Chateau Lafayette Reneau dry and semidry Riesling 2008

With May and New York Riesling month coming to close soon, it is safe to say that I tasted more Riesling this month than any one year in my life.  The hard part was deciding which ones I would post on the blog.  After this article I will post once more on a NY Riesling and may list all those I have had. I also chose a few, either drier or sweeter Rieslings, that were previously reviewed.  This turned out to be a little difficult for me to compare a dry I tasted this week to a semi-dry that I tasted six to eight months ago.  There were some differences in what I posted in aromas and I tried to remember what differences there may have been in some of the floral and citrus characteristics.  I guess I should have been keeping notes and making them more accurate.  It's also a reminder that I may be out of pre-school when it comes to wine tasting, but I still haven't made it to Jr. High.

This week I decided to open a dry and semi-dry from the same winery to compare and I chose one of the nicest Rieslings so far; Chateau Lafayette Reneau 2008. Both were opened with a BBQ chicken dinner. Since I do prefer drier wines, I uncorked the semi-dry first.  Why, I'm not sure.  Maybe it was the idea of saving the better for last.  Anyway, I did find them different, but not necessarily one being better than the other.

 

Winemakers notes: semi-dry ($15)

Pale gold color with pineapple and honeysuckle aroma.  Lovely in the mouth with a long, lingering spicy pear finish.  Abundance of Riesling character.

My notes:

Aromas of melon, floral(honeysuckle) and grapefruit with a mouthful of grapefruit finishing long, citrusy and sweet, but not as sweet as I expected. I actually liked this one better with the chicken and fresh asparagus.




Winemakers notes: dry ($15)

An appealing apple-like tartness perfectly structured to enhance any meal. Pale straw in color, this elegant wine is light in the mouth and reveals notable citrus character.

My notes:

I found this wine to have a much lighter aroma with some citrus, honeydew melon and honeysuckle.  More zing, pink grapefruit and thicker feel of honey in the mouth. Finish was long, dry with some sweet taste like you get when eating honey. Truly enjoyable.  The dry Riesling was my favorite of the two. Of course, that's me.  But, the semi-dry paired better with the chicken. Either way you can't lose.

This week I will be visiting the east side of Seneca Lake and hope I have time to re-visit  Chateau Lafayette Reneau.  I have some relatives in PA that will absolutely love these wines and I'll be there on Friday with a case of NY Rieslings.


Other Reviews:
Travaglini, Gattinara 2001 (Italy)
Carpineto, Dogajolo 2006 (Italy)
Penfolds, Bin 2 Shiraz/Mourvedre 2006 (Australia)
Muga, Rioja Reserva 2003 (Spain)
Buttonwood Grove, Dry Riesling 2006 (NY)
La Corte, Salice Salentino 2006 (Italy) 
Damiani, vino rosso NV (NY)
Vina Real, Rioja 2005 (Spain)
Damiani, Pinot Noir 2006 (NY)
Barons de Rothschild, Bordeaux Reserve Speciale 2006 (France)
Clos Du Bois, Calcaire 2006(California)
Heron Hill, Eclipse 2004 (NY)
Bonterra, Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 (California) *organic
Babich, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008 (New Zealand)
Quinta, Da Cortezia Reserva 2004 (Portugal)
Heron Hill, Cabernet Franc Rose' 2006 (NY)
Damiani, Meritage 2007 (NY)
Bonterra, Sauvignon Blanc 2006 (California) *organic
Henry Estate, Oregon Pinot Noir 2006 (Oregon)
Lindemans, Bin 40 Merlot 2007 (Australia)
Mutuo Rioja Crianza 2004 (Spain) *organic
White Springs, Gewurztraminer 2007 (NY)
Anthony Road, semi-dry Riesling 2008 (NY)
Fox Run Vineyards, Gewurztraminer 2007 (NY)
Cantina Zaccagnini, Montepulciano d' Abruzzo Riserva 2005 (Italy)
King Family Vineyards, Michael Shaps Viognier 2006 (Virginia)
Ravines Wine Cellars, Cabernet Franc 2007 (NY)
Row House Cellars, White Table Wine NV (NY)
Candoni Chianti DOCG 2007 (Italy)
Glenora Wine Cellars, Gewurztraminer 2007 (NY)
Billsboro Winery, Sauvignon Blanc 2008 (NY)
Fox Run Vineyards Reserve Riesling 2008 (NY)
Banfi Chianti Classico Reserva 2005 (Italy)
Lamoreaux Landing, dry Riesling 2008 (NY)
Agent for Change (Martellotto Wines) Zinfandel 2006 (California)
Fulkerson Winery Dornfelder 2007 (NY)
Atwater Estate Vineyards Syrah 2007 (NY)
Bonterra Vineyards Zinfandel 2007 (California) *organic
Lakewood Vineyards Riesling 2007 (NY)
Atwater Estate Vineyards Cabernet-Merlot 2007 (NY)
Cline Cellars Cashmere 2008 (California)
Bogle Winery Petite Sirah 2007 (California)
Arboleda Carmenere 2006 (Chile)
Concha y Toro Concha Marques de Concha Casa Carmenere 2007 (Chile)
Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Carmenere 2008 (Chile)
Rancho Zabaco Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel Reserve 2004 (California)
Concannon Conservancy Petite Sirah 2007 (California) 
Red Tail Ridge Winery semi-dry Riesling 2008 (NY) 
Brotherhood Winery dry Riesling 2008 (NY)
Zugibe Vineyards semi-dry Riesling 2008 (NY) 
Long Point Winery semi-dry Riesling 2008 (NY)