Review of Applegarden Farm’s flagship cider.  It is my first time trying anything from this cidery.  I was introduced through Press Then Press, a new online cider store focusing on small batch ciders.  I got a sneak peak, but they are planning to launch late Aug / early Sept 2019 having a soft launch Aug 19 and an official launch Sept 9 2019; sign up for e-mails to be first in the know.

>>This is a review of a sample bottle provided to Cider Says by Press Then Press.  Although I will take care to treat it the same as any other review, there is always the potential for bias as I received it for free.  The only consideration I knowingly made was pushing this up in my cider review cue.  I love free stuff, especially cider!  Want your cider or cider-related product reviewed here?  Contact me.<<

Cider:  Hard Cider
Cidery:  Applegarden Farm
Cidery Location:  Tomales CA
ABV:  7.0%
How Supplied:  500ml bottles
Style:  American craft heritage cider from estate-grown heirloom apples

 

Availability:  only though Press Then Press (which ships to 43/50 states), unless you happen to be at a specific store in one of a few cities in Northern California

Distributor Description:  Don’t taste the same, taste the difference!  Press Then Press – Farm to you small batch cider.  We focus on small batch and hard to find cider.  Please visit our curated online store!  We are a mom and pop who wanted more fine cider available to everyone (over 21), so we started this up.  Press Then Press will email you when a fine cider is available for purchase.  If you want it, visit our site and purchase it!  Pick up your cider in Seattle, or we ship to you.  Sign up with your email to be included on future available ciders.  You will hear about it first!  1)Press the fruit  then  2) Press the order button

Cider Description:  We decided on a “farmstead cider” which would contain only the apples grown on our farm…We developed our flavor profile to complement the many artisan cheese makers and oyster farmers in our own local area: it’s fairly dry with only a hint of apple “notes,” with a very slight bit of carbonation. It’s an honest and unpretentious beverage, designed for casual or picnic events with an alcohol content of 7%.

Cidery Description:  What a sweet story! Jan & Louis Lee retired and started making cider. They grow the fruit on their land in Tomales, CA in Marin County. The apples and their farm are certified organic.

Price:  ~ $12
Where Bought:  n/a
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  through Press Then Press

First Impression:  Light gold hue.  Nearly still (very low carbonation).  Smells of dry tart cider from heirloom apples.

Tasting Notes:  On the drier side of semi-dry.  Light bodied.  Moderate to high tartness and acidity.  Low tannins.  Hints of bitterness.  No sourness or funk.  Notes of rich tart apple juice and pomace, lemon, and hints of leather, cork, and leather.  Moderate length tannic finish.  Moderate apple flavor, complexity, flavor intensity, and sessionability.

My Opinion:  Great!  I enjoyed the rich tart tannic flavor and that it wasn’t completely dry like so many heritage ciders are.  Between that and the clean flavor (no sourness or funk), it would be a great introductory heritage cider.

Most Similar to:  Alpenfire Foxwhelp SV, Eden Siren Song, Liberty Hewes Crab SV, and E.Z. Orchards Williamette Valley

Closing Notes:  I look forward to trying the other ciders in Press Then Press‘ introductory lineup.  Their website is well laid out and informative, making the order process easy, and providing access to unique ciders which otherwise wouldn’t be available to most folks.

Have you tried Applegarden Farm cider?  What did you think?