Since 2005From The Wall Street Journal:
“(NYU wine economist) Karl Storchmann is … passionate on the subject of Garden State wines. ‘The wines of New Jersey are awesome …,’ he said, rattling off the names of half a dozen state producers. There was Amalthea Cellars, Unionville and the wines of Peter Leitner of Mount Salem Vineyards.”
Lettie Teague October 10, 2013 October 10, 2013
“Mr. Leitner is a serious winemaker … Blaufränkisch was remarkably good, marked by crunchy dark berry fruit, a supple texture and a lively acidity. It is one of the best Blaufränkisch wines I’ve tasted outside of Austria.”
Lettie Teague February 7, 2013 February 7, 2013
From the Wine Trail Traveler:
“Visitors who schedule a private wine tasting are escorted to the farmhouse library where they can sit surrounded by books at an elegant table and taste wines in a flight. This will be an experience to be remembered and talked about with other wine enthusiasts. Visitors to Mount Salem Vineyards are in for a treat."
Terry & Kathy Sullivan May 8, 2014 May 8, 2014
From Riesling Global:
“Peter Leitner is the man who proved that Blaufränkisch is a vital part of New Jersey’s wine future…the 2012 estate Blaufränkisch (Leitner label) is clearly the superior wine with a wonderful fragrance and silkiness in spite of generous supple tannins, the oak aromas discreet.”
Stuart Pigott December 5, 2013 December 5, 2013
“This is the best red wine Peter’s made to date, but you’re probably going to have to wait a full year to enjoy it … Anyone who wants to taste an example of Peter’s hand-crafted reds for a more modest price is recommended the delicious 2012 Zweigelt, which is brimming with cherry aromas, but also has the tannic power he strives for.”
Stuart Pigott December 5, 2013 December 5, 2013
“I really liked the complex black fruit and pepper aromas of the 2010 ‘Matthias’ (Leitner label) – a blend of a trio of Austrian red grapes Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt and St. Laurent – from Mount Salem Vineyards, but even in that case a little bit less tannin would have made the balance so much more appealing. However, the wine did prove the considerable potential these varieties have in New Jersey."
Stuart Pigott November 16, 2013 November 16, 2013
“Grüner Veltliner? Yes! Leitner made a delicious, richly textural barrel-fermented wine from Austria’s number one grape.”
Stuart Pigott December 21, 2012 December 21, 2012
“2010 was his first vintage and good as the results were, it was the barrel samples of 2012 Blaufränkisch reds that convinced me he’s really on to something.”
Stuart Pigott December 21, 2012 December 21, 2012
"Of two, single-vineyard Blaufränkisch wines of vintage 2012, the first … had red fruit aromas and wonderful elegance (silky tannins) …, while the second was … packed with blackberry (including elderberry) aromas, and was at once powerful and crisp.”
Stuart Pigott December 21, 2012 December 21, 2012
From American Winery Guide:
"Mount Salem’s red wines were outstanding … (it is) a hidden gem, and their desire to focus exclusively on wine quality is very refreshing."
Charlie Toms, New Jersey Correspondent February 25, 2014 February 25, 2014