Gaffer - March 17. 2023

It’s 1:17 PM on Thursday … where’s your wine?  Mine is in the glass sitting next to me and this is part of my pre-bottling ritual.  I used my thief to pull just enough wine from the barrel for a lovely 6 ounce pour.  

This weekend we are bottling 2 new wines.  First being a 2021 Sangiovese, the second being a 2020 blend of Primitivo and Cabernet Sauvignon and this is the very wine in my glass right now. 

In professional tasting notes, the taster would first write the color and clarity of the wine, followed by the body and acid.  Next would be the characteristics on the nose, then the flavor characteristics on the palate which could be different than the nose.  The last section of the tasting notes would be if the wine should be aged and what would pair well with the wine along with any other comments worthy of writing. 

This wine is clear and dark ruby in color with lots of “legs”.  It is high in alcohol, which contributes to its full body.  This is a very well-balanced wine with medium to mild aged tannins, medium acid, and a nice long, subtly fruity finish.  The mouthfeel is of cool satin.   

While many of us have difficulty identifying flavor characteristics, suggestions from the wine educated help!  This wine on the nose and on the palate is reminiscent of dark cherry and blackberry.  In the mouth from the front to the back – there is blackberry, black cherry, milk chocolate, currant, and a spicy finish indicative of a good Zinfandel.   

It is debatable whether this wine should be aged.  In my opinion, it is wonderful to drink now, and I am not sure what there is to be gained by aging it. It has been on oak for 2.5 years and is called Gaffer – in reference to a godfather, or an old gentleman.  What would be the best pairing?  A filet topped with blue cheese crumbles! 

I placed the order for the labels yesterday which means they will be here next week. The Gaffer will be debuted at The Cheesiest Happy Hour at Birchrun Hills Farm, Friday March 24th 3 - 7 PM.  

Tasting wine for a winemaker is part of the job but I can multitask! Today I moved all Le Garage Newsletters to my blog on Vintner’s Canvas.  Check them out with a glass of wine!

Sláinte Mhaith,

Sharon