I first met Peter Becraft in 2005, when we were both attending a Wine Camp in the North Fork on Long Island. Neither of us were in the business yet, but we and our respective spouses were very much into wine. We went our separate ways. Peter went to the Finger Lakes and I went to the Hudson Valley. We kept in touch through social media and industry events. But it wasn't until July of 2014, when I realized Peter Becraft wasn't just a winemaker or a journeyman, he was a craftsman, a passionate creator, an artist.
I was traveling the Finger Lakes, assembling our stand for the Finger Lakes Wine Festival, and Rich Srsich, Bryan Van Dusen, and myself did an extensive tasting with Peter. We were all blown away. And in subsequent visits and industry tastings over the years, I am blown away again and again.
So when celebrated wines, beers, and spirits writer Carrie Dykes invited me to a recent tasting, I was thrilled to learn that there would be a sampling of some Anthony Road wine at The Kinderhook Bottle Shop in downtown (two blocks btw) bucolic, Victorian Kinderhook. I drove quickly - and no tickets!
I tasted several other wines until we got the the Anthony Road Unoaked Chardonnay 2024. This is a classic cool climate, stainless steel white in the best of all possible worlds. It went through an all stainless fermentation. Once the fermentation was complete, the wine rested on its lees for about 5 months. No malo-lactic fermentation. Then it was racked before bottling.
This wine was magical. Tropical fruit notes as well as a big nose of Granny smith Green Apple and notes of bright pear. Touches of apricot, pineapple. and honey blossom. This was a big, bright white wine, with the slightest touch of cream on the palate just before a big dose of lemon, lime, and grapefruit ended the tasting. The fruit lasted and lasted, as well as the zing of the acidity. Fruity, complex, and well balanced, this wine was magical.
Subsequent tasters at the event all thought the same thing - an incredible wine. So many people remarked on it.
Peter Becraft has amazed once again. One of the best East Coast unoaked Chardonnays I have ever tasted. Congrats, Peter!
