McLaughlin Vineyards – The Reds

McLaughlin produces two reds, both fermented in oak barrels:

Merlot We tasted the 2004 vintage; 100% Merlot from grapes obtained from Long Island vineyards, the Merlot is a dry, medium-bodied wine with subtle notes of cherry. The color is a rich red, with a rich and fruity nose. The wine is dry, smooth, and the cherry is very subtle. There is a slight bite at the end, and I anticipate that it will age well. One of the more interesting Merlots I’ve encountered so far on the Connecticut Wine Trail.

Vista Reposa A blend of merlot, syrah and cabernet, this is a beautiful red. The nose is deep and rich with notes of stone fruits, particularly plum. Smooth, dry, with strong notes of oak, the plum provides a depth and richness to the wine that is really interesting. Another one both Christy and I starred as one of our favorites.

As we worked our way through the tasting menu, our host, Dee Dee Morlock, kept us entertained with stories about the vineyard, the wines, and the special events and wine tastings that McLaughlin hosts. One of the stories features the labels for the Vista Amber and the Vista Reposa. Both labels are created from the same painting, which hangs over the cast-iron stove in the main tasting room. The picture, done by a local artist, is of the McLaughlin’s dog, sitting on the stone fence that surrounds the property, overseeing the fields. The dog recently died, and Dee Dee reports that they have seen a definite increase in wildlife; obviously the dog took his responsibilities very seriously.

That brought us to the end of our tasting; we were enjoying ourselves so much that we thought we’d stay, order a glass of wine, and hang out with Dee Dee for a while. Unfortunately, just as we finished our tasting, we were joined by a couple of women who were rather boisterous – overly loud voices, cell phones ringing – it killed the relaxing mood, so we headed off to lunch and the next winery. But not without first signing up for McLaughlin’s Merlot Madness on March 7th!