Winemaker Christopher Tracy makes some of Long Island’s most unique wines. Being unique isn’t enough — a wine has to be delicious to earn my attention.
Channing Daughers Winery 2010 Mosaico ($29) is a field blend — from part of the winery’s Sylvanus Vineyard in Bridgehampton — that was fermented with ambient yeast. Made up of 32% pinot grigio, 29% chardonnay, 14% sauvignon blanc, 10% muscat ottonel, 7% tocai friulano and 8% gewurztraminer that was fermented mostly in stainless steel (86%) with 14% fermented in new French oak. The muscat and gewurztraminer were fermented on their skins and blended back into the overall blend.
With the gewurzt and muscat in there, you’d expect floral aromatics and those are abundant, but it’s more of a flower garden than an old lady perfume selection. Just beneath the flowers are mandarin oranges, tropical fruits, citrus and delicate spice..
Medium bodied and dry, the palate delivers a combination of flowers, fruit and spice that mimics the nose. The flavors are good here, but the star is the texture with subtle juicy acidity and a hint of skin tannin that lingers on a long finish.
Producer: Channing Daughters Winery
AVA: The Hamptons, Long Island
ABV: 12.5%
Price: $29 | Buy now from Empire State Cellars
(3.5 out of 5 | Very Good, Recommended to Outstanding and Delicious, Highly Recommended)