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Posts Tagged“chardonnay”

WTN: Raphael 2006 Grand Cru Chardonnay Reserve (North Fork)

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When it comes to his white wines, Richard Olsen-Harbich, winemaker at Raphael, typically eschews oak to preserve the natural flavors of the grapes. Both his stainless steel chardonnay and sauvignon blanc are perennial favorites and are terrific spring and summer sippers. But, after a 2006 growing season that was cooler than 2005 and was marked by a lot of overcast days and higher-than-average levels of rain, Rich decided to make his first barrel-fermented chardonnay at Raphael. He didn’t make much though, only four new French barrels worth. All told, the wine spent five months in those barrels. He stirred the…

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The 12 LI Wines of Christmas: #1 Wolffer Estate Vineyards 2003 Estate Selection Chardonnay

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This post is a part of my 12 Long Island Wines for Christmas series that will run from now until Christmas 2007. See the entire series here. Welcome to my 2007 12 Long Island Wines for Christmas, where I share with you the 12 wines that I’m most excited about and consider the some of the best Long Island had to offer in 2007. Today’s wine is Wolffer Estate Vineyards’ 2003 Estate Selection Chardonnay. I’ve written about this wine before, but I was reminded this past weekend of just how much I enjoy it. I served it with the pasta…

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WTN: Lenz 2005 “Old Vines” Chardonnay (North Fork of Long Island)

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Yesterday I wrote about a $20 chardonnay that I just wasn’t into from Lenz Winery. Today, I’m going to tell you about another chardonnay that they just released that shows much more balance, elegance and overall quality. And, it’s only $5 more. Yes, I think you’ll do well to upgrade to the Lenz 2005 “Old Vines” Chardonnay ($25), one of Long Island’s better values in barrel-fermented chardonnay. It’s debatable whether or not any vines on Long Island qualify as old — I think these vines are still less than 30 years old — but that’s a discussion for a different…

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WTN: Lenz 2005 Gold Label Chardonnay (North Fork of Long Island)

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I’ll tell you about my favorite of the Lenz Winery chardonnays tomorrow, but today let’s focus on one that I didn’t like as much. Actually, I’ve never cared for winemaker Eric Fry’s Gold Label Chardonnay much, and his 2005 release ($20) is no different. It’s definitely made in the California style that is – thankfully – losing popularity among most wine drinkers. It’s medium-dark gold in the glass with a lot of oak on the nose, coming across with toasted marshmallow, sweet oak, and faint caramel aromas. There’s also some roasted apple there, but it’s subservient to the domineering oak.…

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WTN: Macari Vineyards 2007 Early Wine (North Fork of Long Island)

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Just about every Long Island winemaker and vineyard manager I’ve spoken to in recent weeks has told me that 2007 is going to be a tremendous, classic vintage for Long Island wines. Sure, sometimes winemakers are prone to hyperbole - they do need to sell wine after all - but I trust them this time. We’ve had months of sunny, warm-but-not-hot days with very little rain. Of course, we won’t know for at least several months just how good the white wines of 2007 will be. For the reds, it could be several years. But if you don’t want to…

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WTN: Wolffer Estate 2004 Cabernet Franc (The Hamptons, Long Island)

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Wolffer Estate, one of two quality-focused producers in the Hamptons, focuses mainly on two varieties: Merlot and Chardonnay. They make no fewer than four different bottlings of each — including Long Island’s most expensive wine the Premier Cru Merlot, which retails for $125 and a succulent, lively late harvest chardonnay. Some of those wines are good for everyday drinking. Some are stunningly delicious and complex. But still, who can live on only merlot and chardonnay? I know that I can’t and, as you probably know, I’m a big fan of Long Island cabernet franc. Wolffer’s winemaker, Roman Roth, makes a…

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WTNs: Pellegrini Vineyards’ New and Upcoming Releases (North Fork of Long Island)

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I tell anyone who will listen that they should try new wines whenever possible. That’s how we learn about new regions, grapes and winemakers. It’s how we expand our wine knowledge and grow as wine drinkers. But, that doesn’t mean that we can’t — and shouldn’t — come back to long-time favorites as well. Pellegrini Vineyards — and its Vinter’s Pride Encore — are just the kind of favorites worth coming back to. It was one of the first red blends I tasted on Long Island and remains one that I enjoy every time I taste it, regardless of vintage.…

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WTN: Raphael 2006 Grand Cru Chardonnay (North Fork of Long Island)

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One of the greatest things about Long Island wines is their food-friendliness. Many are fruit-forward, but they almost never plunge into the overtly fruity, high-alcohol pool of many other New World wines. Alcohol levels usually hover around the 12-13% level as well, meaning you can have two or three glasses of wine with dinner and not need a nap. Cool nights and ocean breezes help growing grapes retain their natural acidity as well-another great benefit for those who like wine with food. A move away from heavy new oak-or at least more judicious use of said oak-also results in wines…

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Wine Blogging Wednesday #36: Let’s Get Naked

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Now that I have your attention, let’s get down to business. Next month, on August 8 to be exact, we’ll be celebrating the three-year anniversary of Wine Blogging Wednesday. Actually, in the early days, it was called World Wide Wine Blogging Wednesday. But, participants quickly streamlined the name and the rest is Internet history. What started out as a few hardcore wine blogging geeks has really grown into more than I could have imagined. For that, I am grateful. Thank you to every person who has ever participated. But let’s stop looking back…let’s look forward. The theme for WBW #36…

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