Sherwoodhouse_01chardSherwood House Vineyards is owned and operated by Dr. Charles Smithen,
a New York City-based Cardiologist and his wife Barbara, a vintage
jewelry dealer. Charles’ love of and passion for wine really started in the 1960s when he was working in England…and took regular trip to French wine country.

After moving to the North Fork of Long Island and planting vines, they started by selling their grapes to local wineries for three years before deciding to make their own wines — starting with a 1999 chardonnay.

They now make chardonnay and merlot, and their wines are available for tasting and purchase at both The Tasting Room (a co-op tasting room for small, artisanal producers) locations.

Eyes: Light golden yellow with a lemon-yellow rim

Nose: The nose is light and refined, with Bosc pear, vanilla and hints of toast

Tongue: Full bodied but far from heavy, this exceptionally balanced chardonnay displays lithe pear flavors with hints of pineapple as well as delicate notes of butter, toast and minerals.

Price: $20

Nena’s Grade: A-
Lenn’s Grade: A-

Overall: Flavorful, moderately complex and elegant, this is one of the best North Fork chardonnays I’ve ever tasted…and it will only evolve and get better with some aging (which I find rare in most North Fork chardonnay). 645 cases were made.