This weekend I got to attend my first ever gaming convention. I strolled downtown to enjoy the first ever FLAG Con (Finger Lakes Area Gaming Convention). It was a brilliant and totally overwhelming experience. I played 1 board game and 4 tabletop role playing games in 3 days, and that includes my first experience running a one-off con game. At the end of each day, my voice was absolutely destroyed. When I was home Sunday evening after my game, I needed something calm, mature, and sophisticated for my cider choice. That’s why I choice Black Diamond Cider’s 2021 Redfield/Wickson Crab to accompany my dinner and relaxation.
Black Diamond Cider is based out of Trumansburg, New York. It’s a great small cidery out of truly incredible orchard. You can find more background information in my earlier reviews. I bought this cider as a returning member of Black Diamonds Apple and Cider CSA.
Here are all my Black Diamond Cider reviews.
The Moosewood Black Diamond Pairing Dinner: https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2022/10/cider-week-new-york-moosewood.html
2021 Black is Gold a collaboration with Redbyrd Orchard Cider(My #1 cider of 2021): http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2021/11/cider-review-black-diamond-farm-and.html
Black Diamond Cider's 2018 Rosé: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2020/09/cider-review-eden-ciders-peak-bloom-and.html
Shin Hollow: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2020/08/cider-review-mountain-west-ciders-sweet.html
Jaywalker: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2020/03/cider-review-alpenfires-dungeness-and.html
Geneva Tremlett’s: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2019/03/cider-review-black-diamonds-geneva.html
Somerset Jersey: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2019/05/very-perry-may-with-vandermills-ice-ice.html
Slatestone: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2018/11/cider-reviews-big-hill-ciderworks.html
Hickster: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2016/12/cider-review-black-diamond-ciders.html
Porter’s Pommeau: https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2017/09/finger-lakes-cider-week-and-birthday.html
Solstice: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2017/08/cider-review-black-diamonds-solstice.html
Rabblerouser: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2015/09/cider-review-black-diamonds.html
Black Diamond Cidery’s website is the best place to find out the latest news with this Finger Lakes cidery: https://www.blackdiamondcider.com/
2021 Redfield/Wickson Crab
The berry-filled essence and soft tannins of Redfield combined with intense acidity and rich sugars of Wickson Crab create this cider which is full-bodied, fruit-forward and with just enough sweetness to temper its racy acidity.
In the cidery: Field blend of Redfield and Wickson Crab pressed 1 month after harvest. DV10 yeast. Bottled still after 8 months of aging. 20 Cases produced.
In your glass: Aromas of stone fruit and white grape. Mouthwatering acidity, cherry and peach.
Varieties: Wickson Crab (80%), Redfield (20%)
Alcohol: 8% Residual Sugar: 0.75%
Knowing that this will be a still semi-dry cider with my favorite crab apple makes me extra curious about it.
Appearance: delicate straw color, brilliant, still
This cider is completely still and brilliant. The color is a gently warm straw.
Aromas: star fruit, peach, apple, cherry & minerals
One of my favorite things about Black Diamond ciders are the aromas. They never fade away;
I’m amazed by the intensity of the Star fruit, ripe peach, apple and mineral aromas. The peach and cherry from the official description is completely accurate.
Dryness/Sweetness: Semi-dry
This is a semi-dry cider. I usually have the dry end of Black Diamond’s ciders, but this has loads of appeal.
Flavors and drinking experience: fruity, citrus, extremely high acid, wine like
The first thing I noticed when the cider touched my tongue is its extremely high acid. The cider tastes fruity, with loads of citrus. The particular way that this cider is semi dry is that it approaches sweetly and then goes to semi dry. It’s a still and luscious cider with a heavy mouthfeel. The impression that lingers is one of peach and apple. I think this would be a huge hit for fans of cool-climate semi-dry white wines like Riesling or Gewurztraminer.
