

Wolffer Estate Vineyard
2004 La Ferme Martin Chardonnay(Hamptons Long Island)
Long Island wine's "sweet spot" in terms of price-for-quality tends to be in the $20+ realm. Unfortunately, that turns a lot of neophyte wine drinkers off, but one of my favorite wines for less than $15 has long been Wolffer's simple-but-tasty La Ferme Martin Chardonnay ($14). My first bottle from the newly released 2004 vintage was slightly corked and seemed a bit heavy on the oak. It left me wondering if one of my favorite summer "house" wines had lost its decidedly East Coast style?
It was clearly just a single bottle anomaly. Opening a second (and then third) bottle a few days later, my fears were allayed. The nose was fresh with ripe pears and citrus with only a sprinkling of oak inflection. Refreshingly light but ripe, this is a fruit-driven summer sipper with abundant pear and apple flavors accented by a squeeze of lime. For $13.50, this is a great pool –- or ocean-side –- wine that offers nicely balanced fruit and acidity. It also went nicely with parmesan-sweet pea risotto cakes fresh from my own kitchen.
Reviewed July 18, 2006 by Lenn Thompson.
Other reviewed wines from Wolffer Estate Vineyard
Wolffer Estate Vineyard ![]() 2003 Estate Selection Chardonnay (Hamptons Long Island)Lenn Thompson 8/23/2007 |
The Wine
Winery: Wolffer Estate Vineyard |
The Reviewer![]() Lenn Thompson writes about New York wines for Dan's Papers, |