2005 Officers (till January 2006)

President: Tone Kelly (585) 265-3943

Secretary: Fred & Molly Fant (585) 225-3029

Treasurers: Richard & Pamela Hemmenway

(585) 392-0046

NOVEMBER 04 TASTING NOTES:

New York State Red Wines

Wines:
Entry wine Lamoreaux Landing Estate White

1. Standing Stone 2002 Cabernet Franc

2. Dr Konstantin Frank 2001 Cabernet Franc

3. Standing Stone 2000 Pinnacle (Meritage Blend)

4. Standing Stone 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

5. Dr Konstantin Frank 2001 Merlot

6. Chateau Layfayette Reneau 2001 Merlot

7. Lenz Winery 1998 Merlot

8. Bedell Cellars 2000 Merlot

9. Bedell Cellars 2000 C Block Merlot

Favorite wines were:

1st Tie, #9 & # 4 (29 votes)

3rd #5 (24 votes)

4th #8 (19 votes)

5th #3 (14 votes)

The rest of the wines except for 6 received approximately 8-13 votes.

Cheeses: NY State Cheddar and Petit Basque

Tasting Notes:

Tone Kelly introduced the evening by discussing the history of wine in New York and the various regions that produce wine. Because of the wide range of red wines produced in New York, this tasting, by necessity, was focused on vinifera red wines that go into Bordeaux wines – namely Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.

The wines were evaluated in 4 flights. The Cabernet Franc wines were tasted first lead by a discussion by Steve Lerch. The Standing Stone was slightly oxidized. The Dr Konstantin Frank version was more powerful with hints of tobacco and dark fruit.

The 2nd flight was Cabernet Sauvignon/Meritage lead by Hank Jankowski. The Standing Stone 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve was much darker with bright fruit, smooth but with remaining tannins promising a longer life. The Standing Stone 2000 Pinnacle (Meritage Blend) was definitely ready now. It had brighter red fruit and was soft and gentle.

The 3rd flight was the first three Merlots. The discussion was lead by Tom Hammond. This flight was the most complex as it had both Finger Lakes and Long Island wines. The Lenz was the oldest wine of the evening and was very ready. It had a slight bell pepper flavor that may reflect the 1998 vintage (less sun, more rain). The Layfayette Reneau had 11% Cabernet Sauvignon in the wine which gave it a more complex aroma. This wine was generously donated by the winery for the tasting. The Dr Konstantin Frank Merlot had solid fruit with a vanilla nose. The wine had a good grip and a dry finish suggesting longer life.

The 4th flight was the two Bedell Merlots from Long Island and was lead by Tone Kelly. The owner/founder of the winery was acclaimed by Wine Spectator as “Mister Merlot” for his Merlots from the 1990s. The C Block Merlot was definitely a step above the regular cuvee. This is likely to be the last version of the C Block, as this wine will be used for their reserve Merlots in the Future.

Committee:

Tone Kelly, Jan Klapetzky, Tom and Nancy Hammond, Jo Anne and Gary Hammond, Paul and Carolyn Gorski, Tom and Laura Hatch, Hank and Cyndi Jankowski, Ken and Eileen Beard, Steve Lerch and Lena Rose, Pete Czora

CHAPTER BUSINESS

A business meeting preceded the November tasting where we elected new officers and decided on the tastings for the next year. Tone Kelly was elected as president and Fred and Molly Fant were elected as secretaries. Rich and Pam Hemmenway were elected to stay as treasurers.

Here are the events for the next year along with committee chairs and members. Members are still needed for many events. Those not marked Full are still open. Please contact the chairperson to join the tasting of your choice.

Brian Thomas

Tasting	Date	Chairpersons	Committee
Lesser Known Grape Varieties of France	3/19/05	Vincent & Laetitia Bagnoud	Brian Thomas, Holley Howell, Rich & Pam Hemmenway, Jeff & Alice Neff, Dave & Cathy Steklenski Full?
2001 California Cabernet Sauvignon	4/16/05	Tone Kelly	Joe Moore, Pete Czora, Brian and Jo Spindler, (Fred & Molly Fant?)
The Wines of Turkey	5/21/05	Mustafa Coskun Mete Ozeren	Brian Thomas, Gerhard & Charlotte Klose, Lisa Martin,
The Wines of Cayuga Lake	6/18/05	John and Sue Habbersett	Ken & Eileen Beard, John & Anne Stavisky
Food and Wines of Spain	9/17/05	Mike and Linda Budinski	Brian & Jo Spindler, Holly Howell, Brian Thomas, Pete Czora, Pat Hemmenway, Alan & Karen Kuntz (pretasting only). George Riehle, FULL?
World-Wide Pinot Noir Tasting	10/15/05	Rock and Maryellen Rochford	Fred & Molly Fant, Bill & Sue Fay, Joe & Angel Nardone, Joe Moore, John & Mimi Bacilek, FULL
Traditional Tuscan Wines	11/19/05	Hank and Cindy Jankowski	John & Mimi Bacilek, Gerhard & Charlotte Klose, Rock & Mary Rochford, Brian Thomas, FULL
Christmas Holiday Party	12/10/05	Sam and Marissa Andolino	Karen Kuntz (dessert), Peter Frisch, Pat Hemmenway, Anne & John Stavisky (setup)
Wines of New Zealand	1/21/06	Brian Thomas	Rich & Pam Hemmenway, Jeff & Alice Neff, Joe Moore, Tom & Linda Hickey
Wines of Austria	2/18/06	Gerhard and Charlotte Klose, Brian Thomas

From Angel Nardone: Long time member Julie Cristy passed away Sunday Dec. 19th. The ironic part of all this is that Joe called her that morning and spoke to her. He was going to visit her and bring a couple bottles of wine for Christmas. She said that today was not a good day because she was going out to lunch or dinner with her friend Katrina and someone visiting from Ireland. Joe said he would get in touch with her at another time to visit.

This afternoon Katrina called to tell us that Julie had passed away. In addition to her back pain - she had had back surgery - she was having a problem with the carotid arteries and they needed attention. Watch the newspapers as we do not know anything more.

UPCOMING TASTINGS

February 19: Home winemaking, with Peter Frisch, the Beards and the Hammonds