On February 4th, the Cab Franc Forward event was held in New York City, featuring such wines from New York State. There were so many good ones, I decided to do a series of different reviews. So here goese. These were among some of my favorites. Some were older vintages, some were not. In any event, more to come!
I am a long time fan of Lamoreaux Landing and I love their 76 West Cabernet Franc-dominant Bordeaux styled red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot). This was was as classy a wine as one could hope to taste. This 2020 is just coming into it's own. A fantastic wine from winemaker Jesse Alexander.
Dr. Konstantin Frank is also one of my favorite producers on any coast. Always quality wines from this icon of American winemaking. Lots of stewed dark fruit. Some savory notes. And a lovely finish wehere the fruit lingers for a long time. A great wine from the Frank team!
The winemaking team of winemaker Byron Elmendorf, Gabriella Macari and Alexandra Macari produce this absolute winner every year iin the ebst possible way. One of the best sparkling Cabernet Francs one can hope to taste on either coast. An absolute winner!
Matt Spacarelli and Casey Erdmann have been making wines at Fjord Vineyards for ten years now. And every vintage has been special. And Matt clearly established Fjord as one of the best Cab Franc producers in the state. A lean, fruit forward Fjord Cab Franc 2022 with lots of bright cherry, dark raspberry, and otes of cranberry. Truly mouth watering.
Kareem Massoud is the winemaker at Paumanok Vineyards. I've been going their since the early 2000s. It has been an absolute pleasure to watch this gentleman grow into one of the best wine makers on the east coast. This Paumanok Franc 2022 shows a maturity byond its years. Dark stewed red fruits. Lovely balance and complexity. The fruit that just keeps on delivering for a good 30 seconds after each sip. A tremendous wine.
Morten Hallgren is one of the heavy weight winemakers of the east coast, and certainly in New York. This Finger Lakes icon has proven himself (along with the help of his lovely wife Lisa) over and over again since 2002. This Ravines Cabernet Franc 2022 is a marvel. Dark berries and cherries, tremendous balance, and fruit that just keeps on giving and giving, with lovely tannins to provide terrific balance. Fantastic!
How can one not like The Red Hook Winery? Three well known winemakers making their onw wines. It has survived being wiped out by hurricanes and floods and has still risen like the Pheonix. All this under the watchful eyes of Christopher Nicolson, who has been the managing winemaker since its founding in 2008. He began his career in winemaking as a farm intern at a small organic commune near Siena (Tuscany) in 2000. Nicolson captains a salmon fishing boat in the summers in Washington state. This Cabernet Franc 2019 was heavenly. Made from fruit at Jamesport Vineyards, on the North Fork of Long Island. Wonderfully mature with terrific structure and balance. Nicolson manages to provide another winner from this unique urban producer based in Brooklyn. A Must have.
Winemakers Kevin Lee and Jess Johnson deserve more press than they get. They make some of the best (and inexplicably inexpensive wines) in the Finger Lakes. Their Cabernet Franc rose's and their Cabernet Franc 2022 red were an incredible revelation. This cab franc was very fruit forward with notes of cherry and cranberry. It had ovely acidity and balance. And the fruit just kept coming. Without question the best buy Cab Franc of the tasting!!! And a wonderful wine. And thanks to Alex J. Jankoswki for the pouring!
Brad Martz has been makign wine at Whitecliff for more than 10 years. This Whitecliff Cabernet Franc 2022 is grown on the banks of the Hudson River not far from the Olana Mansion, near Hudson, NY. Bathed in sunshine and the mild breezes of the great tidal river, the fruit from this vineyard in exceptional. And Brad does a great job of bring the fruit forward.A lovely wine you can drink now, or cellar for five-to-seven years. A great food wine!