On Friday, my wife and I met good friends at William Heritage Winery. We took advantage of our free tastings, available as a member on a quarterly basis. Once again we were grateful for our membership and its many benefits. We were even more grateful for friends who knew we needed a break from our daily work and perhaps a fun “intervention”-great wines with great friends. They were right and it only took a few minutes to realize we needed the “intervention.”
I must say that I was really impressed with the 2021 Cabernet Franc, on the Reserve flight. Our friends bought and shared their bottles of 2021 Merlot, and 2021 Cab Franc. These reds, and a 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, will be in our next allocation, available to members in late November. We were so impressed with the 2021 Cab Franc that we bought a bottle and took it with us to enjoy with a pizza at a nearby restaurant. See more about this wine below (one of my NJ wines of the week).
In addition to the reds mentioned above, I really enjoyed the new Rose, with a beautiful salmon color. It is a delicious Rose with subtle cranberry notes and a soft, smooth and luscious mouthfeel for a Rose. Rose wines should not be restricted to the summer months and this Rose would make a great fireside Rose to enjoy by itself or with a vast number of foods. Always one to enjoy some lesser known grapes, I also thought the 2022 William Heritage Reserve White Blend of Petit Manseng, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and Pinot Blanc, was worthy of attention. These grapes include fruit from their estate vineyards and fruit sourced from their Griffin Road vineyard in Mullica Hill.
My New Jersey Wines of the Week
This week I want to highlight two versions of Albarino and the great new Cab Franc from William Heritage (mentioned above). Autumn Lake Winery has been making a terrific Albarino almost since they opened. New Jersey is becoming a mini Albarino Mecca. Among my favorites in the past, I have enjoyed the Albarino made at Turdo Vineyards (Luca’s Albarino got better every year); White Horse Winery, Hawk Haven Vineyards, and Cape May Winery. I know there are others, but these stand out in my mind. Autumn Lake may be my favorite version. What’s more they also make a Barrel Reserve version.
Autumn Lake 2022 Albarino-Fermented in Stainless Steel tanks, it is a light (color and light to medium body) version, citrus notes on the palate, bright acidity, and just a faint hint of sweetness.
Autumn Lake 2022 Barrel Reserve Albarino-While the differences are subtle, I enjoy the subtle differences. My wife and I did a side-by-side tasting. The Barrel Reserve version was a slightly darker straw color, with a little more body and complexity, without significantly dampening the bright acidity. It also added a tasty note of vanilla, due to the French oak influence.
William Heritage 2021 Cabernet Franc-The best Cab Franc I have tasted this year. Sourced from three of William Heritage vineyard sites, it is more full-bodied than many New Jersey Cab Francs, with more robust cherry flavors on the palate, the usual hint of green pepper, and silky smooth tannins.
Coming Attractions
- Va La Vineyards
- Natali Vineyards
- Cedar Rose Vineyards
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