Wines of the Week: March 9-15

Everyday: It’s time — past time, actually — to pay serious attention to what’s going on in New York. The 2011 Lamoreaux Landing Finger Lakes Cabernet Franc is a fabulous expression of one of my favorite varieties, completely nailing that elusive herb/fruit/acid amalgam. The nose is earthy and vibrant, the red fruit rolls languidly on the palate, and the finish is refined and refreshing. A great pheasant wine, this luscious red also would play deftly with roast chicken, grilled pork chops and hearty soups. The slow-burning, ever-soulful vocals on Rhiannon Giddens‘ first album provide equally superb accompaniment.

Occasion: Springtime calls for one of those pure-as-the-driven-snow whites. Cue up/uncork the 2013 Etude Carneros Pinot Gris ($25), a relatively full-bodied offering with peach and key-lime notes duking it out (the winner: our palates) and a lovely, vibrant finish. This is a vintage-variation-proof wine in my experience, always delivering the goods. Shrimp cocktail is a perfect pairing, but this gem has enough body to play well with salmon or trout. Plop on the husky but lovely music of Sam Phillips for this one.