We’re again to heat climate for this week, however it seems like a lingering goodbye moderately than something extra lasting. I’m nonetheless transferring slowly in a boot, however I’m managing greater than I did final week. One night this week, it felt proper to drag one thing particular out of the fridge and I selected Albemarle Ciderworks’ Brut D’Albemarle Hewes Crab.
I could also be a Wickson woman via and thru, however my tall co-taster Alex feels nearly as passionate in regards to the Hewes Crab. He’s not incorrect. This apple all the time brings some superb taste and depth to a cider. Our expectations had been excessive from the second we obtained this cider as a present from the type of us on the cidery.
Listed here are my earlier critiques of Albemarle Ciderworks’ ciders. The latest ones are first. There’s extra background details about this Virginia cidery in these, and also you’ll discover essentially the most within the earliest critiques.
Wickson: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2023/07/dryciderjuly-cider-review-albemarle.html
Brut D’Albemarle Harrison: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2023/03/cider-review-albemarle-ciderworks-brut.html
Goldrush: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2019/02/cider-review-albemarle-ciderworks.html
Ragged Mountain: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2013/10/cider-review-albemarle-ragged-mountain.html
Royal Pippin: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2013/08/cider-review-albemarle-ciderworks-royal.html
Pomme Mary (a High Ten cider from 2013): http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2013/09/cider-review-albemarle-iderworks-pomme.html
I like to recommend visiting the Albemarle Ciderworks web site to be taught extra in regards to the ciders and happenings on the cidery: http://www.albemarleciderworks.com.
Right here’s what I might discover on-line about this cider!
A bottle conditioned cider that’s similar to an apple champagne. Nice for that particular celebration!
Alcohol 10.00%
And just a bit extra element.
Notes from the CiderMaker: Brut d’Albemarle is a bottle conditioned cider made in a Champagne fashion. A single varietal of the Virginia Hewes Crab was fermented in stainless-steel and bottled with a small dose of yeast and sugar. The ensuing cider is extra carbonated than our regular choices making it an excellent bubbly beverage for particular events and celebrations.
One final hyperlink. Right here’s the place to learn what the cidery says in regards to the Virginia Hewes Crab as an apple.
https://www.albemarleciderworks.com/orchard/apple/virginia-hewes-crab
Look: Good, heat goldenrod, bubbly
This cider is a spectacle! I’m amazed by the beautiful heat goldenrod shade and its image excellent brilliance. And there might be bubbles! Pretty.
Aromas: flowers, outdated books, ripe apples and peaches
I do know to count on a dry cider, however the aromas on the Brut D’Albemarle Hewes Crab are redolent with crystalline floral sweetness. I get notes of ripe apples, peach and outdated books. It’s a lazy heat odor with hints of afternoon mud motes within the daylight. I get a way more energetic salivary response although, so I do know acid is on its approach.
Dryness/sweetness: Dry, however not bone dry.
I like that the Brut D’Albemarle Hewes Crab tastes dry, however not bone dry. It feels structured and complicated however its additionally unfolding with plenty of fruit and taste.
Flavors and ingesting expertise: Citrus, orange zest, stone fruit, fennel, acidic and bubbly
My excessive expectations are rewarded! The Brut D’Albemarle Hewes Crab is alive with taste. That is the entire expertise with acid and tannins however so fruity and bubbly! The primary observe I get from the cider is citrus, particularly orange zest adopted by stone fruit and fennel.
It’s delightfully bubbly. I’m an enormous fan of sturdy sparkle, and this cider is a celebration! The bubble lifts, the tannins maintain, the acids excite, and the ABV offers a considerable mouthfeel for the entire ciders many fruit flavors. The entire components are working collectively to create a merely fantastic expertise. This cider may very well be served with any variety of dishes, from the straightforward to the flowery. We served it with do-it-yourself summer season pesto, homegrown tomatoes, pasta and zucchini. Not a lot may very well be higher! Cheers.
