This fall the member wineries of the Winegrowers of the Grand River Valley released their first cask wine, a project that began in 2010. Each of the five wineries – Debonne Vineyards, Ferrante Winery, Grand River Cellars, Laurello Vineyards and St. Joseph Vineyard – bottled a special oak cask-aged red wine made from vinifera grapes. Each year the cask will be topped off with the new vintage, creating a continuous red blend. This year’s release is 1012 – “10” for the year it began, and “12” for the year it was bottled. The wines sell for $29.99. Here are our tasting notes:
Debonne Vineyards
Pretty aroma redolent of lilacs, dark chocolate and berries; lush and juicy with good balance, bright acidity and a bit of pepper on the finish.
Ferrante Winery
Smoky, earthy, prune plum aroma with a whiff of mushroom; fresh berry flavor with smoky hints and medium body.
Grand River Cellars
Vivid black cherry aroma with hints of smoke and earth; smooth, velvety texture and ripe black currant and mocha flavor with a peppery finish.
Laurello Vineyards
Pleasant warm, spicy aroma of cinnamon and clove with a touch of blackberry and eucalyptus; bright tart cherry flavor laced with black pepper notes.
St. Joseph Vineyard
Luscious plummy aroma with notes of spice and mocha; juicy and well balanced, with spicy blueberry flavor underscored by woodsy, brambly notes.
