Anthony Road Wine Company Devonian Red

On our trip up to Oswego Harborfest this year, a number of our favorite wineries were not present, much to our mutual chagrin.  Of course, there's always a silver lining to these things, and in this case, that lining was found in the numerous other delicious wineries whose wares we were able to sample - and many of which, we were able to take home.

The label of Anthony Road's Devonian Red.  If you see this - BUY IT :)

One of our favorites this year was the Anthony Road Wine Company.  I'm measuring the term favorite by the fact that we bought a mixed case off of them.  The logic being of course, that if you like a winery enough to buy 12 bottles of their wares in on fell swoop, then they must be pretty damn good.

The subject today is Anthony Road's Devonian Red.  This is one fantastic wine.  This is marketed as a dry table wine, although it only has moderate tannins, and indeed to my palette it tastes sweet on the tip of the tongue.  Nevertheless, I surmise that you casual wine drinker would judge this to be a dry wine.

Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, and Lemberger in one bottle?  Yes please!

It's no surprise why I like this bottle so much - it's touted as being a blend of 3 of my favorite New York State dry grapes - Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir & Blaufränkisch - also known by the only slightly easier to pronounce Lemberger.  Now you know a wine with this pedigree is potentially going to be quite the experience - and Anthony Road Wine Company does NOT disappoint!

Did I mention that I bought 4 or 5 bottles of just this one variety? :)

The flavors are that of dark stone fruits, a deep chocolaty or coffee taste and perhaps some vanilla.  After having worked through a bottle or two of it so far, and working through a bottle now, I like it more and more as I drink it.

Let this one breathe a little bit and serve just a touch chilled - To your health!

Surprisingly, it seems to have profited mightily by leaving it on the counter to breath.. for a few days :) Often enough I'd like to have a glass of wine and don't have people who are willing to drink a whole bottle with me - and drinking an entire bottle of wine by myself, while a tempting prospect, doesn't seem responsible behavior from a working person who needs to be able to get up in the morning.. liver intact :)

Anthony Road Wine Company is located on Seneca Lake, right in the heart of the New York finger lakes region.  While on our vacation this year, we were only able to make it down the side of one of the lakes - Cayuga - and this just reinforces the need to go and explore all of the finger lakes' wineries.  Very often at events like Oswego Harborfest or wine shows, wineries will only bring a few of their most popular wines, simply as a matter of logistics - wine is heavy and takes up a fair amount of space, so its' transport is rather consuming of resources.  I am very impressed by this wine - it plays off of the strengths of each of the grapes in its' repertoire to make an incredible cohesive whole.

Devonian is a great value and a wonderful experience.    All of my love.

Did I mention that this wine retails for around $10 a bottle?  That's right.  This quality at this price, while not unheard of in the finger lakes, is an excellent value - inexpensive enough to enjoy regularly with good food and good friends and family.  A blessing to be sure!

I think I'll go and have a glass..

Beautiful color in the glass.  This wine is pleasing to all of the senses!

Cheers!