Black Ankle Vineyards 2007 Crumbling Rock

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the quality of Maryland wines sampled during the Twitter Taste-off at the DrinkLocalWine.com 2010 conference. I’ve praised Maryland wines for some time now (see my earlier recap) and continue to be impressed with the quality of wines being produced. I didn’t have time to sample all of the offerings, but did revisit two favorites, Elk Run Vineyards and Black Ankle Vineyards. I also had the opportunity to meet Kevin Atticks, Executive Director of the Maryland Wineries Association and author of “Discovering Maryland Wineries,” my first regional wine book. Highlights included the textbook Cold Friday Chardonnay from Elk Run and the Black Ankle Leaf Stone Syrah (in my opinion, the best Syrah from the East Coast).

Black Ankle Vineyards 2007 Crumbling Rock

But tonight’s post focuses on a wine I purchased during my last visit to Maryland, the 2007 Crumbling Rock from Black Ankle. The 2009 Maryland’s Governors Cup winner, the Bordeaux-style blend retails for $45 and clocks in at 15.1% alcohol. In the glass, the wine displayed a beautiful nose of black fruit and cherries with a hint of nutmeg and leather. Flavors of cinnamon, spice, tobacco, and red fruit coat the palate. An age-worthy wine from the excellent 2007 vintage.

The Maryland wine industry is on the cusp of great things, and it was a welcome site to see the enthusiasm for the wines. Cheers!

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