2015 F.L.X. Cuvee #2

$33.00 / 750ml

281 Cases Produced

This cuvee is made to be a perfect expression of the Finger Lakes in its light and easily accessible side. The wine blend typically encompassases a percentage of every grape we work with in a particular vintage to highlight the region. This wine was a barrel selection of wines that showed off the bright, fresh juicy qualities we look for in early consumption. It was blended and allowed to rest in tank for a few months to integrate before bottling without filtering or fining. These wines are meant to be drunk young (by our standards) and fresh. A blend of Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, and a touch of Blaufränkisch, that is bright, fresh, and fruit forward for youthful consumption.

Christopher’s Journal: Extremely cold winters in 2014 and 2015 helped with natural yield reduction, especially in sensitive varietals for the second year in a row, but not nearly as extreme as 2014. (It seems the vines were prepared for the second cold winter.) The growing season started warm and dry in the spring, before turning cool and wet for the majority of summer. This vintage was harvested in near perfect conditions. Warm dry weather lasted from August through October. This vintage produced ripe, powerful, clearly defined wines.

Cabernet Franc

A grape most traditionally associated with the Loire Valley (Chinon, etc.), it has seen only a moderate amount of attention outside of France. While there are some notable examples of great Cabernet Franc being made round the globe, they are limited. It seems as though the Finger Lakes may be a stronghold for Cab Franc in the new world.

A bit lighter than it’s much more popular offspring Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc excels without the ripeness that Cabernet Sauvignon so often seems to need. Add its thick skins with loose clusters that allow airflow and we have a grape that seems made to excel in our cooler, moist climate. To seal the deal, it is very cold tolerant.

We believe Cabernet Franc will be the iconic red grape of the Finger Lakes before long.

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir may be one of the worlds most challenging of grapes to grow and produce, but when you get it right, it also makes some of the worlds most gorgeous wines. It is sensitive in the vineyard, struggles through the winter, is prone to disease, and challenges a grower’s skills like none other. In the winery, it is sensitive to manipulation, shows every mistake, and is easily overshadowed by oak or winemaking influence. But when it’s great, it is great. We believe that despite the challenges, the Finger Lakes has the ability to make great examples of Pinot.

Blaufränkisch

Blaufränkisch (Lemberger) is a grape of Austrian (Hungarian really) origin that later was planted in Germany and from here, the new world under the name Lemberger (from Lemberg). It is starting to catch attention here in the Finger Lakes for its ability to handle our extreme winters, and its relative resistance to disease. It is proving its ability to be relatively flexible in its site adaptability, and we believe we will be seeing more of it in the future.