Winebow is one of the many distributors of wines and spirits in New York State. In this State a business can’t buy alcohol directly from the producer, they have to contract with an importer/distributor whose job it is to market, sell and deliver the wines and spirits.It’s a three-tier system that adds to the cost of every bottle of wine and spirits.

In the Spring and Autumn, the local distributors hold tastings of the products in their portfolio for professionals in the restaurant trade. Some are huge events covering everything in the catalogue, while some are much smaller, focused tastings held very often in the business offices of the distributor.

On September 17th, Winebow held their Fall portfolio show at the Standard Hotel in the Meatpacking district of lower Manhattan. The event was held in the hotels Biergarten restaurant. It was a brave decision because the restaurant is partly open to the to the outside and this day was a brisk, wet September afternoon.

Some of what I sampled:

2015 Markham Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley): In magnum. Opaque black, toasty stone, bell pepper and dark chocolate on the nose, chewy and dusty fruit with a great balance and long finish.

2018 Blackbird Vineyards Illustration (Napa Valley): Bordeaux blend. Opaque black, purple rim, tar, cinnamon and barnyard on the nose, chewy and chunky dark chocolate fruit, good grip.

2019 Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley): Opaque dark purple, tar and violets on the nose, silky black fruit with cocoa and white pepper notes, ending with a good grip.

2019 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard (Oregon): Clear light purple, cherry earth notes on the nose, chewy, silky red fruit with earth and cocoa notes, nice grip.

2021 Adelsheim Vineyards Pinot Noir Breaking Ground (Oregon): Clear medium purple, green herbs on the nose, silky and juicy, a bit closed at the end but good balance.

2021 Delille Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Ciel (Washington): Opaque dark red, purple rim, green herbs and pickle juice on the nose, chewy fruit with a bitter cherry finish, firm grip.

2022 Pine Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley): Clear dark purple, tar and cigarette smoke on the nose, juicy with chocolate and steel notes, nice grip.

2022 Spottswoode Winery Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley): Opaque dark purple, tree bark and crushed blueberries on the nose, tight, chewy red fruit, firm tannin.

2022 Joseph Drouhin Bourgogne Blanc (Burgundy): Clear light gold, earthy pineapple on the nose with tart lime and stone notes.

2023 Joseph Drouhin Puligny Montrachet (Burgundy): Clear light gold, white flowers on the nose, moderate fruit with some earth notes, tame acidity.

2019 Chateau Kirwan (Margaux): Clear medium purple, sweet tar and crushed blueberry on the nose, silky fruit with firm tannin.

2020 San Felice “Vigorello” (Tuscany): Opaque black, purple rim, crushed dark berries on the nose, concentrated and juicy ending with big tannins.

2021 Chateau Gaudin (Pauillac): Clear medium purple, crushed stone on the nose, tight dusty fruit ending with silky tannins.

2022 Domaine Reverdy Ducroux Sancerre Rouge (Loire): Clear purple, crushed plums on the nose with juicy red fruit, east drinking.