by Richard Leahy | Jun 29, 2023 | Tastings/Evaluations
People keep asking me if this is all I do for a living, as if I got paid for driving around the Finger Lakes on the rainiest week of the summer (so far). It’s hard work, driving through the back roads between Seneca and Keuka Lakes in the pouring rain, tasting (and...
by Richard Leahy | May 28, 2023 | Tastings/Evaluations
During May, I had the opportunity to visit a few wineries around the Monticello Wine Trail and catch up with their current offerings (nice work if you can get it!) Here are highlights: Virginia Wine Love Weekend: I was an event “host” at Chisholm Vineyards (a k a...
by Richard Leahy | May 3, 2023 | Tastings/Evaluations, Virginia Wine
Brooks Hoover, Pippin Hill Production Manager and Head Tasting Room Manager Laura Matheney accept the Monticello Cup from competition organizer Frank Morgan (left). The wine was made at Michael Shaps Wineworks from Pippin Hill fruit. The 2023 Monticello Cup...
by Richard Leahy | Apr 28, 2023 | Tastings/Evaluations, Virginia Wine
“Terroir” is a French word that you may have heard from winery tasting room personnel or read on the back of wine bottle. Basically, it means the character of a grape planted in an ideal spot (climate plus soil) to yield not only quality wine, but a...
by Richard Leahy | Jan 2, 2023 | Tastings/Evaluations, Virginia Wine
My Favorite Wines of 2022 Richard’s Rating Scale: ****→* Ratings key: * = good, ** = very good, *** = excellent, **** = exceptional, + = given rating plus, → = will increase in quality with time. Two and Two-to-Three Stars **→* Veritas Vineyards Momentarius White...
by Richard Leahy | Dec 18, 2022 | Tastings/Evaluations, Virginia Wine, Wine of the Week
***→**Ankida Ridge Pinot Noir 2021 VA Released after only six weeks in the bottle, tasted when a year old. Color: translucent medium ruby. Nose: racy, with bright red cherry, raspberries, a hint of white pepper and spice, flinty minerality. Aside from the red fruit...
