Wine experts of the Beverage Tasting Institute found plenty they like about two red wines from Rooster Hill
Vineyards. The wines won Silver Medals in the institute’s 2010 World Wine Championships in Chicago.
The winners were Rooster Hill’s 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon and its 2008 Estate Cabernet Franc. Each of the wines was “Highly Recommended” by the institute and each received a rating of 86.
The medals and ratings are music to the ears of Amy Hoffman, president and co-founder of the winery, which is situated on the east shore of Keuka Lake near Penn Yan.
“We constantly strive to craft better and better white and red wines, and this recognition from the Beverage Tasting Institute is a sure sign we are succeeding,” Hoffman said.
At the 2009 World Wine Championships, Rooster Hill’s 2007 Estate Gewurztraminer and its 2007 Estate Semi Dry Riesling won Silver Medals and both of those white wines received 88 ratings.
The institute tastes wines of many types according to a schedule through the year and gives World Wine Championship Awards to the winning entries. The wines were tasted in the institute’s Chicago tasting room and Rooster Hill was notified of its awards last week.
The Cabernet Sauvignon was tasted Aug. 9 and the Estate Cabernet Franc on July 19. The institute’s reviews are posted on www.tastings.com.
The institute’s tasting notes describe Rooster Hill’s 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon as follows: “Dark ruby color. Aromas of baked berries, roasted peppers, clay, and faint baking spices. Spry and tart on the plate with good tangy depth and a powdery tannin finish that will work well with lamb or veal scaloppini. Drink now.” The wine costs $19.99 per bottle.
The institute made the 2008 Estate Cabernet Franc a “Cellar Selection,” which means the institute believes the wine will improve significantly with at least three to five years of age. The wine’s tasting notes: “Aromas of
baked fruits, vanilla cream, cedar, and pink peppercorns follow through on a soft entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with good depth and a tangy, tart boysenberry and white strawberry accented finish with chewy tannins. Will go nicely with a good skirt steak. Drink now.” The wine costs $19.99 a bottle.
Rooster Hill Vineyards at 489 Route 54 and is open seven days a week. For more details, call 315-536-4773, e-mail info@roosterhill.com or visit roosterhill.com.
