There were many trade tastings in March and one of those trade tastings was held on March 3rd when Skurnick Wine & Spirits held their Grand Portfolio tasting.

Skurnick Wine & Spirits is one of the many importers and distributors that service the tri state area around New York. They were founded in 1987 and have a large portfolio of wines & spirits.

Skurnick hosts many small, focused tasting events but since this was a tasting of their entire portfolio, it was a huge event with copious wines and spirits, taking up the entire floor of the event space.

The event was held at the Metropolitan Pavilion event space at 125 West 18th Street in Manhattan.

I spent the afternoon sampling red wines.

2017 Ramey Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Pedregal Vineyards (Napa Valley): Opaque medium brick, dark chocolate, dried leaf and cooked red fruit on the nose, silky red fruit ending with firm, silky tannin, long finish.

2019 Joseph Swan Vineyards Pinot Noir “Cuvee de Trois” (Russian River Valley): Clear light brick, tar, cola and red cherry on the nose, silky and toasty red fruit with smoke notes, firm tannin and acidity.

2019 Green & Red Vineyards Zinfandel Hemingway Estate Reserve (Napa Valley): Clear light brick, dirt, green herbs and crushed red fruit on the nose, juicy silky red fruit, nice grip.

2021 Ramey Wine Cellars Syrah (Sonoma Coast): Clear medium brick, red licorice on the nose, smoky red fruit with a smoky finish, good grip.

2022 Peter Michael Cabernet Sauvignon “Au Paradis” (Napa Valley): Clear medium brick, crushed ripe red fruit on the nose, silky and chewy red fruit ending with a good grip.

2022 Peter Michael Red Blend “Les Pavots” (Sonoma County): Bordeaux blend, opaque dark red, purple rim, graphite and crushed raspberry on the nose, juicy red fruit with slate notes, nice balance of tannin and acidity.

2023 Criston Vineyards Pinot Noir Paul Gerrie Vineyard (Eola-Amity Hills): Clear light purple, closed nose of tar and white pepper, tight red fruit with a nice grip.

2023 Robert Biale Zinfandel “Black Chicken” (Napa Valley): Clear medium purple, graphite and cigarette smoke on the nose, juicy red fruit with milk chocolate notes ending with tight tannin.

2023 Turley Zinfandel Estate (Napa Valley): Opaque dark red, purple rim, tar and cocoa on the nose, thick, chunky and chewy fruit with a nice grip on the balanced finish.

2023 Turley Zinfandel “Rattlesnake Ridge” (Napa Valley): Opaque dark purple, closed nose of roast chocolate and dusty plum, chewy and dense with slate notes, tight with a good grip.

2023 Robert Biale Petite Sirah “Royal Punisher” (Napa Valley): Opaque black, purple rime, violets, chocolate and crushed black fruit on the nose, juicy and chewy dark fruit with tongue smacking tannin.

2024 Raen Pinot Noir Freestone Occidental Bodega Vineyard (Sonoma Coast): Clear light purple, crushed strawberries on the nose, juicy with red leather notes, moderate tannin and acidity.