINN ESTATE VINEYARDS
2009 Chardonnay This non-oaked Chardonnay features bright mineral character washed in exotic fruit and gentle, mouthwatering acidity. A long eight-month post-fermentation lees contact adds spicy overtones and silky texture while pear and tropical flavors give way to a polished finish.

2009 Haven Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon The soils at Shinn Estate Vineyards are known on the geological survey as “Haven.” They are well drained and formed as very fine sandy loam. The vineyard named this blend after these glacially formed soils. The fruit spends extended time on the skins before being fermented by indigenous yeast in new French oak barrels.

2007 Nine Barrels Reserve Merlot This reserve wine comprises 87% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot and 3% Malbec. It possesses refined tannins, elegant flavors of blackberry and black plum and distinct aromas of violet, chocolate and earth.

2007 Cabernet Sauvignon This full-bodied wine exhibits bold aromas that include mint, eucalyptus and rich minerals. It shows lush red cherry and ripe blackberry fruit character. Serve it alongside roasted lamb chops, venison or broiled steaks.

2007 Malbec The vineyard produces Malbec as an estate wine only in great vintages. The 2007 Malbec exhibits classic aromas of bitter chocolate, earth, dried blueberry and rose petals. It is rich, highly structured and complex.

2007 Petit Verdot The vineyard produces Petit Verdot as an estate wine only in great vintages. The 2007 Petit Verdot exhibits classic aromas of dark-roasted coffee beans, dried mushrooms and black licorice. It is full-bodied, highly structured and complex.

SPARKLING POINTE
2004 Blanc de Blancs 95% Chardonnay and 5% Pinot Noir, of a bright gold color, this sparkling wine, produced according to the “méthode champenoise,” presents floral aroma of tree blossoms, ripe pears and delicious baked apples toasted with hazelnut flavors. Its doughy characters add to its fresh brioche scent. Its fine effervescence composes a symphony of tiny bubbles leading to a generous head cordon. Its toasty flavors enhance its creaminess on the palate. Can be appreciated as an apéritif, during a meal or with dessert.

2006 Topaz Imperial 48% Pinot Noir, 52% Chardonnay, this wine has a deep pink and vibrant color. Fresh and elegant, lively with a well-balanced acidity, the wine expresses full savors of strawberry and fresh, sour, red cherry. Delicate and persistent, its fine bubbles compose a harmonious ballet.

SUHRU WINES
2009 Shiraz This wine has a deep vibrant hue, violet-purple in color. The aroma is bursting with white pepper, mint, cardamom and Earl Grey tea leaf. The aroma is reminiscent of a spice rack. Red fruit abounds from the glass with dark plum, some bing cherry and peppery notes. The blend was enhanced with 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon to bring another dimension of fruit and tannin nuances. The wine finishes with soft mouth-filling tannins with hints of vanilla.