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WINE ENTHUSIAST: Anna Ijima, December 1, 2011, October 1, 2011, and December 15, 2010
2010 ROSÉ
Wine Enthusiast (12/1/11): “Crisp and clean like a watermelon agua fresca, this dry yet juicy rosé is full of ripe strawberry and cherry flavors. Bright acidity and a subtle trace of tannins make it a wonderfully foodfriendly pick anytime of the year.”
2007 AQUEBOGUE ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Wine Enthusiast (10/1/11): “Accents of vanilla, fresh mint and graham cracker crumbs add a touch of complexity to the ripe black plum and cherry flavors on Comtesse Thérèse’s Aquebogue Estate. Elegantly structured with a brisk, lean acidity and soft, powdery tannins.”
2006 AQUEBOGUE ESTATE MERLOT
Wine Enthusiast (12/15/10): “The nose offers plenty of cooked plum preserves, warm spice and toasted, nutty oak. There’s a nice, lush texture and body, bright red cherry and plum flavors on the palate. The fruit flavors might be slightly lacking in concentration, but supple tannins make for smooth, easy sipping.”
2006 HUNGARIAN OAK MERLOT
Wine Enthusiast (12/15/10): “Judicious use of darkly toasted Hungarian oak results in surprisingly sexy, supple wine that’s dripping with vanilla and spicy dark plum flavors . . . with a long, earthy, espresso finish.”
2005 CHÂTEAU RESERVE MERLOT
Wine Enthusiast (12/15/10): “Layers of char, black pepper and briar patch help to build complexity in this dense, concentrated black plum merlot. There’s a touch of green leaf and tomato throughout, but overall, it’s a fruit-driven, luscious wine accented with spice and smooth, supple tannins. Aged 24 months in new French oak.”
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New York Cork Report: Comtesse Therese 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor, December 19, 2011
For years, Comtesse Therese and its owner-winemaker Theresa Dilworth produced mostly red wines, with a chardonnay made in Russian oak the lone white. In 2009 that changed when Dilworth added sauvignon blanc to the portfolio.
That first wine was a bit underwhelming, but the Comtesse Therese 2010 Sauvignon Blanc ($28) is a completely different story and wine. Two-thirds of the fruit that went into this wine was grown at Palmer Vineyards, with the remaining third coming from Dilworth's own vineyard. Only 95 cases were made.
Melon rind and citrus -- white grapefruit and lemon -- are joined on the aromatic but not overly showy nose by extremely light herbal notes.
Lean and grapefruit-y, the palate is juicy and offers a sprinkling of lemon zest and lemon balm. Extremely juicy with balanced and bright acidity, and a slightly saline finish, this is the kind of mouth-watering white you want on the table with shellfish or even simply prepared vegetables.
Producer: Comtesse Therese
AVA: North Fork of Long Island
ABV: 12.5%
Price: $28*
http://www.lenndevours.com/2011/11/comtesse-therese-2010-sauvignon-blanc.html
