Sakonnet Vineyards - Unremarkable

Mention New England vineyards and locals think of Sakonnet in Little Compton, RI. It is well-known because they have done some great marketing. Their tasting room is quite nice, with interesting merchandise for sale. The people behind the counter are jovial, knowledgeable and charming. Great atmosphere. Great people. Great service.

So what's wrong with this picture?

It's the wine. It's -- shall I say? -- unremarkable. Even disappointing. Here are my quick tasting notes:

• Vidal Blanc 2007 - too sweet.
• Gewurztraminer 2007 - good summer sipping wine. Delightfully light. Not too sweet. Best of the Sakonnet whites. Won a Silver Medal at the Monterey Wine Festival.
  
• Petite White (new release) - a mix of Vidal and Gewurztraminer. Ok. Less sweet than Vidal alone.
• Cock of the Walk (white)- green apples (Granny Smiths) and cantelope. Would be good with food.
• Chardonnay 2005 - odd taste... buttery and metallic
• Rose - Cabernet franc grape. A little too sweet. Nice finish. More body than most roses.
• Petite Red (new release) - 5 grapes (Cab, Cab Franc, Pinot, Lemberger and Chancellor). High in tannins. Better than pinot. Some complexity.
• Cock of the Walk (red) - 3 grapes (Cab, Lemberger, Merlot). Said to have a "smooth clean finish". But I found it highly acidic, highly astringent. Terrible.
• Rhode Island Red NV - 2 grape blend (Cab, Chancellor). Earthy. Best of the Sakonnet reds.
• Cabernet Franc 2005 - didn't like
• Pinot Noir 2007 - astringent. Yuck. Don't care for it.
• Port 2006 - Chancellor grape, fortified with brandy. Earthy. But sour aftertaste/finish.

I give the winery credit for trying -- an A for effort, sincerity and enthusiasm. Oh, and the O.T.C. (Original Wine Crackers) are quite delicious -- on their own. I prefer plain ol' oyster crackers to cleanse the palate between wines vs. these. The O.T.C. are a bit too sweet in my opinion to do the trick.

I recommend going to Running Brook Vineyards (about 30 min. away in North Dartmouth, MA). You won't find a beautiful tasting room or gift shop there, but you will taste some decent wine. Try them both and let me know what you think!