“There are roughly three New Yorks. There is, first, the New York of the man or woman who was born here, who takes the city for granted and accepts its size and its turbulence as natural and inevitable. Second, there is the New York of the commuter — the city that is devoured by locusts each day and spat out each night. Third, there is the New York of the person who was born somewhere else and came to New York in quest of something... Commuters give the city its tidal restlessness; natives give it solidity and continuity; but the settlers give it passion. ”
― E.B. White, Here Is New York
Michael Dorf founded City Winery in 2009 in New York City at Chelsea Pier 57 along the Hudson River, It has great views in the heart of Manhattan’s Meatpacking District.
Grapes for the City Winery Lake Effect Cabernet Franc 2024 are grown in the Finger Lakes. The wine is named for the special local climate and in what is known as the “lake effect,” referring to the thermal winds that blow over the lakes’ surface, that distribute heat and water vapor producing warm columns of air.
The grapes were hand-picked and hand-sorted five days before Halloween, and fermented at cool temperatures (76℉) and on skins for 18 days. Press and free run were combined prior to aging in French Oak barrels for 18 months.
The nose of this lovely wine brought forth ripe cherry, notes of red raspberry, ripe plums, and cranberries, with notes of slate and spice. The same notes come across on the palate as well as cocoa, vanilla, white pepper, and a terrific acidity that balances it all out, carrying the ripe cherry for a full sixty seconds after the sip. A lovely wine, perfect for food or just sipping.
Lake Effect Cab Franc in passion in a glass.