TN: 2008 Ravines Wine Cellars Pinot Noir (USA, New York, Finger Lakes, Keuka Lake)

WINE TALK
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  • 2008 Ravines Wine Cellars Pinot Noir - USA, New York, Finger Lakes, Keuka Lake (1/8/2012)
    A previous reviewer summed this up dead on in four words, perfectly composed pinot noir. A 100% translucent expression of grape and place, there is a stunning purity of cherry, gravelly mineral, and earth that is like silk on the palate, and incredibly cool and delicious on the nose. Lean and lithe at 12.5%, not a hint of heat, just refreshing fruit and acid. This is not a wine that dazzles you with concentration. The best way I can describe the experience is like the tone from a perfectly struck acoustic guitar string, strong and linear, but gaining in depth as the volume recedes and the resonation increases. Under vacu vin and refrig, this was even better on day 2. A wine lover’s wine. Bravo! (93 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

I cannot express just how deeply this satisfies a Pinot craving.

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Kenny,

Just finished a bottle of this last night that I had opened on Saturday and agree that this is an excellent example of a balanced. low-alcohol pinot that is about mouthfeel, subtlety, and lingering fruit that carries on and on. (Your guitar description is spot on) 2008 was a very good year for red’s in the finger lakes and Morten Hallgren is a very talented wine maker. All of their wines, from Riesling to Meritage blends, have impressed me with their balance, mouthfeel, and persistence. It is pinot’s like this from the finger lakes that get me really excited about this region (I have also enjoyed Red Tail Ridge and Heart and Hands for pinot)

Mike

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Mike-

Thanks for the affirmation on my description. A wine like this in my mind requires an evaluation of aesthetic “intangibles”, which is especially difficult and often does not come off as well as one would hope.

I, as you, was very excited by this first Finger Lakes wine. It is one of the few times I have taken a first sip of wine and could not keep from a wry grin. And they make a Riesling I hear…

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I enjoyed this wine as well, and am happy to say that I have a few bottles left. This was my first wine from NY and was quite a revelation. What other NY reds (I assume primarily Pinot Noir or Cab Franc) might be worth checking out?

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2010 Eminence Road Cabernet Franc Elizabeth’s Vineyard. It needs a little air to get going, but this is real wine and a good value.

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Kenny- I just had the 2010 Ravines Dry Riesling and was impressed as usual. The focus is on acid and minerality and is right in my wheelhouse; plus the $13 price tag makes it even more ridiculous. The single vineyard Argetsinger Riesling they make is probably my favorite FL riesling I have had thus far (Weimer single vineyards are a close 2nd for me)

Frank- As far as reds go for me, cab franc, pinot, and meritage blends can be really good from places like Ravines, Red Tail Ridge, Damiani, and Wiemer. I have really enjoyed the Wiemer Reserve Cab Franc, Red Tail Ridge Pinot, Damiani Merlot and Cab Franc, and Ravines Pinot, Cab Franc, and Meritage. Oh and Heart and Hands for Pinot.