I mentioned last week that I was thankful for Eric Fry and his local bubblies. As coincidence would have it, I tasted one of those very sparklers over the holiday weekend.
Lenz Winery has garnered quite a bit of praise in the press by taking on high-end Bordeaux wines in blind tastings. Just this past weekend, Lenz hosted one such event where they poured 2001 Chateau Petrus, 2001 Peby-Faugeres, 2001 L’Evangile, 2001 L’Eglise Clinet, and 2001 Lenz Old Vines Merlot.
I’m not sure that Long Island wine will get where it can go by constantly comparing itself to Bordeaux, but it’s worked well for Lenz so far.
What gets lost in all of these red wine-focused tastings is the quality of Fry’s sparkling wines — he truly is Long Island’s Baron of Bubbly.
The Lenz 2001 Cuvee, a new release,
is made with 70% pinot noir and 30% chardonnay. It features a fairly persistent mousse and fine bead. The aromas are clean and fresh with fresh pear, apple and cherry aromas and a faint, doughy yeast note.
Dry and lively, there is loads of apple flavor here with white cherry, dried cranberry and yeasty, toasty complexity.
The delicious finish features with a crisp citrus note that definitely invites another sip.
Think oysters.
Think fried foods. Think every day drinking. Bubbly doesn’t need to
be reserved for celebrations. It creates them.
And, for all of you New York Cork Club members out there, you just might be getting a bottle of this in December.
Grape(s): 70% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay
Producer: Lenz Winery
AVA: North Fork of Long Island
Price: $30
Rating: 
(3.5 out of 5 | Very good-to-Delicious).