The current issue of the influential and widely read journal The Wine Advocate contains ground-breaking praise for a wine made by a Garden State winery.
Heritage Vineyards and Winery, Mullica Hill, saw its 2014 William Heritage Vintage Brut Estate sparkler achieve a 90-point rating from the journal founded and spearheaded by the legendary critic Robert M. Parker Jr.
This is the first time a wine made in New Jersey has been awarded a 90-point score by the journal.
What does such a rating mean? According to The Wine Advocate, “ratings of 90 to 95 are for an outstanding wine of exceptional complexity and character. In short, these are terrific wines.”
In a review written by Mark Squires, the Heritage bubbly crafted by winemaker Sean Comninos “is pretty exceptional, elegant, beautifully textured and very dry, with a long, lingering and zesty finish.”
Some 130 cases of the brut nature, a blend of chardonnay and pinot noir grapes, were produced. It typically retails for $40 a bottle.
“To receive 90 points from The Advocate is a groundbreaking achievement,” says Richard Heritage, who oversees marketing and sales for the family winery founded by his father, William. “Think about it: We are talking about a New Jersey wine receiving 90 points from one of the world’s top wine publications. This is really going to turn some heads…. This review is not just great for our family winery, but for the New Jersey wine industry as a whole.”
Added Tom Costentino, executive director of the Garden State Wine Growers Association: “It is a significant achievement and validation for New Jersey’s wine industry and the recognition our wines are receiving…. Having a winery like Heritage score a 90 rating in The Wine Advocate continues the positive momentum for our state’s industry.”
Other New Jersey wines that received noteworthy scores in the review include:
* Beneduce Vineyards, Pittstown: Blaufrankisch, 88 points.
* Unionville Vineyards, Ringoes: Chardonnay “Pheasant Hill,” 89 points; Rosé, 89 points; and Pinot Noir, 89 points.
* Working Dog Winery, Robbinsville: Syrah, 88 points.
* Heritage Vineyards, Mullica Hill: In addition to the 90-point Vintage Brut, the Chenin Blanc received 88 points and the Rose 88 points.
To contact Heritage, call 609-820-3355 or visit heritagewinenj.com.
This is a significant achievement for William Heritage Vineyards and is representative of the great wines being produced throughout New Jersey. We just need more ambassadors to spread the good news and pour New Jersey wines.
Heritage sells its wines at its HQ in Mullica Hill; contact info above.
BUT ALSO: What restaurants in NJ pour William Heritage’s now-nationally-recognized brut nature? What shops in NJ carry it or any of Heritage’s wines?
Please post a reply here with information so Table Hopping’s culinary-centric community can find additional places to try and buy the wines.
Thank you for contributing!
cheers, Andy