Search and you never know what you will find. Recently while searching in my wine cellar for a nice red to have I came across and oldie – well not that old, but old enough – 7 years a 2003 Whitecliff Vineyards & Winery Sky Island Red. I didn’t even realize I had a local wine that old in the house. Quite honestly I was wondering how well it was holding up.
I contacted Michael Migliore the winemaker to tell him of my find and ask what was in the blend. I know this particular wine of theirs is their Bordeaux blend. This wine is blended with 78% Cabernet Sauvignon from Ackerman Vineyards in Long Island, 6% Whitecliff Vineyard Hudson Valley Merlot and 6% Whitcliff Vineyards Hudson Valley Cabernet Franc.
With no expectations I opened the bottle. I was shocked to find aromas of bright bing cherry, vanilla and wet tobacco once I got past the earthiness. On the taste was dark fruit and black cherry with a hint of plum. It had a quick cherry finish.
I was quite surprised at how nicely this wine did age.