2nd Annual East Coast Food & Wine Festival
Part 4 of 5 of the review of 2nd Annual East Coast Food & Wine Festival.
Moving on from Laurita we passed a cool looking 1940's era REO Speed Wagon that was converted in to a wood burning brick oven for pizza making. The smell of the burning wood wafting around was quite enjoyable. If it wasn't so warm out already I would have liked to try one of their pies if just for the novelty itself. Yes, I'm a sucker for cheesy crap like that.
Shortly past the mobile pizza shop was the Unionville Vineyards stand. Like usual, they had a large selection of wines which also meant a somewhat large amount of tasters waiting to try everything that they had. Due to this we decided to try only their reds and forgo their 6 whites. We of course tasted both dessert wines they had to offer and we were very glad we did.
Revolutionary Red - 2008 - 11.95
From their "George" collection. As in George Washington. Yeah, something about George's troops and their vineyard's land or whatever. I don't know, but I can say that this Revolutionary Red was pretty good. A Tangy wine with currant and black cherry cola type notes. Kind of fruity. I'd say this would be a good BBQ and Spicy dish wine. 7 out of 10.
Merlot - 2004 - 13.95
From their "Fox" series this Merlot was good. Probably the best Merlot at the festival. Smooth with ruby fruit notes. Good for a hearty meal. 7 out of 10
Cabernet Sauvignon - 2005 - 16.95
Another from the "Fox" line. I was surprised by how underwhelmed I was with this wine in relation to their other offerings. The other reds were showing quite well and I've even enjoyed Unionville's Cab Sav before. This one unfortunately was too tannic with not much body. Maybe I was spoiled by some of their other standout wines here. Drinkable, but I couldn't really recommend this to anyone. 4 out of 10.
Big Red Fox (Syrah) - 2004 - 9.95
Can you guess what series this wine comes from? This is the clear winner of the "Fox" line. This food friendly, knockout of a syrah was amazing. Dry and loaded with pepper and spices. The bright fruit would hold up great with a wide range of meals. Pizza, Steak, Burgers you name it I'd choose this wine to accompany all of it. 9.5 out of 10 (2 bottles purchased)
Cam Jam (Red Blend) - 2007 - 21.95
Pinot Noir comes through a Chambourcin background. Rose and raspberry notes on a jammy red fruit base. This was good, I liked it and I would recommend this one to others. The only thing is while this is very good it's in a field of several superbly made wines. I gave it a 7 out of 10 but that may have been a bit biased since the others were so damn good. Could be an 8 or 8.5 at another tasting.
Big O (Red Blend) - 2007 - 25.95
When someone hears the term "Big O" some people's minds go one way, some go another. Ours went immediately to the science fiction-noir-anime with the same name. What? We're anime geeks in addition to wine snobs, we can't help it. Hey, big robots kicking the crap out of other big robots is kinda cool. Like you never enjoyed the rock'em scock'em game as a child! Don’t you judge me!!
But now I may have to add yet another way of thinking after trying this awesome "Big O". A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc produced this bold red. Each varietal complements each other very well but with the Cab Franc taking a bit of the lead here. This red blend is sophisticated enough that I can even picture Norman serving it to Roger Smith while he reads the paper in his study. You know, Roger Smith? From Big O? The anime. Oh, just forget it. 8.5 out of 10 (2 bottles purchased)
DESSERT WINES:
Cool Foxy Lady - 2008 - 25.95
Quite simply, this late harvest white is spectacular. An awesome, sweet (9.2% residual sugar) after dinner treat. Rich honey, nougat and butterscotch notes with a bright acidic finish. Serve chilled. Highly, highly recommended if you can stomach the $26 price tag for a half bottle. 10 out of 10 (2 bottles purchased)
Port Vat 14 - NV - 25.95
This limited edition fortified wine was much sweeter then the brandy-ish nose lead us to believe. Cognac, fig, tobacco and cedar all make an appearance in this yummy, reddish-amberish wine. More complex then Alba's port but not as stand alone good. Enjoy with dark chocolate or hard, aged cheese. I believe this will age very well over the years. 8 of 10. (2 bottles purchased)
Part 5: Hopewell Valley Vineyards review tomorrow.
Moving on from Laurita we passed a cool looking 1940's era REO Speed Wagon that was converted in to a wood burning brick oven for pizza making. The smell of the burning wood wafting around was quite enjoyable. If it wasn't so warm out already I would have liked to try one of their pies if just for the novelty itself. Yes, I'm a sucker for cheesy crap like that.
Shortly past the mobile pizza shop was the Unionville Vineyards stand. Like usual, they had a large selection of wines which also meant a somewhat large amount of tasters waiting to try everything that they had. Due to this we decided to try only their reds and forgo their 6 whites. We of course tasted both dessert wines they had to offer and we were very glad we did.
Revolutionary Red - 2008 - 11.95
From their "George" collection. As in George Washington. Yeah, something about George's troops and their vineyard's land or whatever. I don't know, but I can say that this Revolutionary Red was pretty good. A Tangy wine with currant and black cherry cola type notes. Kind of fruity. I'd say this would be a good BBQ and Spicy dish wine. 7 out of 10.
Merlot - 2004 - 13.95
From their "Fox" series this Merlot was good. Probably the best Merlot at the festival. Smooth with ruby fruit notes. Good for a hearty meal. 7 out of 10
Cabernet Sauvignon - 2005 - 16.95
Another from the "Fox" line. I was surprised by how underwhelmed I was with this wine in relation to their other offerings. The other reds were showing quite well and I've even enjoyed Unionville's Cab Sav before. This one unfortunately was too tannic with not much body. Maybe I was spoiled by some of their other standout wines here. Drinkable, but I couldn't really recommend this to anyone. 4 out of 10.
Big Red Fox (Syrah) - 2004 - 9.95
Can you guess what series this wine comes from? This is the clear winner of the "Fox" line. This food friendly, knockout of a syrah was amazing. Dry and loaded with pepper and spices. The bright fruit would hold up great with a wide range of meals. Pizza, Steak, Burgers you name it I'd choose this wine to accompany all of it. 9.5 out of 10 (2 bottles purchased)
Cam Jam (Red Blend) - 2007 - 21.95
Pinot Noir comes through a Chambourcin background. Rose and raspberry notes on a jammy red fruit base. This was good, I liked it and I would recommend this one to others. The only thing is while this is very good it's in a field of several superbly made wines. I gave it a 7 out of 10 but that may have been a bit biased since the others were so damn good. Could be an 8 or 8.5 at another tasting.
Big O (Red Blend) - 2007 - 25.95
When someone hears the term "Big O" some people's minds go one way, some go another. Ours went immediately to the science fiction-noir-anime with the same name. What? We're anime geeks in addition to wine snobs, we can't help it. Hey, big robots kicking the crap out of other big robots is kinda cool. Like you never enjoyed the rock'em scock'em game as a child! Don’t you judge me!!
But now I may have to add yet another way of thinking after trying this awesome "Big O". A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc produced this bold red. Each varietal complements each other very well but with the Cab Franc taking a bit of the lead here. This red blend is sophisticated enough that I can even picture Norman serving it to Roger Smith while he reads the paper in his study. You know, Roger Smith? From Big O? The anime. Oh, just forget it. 8.5 out of 10 (2 bottles purchased)
DESSERT WINES:
Cool Foxy Lady - 2008 - 25.95
Quite simply, this late harvest white is spectacular. An awesome, sweet (9.2% residual sugar) after dinner treat. Rich honey, nougat and butterscotch notes with a bright acidic finish. Serve chilled. Highly, highly recommended if you can stomach the $26 price tag for a half bottle. 10 out of 10 (2 bottles purchased)
Port Vat 14 - NV - 25.95
This limited edition fortified wine was much sweeter then the brandy-ish nose lead us to believe. Cognac, fig, tobacco and cedar all make an appearance in this yummy, reddish-amberish wine. More complex then Alba's port but not as stand alone good. Enjoy with dark chocolate or hard, aged cheese. I believe this will age very well over the years. 8 of 10. (2 bottles purchased)
Part 5: Hopewell Valley Vineyards review tomorrow.