Wolffer Estate Vineyards winemaker Roman Roth makes some of my favorite oak-influenced chardonnay. Yes, I do have favorites in the category, I just don’t reach for them often.
His best chardonnay, “Perle” is one of the top made on Long Island, and I guess you could call Wolffer Estate Vineyards 2010 “White Mischief” Chardonnay ($35) its sister wine — but made with ambient yeasts.
Fermented 70% in stainless steel and 30% new French oak, the nose overflows with tropical pineapple, peach, and pear fruit aromas and notes of lilac and lavendar and only the faintest evidence of vanilla oak.
Mouth-filling and a bit showy — but still very well balanced by focused, citrusy acidity — the fleshy palate shows sweet tropical fruit and peach flavors with subdued oak flavors that show mostly on the end of a long, vanilla-tinged finish.
Producer: Wolffer Estate Vineyards
AVA: The Hamptons, Long Island
ABV: 13%
Price: $35*
(3.5 out of 5 | Very Good, Recommended to Outstanding and Delicious, Highly Recommended)