Sorry, y’all — COVID finally got us. The shop will be open regular hours (thank goodness for Kris), but no Wine Tasting this week.
Ravines Wine Cellars is an artisanal winery in the flourishing, world-class wine region of the Finger Lakes, located in upstate New York. It was created by Morten and Lisa Hallgren in 2000. Morten, Danish by birth, grew up on his family’s centuries-old estate in the Côtes de Provence region of France. His parents owned and operated Domaine de Castel Roubine, a 170-acre vineyard and winery where Morten spent years honing his viticulture skills, and in the cellar, learning the traditional methods of fine, European winemaking. Convinced of the potential for fine winemaking in the Finger Lakes, the couple opened their original tasting room on 17 acres of sloped, shale stone soils nestled between two deep ravines on Keuka Lake. With the winery named after this area, they focus on making fine, classically-styled wines that allow for the cool-climate characteristics to be shown without compromise - creating their own unique expression within the Finger Lakes wine region.
We will sample:
Dry Riesling 2019 — 100% estate grown from the 16 Falls vineyard, a beautiful, secluded, sloping site with great afternoon sun exposure that sits next to the deepest waters of Seneca Lake. This second straight single vineyard Dry Riesling is powerful, mineral driven and zippy. An age-worthy expression that melds lime, apricot and a floral bouquet. Rating: 93, Wine & Spirits Magazine. $25.99/$8.50
Pinot Noir 2018 — Lucious cherries, cranberries and delicate rose petals provide a beautiful bouquet of aromas. Soft tannins and nicely integrated acidity lead to a juicy and fresh finish. $34/$11.50
Cabernet Franc 2020 — 100% estate Cab Franc from the White Springs (61%) and 16 Falls (39%) vineyards. Vibrant violet in color with a bouquet of black cherry, mountain herbs, raspberry compote and hints of cedar. The 2020 vintage in the Finger Lakes allowed for a ripe fruit set, moderately high acidity and integrated, fine tannins. The wine is long, juicy and seductive on the palate with a signature spice. Matured for 12 months in five-year-old 2000-liter Austrian casks to restrain the oak as a background, complimentary, component. Rating: 92, Decanter. $32.99/$11
We’re pretty excited about this one. See you Friday!!