EMPIRE 2008 IS IN THE BOTTLE
AT HUDSON-CHATHAM WINERY

Today, we bottled 6 barrels of Empire 2008 red. Empire is a unique reserve meritage. It is the first New York State “Super Blend” being made up of signature grapes from three of New York’s most accomplished wine regions. This historic wine is one-third Merlot grown on the North Fork of Long Island. It is also one-third Cabernet Franc, the most popular growing red varietal of the Finger Lakes Region. And the final one-third is Baco Noir fast becoming the most well-known red grape in the Hudson Valley.

The wine was made and blended at Hudson-Chatham Winery. Two thirds of the blend was stored in French oak and one third was stored in American oak for approximately 16 months. The lots were then blended and stored in stainless steel before being bottled. The wine was then bottle aged for six months.

The result is a fruit forward, medium-bodied ruby red. Vanilla, raspberry, plum, and other red fruits are bountiful on the nose. The plum comes through as promised, along with the raspberry, and other spices. Beautifully hand crafted, the wine shows an exceptional balance between fruit, acidity, and tannins.

Empire recieved rave reviews from Lenndevours, Valley Table, SteveBarnes of the Albany Union Times, William M. Dow,Jeff Richards of the Democrat Chronicle of Rochester, and the Hudson Valley Wine Goddess, among many others.

Empire 2008 got a rave review in a barrel tasting from Debbie Gioquindo, the HV Wine Goddess. We'll release it in Spetember 2010! Be on the look out!