There are several new quality producers rising in the Hudson Valley. One of the most notable is Milea Vineyards. I have been drinking and posting about Milea for more than a year now on places like Facebook but I think it''s time I gave them some much more serious, overdue love.
Milea Estate Vineyard is located in Staatsburg, NY, in the Hudson Valley, approximately 80 miles north of New York City. Staatsburg is nearest it' more famous neighbor, Hyde Park, in the rolling back country of Dutchess County, in the mid valley. They are situated far enough south that they can grow many verities.
In 1984, Barry Milea and his father bought part of the Rymph Family Farm, a property that Barry fell in love with and dreamed of returning to its farming origins. In the summer of 2015, after years of research and experimentation with the land, Barry Milea, Ed Evans, and Bruce Tripp formed Milea Estate Vineyard. The first crush in autumn of 2015 resulted in award-winning wines, and Barry added adjoining land to the property in early 2016 for a 98-acre estate.
I've known winemaker Bruce Tripp a long time. He works very hard to over see the wines-in-process meetings that take place in the Hudson Valley where the valley's winemakers can share their wines, and discuss faults, solutions, and share information, techniques, products, and processes. He has been an important part of the valley's growth over the last half decade.
A former law enforcement officer, Ed is one of the nicest guys in the valley. He is passionate about wine and learning about wine. Helpful. Always looking to learn and share information. He's the real deal. We love Ed!
The Milea Estate Vineyard Reserve Chardonnay 2016 was another excellent addition to east coast chardonnay making. This wine was made in stainless steel then aged in new lightly toasted French oak. This wine had ripe red apples and ripe succulent pears, more subdued tropical notes, but with more vanilla, lemon zest, but with a creamy finish. Exceptional.
Milea Estate Vineyard Traminette 2016 was a lovely, aromatic, elegant floral white wine bursting with apricot, tangerine, and trpical fflavors, as well as a little green apple. A lovely, zesty, acidic ending makes this wine pop. One of the better Traminettes I have had.
The Milea Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015 was a glass of bright and dark ripe cherries, with hints of plum and some floral notes, including violets, with a nice thin layer of vanilla. A beautiful cool climate Pinot Noir!
Loved, loved, loved the Milea Estate Vineyard Late Harvest Vignoles 2015. This late harvested Vignoles was grown by a special friend of the vineyard, Tom Mitchell who unfortunately passed away soon after the harvest. According to the websie, "Tom worked wonders in the vineyard to coax and concentrate the racy tropical flavors in this special wine." Whatever Tom did, it worked! Sweet notes of honey, apricot, peaches, honeysuckle, and orange blossom were whipped up into an ambrosia that still had a nice dollop of acidity at the end to keep this wine tasting fresh and honest. Absolutely lovely!
