On one of the last summer weekends of the season I popped into Sarah’s Vineyard to sample the latest releases. The tasting room was bustling, while live music was entertaining picnickers outside on the patio.
With the warm weather outside, general manager Steve Howard suggested I try the 2016 Vin Gris ($22)—a dry rose made from Sarah’s estate pinot noir. Tim Slater, the winemaker, aged the wine in neutral French oak before coaxing out subtle Elegant sipflavors of tea rose, sage and watermelon.
Served well-chilled, it is a refreshing wine perfect with light salads and seafood.
With effusive pride, Howard pointed out the recently unveiled 2014 Reserve Pinot Noir ($60) which earned 93 points from Wine Enthusiast magazine.
Elegant and reserved, this pinot noir is delicate but very flavorful. Take your time swirling and enjoying the beautiful aromas of lavender and violet wafting from the glass and ready for your first sip—you will taste plump blackberries and purple plum ending in a smooth, herbal finish.
Versatile enough to enjoy as an aperitif or with roasted pheasant surrounded by potatoes dauphinoise and a wild mushroom dressing.
Rounding out my tasting was the 2013 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($50), an estate wine which spent two years maturing in French oak. Sweet cherry, dark chocolate and coffee notes on the nose and palate—this wine is meant for a filet mignon or an aged cheddar.