By Lenn Thompson, Long Island Editor and Editor-in-Chief At Sherwood House Vineyards in Mattituck, NY, the focus is set squarely on Old World-style chardonnay and merlot. My distaste for regional comparisons aside, their chardonnay is extremely Burgundian and the merlots show restraint and elegance rather than jammy one dimension. Owners Charles and Barbara Smithen purchased their 1860 farmhouse on Oregon Road in 1996 and planted their vines soon after, starting with 5 acres of chardonnay before planing just over 15 acres more with merlot and chardonnay in 1997. Nearly 7 acres of cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot were added…
Posts Tagged“gilles martin”
WTN: Lieb Family Cellars 2004 Bridge Lane Bubbly (North Fork of Long Island)
Lieb Family Cellars’ Blanc de Blancs, made entirely using the pinot blanc grape, has long been a favorite (look for a review and rating later this week). But at $35, it’s not the sort of bubbly we can keep on hand for casual consumption. Luckily, they’ve recently introduced a sparkler under as part of their second-label Bridge Lane product line — a 2004 Bridge Lane Bubbly ($27). Bright and impressively flavorful from the first refreshing sip, this affordable bubbly is made with 60% pinot noir and 40% chardonnay by French-born Gilles Martin (formerly of Martha Clara Vineyards and currently winemaker…
WTN: Martha Clara Vineyards NV Blanc de Blanc
Martha Clara Vineyards, best known in these parts for having a bevy of large- and small-scale wine events, is really coming on. And by that I mean that their wines are improving with each released vintage. When I first starting covering the region several years ago, their portfolio was firmly entrenched as one aimed at the white zinfandel set — not fine wine lovers. Standby wines like the sweet, Beagle-labeled rose are still the top sellers, but further down the tasting sheet you’ll find some much better, refined, and delicious wines. Yes, the tasting room still overflows with new wine…