Amalthea Cellars

Amalthea Cellars was opened to the public in 1981 (one of the state’s oldest wineries). Long before I visited their winery I had purchased a bottle of their wine at a local restaurant that began selling a few of their wines. I was skeptical, but had forgotten to bring a bottle of my own and it was a BYOB restaurant. I remember being surprised and saying to my wife we have to check out this winery. It took awhile before we eventually got there and have happily revisited recently.

Amalthea has won countless awards from state, national, and international wine competitions over the past 35 years. They have also shined in a couple of well-publicized blind competitions with California and French wines. See their website for more information about these competitions and their impressive press reviews.

A visit to Amalthea is a little like visiting Europe. The name “Amalthea” is of Greek origin and means to soothe or soften. The founder, owner, and winemaker, Louis Caracciolo, is of Italian descent. Some have compared Amalthea Cellars to Burgundy, France. But despite the European feel and influence, there is also an appeal to Americana and American History buffs as their Green Dragon Tavern (used for dinners and other special events) was modeled after the Green Dragon Tavern in Boston where our forefathers planned the American Revolution.

So with all of these interesting themes and influences, one hopes that the wines you are about to taste match your expectations. I can assure you they do. They have a rich history and a “deep bench” of wines ranging from classic dry whites like Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier. They also have a great, but less commonly found Traminette (a white hybrid grape). The latter is described as “floral nose, with hints of white tea and spices.” Their rich, creamy Chardonnay and their Traminette were my favorite whites.

Their dry reds include Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc, Chancellor, Merlot, Syrah, and their Legends Edition (Bordeaux Style Blends – seven of them, named Europa I through Europa VII). Each of these are produced in the style of a specific wine growing village in Bordeaux, France.

My favorite reds were the 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Clone II (a silky smooth Cab with a hint of chocolate) and the 2012 Europa II, a delightful blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (80%), Cabernet Franc (15%), and Merlot (5%).  An interesting bonus was their Cantina Mas, a “Draught Wine” which is  described as a winter blend of Cabernet and Carmenere.

In the semi-dry/semi sweet area Amalthea makes a Callisto Gris and Callisto Rouge, a Metis and Villard Blanc. Finally, they also make Solera, a dessert wine “30 years in the making” (named for the Spanish-Style of stacking rows of various aged barrels of fortified wine with the oldest on the bottom and the youngest on the top).  The result is a unique blending of each of the year’s product contributing to what Karen McNeil in her The Wine Bible calls “a complex molecular kaleidoscope with what can only be an estimated age.”

Amalthea has a few tasting area options.  In addition to the tasting room and cellar there is a nice patio overlooking the vineyards, and on special occasions they use the Green Dragon as a tasting and touring area. They are open daily from 11 AM until 5 PM.

This is a must stop for anyone interested in fine New Jersey wine (or fine wine from anywhere).

 

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Cheers!