Finger Lakes Wine of the Week:
Fulkerson Winery Burntray
By Nicholas Baldwin
With 106 acres of vines under cultivation, Fulkerson Winery began their surge into the wine business six generations ago. They have now grown to 20,000 cases a year in production, including the Fulkerson Burntray, a blend of 56-percent Cabernet Franc and 46-percent Noiret.
The current release of Burntray can be found at the winery and select retailers across the Finger Lakes. It is a new blend for this wine, which used to be Noiret, Pinot Noir and Merlot. It is a dry red with 0-percent residual sugar and a balanced 12-percent alcohol-by-volume. The creative blend of the vinifera Cabernet Franc and the Cornell hybrid Noiret makes for a ballet of aromas as you plunge your nose into the bowl of your wine glass. It smells of Thanksgiving cranberry sauce, fresh cherries, smoked jerky and tobacco, with hints of earthiness. It has a medium-to-full body with a pleasant balance of medium acidity and tannins. There is additional flavors of sweet raspberry and cracked black pepper on the finish.
Retailing at around $12, the Fulkerson Burntray would make a great alternative to pricey Pinot Noirs this Thanksgiving. This wine will pair nicely with the combination of Thanksgiving flavors, and also grilled meats and game birds.
Nicholas Baldwin has worked in the wine and spirits business for more than 12 years and traveled the world visiting vineyards. He holds numerous wine certifications.
For more of Nicholas Baldwin’s wine tasting notes, click here.
If you’re a Finger Lakes wine producer and would like to submit wines for consideration, please contact Nicholas Baldwin at nick@nicholasbaldwin.com.
