Full Review

Damiani Wine Cellars

Damiani Wine Cellars
2019 Single Vineyard - Sunrise Hill, Lemberger, Finger Lakes

Pair this wine with:
Beef Pork

Category: Lemberger

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 12.4%
88 Points
Silver Medal
Highly Recommended
$27

Damiani Wine Cellars
2019 Single Vineyard - Sunrise Hill, Lemberger, Finger Lakes

Pair this wine with:
Beef Pork

Category: Lemberger

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 12.4%
Dusty violet color. Aromas and flavors of black plums, hints of wild blueberry, chocolate-covered toffee, orange zest, and hay with a satiny, crisp, dryish light body and a sleek, interesting, medium-length finish with light oak flavor. A juicy and berry-laden Lemberger with rustic style.

Tasting Info

Wine Glass Style: Crisp & Lively, Fruity & Juicy & Smooth
Aroma Aroma: black plums, hints of wild blueberry, chocolate-covered toffee, orange zest, and hay
Taste Flavor: black plums, hints of wild blueberry, chocolate-covered toffee, orange zest, and hay
Sweetness Sweetness: Dryish
Enjoy Enjoy: Now on its own and with food
Recipes Pairing: Ribs, Beef Teriyaki, Steak Fajitas
Bottom Line Bottom Line: A juicy and berry-laden Lemberger with rustic style.

The Producer

Damiani Wine Cellars

The Producer
4704 Rte 414
Burdett, NY 14818
USA
1 607-546-5557

Their Portfolio

86 Damiani Wine Cellars 2018 Chardonnay, Finger Lakes 12.5% (USA) $18.00.
92 Damiani Wine Cellars 2018 Single Vineyard - Davis, Riesling, Finger Lakes 11.2% (USA) $21.00.
88 Damiani Wine Cellars 2018 Semi-Dry, Riesling, Finger Lakes 11.6% (USA) $16.00.
BR Damiani Wine Cellars 2019 Rebel, Gewurztraminer, Finger Lakes 13.5% (USA) $18.00. - Bronze Medal
88 Damiani Wine Cellars 2019 Single Vineyard - Sunrise Hill, Lemberger, Finger Lakes 12.4% (USA) $27.00.
87 Damiani Wine Cellars 2019 Cabernet Franc, Finger Lakes 13% (USA) $24.00.
90 Damiani Wine Cellars 2019 Pinot Noir, Finger Lakes 12.3% (USA) $28.00.
93 Damiani Wine Cellars 2013 Brut Méthode Champenoise, Finger Lakes 13% (USA) $42.99.
87 Damiani Wine Cellars 2020 Chardonnay, Finger Lakes 12.5% (USA) $18.00.
95 Damiani Wine Cellars 2020 Reserve, Pinot Noir, Finger Lakes 13.3% (USA) $59.00.
91 Damiani Wine Cellars 2016 Brut Method Champenoise, Finger Lakes 12% (USA) $44.99.
94 Damiani Wine Cellars 2020 Reserve, Cabernet Franc, Finger Lakes 14.5% (USA) $59.00.
89 Damiani Wine Cellars 2020 Reserve, Merlot, Finger Lakes 14.5% (USA) $59.00.
93 Damiani Wine Cellars 2020 Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, Finger Lakes 14.9% (USA) $59.00.
92 Damiani Wine Cellars 2020 Meritage Red Blend, Finger Lakes 14.8% (USA) $44.00.
88 Damiani Wine Cellars 2021 Chardonnay, Finger Lakes 12.5% (USA) $21.00.
88 Damiani Wine Cellars 2021 Davis Vineyard Dry, Riesling, Finger Lakes 11% (USA) $32.00.
90 Damiani Wine Cellars NV Bollicinie, Finger Lakes 12% (USA) $18.00.

Lemberger

Wine Glass Zinfandel.jpg
Serve in a Zinfandel Wine Glass
Lemberger is a varietal widely planted in Central Europe--particularly Austria, where it is known as blaufränkisch. The suffix "fränkisch" implies that the grape was originally of French origin; however, the varietal's true lineage is somewhat murky. Nonetheless, over the years, lemberger has become somewhat of a darling to a handful of vintners in Washington state, as it is quite winter-hardy and offers a measure of insurance against the state's periodic harsh winter conditions.

Washington lemberger tends to be quite dark, with a racy, grapey character. The wines are nearly devoid of tannins, but retain a nervy level of acidity. This leads to the inevitable comparisons with gamay, or perhaps more appropriately, dolcetto. In that it's an early-drinking, zesty red that lends itself to immediate gratification, there is more than a nugget of truth to the comparisons. They have flavors of blackberry and black cherry along with notes of dark chocolate. These wines are ripe and spicy and pair well with grilled meats or game.

John Rauner, the proprietor of Yakima River Winery and a fierce proponent of lemberger, claims that the varietal is one of few that don't contain histamines, a compound to which some people are allergic. Histamines or not, lemberger is an interesting wine in its own right, and one day may deserve to be called the "Nouveau of the Northwest."