Sharpe Hill 2007 Select Late Harvest Vignoles

I often find myself drinking the same wines over and over again.  So when I pulled the Sharpe Hill Vineyard 2007 Select Late Harvest Vignoles from the cellar recently, it was a nice change.  I’ve had my fair share of Late Harvest wines produced from Riesling, Vidal Blanc and several other grape varieties, but never Vignoles.  For those unfamiliar with the variety, Vignoles is a hybrid white wine grape produced from a cross made by J.F. Ravat of two grapes, Seibel 8665 and Pinot de corton.  Popular in the Northeast and Midwest regions of North America, the fruit can develop very high sugar content while maintaining high acidity, resulting in great dessert wines.

In addition to being my first Vignoles, the wine also represented my first dessert wine from Connecticut.  I’ve had several excellent Chardonnays from the state, but never a dessert wine.  Vignoles is also one of the grapes in Sharpe Hill’s excellent Ballet of Angels wine (read my review here).

A wine that is made entirely from estate grown, botrytised Vignoles, the wine retails for $24.99.  On the nose, a bouquet of flowers, peaches and grapefruits set the stage for a rich, semi-sweet wine bursting with flavors of honey and apricot.  A tad short on the finish, but otherwise, a nicely balanced dessert wine that would pair perfectly with blue cheese.  Cheers!

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Sharpe Hill Vineyards 2007 Vineyard Reserve Chardonnay

I recently poured a local wine that left me completely speechless and with a big smile on my face.  The wine, a 2007 Vineyard Reserve Chardonnay from Sharpe Hill Vineyards, is easily the best kept secret on the east coast.  Featured in the April ’09 issue of Wine Spectator, the Chardonnay won the magazines “Final Four Taste Off” against another highly regarded winery, Chaddsford Winery in Pennsylvania.  Located in Pomfret, Connecticut, Sharpe Hill also produces the popular Ballet of Angels (read my earlier review), the best selling wine made in New England.  Needless to say, Sharpe Hill offers an award-winning portfolio of wines for every wine lover.

The Chardonnay is a 100% estate grown blend of Chardonnay and Melonde Bourgogne.  On the nose, equal parts of citrus and apple aromas give way to a hint of vanilla and oak.  Burgundian in style bringing balanced fruit and minerals to the palate, the wine is crisp and clean with a beautiful finish (I must admit, I may have poured a little more in my glass).  The Spectator scored the Chardonnay a solid 88, but is an easy 90 plus wine on my palate.  A superb wine that is a steal at $16.99.

I urge my readers to experience Sharpe Hill Vineyards for themselves, whether in person, or online.  And be sure to tell them TheOther46.com sent you.  Cheers!

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How many wines can lay claim to having their own website?  One in particular, Ballet of Angels, arrived at my house last month from Sharpe Hill Vineyards.  Located in Pomfret, Connecticut, Sharpe Hill Vineyards has put Connecticut on the wine map with their award-winning Ballet of Angels.  The wine has taken home more than 80 medals in international wine competitions since its commercial release in 1997, and boasts the title of “the best selling wine made in New England”.  Impressive, to say the least.

Retailing for $11.99, the blend of several white varieties displays a beautiful floral bouquet on the nose.  A crisp, semi-dry wine, the fruit forward white delivers impressive notes of peaches, honeydew, and grapefruit.  A refreshing, lovely wine that is the perfect accompaniment to spicy dishes or flying solo.  No ifs, ands, or buts about it, Sharpe Hill Vineyards has hit a home run with Ballet of Angels!  Cheers!

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In similar fashion to the prior nights tasting, all wines were placed in brown bags, numbered, and then poured.  The lineup included the following wines:

1. 2006 Rappahannock Cellars Cabernet Franc (Virginia) $20
2. 2006 Tiger Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Franc (Georgia) $23
3. 2004 Chamard Vineyards Estate Reserve Cabernet Franc (Connecticut) $23
4. 2006 Owen Sullivan Champoux Vineyard Cabernet Franc (Washington State) $29

I must admit, going into the tasting, I was very confident that I would at least identify the correct origin and price point.  Good thing I didn’t bet the house, but then again in this housing market, it might not have been a bad deal.  I failed miserably.

Now for the moment you’ve all been waiting for, drum roll please…  In an upset, the 2006 Tiger Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Franc from Georgia takes first place by a slim margin over Washington State.

Congratulations to Tiger Mountain Vineyards (be sure to read my earlier reviews) on their win, and a big thanks to all that came out for the event!

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Chamard Vineyards Stone Cold White

After tasting and writing about the Chamard Vineyards Estate Chardonnay recently (see my earlier post), I was curious to see if I could go two for two from Connecticut.  The second bottle from Chamard, Stone Cold White, is an unoaked Chardonnay.  Both my wife and I are big fans of this style, so I was eager to open.  Surprisingly, I was first introduced to this style of Chardonnay in Virginia, and immediately fell in love.   Contrast to the oaky, buttery style, non-malolactic or naked Chardonnays produce a crisp, steely, fruit-forward wine.

The wine retails for $14.99 and is available for purchase online.  On the nose, I picked up nice tropical fruit notes, lemon, and pear.  In the mouth, explosive citrus and almonds.  A very crisp, clean, acidic Chardonnay.  Again, I’d have a difficult time picking this particular wine from a lineup of white Burgundy.  A beautiful wine for sipping on the patio, especially as the temps begin to warm.

Once again, I’m pleasantly surprised.  A state I guarantee that is not on many peoples’ wine radar, but one that exhibits great potential.  I encourage those in the area to drink local, and for those outside of the state, to visit and see why Connecticut has a bright future!

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Chamard Vineyards 2004 Estate Reserve Chardonnay

I was excited to open their signature wine, the 2004 Estate Reserve Chardonnay.  The bottle retails for $17.99 and is available for purchase from their website.  The Chard comes in at 12.5% alcohol.  Served at room temperature, the wine displayed a beautiful golden color in the glass.  On the nose, I picked up nice tropical fruit flavors and melon.  On the palate, the wine revealed tropical fruit, pineapple, and well-integrated oak.  A creamy mouth feel with low acidity, although the finish was shorter than expected.

I honestly believe if this wine was placed alongside higher priced California Chardonnay and White Burgundy wines in a blind tasting, this Connecticut Chardonnay would do surprisingly well.  I was very impressed.  In fact, I might just have to locate another bottle and see if my theory proves correct.  I’m excited to try Chamard’s other selections, especially their unoaked Chardonnay to compare and contrast.

In summary, Chamard understands Chardonnay.  It’s not overdone with oak and butter, but instead finds a nice balance between California and Burgundian Chardonnays.

Next time you plan a trip to New England, be sure to visit Chamard Vineyards, and tell them The Other 46 sent you.

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