Jamesport Vineyards
2006 Sauvignon Blanc, Estate(North Fork of Long Island)
Many Long Island wineries focus on the red wines of Bordeaux--particularly Merlot--and the white wine of Burgundy--Chardonnay. They are, by far, the two most planted varieties. Jamesport Vineyards is a little different. They make Merlot and Chardonnay of course--the market demands them. But, they also have a well established Pinot Noir program and consider the white wine of Bordeaux, Sauvignon Blanc, a specialty.
Most local Sauvignon is reared entirely in stainless steel tanks, which highlights the fruit character and results in fresh, lip-smacking wines that tend to be straight-forward no matter how delicious. Jamesport's winemaker, Les Howard, ferments 62% of this wine in stainless steel with 35% in 132-gallon puncheons and 3% in oak barrels.
The nose is a mélange of tropical fruits--mango, papaya, kiwi and passion fruit--with a little grape fruit accented by subtle smoky oak and just a little herbaceousness. Ripe peach, passion fruit and mango flavors greet the palate with terrific acidity and a clean, lingering finish. It's fresh and fruity without being like fruit salad, and offers a little depth and interest without being over-oaked like many California Fume Blancs. It's easy to see why Jamesport focuses on this variety. They do it extremely well.
Reviewed July 25, 2007 by Lenn Thompson.
Other reviewed wines from Jamesport Vineyards
Jamesport Vineyards 2004 Riesling Late Harvest, Estate (North Fork of Long Island)Lenn Thompson 2/21/2007 |
Jamesport Vineyards 2004 Chardonnay, Cox Lane Vineyard (North Fork of Long Island)Lenn Thompson 2/27/2006 |
The Wine
Winery: Jamesport Vineyards |
The ReviewerLenn Thompson writes about New York wines for Dan's Papers, |