Bordeaux, American Style

WINE #1

2018 The Lenz Winery
Merlot
North Fork of Long Island, New York

In 1977, Peter & Patricia Lenz, inspired by friends, traded fine dining for fine wine. They planted Gewürztraminer, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot on their North Fork property, patiently waiting for years to ensure strong vines. Their converted barn became The Lenz Winery in 1978. In 1988, the winery passed to Peter & Deborah Carroll, equally dedicated to quality. They brought in Eric Fry as winemaker and Sam McCullough as vineyard manager, solidifying The Lenz Winery's reputation for rich, complex wines that age beautifully.

Well-rounded, this rich Merlot is packed with typical varietal notes of dark plums, red cherries, and blackcurrants. This unfiltered wine has excellent tannin structure that allows it to age beautifully. Pair with tomato-based pasta sauces, meatloaf, roasted chicken, and roasted pork loin.

This wine received 91 points from Wine Enthusiast.

WINE #2

2020 Farrm Wines Reserve Red
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec
North Fork of Long Island, New York

Since 1985, Farrm Wine has been a leader in sustainable agriculture on Long Island. Rex and Connie Farr's dedication to organic and biodynamic methods extends beyond their 50+ varieties of vegetables, herbs, and small fruits – it's the very foundation of their wines. Planted in 2005, their vineyard boasts Bordeaux classics: Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, and Petite Verdot. The resulting wines, like the Farrm Reserve and Farrm Rosé (first bottled in 2012), are a true expression of Long Island's unique terroir – a taste of place in every bottle.

This fantastic Bordeaux-style blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec is absolutely stunning. It offers rich dark plums and berries, earthy notes, and a frame of spice and velvety tannin. This is one-of-a-kind, and is one of the best Bordeaux blends we’ve seen in the US.

WINE #3

2019 Granercy Lower East
Cabernet Sauvignon
Columbia Valley, Washington

A Manhattan-based sommelier tastes some Washington State wines and is so inspired, he sells everything to move across the country to make his own. That’s the start of the story of Gramercy Cellars, where a close eye on the grapes (picked for almost-peak ripeness, mostly organic), matched with minimalist wine making techniques (no or little new oak, no additives) and a lot of time (extended aging) has created wine that’s considered some of the best that Washington offers.

This Cabernet offers dark berry notes with accents of Italian plum, blackcurrant, and freshly cut herbs. Floral aromas of rose and violet frame the rich Cabernet structure. Well-integrated oak finishes it off. An excellent example of West Coast Cabernet.