I’ve been giving some thought to how much longer I want to continue writing posts on this blog. I have enjoyed it immensely and I have learned so much. But the costs for maintaining the blog are steeper than you might think. After being hacked a couple of times, I have had to beef up my security. I refuse to allow pop-up advertisements to defray my costs. Those you may have seen in recent months were part of the most recent hack. My book, New Jersey Uncorked: A Snob-Free Taste of NJ Wine, covered all of the wineries open when I wrote it. I have tried to update the book with my posts about the new openings and the sad closures, as well. In addition, I have broadened the scope of my writing to include lots of breweries and distilleries, and some great restaurants I have had the good fortune to visit. What have I missed? Are there places that you would like me to write about? Id love to get your feedback. I have about 140 verified followers, but know that I get many more unduplicated visits every month. I’d love to hear your suggestions.
The Winery
Angelico Winery is one New Jersey’s newest wineries. It is located in Lambertville. I last visited this winery almost two years ago, shortly after they opened. My wife and I quickly noticed that they have been working hard on enhancing the already attractive tasting room and the grounds around it, while adding tables and umbrellas for the summer crowds. We arrived, just as they were opening so we were their first customers of the day. Last time we met and spoke at length with Otto Angelico (owner and winemaker). This time we got to meet his wife, Lily. Though she says she is not involved in the winemaking process, she is very knowledgeable about their wines and a very enthusiastic server.
Angelico now produces seven different varieties of grapes, but their vineyard is young and small and consequently they must supplement their grapes with those from other wineries-mostly from New Jersey. Their Nebbiolo is the only wine that is made with grapes outside of the United States (Italy) according to Lily.
Though I took several photos during our visit to Angelico Winery, I was unable to retrieve them from my phone. You can see my photos from our previous visit in 2022 and read that post here: https://wp.me/p74VSa-dsR
The picture at the top of the post is a photo from our previous visit in 2022. The photo of our takeaways from our most recent visit in Lambertville is posted below. I should add that we purchased another bottle of their Nebbiolo, but enjoyed that one during our stay in Lambertville. As was true of our first visit, in my opinion, their reds are their strong suit here, both in sheer number of offerings, as well as the quality. Their whites are good, but their reds are a cut above and just keep getting better. There were a couple of new wines on their menu this trip, so we were eager to start tasting.
The Tasting
Flight #1 (White)
- 2022 Pinot Grigio-Crisp citrus notes, offering a refreshing finish.
- 2021 Chardonnay-Aged nine months in neutral oak; full-bodied with notes of vanilla and apple. Our favorite white in the tasting.
- 2022 Riesling-a nice dry version with refreshing citrus notes.
- 2021 House Dry Rose-A tasty Rose with cherry notes.
Flight #2 (Red)
- 2022 Miracle (Barbera)-An excellent Barbera, with mild tannins and good acidity; smooth as silk.
- 2022 Sangiovese-A very nice Sangiovese with ripe black cherry notes in this deep ruby colored version.
- Nebbiolo-The grapes were sourced from Italy, but the wine was made at Angelico Winery with great care, resulting in a terrific, robust, full-bodied version with potent, but smooth tannins.
- Weeping Willow (Bordeaux Blend)-Utilizing their estate Cab Franc blended with Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a delicious, smooth blend.
Our Takeaways
We loved our visit and hope to return when we can hear the owner’s son play classical music there in the near future.
Coming Attractions
- Coda Rosa Summer 2024
- Annata Wine Bar Summer 2024
- Beneduce Vineyards 2024
- Working Dog Winery 2024
- Hopewell Valley Vineyards 2024
- Whims Brewing in Atco
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