As my wife and I entered the Plagido tasting room we were greeted warmly by our server and were already getting good vibes that this would be a very positive experience. We were impressed with the ambience, the very positive and informative server, and most of all the quality of the wines we tasted. Since both of us prefer the dry reds and dry whites we focused primarily on them. We tasted the Vidal Blanc, the Reverence (using the Marquis grape), the 2008 Merlot, the 2013 Chambourcin, the 2013 Cab/Merlot Blend, the 2014 Cab Franc, and the Empire (Port-style wine). All were very good. We wound up coming home with the Vidal Blanc, the Reverence, the Cab Franc, and the Empire Port. We enjoyed the Cab Franc that night with a thick grilled, marbleized steak. All of the wines tasted and mentioned above were oaked. However, the use of oak was not overpowering and we felt added to the appeal of the wines tasted. I must say, their Cab Franc and their Vidal Blanc are among the best in those categories that I’ve tasted in New Jersey, regardless of price range. My wife’s favorite was the Reverence, an interesting wine. The Marquis grape is actually considered a table grape, but produced a unique semi-dry wine that was quite refreshing.
During our tasting I found out that the owner, Ollie Tomasello, is not related to the Tomasellos who own the winery nearby (called Tomasello Winery). Still a rather interesting coincidence given the two wineries are within a few miles of one another. I also learned that Plagido Winery sources all of their grapes from their own vineyards (with the occasional bartering with other local wineries). Finally, I learned about a grape I was not familiar with –the Marquis grape. I love that wine is one of those things that constantly piques one’s interest and curiosity and invites you and challenges you to keep learning.
Bottom line: All wines tasted were far better than I remembered from a previous tasting, though it has been some time since the last tasting and that was at a festival, not in their tasting room. Great selection, great quality, warm ambience, and friendly, knowledgeable staff. We will be back soon. Check it out.
