Thanks to Ray, a devout LENNDEVOURS reader for this link to a round up of a tasting that pitted New York wines against those from Virginia (where Ray lives now).

Some interesting results…and ones that make me want to explore VA wines a bit more. I’m going to try to track down a comprehensive wine list…as I’ve had some of the NY wines mentioned and there are betters available. If the panel liked the Wolffer 2004 Late Harvest Chardonnay, they should try the 2003!

Interesting that there weren’t any Long Island merlots mentioned…given that some are really pushing it as "the" varietal of the region.

UPDATE: I got the complete list of wines…

Viognier

  • 2004 PINDAR VINEYARDS                                       
  • 2004 MARTHA CLARA VINEYARDS
  • 2002 JEFFERSON VINEYARDS                
  • 2004 CHRYSALIS VINEYARDS
  • 2004 RAPPHANNOCK VIRGINIA RESERVE

Comments: Long Island (and NY in general) isn’t big on Viognier and I’ve never tasted one that was more than gulpable.

Chardonnay

• 2003 COREY CREEK VINEYARDS            

• 2001 MILLBROOK PROPRIETORS SPECIAL RESERVE

• 2003 GALLUCCIO CRU GEORGE ALLAIRE

• 2004 DUCK WALK

• 2001 HORTON SPOTSWOOD TRAIL IVY CREEK

• 2004 WATERFORD VINTNERS  RESERVE

• 2004 OAKENKROFT CHARDONNAY RESERVE

• 2002 CHATEAU MORRISETTE

Comments: They really missed the boat on their NY selections, especially given the comment on it being overoaked in many of these wines. There are several NY versions made with little or no oak.

Meritage Blends

• 2000 PINDAR MYTHOLOGY

• NV   PINDAR PYTHAGORAS

• 2001 GALLUCCIO CRU GEORGE ALLAIRE

• 2001 MARTHA CLARA VINEYARDS 6025 NORTH FORK

• 2001 LINDEN HARDSCRABBLE

• 2001 BARBOURSVILLE OCTAGON 

• 2002 KLUGE NEW WORLD RED WINE

• 2002 KING FAMILY

Comments: The Mythology and 6025 are good wines, but I’d like to see how Bedell’s Cupola, Macari’s Bergen Road or Pellegrini’s Encore would do in this lot.

Merlot

• 2001 BEDELL CELLARS

• 2001 JAMESPORT RESERVE

• 2003 SHINN ESTATE VINEYARDS

• 2002 MICHAEL SHAPS

• 2001 BREAUX VINEYARDS

• 2001 JEFFERSON  RESERVE

Comments: I’ve had better NY merlots than those listed, definitely.

Cabernet Franc

• 2001 MILLBROOK PROPRIETORS SPECIAL RESERVE

• 2002 FOX RUN

• 2002 HAZLITT 1852 VINEYARDS

• 2001 LINDEN RESERVE

• 2002 VERITAS RESERVE

• 2001 WHITEHALL

Comments: Not one Long Island version? Odd.

Dessert Wines
• 2003 JAMESPORT VINEYARDS LATE HARVEST REISLING

• 2004 WOLFFER LATE HARVEST CHARDONNAY

• 2002 LAMOREAUX LANDING VIDAL ICE WINE

• 2004 JAMES RIVER DOLCE VINO

• 2002 BARBOURSVILLE MALVAXIA

• 2004 ROCKBRIDGE V d’OR

Comments: I do like that Wolffer wine, and Jamesport makes some nice dessert wine, but where is Macari’s Block E or Paumanok’s Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc?

I’ve already contacted the people who put together the tasting offering my help if they ever want to do it again. I know it’s impossible to get ALL the "right" wines at a tasting like this, but the Pindar/Duck Walk/Galluccio-heavy local wine list is a little like doing a California tasting and having it be heavy on Sutter Home, Beringer and Mondavi.