by Howie Hart » Sun Oct 28, 2018 6:52 am
Due to health and other issues over the past 4 years, I don't think I've posted a WTN in a long time. I was excited about this month's topic and was hoping to try something earlier, but the first 2 weeks of the month were spent on the couch with a very bad cold, followed by a week in Florida for my grandson's first birthday. Finally, last night I opened a bottle from my stash to enjoy while watching the World Series.
Leonard Oakes is a small winery, named for the great-grandfather of the wine maker, Jonathan Oakes, who I consider a friend. The farm was originally planed with apples in the 1880s, which is still a very large part of their business. Their Steampunk sparkling cider is well known locally and I've taken bottles of it to MOCOOL in the past. The winery is about 40 miles from me in Lyndonville, NY, about 3 miles from Lake Ontario and they also make outstanding Riesling.
2012 Leonard Oakes Meritage - 2012 was one of the best vintages in memory for this area. The wine is labeled as New York State, so there is no indication of where the grapes were grown or who grew them. Nor is there any indication of the blend of grapes. I will send Jonathan an email to see if he can answer my questions. In the glass, deep color, no bricking. On the nose, initially a dusty earthiness and plums. As it opened up over 90 minutes or so, hints of kalamata olives, vanilla and spice (cloves? anise?) opened up. In the mouth there is juicy acidity and soft tannins and a medium-long, full finish. This more closely resembles Bordeaux than CA. I enjoyed it.
EDIT - 10/29 - Jonathan Oakes got back to me. All the grapes are grown in Niagara County by a few different growers, except for a portion of the Cab Franc, which is grown on their property, located in Orleans County, about 10 miles from Niagara County. Since only a portion of the grapes are actually grown in the Niagara Escarpment AVA, the wine has to be designated as New York State. The blend is about equal parts Cab Sauv, Cab Franc and Merlot.
Chico - Hey! This Bottle is empty!
Groucho - That's because it's dry Champagne.