Dan S — Empire Wine Community

"COS is a winery in Sicily started by three friends who wanted to re-create the wines that their ancestors made. Their wines are considered natural wines and are extremely low in sulfates. Maldafrica is an unusual Sicilian blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot. A very pretty wine with aromas of blue fruit, balsamic and olive. Bright tangy blueberry and blackberry fruit is accompanied by olive brine and earth. So seamless on the finish that it makes you want more and more and more!"

"Riesling is the darling of NY wine and this entry level offering from Red Tail Ridge is a great example why. The nose is simple in the glass: honey, apricot and petrol. The wine is off dry and medium in body. Hefty amounts of peach, flowers, and honey dew melon on the tongue finish crisp and smooth. For about 10 bucks this bottle needs to be kept on hand in the fridge!"

"Drinking beautifully right now, but also will be a joy to come back to after 5-10 years in the cellar. A bouquet of dark cherry, spice, and wild mushroom fill the glass. The entry of this wine is rich with firm texture that becomes more and more integrated with air. Blackberries, kirsch, and scorched earth fill the pallet with pleasure. Don't stop at One!"

"This bottle may qualify as sparkling wine value of the year for Empire Wine. A beautiful mousse forms in the glass with scents of baked apple and toast. The mouthfeel is spectacular with finely knit bubbles that glide across the palate. The yeasty flavors give way to pear, apple, and honey on the crisp finish. "Too much of anything is bad, but too much Champagne is just right." - F. Scott Fitzgerald"

"Biodynamite is a blend of 80% Riesling and 20% Gewurtztraminer coming from the Pfalz region in Germany. This wine has a beautiful mineral driven mouth feel that gives way to green apple, quince, and citrus fruits. Off dry in the slightest amount, this is sure to be a crowd pleaser for your next gathering or Asian cuisine night!"

"Daniel is so easy to love. This will undoubtedly be the first bottle finished at your holiday gathering. Wafts of raspberry preserves and baking spices emit from the glass. On the palate there's candied cherries and strawberries on the entry that lead into cocoa and white pepper on the long elegant finish. This will go wonderfully with Aunt Kathy's homemade sausage stuffing...a classy California Pinot."

"This wine has always been a cornerstone sancerre for Empire, and this vintage is no different. A classic...crisp with screaming minerality and citrus. Refreshing on it's own or perfect for your next seafood boil."

"Ripe for sancerre, but delicious none the less. Loads of tropical and citrus fruit compliment the medium body on this wine. Finishes crisp and refreshing."

"Needed a couple hours of decanting, but afterward there's great concentration on this wine; lots of blackberry liqueur and tangy blueberry notes. The fruit dies off into a mixture of pepper and game. Medium body with an elegant finish. Essentially half off for this beautifully made wine. Amazing."

"Casa Castillo's El Molar (100% Grenache,) is truly a perfect wine for your Thanksgiving supper. Exciting aromas of under ripe red fruit and flowers greet you upon pour. Cranberry, clove, and strawberry rhubarb dominate on the tongue. Lightly tannic, but juicy and energetic with acidity that adds structure. Medium to light body leaving room for that second, or third, helping of turkey! Happy Thanksgiving!"

"This Tuscan is super! Typical Italian "funk," on the nose along with aromas of herbs, currant, and cedar. On entry there is a strong salty/savory component that quickly transitions into bold black cherry and blackberry fruit flavors built into a subtle tobacco note. There's sturdy weight to this wine that elegantly slips into a mouth satisfying, balanced finish. Bravo Italy!"

"This is a lot of chardonnay for the money. Full body and rich in pineapple, mango, and white cherry fruits. Massive mid palate mouth feel. Toasty oak and lemon cream shine through on the long/balanced finish. Really tasty overall and value priced at $16.95. Don't pass this one up."

"Spain continues to amaze with it's quality to price ratio. Black cherries, raspberry balsamic, and wild mushroom flavors are present along with bright acidity that adds structure. The wine has a medium body on the palate and tannins that become nice and supple after a short decant. A bottle that could easily go for $25 over delivers at $17. Pairing the next bottle with some saucy BBQ ribs...enjoy!"

"A steal at $14. Tannins are very smooth at this point. Black fruit flavors have become secondary as game and cedar lead the charge in this one. Really interesting and delicious wine that is perfectly aged."

"This wine is flat out gorgeous! Aromas of flowers, worn leather, and cherries consume you as you go for your first sip. Pacenti's Rosso is bright with acidity and savory on the tongue with flavors of rhubarb, plum, and of course cherries. An elegant, lengthy finish completes the satisfaction. Brunello essence at half the price!"

"In my opinion Tempranillo is the best steak grape. I can never go wrong with a good Ribera or Rioja and beef. This masculine red from iconic Ribera Del Duero producer Alejandro Fernandez is no exception. Excellent concentration with ample black raspberry, blueberry, and plum fruits. Smokey, with dusty tannins that are already well intertwined. Hard to find a better Spanish wine or steak wine than this for under $20."

"To me this wine is a welcome mat for the changing of the seasons, which has also grown to legendary status at Empire. The nose is filled with fresh cut grass, flowers, and watermelon. The wine is rich upon entry with prominent flavors of honey dew melon and under ripe strawberry. Crisp, with uplifting acidity on the finish that is sure to quench these upcoming warm afternoons."

"Rich and velvety in the mouth. Lots of cherry and pomegranate fruits with subtle white pepper. Acidity is balance and tannins are really well integrated for a smooth finish."

"Wonderful aromatics of roses and red berries right upon opening. Medium body with juicy acidity. Light on the structure, but abundant in dried cherry, raspberry, leather, and game. Unanimously chosen to be stocked after a staff tasting! Try for yourself!"

"Merlot, Cabernet, and Sangiovese blend from one of Italy's most iconic producers of Bordeaux style blends. This wine has a wonderfully perfumed nose of flowers and herbs. The rich entry fades into a medium body mid palate filled with black raspberry, cedar, cherry, and herbs. Great backbone of acidity that adds a beautiful mouth filling structure. This wine begs for food. Try it with baked ziti and sausage. Cheers!"

"Power and elegance in this beautifully balanced value out of Spain. Lead fruits of raspberry, cranberry, and cherry give way to secondary notes of spice box, cedar, and leather. This wine is backed by swift acidity that adds great structure. Perfectly aged upon release and under $20? Hard to beat!"

"Not always are we inclined to spend $26 on a bottle of wine, but that once a year meal with loved ones merits a wine like Soter's 'North Valley' Pinot Noir. This is a lush Pinot with vibrant flavors of cranberries and raspberries. A little bit of spice is here as well. Finishes juicy with soft tannins. Very delicious and a perfect pairing for your harvest dinner."

"Bogle Phantom has always been a must have advent for fall. A smattering of dark berries and cocoa. Full and smooth on the finish. Its sure to ease any ghastly suspicion."

"Brilliant and golden in the glass; upon pouring you know you're in for a treat. Shows it's age with oxidized aromas on the nose, but don't be fooled...this wine is far from over the hill. Abundant and rich on the entry. Flavors of honey, green apple, and smoke. Coats the mouth on the finish with uplifting acidity and saltiness. Incredible that this wine is under $20."

"Floral aromas. Berries, dark cherry, and dried mushroom funky-ness on the palate. Great density. Pure. Tannins are ridiculously smooth."

"Here's a great bottle for Cabernet Sauvignon faithfuls who are looking to broaden their horizons. Copious amounts of sappy, liqueur like blueberry and blackberry fruit. Gritty and chalky with hints of peppery spices. A firm and rich wine; staunch acidity. Mostly Monastrell (70%), then Syrah (20%), and Garnacha (10%.). Sip this one with a nice cut of marbled beef? Don't mind if I do."

"Green apple is the standout for me. Not oaky. Sturdy acidity. Far from too rich; somewhat refreshing for chardonnay. Going to keep one of these on hand."

"Located just southwest of the Rhone Valley is the Languedoc-Roussillon; home to some of the best values in old world wine today. This gem is loaded with red fruits and spice. There's definite richness, but never feels overdone or extracted. Light tannin grip on the medium length finish. An essential campfire sipper."

"Good amount of body for a $11 Pinot. Lush candied cherry flavors with a hint of spice. Smooth smooth tannins."

"Big punch of acidity and minerality up front. Green apple. No notice of oak. Nice long finish. Another great value from South America!"

"Decently rich. Enough tannin structure to last in the mouth for more than a moment. Good pure Sangiovese fruit for $11."

"Touch of sweetness to balance out the stern acidity. Good weight at this price point. Flavors are a little muddled, but this bottle is delicious for 8 bucks."

"Great no-nonsense bottle. Crisp citrus and grassy notes when ice cold. Opens up to tropical and peachy tones when warmed up. Taking this to the clam bake."

"An elegant and expressive beauty from the south of France. Flavors of soft ripe red fruits up front lead into fresh sliced apples and rose petals in a mouth coating dry finish.Good depth and balance; hard not to drink fast. Pop open a bottle with tomato mozzarella salad or grilled marinated chicken."

"Drinks well beyond it's price point...great balance of oak/fruit. super rich and long on the finish. Can't stop drinking."

"Why pay 2 or 3 times the price for Burgundy when there are great Beaujolais like this to satisfy the itch. Aromas of barnyard and under ripe red fruit lead into saturated raspberry and currant flavors with a tint of minerality and menthol on the finish. Smooth tannins add structure in the mouth. Luscious and soft. Great transition from winter warmer reds. Try it."

"Dense dark fruit/Licorice with some chalkiness on the palate. Super smooth for being so big. It's true...can't believe this is only $11."

"Lots of wine for $15. Plum/raspberry fruit with hints of peppery spice. A little bit of mocha cream on the loooong finish. Definitely stashing a few bottles for these harsh NY winters."

"The soft bite of the bubbles opens the palate to a well balanced yet ever present acidity followed by a red fruit attack predominantly featuring strawberry and ripe watermelon. This bottle just begs to be paired with fresh fruit salad and a loved one. One of the better bubbly's under $20; rose or otherwise."

"The perfect white to keep around for unexpected company. Creamy lemon meringue with a topping of toasted ginger; not to mention a subtly intertwined herbaceous-ness that marries well on the palate. Savory finish that seems to linger until the next sip. Also try Gassier's "Cercius," Cotes Du Rhone Rouge for a great value Cotes Du Rhone red."

"Understand... the "2008 Bloomer Creek White Horse Red" is FAR from your typical New York State red. Robust black cherries and pepper lead in followed quickly by a firm dusty earthy-ness in the mid section. Finishes bone dry with generous tannins. You'll be hard pressed to find another wine of this quality that is locally made. Very impressive for the Finger Lakes. Pick one up for the fireside...whether that be by the lake or in the cabin."