New Wines and Vines: Notes from the Winemaker

Guess what feature is back folks? Wednesdays with the Winemaker! 

This week's edition brings us Marek's tasting notes and food pairings of our newest Chatham Hill wines--including our very limited, wine club member exclusive: Sweet Cabernet Franc. 

 

2009 CABERNET FRANC – NEW VINTAGE

This is the first release of the 2009 vintage of Chatham Hill Cabernet Franc. It is a blend of Cab Franc grapes from two vineyards in Yadkin Valley, 70% Wilmoth Vineyard and 30% Winnbrose Vineyard. After undergoing extended fermentation and maceration, the wine was aged in French and American oak for 24 months with additional bottle aging prior to release. The wine can be enjoyed now but with proper cellaring will keep improving for up to four years.

Tasting Notes: The Chatham Hill 2009 Cabernet Franc is an elegant, rich yet soft wine. With fleshy black cherry, blackberry and spicy oak aromas the wine is worth drinking now or cellaring for a special occasion. Succulent, dark fruit flavors of tart blackberry, plum, black cherry with a hint of peppery oak fills the palate and gives way to a smooth, medium finish.

Food Pairing: The rich fruit in this Cabernet Franc pairs well with pan-seared pork or game with a variety of fruit sauces. Pan-seared duck with pomegranate glaze is an excellent meal to accompany this lush, dark, fruit-forward wine.

2010 SYRAH – NEW VINTAGE

The 2010 vintage of Chatham Hill Syrah was crafted from hand-picked grapes grown in the Winnbrose Vineyard in the Yadkin Valley AVA. The addition of 5% of Cabernet Franc. Cold fermented and aged for 12 months in French oak barrels. The wine is delightful now but try to cellar it for 2-3 years, which may be challenging to wait this long, to further develop in the bottle and you will be rewarded. Note: Only 50 cases were produced so stack up if you like it because it will be gone soon. 

Tasting Notes: On the nose, the 2010 Syrah reveals wild raspberry and boysenberry with delicate earthy notes, while the tart upfront berry fruit flavors (boysenberry, cherry and dark mulberry) give way to mellow tannins and soft acidity supporting the mid palate. The vibrant, juicy fruit runs the length of the palate and lingers with a "have another glass" finish.

Food Pairing: Enjoy with lightly spiced chili, slow cooker beef stew, or a lamb casserole.

SWEET CAROLINA RED – SWEET CABERNET FRANC - NEW WINE

This is a special release of Sweet Carolina Red made from 2011 Cabernet Franc grapes from Yadkin Valley. The sweetness in this fairly acidic wine revealed the richness of fruit flavors not noticeable in its dry equivalent. We encourage you to compare this wine with the dry Chatham Hill Cabernet Franc. This can be an eye opening experience revealing how even small changes in sugar concentration in wine can expose or suppress its aromas and flavors. We will appreciate comments comparing this new wine to our standard Sweet Carolina Red made from Carignan and Ruby Cabernet. Note: Only 50 cases were produced. This is a Wine Club Member Exclusive. 

Tasting Notes: Rich and fruity. Cherrypie and plum on the nose. Delicious flavors of sweet cherry pie, sweet black currant. Enjoy at room temperature or slightly chilled.
Food Pairing: A delicious match for ham or North Carolina barbecue dishes.

2011 RIESLING – DRY - NEW VINTAGE

This is a new vintage of the Dry Chatham Hill Riesling crafted in the French Alsace style. Residual sugar: 0.20%. 

Tasting Notes: Rich citrusy aromas dominated by yellow grapefruit and tart orange with hints of peach. Bursts with lime, green apple flavors with hints of pineapple and lemon. The refreshing crispiness and rich fruit flavors make it a great food wine! 

Food Pairing: Delicious with fresh steamed oysters or crab. Wonderful with Asian, Thai, and lighter poultry entrees.

2011 PINOT GRIGIO – NEW VINTAGE

The 2011 vintage of Chatham Hill Pinot Grigio is a delicious medium body, 100% varietal wine. Residual sugar: 0.15%. Despite low sugar it tastes very mellow and smooth. The wine was fermented at 45 deg. F and aged in a stainless steel tank. Cold fermentation and the absence of oak ageing allowed the wine to retain high concentrations of aromas and produced a fruity and refreshing wine. 

Tasting Notes: Light straw color. Aromas dominated by orange blossom, peach and melon with hints of lemon grass. Delightful flavors of orange blossom, lemon-lime, with a touch of mango. Clean, smooth citrusy finish with warm acidity and mineral nuances. 

Food Pairing: A great match with mild and creamy cheeses, fresh garden salads, and light pastas.