For a printable PDF of this weekend’s notes, click here!
Wölffer Estate Rosé 2021
Origin: Long Island, New York
Retail: $29.95 | Sale: $17.96
Founded in 1988 by Hamburg-born Christian Wölffer, a 55-acre vineyard located in Sagaponack, in the heart of the Hamptons, these former potato fields have become the quality benchmark of Long Island winemaking today by producing roughly more than 50,000 cases of wine and hard cider each year. Wölffer Estate is one of only three vineyards located in the Hamptons appellation. Critics have noted that there is a palpable difference in the terroir of the South Fork, with its Bridgehampton loam soil and cool ocean breeze. Shiny light rose in color. Elegant floral aromas with rose petals, orange, fresh melon, and ripe kiwi. The mouth-feel is light but with wonderful structure. This dry rosé is fruity and has fine minerality and acidity all creating the most beautiful balance. It is pure, refreshing and savory. The finish is classic with little saline quality and a lingering fruit with some crushed minerals.
53% Merlot, 19% Cab Franc, 13% Chardonnay, 6%Riesling, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Pinot Noir
Torre de Oña Finca San Martín Crianza Rioja 2019
Origin: Rioja, Spain
Retail: $19.95 | Sale: $17.96
Since La Rioja Alta, S.A. bought this property in 1995, Torre de Oña has been the château-style operation of the group in Rioja. Originally conceived as a modern rioja in contrast with La Rioja Alta’s traditional, long-aged reds. It’s also proof that the gap between the so called classic and modern reds is narrowing in the appellation resulting in a wider diversity of styles.The 2019 is pure Tempranillo from the younger vines on richer soils, that deliver rounder and fruitier wines. It fermented in stainless steel for 14 days and matured in 60% new American oak barrels and 40% second-use French oak barrels for 16 months. It’s round and fruity, with juicy aromas and soft elegant tannins and a gentle mouthfeel.
100 % Tempranillo
Elizabeth Spencer Organic Mendocino Cab Sauv 2020
Origin: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Retail: $27.95 | Sale: $25.16
Elizabeth Spencer is the realization of a dream by the husband and wife team of Spencer Graham and Elizabeth Pressler. Our debut wine was 1998 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and we have made that wine every year since. Spencer’s undying curiosity for all things viticultural led him outward and beyond the Napa Valley and into the excellent neighboring regions. They cemented their presence in the heart of the Napa Valley in 2006 with the opening of our tasting room in Rutherford, CA, the historic, 1872 brick Post Office. Heidi Peterson Barrett, renowned Napa Valley Winemaker, has joined Elizabeth Spencer as Consulting Winemaker, beginning with the 2022 vintage. She will be working closely with Winemaker Sarah Vandendriessche, who joined Elizabeth Spencer in 2010. This wine is made from carefully selected Cabernet Sauvignon grapes grown in organically farmed vineyards across Mendocino County. Select lots of Cabernet Sauvignon were blended to develop complexity before being aged in primarily American oak barrels, imparting a light oak characteristic. The 2020 growing season kicked off with ideal growing conditions. Mild temperatures led to evenly developed clusters and an early bud break was followed by a warm to hot summer. Beautiful aromas of black cherry, dried blackberry, chocolate, caramel and hints of licorice. The palate is bold and enticing, with delightful flavors of ripe black fruits, vanilla bean and baking spice. The mouthfeel displays silky tannins, favorable acidity and a long lingering finish.
100 % Cabernet Sauvignon