Posts Written OnDecember 10, 2004

(This column originally appeared in the December 10th issue of Dan’s Papers) Macari Vineyards, located on Sound Avenue in Mattituck, has always been one of my favorite destinations for East End wine tasting. Its modern, elegant tasting room and spectacular vineyard views are almost as welcoming at the people who pour the wines. With tasty wines that are organized into ever-changing flights, I’ve never had a bad experience at Macari – from the people or the wines. Despite becoming increasingly well known for its high-end reds, including Bergen Road 2001 ($40) and Alexandra 2000 ($75), as well as its Rose…

After a one-week hiatus, you can read me again in Dan’s Papers this week. My column, Over The Barrel…With Lenn Thompson, this week focuses on Macari Vineyards and some of their recent and future releases.

Raphael, founded in 1996, is known in Long Island wine country for having one of the most magnificent tasting rooms, overflowing with Medditerranean style and offering spectacular views of the vineyard. Raphael’s focus is on Merlot–considered by many to be the varietal Long Island is best suited for (there will be many future posts on this topic). They also make Sauvignon Blanc (which is quite good), Saignee (a Rose) and have a recently released Cabernet Franc…but again, Merlot is their focus. This week, Raphael’s managing director and winemaker, Richard Olsen-Harbich, sent me a couple bottles of their 2000 First Label…