Moderators: Jenise, Robin Garr, David M. Bueker
Howie Hart
The Hart of Buffalo
6389
Thu Mar 23, 2006 4:13 pm
Niagara Falls, NY
Howie Hart wrote:I had several friends over for a Lemberger (Blaufrankisch) tasting, picnic and bonfire yesterday (9/5). However, due to the weather (cool, breezy and overcast) we held the festivities inside. Of course, I made too much food (grilled strip loin, watermelon salad, corn, olive tepenade, hummus, bruschetta, cheeses, etc.). Seven of us participated in the blind tasting of 8 wines. Most of the group can appreciate a good wine, but, except for me, none had ever scored wines blind before, so it was a fun experience. One of the group admitted to palate fatigue and simply scored the last 3 wines very low, so I tossed all those scores out.
No. Me Avg. Rank Wine
1. 15 14.2 6 2007 Keuka Springs (Finger Lakes)
2. 17 14.3 5 2006 Shooting Star Blue Franc (WA)
3. 13 14.8 3 2009 Don DeMaison's Estate Bottled (Niagara County, NY)
4. 16 11.3 8 2005 Glatzer (Austria)
5. 16 15.3 2 2009 Hart's (from Don DeMaison's grapes - Niagara County, NY)
6. 13 12.0 7 2006 Kiona (WA)
7. 17 15.5 1 2003 Goose Watch (Finger Lakes)
8. 18 14.5 4 2006 Neckenmarkt (Austria)
I have a few comments regarding the wines. Shooting Star is a CA winery that sourced it’s Lemberger from WA. I also liked the idea that they called the wine “Blue Franc”. Lemberger makes one think of stinky cheese and Blaufrankisch sounds foreign and one has to think about how to pronounce it, so would calling the grape and wine “Blue Franc” make it more appealing? While there were differences in the wines, it seemed to me there were a lot more similarities. For color and hue, none were inky dark, nor were any rosé-like. They were all solid, medium bodied reds. Based on standards for the NY State Fair, all but two of the wines would have been awarded medals. Don DeMaison is a friend and grape grower. He was one of the tasting group and both wines made from his grapes exhibited more pepperiness than the other wines. I’m not sure if this is terroir thing or because they were much younger than any of the others. The top scoring wine, 2003 Goose Watch (Finger Lakes) seems to indicate that wine from this grape can age nicely. A few folks from WA highly recommended the Kiona, so I purchased this when visiting there for my granddaughter’s 1st birthday in May. I was surprised that it scored so low. I detected some brett and it seemed to have a bit of residual sugar in the finish.
Jenise
FLDG Dishwasher
42639
Tue Mar 21, 2006 2:45 pm
The Pacific Northest Westest
Surprised the Kiona didn't fare better. I had one in the last month that I found underwhelming; but their earlier ones were quite good, some of the best I've had.
Howie Hart
The Hart of Buffalo
6389
Thu Mar 23, 2006 4:13 pm
Niagara Falls, NY
No hanky panky Tom. I used the same protocol as our local AWS chapter uses. In fact, the pourer, who was also a designated driver is a retired police detective. Well, maybe that doesn't answer your question. To get back to the subject of the similarities, I could not pick my wine out of the lineup and was surprised at it's showing. Regarding the wine making, Don and I used the same grapes, but different techniques. His was a simple fermentation, while I put mine through malo-lactic fermentation and aged it on oak chips. Incidentally, Don is in the process of building a winery and hopes to use the 2010 for his first vintage. He also grown Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling, all vines now being about 5-6 years old. In fact, this year the grapes are ripening very early and I'll be picking up Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris from him tomorrow. I thought the 2006 Neckenmarkt (Austria) was superb - good color and nose and a complex, long finish. I was also intrigued by Shooting Star's Label, (is that a currency Franc?) and the 2003 Goose Watch.TomHill wrote:Not had any FingerLakes Lembergers. And I noticed yours was #2. There wasn't some funny stuff going on behind the scenes w/ the numbers was there, Howie???
Tom
Hoke
Achieving Wine Immortality
11420
Sat Apr 15, 2006 1:07 am
Portland, OR
Howie Hart
The Hart of Buffalo
6389
Thu Mar 23, 2006 4:13 pm
Niagara Falls, NY
David M. Bueker
Riesling Guru
34367
Thu Mar 23, 2006 11:52 am
Connecticut
Howie Hart
The Hart of Buffalo
6389
Thu Mar 23, 2006 4:13 pm
Niagara Falls, NY
TomHill wrote: .....Not had any FingerLakes Lembergers. And I noticed yours was #2. There wasn't some funny stuff going on behind the scenes w/ the numbers was there, Howie???
Tom
Jenise
FLDG Dishwasher
42639
Tue Mar 21, 2006 2:45 pm
The Pacific Northest Westest
Hoke wrote:And like the superannuated Tom Hill, I've been a fan of Kiona Lembergers in the past (though I think some of their recent stylings have rendered it fairly tame and subdued).
Howie Hart wrote:Here is the Shooting Star label, which I found interesting. Is that a copy of some sort of currency?
Joe Moryl wrote:TomHill wrote: .....Not had any FingerLakes Lembergers. And I noticed yours was #2. There wasn't some funny stuff going on behind the scenes w/ the numbers was there, Howie???
Tom
Shame on you Tom: Niagara County is not in the Finger Lakes! This is like mixing up Arroyo Grande Valley and Paso Robles, or some such.
Howie Hart
The Hart of Buffalo
6389
Thu Mar 23, 2006 4:13 pm
Niagara Falls, NY
As I mentioned in my original post, I think calling the grape / wine "Blue Franc" would be an improvement over Lemberger or Blaufrankisch, at least for marketing. Thanks and same to you Victor. I'm picking up Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris tomorrow - very early this year.Victorwine wrote:... So was the wine named after the old traditional name of Lemberger or the “blue Franc” currency note on the label?
BTW Howie Good luck with this years harvest!
Salute
James Roscoe
Chat Prince
11014
Wed Mar 22, 2006 6:43 pm
D.C. Metro Area - Maryland
Howie Hart
The Hart of Buffalo
6389
Thu Mar 23, 2006 4:13 pm
Niagara Falls, NY
Yes, I plan on making about 7 gallons this year. Already started PN and PG.James Roscoe wrote:Sorry I missed this thread Howie. This sounds like a great tasting. I wish I could have been there. Are you bottling Lemberger this year?
Wick White
Wine geek
36
Mon Apr 05, 2010 5:18 am
West-Steiermark, Austria
Howie Hart
The Hart of Buffalo
6389
Thu Mar 23, 2006 4:13 pm
Niagara Falls, NY
Howie Hart
The Hart of Buffalo
6389
Thu Mar 23, 2006 4:13 pm
Niagara Falls, NY
OOPS! Don's Lemberger crop became zilch, due to a delay in his spray program - grapes botrycized. All the rest of his crop is OK. So that means the remaining bottles of my Lemberger have just become precious.Howie Hart wrote:Yes, I plan on making about 7 gallons this year. Already started PN and PG.James Roscoe wrote:Sorry I missed this thread Howie. This sounds like a great tasting. I wish I could have been there. Are you bottling Lemberger this year?
Howie Hart
The Hart of Buffalo
6389
Thu Mar 23, 2006 4:13 pm
Niagara Falls, NY
After sever sorting. Don was only able to salvage enough Lemberger to make a 5-gallon batch for himself. I'm planning on making "Estate Bottled" Chambourcin this year. I will also get a small quantity of Vignoles, which I will probably blend into this year's sparkling cuvee.Victorwine wrote:That’s a shame Howie. Was Don’s Lemberger completely mummified or just partially? How’s your vines doing, are you going to see any “estate” wine this year?
Salute
Howie Hart
The Hart of Buffalo
6389
Thu Mar 23, 2006 4:13 pm
Niagara Falls, NY
After sever sorting. Don was only able to salvage enough Lemberger to make a 5-gallon batch for himself. I'm planning on making "Estate Bottled" Chambourcin this year. I will also get a small quantity of Vignoles, which I will probably blend into this year's sparkling cuvee.Victorwine wrote:That’s a shame Howie. Was Don’s Lemberger completely mummified or just partially? How’s your vines doing, are you going to see any “estate” wine this year?
Salute
James Roscoe
Chat Prince
11014
Wed Mar 22, 2006 6:43 pm
D.C. Metro Area - Maryland
Howie Hart wrote:After sever sorting. Don was only able to salvage enough Lemberger to make a 5-gallon batch for himself. I'm planning on making "Estate Bottled" Chambourcin this year. I will also get a small quantity of Vignoles, which I will probably blend into this year's sparkling cuvee.Victorwine wrote:That’s a shame Howie. Was Don’s Lemberger completely mummified or just partially? How’s your vines doing, are you going to see any “estate” wine this year?
Salute
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