Heron Hill Eclipse

[Innkeeper]

1999 Heron Hill Winery, Finger Lakes, Eclipse ($16.00 Is-Wine). This is a meritage type blend of cabernet franc (43.9%), merlot (32.6%), and cabernet sauvignon (23.5%). We were going to lay this down another two years or so when Foodie told us during our last visit that it was ready to go on release. So, we popped it tonight with broiled fillet mignon, bacon rasher, and salad.

It was lovely; an excellent wine. Carried the raspberry and redcurrent aromas of the dominent cab franc. Medium to full body, more fruit, complex structure, hint of cassis and chalk, and smooth tannin across the palate. Finished with a tingle. Married perfectly with the fillet. Highly recommended.

[Scoop]

Good note IK; it's a well-made crowd-pleaser.
They make a great dry Riesling, too.

Cheers,

Scoop

[Innkeeper]

Have a case of the dry riesling in the basement. Look forward to a TN soon.

[Innkeeper]

Well, after perusing the whole stash, settled on a bottle of the '99 Eclipse tonight for a Father's Day dinner of grilled porterhouse steak with mesquite smoke, OO, Morton rub, et al. It did the trick; a really incredible wine that I want more of. If you can still get it from Foodie at $14.40 by the case, do so. The 2000 is out, and may be as good or better, but is being offered at $18 at the winery. A Happy Father's Day to one and all.

[Innkeeper]

We picked up an '03 in Utica last May for $18. It changed quite a bit over the four years. It is now listed in this order: Merlot 42%, Cabernet Franc 42%, and Cabernet Sauvignon 16%. The difference is noticeable. It is still a nice wine with some chewy tannin, but seems softer, lighter, and definitely not worth the eighteen bucks.

Matched it with charcoal grilled loin ends Teriyaki, brown Basmati rice cooked in brown stock, and a wonderful sliced purple Brandywine tomato. Should have had a Spaniard.

[TheEngineer]

IK, we had the same opinion on our trip to Heron Hill earlier this year.