Try our Award-Winning Reds
We love it when people try our red wines, and can't believe that they are from grapes grown on our vineyard. They'll insist that serious wine cannot be made in NJ. Then they try our gold medal Cabernet Franc, and their thoughts run to great St. Emilion, Pomerol, and Napa. As a consumer, I'm confused . . . this can't be from NJ . . . ripe, round, spicy, with a hint of bing cherry in the mid-palate. This is exciting, and its growing in our own backyard!
At Working Dog, we take great pride in our red wines. We'd be hard pressed to pick a favorite because our flavor profiles range from soft and fruity to big and bold. Our tasting notes below include ideas for pairing our wines with your menu.
Many of our reds are great for cellaring, gaining in character and complexity even as they soften and mellow.
See the tasting notes below, and then come on in to our tasting room to enjoy our wines yourself!
- Cabernet Franc
- Chambourcin
- Marechal Foch
- Merlot
- Retriever
- Sangiovese
- Syrah
Cabernet Franc is our signature wine. This variety harkens from the St. Emilion region of Bordeaux, France, a region noted for its earthy, aromatic plush wines. Our Cabernet Franc vines are situated on a southwest exposed slope of sandy loam terroir, a site that allows it to attain its greatest potential, producing fruit that displays the character of this varietal.
Silver Decoy 2010 Cabernet Franc - $24.99 - The hot dry summer of 2010 produced this spectacular vintage with incredible depth of flavor. This is our best Franc yet. Don't miss it!
This Cabernet Franc with its spicy cherry and cocoa exhibits clean earthy aromas that are distinctly French in style. Medium dark ruby color with cherry tone edges, the aromas are of subtle oak, cassis and spice.
The front palate is young and firm with chalk and cherry dominating the mid-palate. The finish is persistent and ripe with soft tannins. Silver Decoy Cabernet Franc needs 2 to 5 years of cellaring to reach its potential . . . but can be hedonistically enjoyed now.
Enjoy with grilled beef, venison and duck.
Chambourcin is a French-American hybrid grape found in the Loire region, and becoming increasingly popular in vineyards throughout the north-east. This is among the first grapes planted at our vineyard, and produces a full-bodied fresh red wine.
Silver Decoy 2010 Chambourcin - $15.99 - Dark and clear with a black cherry color, the nose is new oak, spice, black pepper and sweet Bing cherry.
This wine has nice viscosity, with pepper initially, flowing into black cherry. Sweet anise mid-palate. Not very tannic, but bright and fresh with acidity. Nice zip on the finish.
Great with pasta, chicken and pork.
Marechal Foch is a hybrid variety developed in Alsace, France. This is typically the first red to ripen in our vineyard, and has been harvested as early as late-August. We chose this varietal because of its ability to produce stylish wines featuring aromas of black fruits and dark chocolate.
Silver Decoy "10" Marechal Foch- $16.99 - Even your wife will be glad your brought this 10 home!
Honoring the flyers of the KC-10 of McGuire AFB, this quiet wine has a lot to say. The nose is hedonistic, with subtle anise and bing cherry enveloped by mature oak tones.
The palate is spicy smooth black cherry with prominent vanilla oak notes. Ready to drink now. Pair with frog legs, lamb chops or wild boar.
Merlot is the most widely planted grape in the Bordeaux region of France. This grape is a standout in its own right, and is also often used as blending grape to provide softness to firmer grapes such as Cabernet.
Silver Decoy 2010 Merlot - $23.99 - Opulent & rich, Bordeaux style
Classic black-fruit, with spice and supple round soft textures. Subtle chocolate and eucalyptus bathe the palate. Great with mild cheeses, pheasant or venison
Retriever is our meritage, typically featuring a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. We create this wine to make a statement! Quantities are limited, and typically sell out quickly. Join our mailing list to receive notification when this wine is available.
Silver Decoy Retriever - $34.99 - Rich, lush and full-bodied
A ripe, savory and delightful expression of Working Dog’s terroir. Great color, ripe tannins, and a lush, long finish highlight the bright bing cherry mid-palate. Enjoy with lamb or osso bucco.
Sangiovese is an Italian grape that most folks are familiar with as the primary grape used in Chianti as well as the Super-Tuscan blends. We introduced the grape here at Working Dog in 2004, and have been excited by the wines we've produced. In prior years, we had used our Sangiovese as the primary grape in our Retriever wine, but this year's wine was so delicious, we've given this star it's own label.
Silver Decoy 2011 Sangiovese - $16.99 - Ripe and supple, this decadent Chianti Classico style Sangiovese explodes on the palate.
Sweet bing cherry notes cloak the finish, leaving you eagerly anticipating the next sip. Serve with pheasant and mushrooms, or anything in a tomato sauce.
Syrah was introduced to the Working Dog vineyard in 2006, and is quickly becoming a favorite! This grape is planted around the world, and is popularly known in the wines of the Northern Rhone, and as Shiraz in Australia. We love the smooth tannins and lively fruit that allow this grape to be enjoyed young.
Silver Decoy 2010 Syrah - $29.99
Deep, dark and delicious, this wine is smooth, peppery and full-bodied. Great now, and will be even better with cellaring.