This was a bit unusual as we don't often see the amount of pronounced sedeiment thrown in this bottle of Pinot Noir, but it was an '05, so perhaps the somewhat longer aging it to blame...or credit...as the case may be. Luckily, almost all of it stuck to the walls and bottom of the bottle, and the wine poured clear, a nice bing cherry red. It offered a light smoke, tea, and herbal nose. Most of the tannin had aged away, and the wine was firm, medium to full body, with enough acid to help the black cherry and raspberry flavors. It went nicely with some low fat beef. Firelands Winery grows its grapes on Isle St. George, just off shore from Sandusky, Ohio, in Lake Erie. The micro-climate allows Pinot to ripen a bit later than on shore, and gives Firelands estate bottlings a bit of an edge.
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This extraordinary Johannisberg Riesling is the product of years of experimentation by northeast Ohio's leading proponent of growing vinifera grapes along Lake Erie. It is a superb wine. It rivals anything you can get from Germany, Washington State, or any other place that trumpets its Riesling production. The wine is light gold, having been given an extra year of aging before release. It opens with the typical apples and pears nose expected of a fine Riesling, but there is something more, something more complex, in the pronounced aroma. This is an off-dry wine, comparable in style to a spatlese, certainly not as sweet as an auslese. Although only 11% alcohol, it is not a light body wine. Neither is it high in acid...it is simply perfectly balanced. The flavors are more strongly of tree fruits such as peaches or apricots. The finish is long, and memorable, but without acidic harshness. We drank most of this bottle with a local Ohio goat cheese that had been prepared with a brandied peach preserve. The pairing was perfect. I cannot say enough about this wine, and wish I had bought two cases.
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This is a beautiful wine, made in an off-dry style that is a little unusual for Gewurztraminer. The hint of residual sugar nicely compliments the floral and distinctively spicy palate. It proved to be a delicious match to some goat cheese and fruit. Sure wish I had more.
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2005 Firelands Winery Pinot Noir
6/2/2011 - socerjim wrote: 88 Points
This was a bit unusual as we don't often see the amount of pronounced sedeiment thrown in this bottle of Pinot Noir, but it was an '05, so perhaps the somewhat longer aging it to blame...or credit...as the case may be. Luckily, almost all of it stuck to the walls and bottom of the bottle, and the wine poured clear, a nice bing cherry red. It offered a light smoke, tea, and herbal nose. Most of the tannin had aged away, and the wine was firm, medium to full body, with enough acid to help the black cherry and raspberry flavors. It went nicely with some low fat beef. Firelands Winery grows its grapes on Isle St. George, just off shore from Sandusky, Ohio, in Lake Erie. The micro-climate allows Pinot to ripen a bit later than on shore, and gives Firelands estate bottlings a bit of an edge.
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2007 Markko Riesling Reserve
6/2/2011 - socerjim wrote: 97 Points
This extraordinary Johannisberg Riesling is the product of years of experimentation by northeast Ohio's leading proponent of growing vinifera grapes along Lake Erie. It is a superb wine. It rivals anything you can get from Germany, Washington State, or any other place that trumpets its Riesling production. The wine is light gold, having been given an extra year of aging before release. It opens with the typical apples and pears nose expected of a fine Riesling, but there is something more, something more complex, in the pronounced aroma. This is an off-dry wine, comparable in style to a spatlese, certainly not as sweet as an auslese. Although only 11% alcohol, it is not a light body wine. Neither is it high in acid...it is simply perfectly balanced. The flavors are more strongly of tree fruits such as peaches or apricots. The finish is long, and memorable, but without acidic harshness. We drank most of this bottle with a local Ohio goat cheese that had been prepared with a brandied peach preserve. The pairing was perfect. I cannot say enough about this wine, and wish I had bought two cases.
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2007 Hermes Vineyards Gewürztraminer
5/26/2011 - socerjim wrote: 90 Points
This is a beautiful wine, made in an off-dry style that is a little unusual for Gewurztraminer. The hint of residual sugar nicely compliments the floral and distinctively spicy palate. It proved to be a delicious match to some goat cheese and fruit. Sure wish I had more.
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