Sarah O'Herron
This review is long overdue. But I can tell you this right off the bat. This tasting confirmed something I alreadyknew - Black Ankle Vineyards is one of the best wineries on the East Coast. Period.
Black Ankle Vineyards has been a leader in East Coast wines since they opened their doors! Ed Boyce and Sarah O'Herron have done a remarkable job growing their winery as well as improved the quality every year. I was lucky enough to sit down with Sarah and wine educator Dennis Smith, as well as Janna Howley of Maryland Wine. Loved the Chardonnay, Albariño, Estate, Phyllite, and Crumbling Rock, as well as many others! Spectacular!!!
Dennis Smith
Without question, my favorite wne of the tasting was the Black Ankle Albarino Sur 2023. Unusual for me to name a white as one of my favorites in a tasting. Albariño vines grow vigorously; however, their grapes are small and thick skinned, and do not produce a lot of juice. Albariño is sensitive to mildew and rot, thus in wet regions it is important to keep the roots dry with well-drained soils (such as sandy or rocky soils). At Black Ankle Vineyards they have very rocky soil. They grew a small amount from the beginning, but in 2011 they added a substantial new planting that came online in 2015. Thank the gods. This wine starts off with an absolutely crazy floral attack, armed with peach and honeydew melon. There's a creamy lemon curd on the palate, with notes of tangerine, and a hint of minerality. Juicy, with zippy acidity, this wine lingers on the palate a full 60 seconds. Incredible wine. Insanely good! One of the best white wines on the east coast.
Not always a fan of Chardonnay, I loved this Blanck Ankle Chardonnay 2023. 100% Chardonnay, fermented and aged in barrel for 8 months. On the nose and on the palate, fresh cut apples and young pears, key lime pie, honeydew melon, and mandarin oranges. A big, lovely, creamy Chardonnay of tremendous quality.
Black Ankle Phyllite 2020 is 100% Syrah. Black Ankle seemed to have had a way with Syrah from the very beginning of their adventure, and this wine proves that they have really got this game under hand. Soft, approachable, well balanced, and complex, layers of flavors wash over the nose and palate. Floral on the nose, with notes of red raspberries and herbs. Stewed dark berries open the up on the palate, with the varietaly correct touch of pepper and other spice. Hints of coffee, vanilla, and more spice. This wine is super easy drinking, and a superlative food wine.
Black Ankle Crumbling Rock 2021 is a Bordeaux styled blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot, and 7% Petit Verdot. It is 100% estate fruit. It was harvested in the last week and a half of September and the first few days of October. It was aged for18 months in oak barrels, 55% new, and 45% used. 1,005 cases produced. This is a magnificent red wine, dark in color, with dark cherries, red raspberries, and cassis, with a smooth middle, and well balanced tannins. A rich, elegant, sophisticated wine. Exceptional!
"From our first bottling at Black Ankle Vineyards, we had the goal of creating a wine of extra depth, concentration, and intensity that could age for many years – we just needed our young vines to age enough to make that happen. That wine would become our signature wine, the best that Black Ankle can produce. Our 2017 vintage is the third rendition of the Black Ankle Estate and it was harvested just two years after our initial release of this wine...."
The Black Ankle Estate 2017 is a blend of 59% Cabernet Franc, 32% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, and 1% Malbec. 100% Estate Fruit. On the nose and on the palate one gets stewed plums, dark cherries, cassis, dark chocolate, and black tea. This is an austere wine, big, intense, rich, and powerful. This bottle of wine would stand out in any region. An exceptional wine. Cellar worthy, but break it out for the Ribeye steaks or Beef Wellington. An immensely complicated and layered wine. Outstanding.
Black Ankle Vineyard has grown, both in production, and also in quality. A hard act to balance. Another great standard bearer not only for Maryland wine, but for the East Coast!
Janna Howley
