Via critical and customer acclaim, Ravines Wine Cellars, nestled into the eastern shore of Keuka Lake, has built a reputation for itself as one of the top producers in the Finger Lakes, if not the entire state.
True, that reputation is built most famously on winemaker and co-owner Morten Hallgren's dry rieslings, but he is doing some impressive things with reds too -- especially pinot noir and cabernet franc.
This Ravines Wine Cellars 2007 Cabernet Franc ($19) greets the nose with ripe red raspberry and red cherry aromas accented by briar, lightly grilled herbs and earthy tobacco leaf notes.
More of that rich red fruit leads the way on the well-balanced, medium-bodied palate, which features soft, well-incorporated tannins and good acidity.
Secondary flavors of tobacco leaf, herbs and briar are subtle, but bring a bit of complexity to that core of almost-sweet fruit. The finish is long and mineral-tinged.
Open for several hours, the herbal and earth note emerge a bit more, making it far more complex than it was initially.
Producer: Ravines Wine Cellars
AVA: Finger Lakes
ABV: 12.5%
Price: $19*
Cases Produced: 900
Rating: 
(3.5 out of 5 | Very good-to-Delicious)
Check out the picture of Morten et al in the current Wine Spectator!
Posted by: Peter Bell / Fox Run | February 24, 2010 at 02:17 PM