Casa Larga Vineyards recently released new wines. The first is a new ice wine that made its debut at the annual NY Ice Wine & Culinary Festival - a barrel aged Vidal Blanc ice wine. Also released are two Cabernet Sauvignon wines using grapes sourced from other Finger Lakes vineyards and a re-release of the very popular Red and White Sangrias.
The barrel aged ice wine is the result of an experiment in the wine cellar. Winemaker Matt Cassavaugh and his team harvested the grapes in the German Eiswein tradition of leaving them frozen on the vine through the winter freeze. The grapes were pressed frozen and the juice spent 19 months in acacia wood barrels. The barrel aging gave the wine another textural layer and developed butterscotch and toffee notes.
This ice wine joins the ranks of the winery's large ice wine series, which includes 7 other ice wine products. The winery already makes ice wine of Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Vidal Blanc and Gewurztraminer. Last year, they released Negative 8, their second field blend ice wine with Gewurztraminer and Rieslings, fortified with Tree Vodka from Apple Country Spirits. They also make a field blend from the vineyard's "block one" that dates back to the first planting at Casa Larga in 1974 and a cuvee of Blanc de Blanc Brut with Vidal Blanc ice wine.
"Ice wine is so unique and it holds a special place in our hearts," says Andrea Colaruotolo-O'Neill, Director of Marketing at Casa Larga. "We are pleased that this experiment with barrel aging paid off and will be a part of our ice wine production for the future."
Casa Larga has also released two new wines that use grapes from other Finger Lakes Vineyards. The 2013 Sunrise Hill and 2013 Sawmill Creek Cabernet Sauvignon wines are the first vintages of two more "experiments" at the winery.
Sawmill Creek is located on the east side of Seneca Lake and the vineyards have an excellent reputation for high quality fruit, innovative techniques and distinct varietals. The wine was aged in French oak barrels for 18 months.
Sunrise Hill Vineyards is located on Cayuga Lake. Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from this award-winning vineyard were also aged in French oak barrels for 18 months.
"Sawmill Creek and Sunrise Hill both produce exceptional fruit," comments Winemaker Matt Cassavaugh. "I was very pleased with the fruit we received and am even more pleased with these two new wines.
The new wines are stocked and available only in the wine shop at 2287 Turk Hill Road, Fairport. Members of the winery's Wine Lover Club receive 20% off all wine purchases at the wine shop and are able to purchase bottles signed by the winemaker of the Cabernet Sauvignon wines last weekend. The winery plans to release more new wines in April.
2010 Fiori Barrel Aged Vidal Blanc Ice Wine, $59.99
Displays aromas typical to a traditional Vidal Ice wine including peach, apricot and honey. Barrel aging added depth and complexity by accenting notes of butterscotch and brown sugar in addition to increased body and a smoother, more round mouthfeel.
2013 Sunrise Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, $29.99
An aged, full bodied and dry wine with great leather and tobacco aromas. It also has aromas of cherries and cranberries with flavors of black raspberry and plums and a pleasant toasty oak finish.
2013 Sawmill Creek Cabernet Sauvignon, $29.99
A full-bodied and structured wine with a nose that shows a healthy dose of fresh ground black pepper with some lavender, black plums, blackberries and blueberries. The flavor follows through with notes of red currant, blackberries, plums, cherries and tobacco leaf. This wine will age well in the bottle.
Red Sangria, $14.99/1.5mL
Casa Larga started making red and white sangrias in 2011, and they continue to be a fan favorite. Great wine for a party crowd.
White Sangria, $14.99/1.5mL
The perfect party wine. Serve chilled or over ice with fresh fruit. Light bodied, fruity and delicious.
