luke | animal, vegetable, mineral?: May 2011

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Wine Seminar: Atwater Estates & Billsboro Winery

Enjoyed tasting these wines from Atwater. Our winemaker presenter owns Billsboro, but works for Atwater. He was very helpful and passionate about both.

2008 Atwater Vidal Blanc $10.99
Made from 100 Vidal Blanc grapes, this every day wine smells dry with pear/apple notes. It's acidic, but sweet. It's definitely a dessert wine. **1/2

2007 Atwater Gewurztraminer $15.99
Four words: Don't Drink It Young. This wine reminds me of spicy/wheat beers. It's 13% alcohol, is extremely tasty and has a strong spice on the nose. It's full bodied, deliciousness and is highly recommended! ****

2009 Atwater Dry Riesling $9.99
With 5 grams of residual sugar, this acidic wine has a small bite, is easy to drink and is full bodied. Smells smooth and is in general a great drinking wine.... "box wine" potential. ***

2007 Atwater Cabernet Franc $15.99
OK wine. Lacks tannins. Flat. 0 stars

2010 Billsboro Riesling $14.99
Grapes come from Hobbit Hallow Vineyards, with 2 1/2% RS, it has a very fresh nose, it's sweet! and delishous. *** 1/2

2010 Billsboro Dry Riesling $14.99
Only 3g of RS, this fruity wine lacks ANY sting. It's lighter, mostly because it was picked early and has low acid. It has a higher minerality with peach notes in the nose. It comes from SE Seneca Lake. *

2009 Billsboro Pinot Noir $19.99
Just sour and bad. 1/2 *

Overall, very enjoyable. I wasn't in love with more than the one, but in general, very good.

WINE KEY