About the Producer
The Hopkins family vineyard is a small winery in NW Connecticut. The family farm started in 1787 by Elijah Hopkins, providing the name of this brandy. In 1979 the farm opened up a vineyard and winery onsite. While they are primarily a winery they worked with a local distillery to turn some of their wines into this brandy. The vineyard today grows a variety of grapes including Vidal Blanc, Riesling, Cab Franc, Cayuga, Chardonnay and Lemberger. I love finding brandy produced by small local wineries; it always provides an interesting experience to taste their wines in a different context.
Details
- Distilled on a Karl brandy still at the Litchfield Distillery in Litchfield, CT
- Fermented and distilled estate grown Vidal Blanc grapes from the Hopkins Vineyard.
- 2016 Vintage
- Aged for 3yrs in toasted Romanian oak barrels
- 40% abv.
Nose
Fruity and creamy with a healthy dollop of both peaches and vanilla. White grape juice and marmalade. Some complexity; very solid.
Palate
Very similar to the nose. Peaches and vanilla ice cream. More orange marmalade. Light and refreshing. Medium sweet and medium body. Most flavor than you’d expect at 40%. Above average.
Finish
Medium. Sweet and fruity. Hint of chili pepper spice.
Rating: 6
Overall
Very tasty; one of the better brandies I’ve had from a small local producer. More spirit forward but not immature this is a solid brandy. While I think it would be even better at a higher proof it still has a reasonable body despite being at 40%.
1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but many things I’d rather have.
5 | Good | Good, just fine.
6 | Very Good | A cut above.
7 | Great | Well above average
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite
10 | Perfect | Perfect
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