Peconic Bay Winery Lowerre Family Estate 2007

So, the Peconic Bay Winery Lowerre Family Estate 2007 won the prestigous Wine of the Year from the New York Cork Report. Hmmmm. How good was it? This question had been on my mind since the wine won the award a little less than a month ago at this point...or thereabouts.

So when Lenn Thompson, NYRC's Editor-in-Chief told me he was bringing a bottle, I asked my wife Dominique what we could make for dinner that would live up to that kind of wine, if it were as good as the editors of NYRC had selected.

She found a recipe for flayed lamb roast rubbed in rosmary, salt and pepper and grilled to perfection (bloody middle, medium away from the center, and crispy ends - done in the dark and rain I might add!). We paired it with a been and vegetable salad from CLEAN FOOD by Terry Walters (one of my wife's favorite new cookbooks),and a loaf of rustic bread from LOAF in Hudson, NY.

Peconic Bay Winery was founded and the vineyards planted in 1979 by the late Ray Blum and originally managed by the late viticulturalist and winemaker Charles Flatt. Originally the farm meant to sell all of its grapes, but by 1989 the fruit was all going towards producing wines there on the estate.

Incredible changes were coming though as more attention was paid to the region. In January of 1999, Manhattan based banker Paul Lowerre his wife Ursula purchased the winery from Blum with the intention to bring the property to new heights. A renovation of the vineyard by Charlie Hargrave including new vineyards on nearby Oregon Road, and the introduction of the outstanding winemaking of winemaker Greg Gove was meant to bring about these changes.

In 1973, Charlie Hargrave worked with his brother Alex and his sister-in-law Louisa Hargrave to establish Hargrave Vineyard, Long Island’s very first winery. As the area’s first vineyard manager, Charlie brings a wealth of experience with him to Peconic Bay Winery. Guiding our viticulture and stewarding of Peconic’s beautiful and sprawling waterfront acreage Charlie is on top of every vineyard concern, from winter pruning through the harvest post-season wrap up, and everything in between. His work is critical to the winery’s success. Currently managing about 55 acres under vine, Charlie applies sustainable vineyard practices, and aspires to take the vineyard on as organic a path as possible.

After studying Chemistry at both Cortland and Columbia Universities, Greg Cove launched his winemaking career right here on the North Fork. His innate understanding of local soil, climate and quirks of nature are reflected in his wines, as are his instincts for weaving nuances of flavors, sensations, bouquet and acidity to achieve the fullest expression of a harvest. “Complexity and balance,” Greg says. Really. He says that all the time. And people listen to him, since he’s won more than 50 medals in various competitions, including two international Golds, and the coveted Double Gold at the New York Wine and Food Classic.

Aged 26 months in oak, this 2007 vintage blend is an encapsulation of the best that vintage had to offer. The finest lots of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot were blended to create a magnificent red wine.

The wine was a dark, inky purple red. And nose was full of blackberry, cassis and chocolate and mocha. Maybe some violets as suggested. On the palate lots of fruit - raspberry, blackberry, and hints of pepper. Plummy with hints of cassis or prune. The acid is kept in check, the acids are soft, and the tannins are in balance with the acids. When you drink this wine, fruit is the lasting flavor on your palate. Fantastic!

Wine of the year? I don't know. Always hard to say. But I do know you couldn't go wrong picking it. This was one incredible meritage style wine with sophistication and flavor. A tremendous accomplishment! You could serve this to the biggest wine snob and they would walk away utterly impressed. Wow! Great wine!

Sparkling Pointe 2007 Brut

Sparkling Pointe winery is dedicated solely to sparkling wine. That's the first thing you need to know. I've read about them from afar, but have not had the opportunity to taste their wines....until now.

Friend and Editor-in-Chief of the New York Cork Report Lenn Thompson brought over a bottle for me to try recently, bringing along his lovely wife Nena. We sat down with Dominique and a plate of Hudson Valley cheeses...R&G Maple-Chipotle Goat Cheese, a wedge of Hudson Red from Twin Maple Farm, and a square of Old Chatham Sheepherding Camembert. Life just doesn't get any better.

But back to Sparkling Pointe. Owners Cynthia and Tom Rosicki have always been Champagne lovers. According to their website, "Tom recalls having found true love with Cynthia over a romantic dinner and a seductive bottle of Champagne. Fate brought Cynthia and Tom to meet Steve Mudd, a renowned and award winning viticulturist on the East End of Long Island, who immediately sparkled the bright idea of dedicating the first ever planting of a new vineyard to the sole production of sparkling wine. Having spotted the perfect site for their venture, Cynthia and Tom contacted the owner of the property and placed a down payment the same day on what would become the future vineyard site."

The couple joined forces with multi-talented winemaker Gilles Martin. Gilles is one of my favorite winemakers on the North Fork. He is quiet and understated, and he lets his wines do the talking for him. His stuff, no matter who he's working with, is always fantastic. Here, with Sparkling Pointe, he shows how absolutely comfortable he is with making sparkling wines. Gilles is always about quality. You know you're getting a good wine when Giles is making it. This 2007 Vintage of their Brut wine was an incredible shock.

Sparkling Pointe’s cuvées are made with the Champagne region's three classic grapes: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. Instead of France, they are rooted in the terroir of the North Fork of Long Island.



Lenn popped th cork and started pouring. We were immediately hit with the pleasant scent of fresh bread. And there was fruit on the nose as well, a little green apple, a touch of peach or mango. And then on the palate, the wine was terrific, with big green apple and lime dominating. A refreshing, delicious, exceptional and elegant sparkling wine!

Thanks Lenn! Thanks Gilles Martin! And congrats to the Rosicki's!

p.s. go to this video at New York Cork Report to see Gilles open a bottle of sparkling with a sabre!
http://www.newyorkcorkreport.com/2011/06/sparkling-pointe-winemaker-gilles-martin-demonstrates-sabrage.html

STEVEN KOLPAN TO VALLEY: CELEBRATE "HUDSON RIVER REGION" IN VALLEY TABLE

In the March-May 2012 issue of The Valley Table, Steven Kolpan stresses to Hudson Valley winemakers to celebrate their region. Promote the "Hudson River Region" AVA when making estate wines and wines made from Hudson Valley fruit.

"Last year, when I judged the Hudson Valley Wine Competition, I was happy to see far more labels sporting the Hudson River Region AVA than ever before....Some of the truly local wines were extraordinarily fine, some were quite good..."

"...I want to encourage those Hudson Valley wine producers that are making their wines from grapes grown in local vineyards to be proud of what they have accomplished..."

An extraordinary article for the winery owners, makers, and consumers!







FIND A COPY NOW TO READ!