Published by Jeremy.
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Hybrid grapes are often quite interesting, as they typically are crosses between a European vinifera grape and an indigenous North American varietal.
Baco Noir is one such grape which is considered to be a cross of Folle Blanche (French) and an unknown species from the Americas. It is growing across many US states and Canada, and is one you may see pop up from time to time in the Finger LAkes region of upstate New York.
We found a delightful bottle of Heron Hill's Reserve Baco Noir during one trip to the region and promptly forgot about it in our cellar for six years. Thankfully, a bit of age on this one ended up being a great thing!
Tertiary Characteristics Abound in an Aged Baco Noir
Heron Hill's Reserve Baco Noir 2016 was medium garnet in color with medium(+) aromas of dried black cherry, dried cranberry, fig, balsamic, leather, dried leaves, forest floor, rose, blueberry, clove, and tobacco.
On the palate, it was dry with high acidity, medium(-) smooth tannin, medium alcohol, and medium(+) body, flavor intensity, and finish. We had notes of dried red cherry, dried cranberry, dried raspberry, blueberry, balsamic, fig, wet leaves, leather, clove, vanilla.
This one was quite the interesting wine as its age (about eight years) allowed for a lot of beautiful tertiary development. That said, the acidic notes in this wine, particularly around the balsamic character, was a bit out of balance possibly suggesting that we were catching it just behind its peak. Still, a rather enjoyable bottle all around.
Baco Noir Food Pairing – Braised Chicken Thigh with Stuffed Morels
We paired this aged Baco Noir with braised chicken thighs and morel mushrooms stuffed with a cheese mixture.
The chicken was served with a rich and decadent pan reduction sauce which helped bring out more of the dark fruit notes like fig and blackberry- also while reducing some of the dried flavor components noted above to showcase a more fresh characteristic.
The mushrooms, on the other hand, brought out more earthy and leather characteristics plus highlighted some of the dried red fruit notes mentioned above.
This was a fun pairing as both elements of the dish brought out unique flavor characteristics in the wine, and both worked with each passing sip!
Score: 4 / 5
We'd buy another bottle of this one.
Overall, Heron Hill's Reserve Baco Noir is a bottle not to overlook, and we have to admit that our forgetting about it in our cellar helped make this one even better with a bit of age. As such, we'd gladly have another bottle on hand, but perhaps may open it a little earlier than we did with this one.
Heron Hill is located at 9301 County Route 76 in Hammondsport, NY. We bought this bottle directly from the winery and enjoyed it in 2024.
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