Casa Larga

Vineyard Hill Chardonnay

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2016 Vineyard Hill Chardonnay

Unoaked
Finger Lakes

We ferment and age our very popular Vineyard Hill® Chardonnay entirely in stainless steel tanks to preserve its naturally zesty and crisp fruit characteristics.

Viticulture

Grapes. 100% Chardonnay

Appellation. Finger Lakes

Viticulture notes. We manage these types for maximum ripeness to allow their fruit and floral aromatics to intensify.

Winemaking

Winemaker. Matt Cassavaugh

Fermentation. In stainless steel tanks at cool temperature

Vintage. 2016

Alcohol by volume. 11.5%

Residual sugar. 1.0%

IRF scale. Medium Dry

Aging. In stainless steel tanks

Acidity. pH 3.3, TA 6.9 g/L

Bottle volumes. 750mL and 1.5L Magnum

Bottling dates. January 4 & 31, 2017

Production. 595 cases 750mL (to-date)

Vegan. Yes

Wine series. Vineyard

TTB ID. 16340-001-000411

UPCs. 0-89800-00104-2 (750mL),
0-89800-00114-1 (1.5L)

Year first produced: 1997

Winemaking notes. Unlike other Casa Larga Chardonnays, Vineyard Hill Chardonnay is unoaked: it is fermented and aged in stainless steel and does not undergo malolactic fermentation. This keeps tannins at a low level and preserves the naturally clean, crisp and fruit-forward expression of the variety.

Enjoying our Vineyard Hill Chardonnay

Availability. At our winery in Fairport; at selected wine and spirits stores and restaurants in New York State; at CasaLarga.com for direct shipment to residences and workplaces in 37 states.

Accolades:
91 Points, “Highly Recommended”, and Gold
Medal, 2017 Beverage Testing Institute World
Wine Championships (tastings.com)

Aging: Store at cool temperature (55º-60ºF) and out of direct sunlight. This wine, like most unoaked white wines, was produced to be enjoyed while young and fresh, i.e. within roughly 2 years of bottling.

Serving temperature: 55º-60ºF

Tasting notes. Vineyard Hill Chardonnay is a medium-dry unoaked wine with lovely fruit aromas, a touch of minerality and a crisp finish.

Pairing suggestions. Salmon, sushi and other simply prepared fish and shellfish, cured and smoked meats, saltier cheeses.

Fiori Vidal Blanc Ice Wine

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2016 Fiori Delle Stelle Vidal Blanc Ice Wine

Estate Grown and Bottled
Finger Lakes

The long, cold winters of the Finger Lakes region provide the ideal conditions for our authentic ice wine. We hand pick and press frozen grapes in frigid weather to yield a trickle of sweet nectar with a stunning array of possible fruit flavors depending on the vintage. Our 2016 Fiori Vidal Blanc Ice Wine is a lusciously sweet explosion of honey and apricot aromas and flavors, following by a long satisfying finish. This exceptional wine is a labor of love and one of the world’s most highly awarded genuine ice wines.

Viticulture

Grapes. 100% Vidal Blanc

Harvest date. December 15, 2016

Brix at harvest. 40.8o

Viticulture notes. Vidal Blanc is a French-American white wine grape developed by Jean Louis Vidal in France in the 1930s. We trellis it high above the ground and train it in a downward, umbrella-like growth pattern. The vines are not thinned to help maintain high acidity. Grapes are left on the vine past normal harvest and into the winter. Vidal Blanc is winter-hardy, with thick skins that resist splitting. But the risks are still high. The longer grapes remain on the vine, the more exposed they are to weather damage, disease or consumption by animals. We produce our renowned Vidal Blanc Ice Wine using the authentic German Eiswein method. When the temperature dips below 18oF (8oC) for the first time, usually in December or early January, we hand pick and press the frozen grapes outdoors.

Winemaking

Winemaker. Matt Cassavaugh

Fermentation. Stainless steel at low temperature

Alcohol by volume. 9%

Acidity. pH 3.3, TA 13.0 g/l

Residual sugar. 20.8%

IRF scale. Sweet

Aging. Stainless steel

Bottling date. December 6, 2017

Bottle volume. 375ml

Production. 49 cases

Wine series. Fiori

Vegan. Yes

TTBID. 17187-001-000772

UPC. 0-89800-00876-8

Year first produced. 1996 (1995 vintage)

Winemaking notes. The frozen grapes are pressed outdoors in a classic basket press, producing a sweet syrup which we ferment at cool temperatures with special yeast to maintain a bright nose and beautiful aromas. Fermentation proceeds very slowly, often persisting through the winter and into spring.

Enjoying our Vidal Blanc Ice Wine

Availability.

  • At our winery in Fairport
  • At select wine & spirits stores in New York State
  • At com for direct shipment to residences and workplaces in 37 states.

Accolades.

2013 Vintage.

  • 92 Points, Gold Medal, “Exceptional”, 2017 BTI World Wine Challenge (tastings.com)

   2010 Vintage.

  • 95 Points, Chairman’s Trophy, “Extraordinary”, 2015 Ultimate Wine Challenge
  • 93 Points, Gold Medal, “Exceptional”, 2013 BTI World Wine Challenge (tastings.com); Gold Medal, 2014 Denver International Wine Competition

2008 Vintage.

  • Featured White Wine of the Month, 2012, U.S. House of Representatives (29th Congressional District)
  • Gold Medal and Best of Class, 2012 Pacific Rim International Wine Competition

2007 Vintage.

  • Double Gold and Best of Show, Dessert Wines, 2010 New York Wine & Food Classic Competition

2006 Vintage.

  • Chairman’s Award and Best of Show, Dessert Wines, 2010 Riverside International Wine Competition
  • Double Gold and Best of Show, Dessert Wines, 2010 Pacific Rim Wine International Wine Competition
  • Gold and Best of Show, 2010 New York State Ice Wine Festival

2005 Vintage.

  • Best Dessert Wine Trophy, Gold Medal and Best in Class, 2008 International Wine & Spirits Competition

2004 Vintage.

  • Governor’s Cup, Best Wine in New York State, 2005 New York Wine & Food Classic Competition

Aging. Store at cool temperature (approx.55º), out of direct sunlight. As the wine ages in the bottle in your cellar, a tiny bit of air slowly percolates through the cork, which micro-oxygenates the wine, darkening the color slightly to yellow and eventually to gold. Its flavors also slowly age, from bright fruit flavors like citrus, peach and pineapple, toward “darker” flavors like raisins and honey.

Serving temp. 45-50ºF

Tasting notes. Our Fiori Vidal Ice Wine is a lusciously sweet explosion of honey and apricot aromas and flavors, followed by a long, satisfying finish.

Pairing suggestions. Rich appetizers like blue-veined cheeses and foie gras; paired with or drizzled over desserts such as Crème Brûlée, fruit and nut tarts and pies, and rich ice creams; or sipped all by itself in a small wine glass instead of dessert!

CLV Chardonnay

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CLV ChardonnayCLV Chardonnay

Oaked
Finger Lakes

Our very popular CLV Chardonnay is fermented and aged in a blend of oak barrels to achieve a round mouth-feel and a beautiful balance of natural fruit and oak flavors.      

Viticulture

Grapes.  100% Chardonnay

Appellation. Finger Lakes

Viticulture notes.  We grow four different clones (subspecies) of Chardonnay grapes at Casa Larga.  The grapes for CLV Chardonnay are selected from one particular vineyard block.  We machine harvest the crop to pinpoint the peak moment for ripeness and process the grapes immediately after picking to minimize the risk of oxidation.

Winemaking

Winemaker.  Matt Cassavaugh

Fermentation. In a blend of American, French and Hungarian oak barrels.  Primary fermentation is followed by malolactic fermentation.

Alcohol by volume. 12%

Residual sugar. 0.3%

IRF scale.  Dry

Aging. 14 months in a blend of American, French and Hungarian oak barrels

Acidity.  pH 3.5, TA 6.4 g/L

Bottle volume. 750mL

Bottling dates.  March 1 and 8, 2017

Production. 479 cases 750mL

Vegan.  Yes

Wine series.  Classic 

TTB ID.  16338-001-000073

UPC.  0-89800-00883-6

Year first produced:  2000

Winemaking notes. Small lots of Chardonnay juice are fermented in 225-liter barrels sourced from American, French and Hungarian oak forests.  Each type of oak uniquely contributes to the wine’s aroma and mouth-feel, and blending the three types of oak allows for a more complex finished wine.  Malolactic fermentation is monitored and arrested at a point that assures both a vibrant acidity and a round, full texture.  We include grapes from various vintages in the blend to produce a consistent wine over time in spite of our variable climate.  Crafting a non-vintage Chardonnay is one of the highest forms of winemaking artistry.

Enjoying our CLV Chardonnay

Availability.  At our winery in Fairport; at selected wine and spirits stores and restaurants in New York State; at CasaLarga.com for direct shipment to residences and workplaces in 37 states.

Aging: Store at a cool temperature (55º-60ºF) and out of direct sunlight.  This wine, like most Burgundy style white wines, was produced to be enjoyed while relatively young, i.e. within roughly 3 years of bottling.

Serving temp:  About 50ºF.

Tasting notes.  Fermented and aged in a unique blend of American, French and Hungarian oak barrels, our CLV Chardonnay exhibits nuances of vanilla and spice and a toasty finish. 

Pairing suggestions.  Seafood, poultry, and pasta with rich sauces, potatoes au gratin, brie and other creamy cheeses.

Cab-Merlot

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Cab-MerlotThe classic flavor profile, smooth tannins, versatility with food and outstanding value of Cab-Merlot® have made it our perennial best-selling wine.

Viticulture

Grapes: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc, 15% Merlot

Appellation: Finger Lakes

Viticulture notes: We balance the vine and position the fruit by hand to ensure proper ripening of these three red Bordeaux grapes. We hand-pick them very late in the growing season to maximize ripeness and tannin development.

Winemaking

Winemaker: Matt Cassavaugh

Fermentation: After primary fermentation (yeast), each component wine undergoes malolactic fermentation in stainless tanks and is racked into barrels.

Vintage: NV. Our winemaker can select the best from among different vintages of the component wines to optimize the harmony and complexity of the blend.

Alcohol by volume: 12.5%

Residual sugar: 0.2%

IRF scale: Dry

Aging: 14-18 months in a variety of oak barrels to add nuance and complexity.

Acidity: pH 3.5, TA 7.7 g/L

Bottle volume: 750ml

Bottling dates: January 12, 2018 & May 16, 2018

Production: 1204 cases

Vegan: Yes

Casa Larga wine series: Classic

TTBID: 16338-001-000072

UPC. 0-89800-00033-5

Year first produced: 2002

Winemaking notes: Harvested grapes for this wine are pressed into one-ton fermentation tanks. The juices ferment on the skins and caps are punched down twice daily. They are then racked and placed into barrels. Each component wine in the blend is fermented and aged separately. A blend is then created that maximizes the nuances of each grape while maintaining harmony. Cabernet Sauvignon provides much of the fruit character and tannin. Cabernet Franc adds spice, and Merlot provides additional body and dark berry notes. This blend is then racked back into barrels where it ages for up to several more months.

Enjoying our Cab-Merlot

Availability: At our winery in Fairport; at selected wine and spirits stores and restaurants in New York State; at CasaLarga.com for direct shipment to residences and workplaces in 37 states.

Aging: Store at cool temperature (55º-60ºF) and out of direct sunlight. While we produce Cab-Merlot to be enjoyably balanced shortly after bottling, the wine can continue to age gracefully in bottle for another 3-5 years, depending on the year.

Serving: At cool room temperature (60-65ºF).

Tasting notes: Dark berry notes, rich oak, a hint of pepper and a velvety palate have made this delicious blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot our perennial best-selling wine.

Pairing suggestions: Grilled meats, dishes with red sauces, chocolates, cheddars and goudas.

American Oak Chardonnay

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2014 American Oak Chardonnay

Estate Grown and Bottled
Finger Lakes

White oak barrels bring intriguingly different flavors to wine depending on the wood’s origin.  We choose barrels with oak harvested from the forests of Missouri for our American Oak Chardonnay.  The natural oils in the wood help impart to the wine lovely aromas of vanilla and butter and a light citrus finish.

Viticulture

Grapes.  100% Chardonnay

Appellation. Finger Lakes

Harvest date.  October 9, 2014

Viticulture notes.  We grow four different clones (subspecies) of Chardonnay grapes at Casa Larga.  Our vineyard crew thins leaves and clusters to ensure proper ripening and tannin development.  Grapes for our Winemaker series Chardonnays are allowed extra ripening time to develop a richness that will later harmonize with the oak flavors extracted from barrels.

Winemaking

Winemaker.  Matt Cassavaugh

Fermentation. In American oak barrels.  Primary fermentation and full malolactic fermentation, both co-inoculated and sequential.

Alcohol by volume. 13%

Residual sugar. 0.1%

IRF sweetness scale.  Dry

Aging. 15 months in American oak barrels.

Acidity.  pH 3.5, TA 6.4 g/L

Bottle volume. 750mL

Bottling dates.  September 29, 2016

Production. 42 cases 750mL

Vegan.  Yes

Wine series.  Winemaker

TTB ID.  16342-001-000356

UPC.  0-89800-00693-1

Year first produced:  2002

Winemaking notes. Chardonnay juice for this wine is fermented in 225-liter barrels of Missouri oak.  The resulting wine is then aged on its lees, stirring every 10-12 days to increase body and aromatic complexity.  The wine undergoes full malolactic fermentation and aging in these barrels for up to 15 months.

Enjoying our American Oak Chardonnay

Availability. 

  • At our winery in Fairport.
  • At CasaLarga.com for direct shipment to residences and workplaces in 37 states.

Aging: Store at a cool temperature (55º-60ºF) and out of direct sunlight.  This wine can age gracefully in the bottle when stored in this way.  Tannins will become more rounded and the color will darken with time.  We still recommend that this wine be enjoyed while relatively young and fresh, i.e. within roughly 3 years of bottling.

Serving temp:  55º-60ºF 

Tasting notes.  Our American Oak Chardonnay features aromas of vanilla and butter and a light citrus finish.   

Pairing suggestions.  Chicken, pork, and pasta in creamy sauces, Caesar salad, salmon, and cheddar cheeses.