New York Cork Report

• By Lenn Thompson
  10/30/2009 (link) 3 out of 5 stars

  (Rooster Hill Vineyards Cabernet Franc Estate Finger Lakes) Upon opening, the nose was dominated by campfire and mesquite aromas and flavors. I didn't like it very much and I was cursing American oak yet again. I wrote my notes out anyway, and searched for fruit and non-oak attributes, finding some buried behind the bacon. The next day, this was like a completely different wine. Night and day. Sure, there was still some smokiness, but instead of dominating, it complemented blackberry, black cherry, brown sugar spice and licorice on the nose, adding a layer of complexity instead of beating the other aromas into submission. The palate was soft, with plum and black cherry flavors hints of vanilla and smoke and an intense vein of black licorice that runs from start to finish. The tannins are soft and ripe, bringing just enough structure, and the finish lingers nicely with vanilla spice and more licorice.