Two New Rosé ~ Parker-Binns Vineyard

Our wine tonight…well yesterday….was two new Rosé releases from Parker-Binns Vineyard in the Tryon Foothills wine region.

These two are both new releases.

The Rosé Wine is a new release of Parker-Binns traditional rosé.

The Loco Lulu Rosé is the first release.

Both are produced from a blend of estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot.

Similarly each Rosé was produced from the pressed top run off of each varietal.

How each was handled from that point is what makes them different.

The Parker Binns Rosé Wine is produced more in the traditional Provence style.

The Lolo Lulu Rosé was produced with longer skin contact and back sweetened to off dry.

Both are expressively fruit forward on the nose and palate.

The Rosé is salmon in color while the Loco Lulu a very light pinkish hue.

Parker Binns Rosé Wine is 13% ABV

Loco Lulu Rosé ~ 12.5% ABV

We thoroughly enjoyed both, with Jenni slightly preferring the Loco Lulu Rosé and Dennis leaning more toward the dryer PB Rosé Wine.

Winemaker Justin Taylor has hit it out of the ballpark with these two releases.

We rated both as gold medal worthy.

Parker-Binns Rosé Wine ~ 92 points

Loco Lulu Rosé ~ 91 points

April 7, 2020 0

Reserve Cabernet Franc – Parker-Binns Vineyard

Our second wine for #NCWineNight is the 2015 Reserve Cabernet Franc from Parker-Binns Vineyard.

Vintage 2015

Estate grown Cabernet Franc

Tryon Foothills wine region of Western North Carolina

Winemaker Justin Taylor

Aerated for 60 minutes to open

Dark plum in color with a dark garnet rim.

Nose of wild cherry, pomegranate, blueberry, a subtle smokiness, black pepper, and spice

Full bodied with medium plus tannins and wide cascading legs

Complex and dry showing bold notes of spice, black pepper, pomegranate, cranberries, and cherry cola. Lingering finish with more herbal tones while showing a bit of oak, vanilla, and green bell pepper

13% ABV

This wine just drinks beautifully.

Exceptional vintage of single vineyard estate grown Cabernet Franc

WineryEscapades scores 93 points.

April 5, 2020 0

Cabernet Sauvignon – Piccione Vineyards

Our wine tonight is the 2014 Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon from Piccione Vineyards in North Carolina.

We opened this bottle in celebration of OTBN North Carolina.

Vintage 2014

Estate Grown

Swan Creek AVA

Decanted 60 minutes.

Gorgeous dark ruby color with a bright purple rim

Expressive bouquet of dark fruits, blackberries Black Cherries, Caramel, Truffles, and Mint.

Full bodied with strong tannins and showing beautiful long legs

Dry on the palate with complex flavor notes of Black Currents, Black Cherries, Dark Roasted Coffee, Chocolate Covered Cherries, Vanilla Latte, Pipe Tobacco and Mint, with a lingering finish of Eucalyptus and Burgundy Truffles.

13% ABV

This vintage is sold out. However, Piccione ships to most states via VinoShipper.

We paired with a grilled steak!

This wine is exceptional!

WineryEscapades scores 95 points!

#NCWineNight #NCWine #SwanCreek #Piccoine

April 5, 2020 0

Riesling – Baker Buffalo Creek Vineyard

Our wine tonight is the Riesling from Baker Buffalo Creek Vineyard just outside of Shelby, North Carolina.

Non-Vintage. Estate grown Riesling. Vineyard is planted on a 100+ year old former dairy farm.

Light straw in color, hue of goldenrod.

Complex nose expressing aromas of apricot, pear, banana, honey, petrol, jasmine, lemon, and pineapple.

Semi-dry on the palate with bold fruit flavors, nectarine, apricot, mango, apple cider, lemon-lime, and pear, with finishing notes of cream cheese, diesel, wildflower honey, ginger, and beeswax.

11% ABV

Available only at the winery or select local retailers.

A really good example of a Southern American Riesling.

WineryEscapades scores 89 points!

April 3, 2020 0

Century Sweet White – Biltmore Estate Winery

Our wine tonight is the Century Sweet White Wine from Biltmore Estate Winery.

Non-Vintage.

Blend of Riesling, Gerwertztraminer, and Muscat Canelli

Pale lemon in color.

Delicate nose of honeysuckle, pina colada, mango, key lime pie, and watermelon jolly rancher.

Bright, crisp, lively, and semi-sweet with reasonably balanced acidity.

On the palate bursting with tropical notes, pineapple, mango, passion fruit, pink grapefruit, honeysuckle, peach, ginger, and lingering lemon-lime on the finish.

12.5% ABV

2.2% Residual Sugar

$17 a bottle

WineryEscapades score of 87 points!

Silver Medal worthy!

April 2, 2020 0

Chenin Blanc – Biltmore Estate Winery

Our wine tonight is the Chenin Blanc from Biltmore Estate Winery.

Vintage 2018.

Limited Release.

Color of light straw.

Bright floral and tropical aromas.

Semi-sweet with refreshingly crisp acidity.

Layered on the palate with notes of lemon-lime, green apple, bosc pear, star fruit, pink grapefruit, and pineapple.

12.5% ABV.

$17 a bottle.

We enjoyed this vintage, perhaps more so than the 2017 Chinen Blanc from Biltmore. We still feel it was lacking some balance.

WineryEscapades scores at 88 points.

Silver medal worthy!

2018 Biltmore Estate Chenin Blanc Limited Release

Vintage Library at Biltmore Estate Winery

March 30, 2020 0

Adama – Kaya Vineyards and Winery

Our wine tonight is the 2016 Adama from Kaya Vineyards and Winery

Vintage 2016.

Estate grown blend of equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Touriga National.

Full bodied, silky, and perfectly balanced.

Color of deep purple.

Shows long consistent cascading legs.

Nose of blackberries, black currants, toasted marshmallows, charcoal, and nutmeg.

Medium-plus tannins.

14.5 months aged in new French oak.

Bold flavor notes of blackberry jam, red plums, blueberries, cocoa, chocolate mint, oak, smoke, vanilla bean extract, and pipe tobacco.

13.2 % ABV.

$39 a bottle.

Ships most states via VinoShipper. Click Here.

Aerated and decanted for 30 minutes. May benefit from additional decanting.

AVA: Dahlonega Plateau (only AVA within the state of Georgia).

Winemaker KJ Bell gifted us this bottle and we fell in love with this bold blend.

March 27, 2020 0

Merlot – Parker-Binns Vineyard

Our wine tonight is the Merlot from Parker-Binns Vineyard in the Tryon Foothills of North Carolina.

Vintage 2017

Estate grown Merlot.

Deep maroon in color with a short purple rim.

Aromatic bouquet of red plum, bing cherry, fresh blueberry, vanilla extract, black tea, and mocha.

Dry, medium-plus bodied, pleasantly sultry with long cascading legs.

Fruit forward with notes of black currants, pomegranate, cherries, blackberries, and fresh figs, gently fading with hints of cedar, cigar box, black licorice, and leather.

12% ABV.

$22 a bottle.

Ships most states via VinoShipper. Check ParkerBinnsVineyard.Com

Winemaker Justin Taylor.

NC Fine Wines Showcase award winner 2020