I’ll never forget the perfumes and luscious apricot and nectarine flavors of Paumanok Late Harvest Riesling, which I cover during the debut season of HC&G.
“Mad scientist” winemaker Christopher Tracy introduces Channing Daughters Meditazione, an orange wine made with white varietals from northeast Italy’s Friuli region.
Long Island gets big scores from Wine Advocate this year, proving the region means business. One winner, Shinn Estate Reserve Cabernet Franc, has a memorable, heady complexity, with blackberry and tobacco notes.
How nice to discover an artisanal producer like Rosamond Phelps Baiz making a sparkling Pinot Noir, The Old Field Blanc de Noir, disgorging 200 bottles at a time. Eye-opening!
Iconoclastic winemaker Eric Fry dares to pit his Lenz Old Vines Merlot, with its intense dark plum and cherry notes, against Château Pétrus in blind tastings. The results: amazingly close.
Winemaker Roman Roth comes out with The Grapes of Roth Merlot, a sensuous beauty (now sold under the Wölffer brand) that receives the highest score of any Long Island wine from Wine Advocate this year.
How delightful to find a Burgundian white on Long Island. Sherwood House Vineyards Chardonnay is lovely, with a silky mouthfeel and flirtatious hazelnut hints.
French winemaker Gilles Martin totally charms me with his Sparkling Pointe Brut Seduction, an elegant cuvée with floral, berry, and mineral notes, aged eight years on its lees.
Esteemed critic James Suckling awards 92 points to Bedell Musée, a Bordeaux blend—and a true collectible with a Chuck Close–designed label.
Finally! Merliance, a collective Merlot blend from area producers, receives much critical acclaim for the great 2010 vintage (released in 2011).
Viticulturist Rich Pisacano, who owns a small Riverhead vineyard, hires winemaker Roman Roth to create Roanoke Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, a laudable wine with blueberry, spice, and earthy accents.
Croteaux, which exclusively makes rosés, knocks me silly with the Sauvage Merlot 181 Rosé, fermented with wild yeast and featuring delicate pear, peach, and jasmine notes.
Macari Cabernet Franc teems with beautiful aromas of rosemary, raspberry, and other bramble fruits, a testament to the varietal’s strength on the North Fork.
Winemaker Anthony Nappa tweaks out hints of sage and oregano in Raphael Cabernet Franc, which displays flavors of raspberry, licorice, and black olive.
The Hamptons’ most elegant cuvée, Wölffer Estate Noblesse Oblige Extra Brut Sparkling Rosé, has fine bubbles, minerality, and depth. Cheers to that!
