As the days grow warmer and the buds break on the humble beginnings of our homestead orchard. My mouth is finally healing from last weeks dental adventures and allowing me to ease back into sipping a few cellar offerings. As I looked over our Macoun and Roxbury Russet trees I decided it would be a good time to break into a local cider from the ever growing stable Maine has at its disposal.
Absolem Cider Groundwork
Single Orchard Cider 2023
(Pietree Orchard)
A nice collaboration of two Maine operations, one being Absolem Cider who has slowly emerged as an innovative cider house located in Winthrop, ME. Here they have restored a 150 year old barn where they produced a wide array of ciders and co-ferments with nods to the traditional ciders of the old world and creativity to bring cider heritage into the minds of a younger generations of cider enthusiasts! Honestly I have never been let down by any of their offerings, from flagships to one offs, they are worth seeking out and I look forward to sharing more of my thoughts as I myself work through their library of libations.
The second part of this collaboration is where these apples were sourced. Pietree Orchards in Sweden, ME. A 100+ acre orchard in the hills of western Maine with views of the White Mountains. Preserved by the King family in 2007 and saving it from becoming a housing development. This orchard had become our families traditional spot to meet up with old friends to pick apples, peaches and berries. Capping each picking event off with a picnic of housemade cider donuts, woodfired pizza and a glass of fresh pressed cider... we are all saddened by its sudden abrupt closing in 2023 and hope the future of this orchard remains a productive agricultural landmark for the local community.
Ok enough backstory, lets get down to what is in our glass and my thoughts on
ABSOLEM GROUNDWORK 2023 (93pts)
Pours a pale golden yellow color with foggy morning haze throughout the glass as tiny bubbles trickle from the glasses epicure.
Aromas are bright, joyful and complex. Layers of unripe pineapple, lavender, crisp fleshy apple, lilac, citrus blossoms and wildflower honey swirl through my nose as un underlying spice mingles with hints of cinamint and flowering wrinkled cress.
The palate follows with a cohesive backdrop of granny smith-esque tartness that unfolds throughout the palate creating a platform for an evolving symphony of flavors. Dried mango, white peach and tangerine oil burst across the palate with a refreshing acidity that flows into a supple fleshy cider mid palate with nice tannic structure and a elegant floral spice that lingers persistently with the tart finish.
Lengthy, contemplative and just plain delicious!
Stay tuned for more ciders and fermented ramblings to come...
