WIYG–What’s In Your Glass? Here’s What’s In Ours

WIYG? That’s a question we are often asked. Here’s a look at what we’re sipping.

Round Peak 2016 Petit Verdot, North Carolina

Petit Verdot is one of six permitted grapes in the famed red wines of France’s Bordeaux region. It’s rarely the featured star, instead being added into blends for additional body and deeper color. It’s special to find it as a single varietal bottling – so when we see it, we usually buy it.

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To celebrate North Carolina Wine Month (May), I picked up this bottle from a local shop. Round Peak is the first winery we visited in North Carolina. We were impressed with the scenery, great tasting room and a wide assortment of wines.

The body on the wine is on the light side of medium. True to the winery name, there is a nice rounded flavor. This is an enjoyable sipper with a tasty sour cherry flavor. SRP is $15.

Becker Vineyards 2013 Indian Summer, Texas

This is a limited production red blend from Becker, a leading Texas Hill Country winery. It’s a blend of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec.

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Way past its ideal drinking window, there was a plasticky aroma when first opened. After a bit of decanting, the funk dissipated and it turned into a nice mid-bodied wine with delicate flavors of cedar, spice and cherries. We’d like to try another bottle – drinking within one to two years of release would be best.

Villa Bellangelo 2016 Cabernet Franc, Seneca Lake

The best red wine coming out of New York’s Finger Lakes region is undoubtedly Cabernet Franc. The grape thrives in the sometimes challenging climate of the area that prevents some red varieties from developing depth and intense flavors.

Villa Bellangelo is a premier winery destination on Seneca Lake. While they are known for a wide range of masterful Rieslings, this bottle shows they can produce superb reds as well. Surprisingly, this bottle sells for a mere $18.

This is a rich and flavorful wine with blueberry and raspberry notes. The tannins are gentle. There is a satisfying finish that coats the tongue

As you can see from this week’s wrap-up of wines, there are outstanding wines in your own neighborhood. Local wineries need your support now more than ever as they try to reemerge from the coronavirus lockdown which closed tasting rooms around the country.