06.17.2013 Wine Reviews: Fox Run Vineyards, Wagner Vineyards, and Heron Hill Winery

Hello Friends,

I know you would never believe this, but I uncork or unscrew a new wine adventure just about every day. Being a wine enthusiast, a wine blogger, and someone who thoroughly appreciates and enjoys the liquid expression of a place, a person’s vision, and Mother Nature’s influence, I often tell people that wine is one of the most intriguing beverages in the world. It’s a hobby where there is always something new to taste and learn as well as great people to meet in real life or via those wonderful social media portals called Facebook and Twitter.

Getting Started!

Below are a few of my recent sips accompanied by my tasting notes and a picture I snapped of each bottle. I had a chance to taste these selections during a recent virtual event put on by the Finger Lakes Wine Alliance (who are doing a very good job at getting the word out about the region's wines). This tasting focused on red wines (including Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, and Lemberger) and red vinifera blends. While the Finger Lakes appellation is best known for bright and refreshing wines made from the Riesling grape variety, the region's red wines tend to have an agreeable built-in brightness that is largely influenced by the area's cooler-climate. With good natural acidity and soft-to-medium fruit flavors, these red wines are natural partners to a wide variety of foods. Much of what comes out of the Finger Lakes are small-production wines that are only available at the producer's tasting room or website (provided they can ship to you). So visit the link at the end of the tasting note if the wine sounds good to you. Variety, so they say, is the spice of life, so keep an open mind and an open palate and enjoy the experience. Drink well, my friends!

Fox Run Vineyards 2010 Lemberger

1) Fox Run Vineyards 2010 Lemberger (SRP $20): I enjoyed a glass of this wine with several people for a recent Finger Lakes red wine tasting event. This grape variety, which is also known as Blaufränkisch, was new territory for a few people but they thoroughly enjoyed it. In the glass, it is ruby in color with pleasant black cherry and soft plum aromas alongside hints of fresh cracked pepper, ground spice, and earthy tones over a sleek and supple frame. Overall, this is a light, bright, and easy-drinking red wine that’s both interesting and food-friendly. One person – thinking ahead -- mentioned that they were going to get a few bottles of this wine for their Thanksgiving Day table. Approximately 895 cases of this wine were produced. Click here to find this wine.

Wagner Vineyards Reserve 2010 Pinot Noir

2) Wagner Vineyards Reserve 2010 Pinot Noir (SRP $27.99): The producer calls the 2010 vintage, which was largely warm-to-hot and fairly dry, “One of the longest, most optimal growing seasons in the history of the Finger Lakes.” In the glass, the wine displays a medium ruby color with aromas and flavors of cherry, raspberry, and delicate floral perfume notes overlaying hints of cinnamon, clove, and cedar over a supple and lean frame with a medium length finish. Overall, this is a pleasant and harmonious Pinot Noir that can be easily enjoyed on its own or with a wide variety of foods. Click here to find this wine.

Heron Hill Winery Ingle Vineyard 2009 Pinot Noir

3) Heron Hill Winery Ingle Vineyard 2009 Pinot Noir (SRP $20): This is a light-to-medium bodied, easy-to-drink wine with pleasant fruit  notes of dark cherry and dried cranberry interwoven with cedar shavings, cocoa dust, and a dash of sweet brown spice and a pinch of white pepper (particularly on the back-end). Balanced (not bright) acidity and silky tannins give way to a satisfying, medium length finish. I enjoyed a glass of this wine with grilled salmon and on its own. (Other info: ABV 12.5%, Aged 24 months in 1 year old and older European oak barrels). Click here to find this wine.