Glendale Ridge Vineyard is a small, family-owned winery committed to producing quality wine. This boutique, small batch vineyard sits on a hillside overlooking Massachusetts' Pioneer Valley not far from Amherst. Glendale Ridge Vineyard has 5 acres of cool climate vines. Owners Mary and Ed Hamel also partner with other regional vineyards to produce their excellent small batch wines.
Peoplpe often think of the Finger Lakes and Long Island as the coolest climate Cabernet Francs. But New England does indeed offer a hand full of wonderful Cabernet Francs. Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and especially Connecticut, offer some wonderful, small batch offerings worth sampling.
Just this spring I tasted their Glendale Ridge Estate Cabernet Franc 2020. This light-to-medium bodied dry red wine starts off its nose with a lovely notes of bright cherry and cranberry, as well as hints of tobacco, mocha, and spice. The palate follows through on the cherry and cranberry, with added hints of raspberry, slate or graphite (?), and some lovely white pepper and light black tea tannins. A vibrant acidity keeps the fruit fresh and lively. The finish is a fruit forward wine that is lovely soft and approachable. The fruit lingers through finish beautifully. A wonderful accompaniment to pasta dishes, pork, chicken, and cheese plates. A very tasty New England Cabernet Franc.
p.s. 2021 Estate Cabernet Franc released recently, but not tasted