Showing items 1
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15
Raphael 2007 La Tavola Red (North Fork of Long Island)
- Best Buy
- $11
This is a reserved and elegant example, fashioned along European lines. There’s mixed vegetable and tomato notes upfront and a juicy palate of red fruit rounded out by a vanilla top note. The medium finish shows soft tannins. Serve with firm cheese. Drink now to 2011.
— W.E.
(5/1/2010)
Raphael 2002 Estate Bottled Merlot (North Fork of Long Island)
- $25
A good choice for fans of older wines, the Raphael 2002 Merlot shows mature forest floor and earth scents but is still hanging on to some raspberry and blackberry fruit. The crisp palate has a mouthwatering character and a touch of singed plum flavor. Woody tannins chime in on the medium finish. Drink before 2011.
— W.E.
(5/1/2010)
Raphael 2001 Estate Bottled Merlot (North Fork of Long Island)
- $25
Several years of aging has brought out some nice leather and barnyard tones that blend well with the raspberry and cherry fruit. Pleasant vanilla notes grace the moderately long and gripping finish. Although it was quite pretty when first opened, this wine declines in the glass and should therefore be drunk up as soon as possible. Try with smoked meats.
— W.E.
(5/1/2010)
Raphael 2002 La Fontana Red (North Fork of Long Island)
- $20
Built for aging, this Merlot-dominant wine, with 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, has big, smooth tannins that deserve more time to develop. The full, dark mouthfeel delivers flavors of dark berry and green bramble, but the nose offers plummy graham cracker, cassis and clove. This may be a good wine to lay down for five years.
— M.D.
(8/1/2006)
Raphael 2007 Estate Merlot (North Fork of Long Island)
- $19
Accented with intriguing notes of charred oak, dried herbs, porcini mushrooms and a whisper of peppery grains of paradise, this is a rustic Merlot. The midpalate shows hints of underripe red fruit and raw green peppers, but it’s a sturdy dry red that would hold up well with rustic braised meats on a cold winter’s night.
— A.I.
(12/15/2010)
Raphael 2008 Grand Cru Chardonnay (North Fork of Long Island)
- Online Exclusive
- $15
A medium bouquet of apple, lemon and a touch of fresh young peach. The oak is there but not overpowering. The palate is well structured with good acidity and a medium weight followed by a lengthy finish.
— L.B.
(7/1/2010)
Raphael 2007 Grand Cru Reserve Chardonnay (North Fork of Long Island)
- Online Exclusive
- $25
If you like ’em big and oaky, then this one’s for you. Aromas and flavors of wood-grilled peaches, roasted red apples, buttery toast and rich nuttiness all generously abound. The mouth is full and slightly fat, with moderate acidity and a medium-length, smoky finish.
— L.B.
(7/1/2010)
Raphael 2005 First Label Estate Bottled Merlot (North Fork of Long Island)
- $35
This first label Merlot combines pleasant notes of black coffee and plush red plum with savory aromas of dried mushrooms, spices and a hint of tomatoes. Gripping tannins and glimpses of underripe fruit and green stalks throughout make this wine a tad clunky and disjointed.
— A.I.
(12/15/2010)
Showing items 1
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2010 Stonegate
Good price for a Napa Chardonnay this rich and balanced. It’s enormously…
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