Paumanok Winery: The Perks of Being a Local

Posted by nofowineaux in Tasting and tagged with cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, Dogs allowed during the week, Dry Rose, Festival Red, Festival White, Figgy Piggy, Massoud, menu of snacks, merlot, no outside food, North Fork, Paumanok, The Goat, travel, wine, wine tasting, Winery June 8, 2025

http://www.paumanok.com

June 6, 2025

*We entered here, and then were shown to the deck.*

Yes, there are many perks to being a local on the North Fork: the plethora of farm stands spring through fall; the closeness to the seashore; the friendly neighbors; sightings of deer, turkeys, egrets, bunnies, and even groundhogs; and more, but one of my favorites is being able to pop out to a winery whenever one wants. And this past week we discovered a good reason to head out to a tasting, because many of the wineries were offering special deals for “Locals Week,” from free tastings to a free glass of wine. So the question was, where to go? Mother Nature solved one part of the conundrum for us, by giving us a beautiful, warm, sunny day (We went from having the heat on to turning on the A/C almost overnight.), meaning sitting outside was a good idea. Then I decided we needed to go somewhere that served lunch, and Paumanok seemed perfect.

So off we went. We walked into the tasting room, where Lily greeted us enthusiastically and quickly showed us to a table on the wooden deck overlooking the vineyard. There were a few other couples enjoying the day, the wine, and lunch, and we were happy to join them. A slight breeze made the temperature perfect. We told our server we were getting the “Locals” tasting, and she set us up with three tastes each in little carafes, with a round-bottomed glass into which to pour each wine: a white, a rosé, and a red. She also gave us a bottle of chilled water and a water glass, welcome on this warm afternoon.

*We sat at the table just outside the doors.*

What would we like for lunch? We contemplated the charcuterie platter, which came with a baguette, or individual cheeses, or hummus, but then were attracted to the sandwiches. My tasting buddy chose the “Figgy Piggy”—prosciutto, melted brie, sliced apples, and fig jam—while I opted for “The Goat”—Old Chatham goat cheese, roasted red peppers, olive tapenade (which turned out to be sliced olives, but still good), and balsamic glaze, served with a little pile of cornichons and a bag of North Fork Potato Chips ($24 each). Both sandwiches were delicious, but if we come again we would probably just order one sandwich, since we both took home half of ours. They are big!

We took our time, sipping the wines and discussing which one went best with each sandwich, enjoying the afternoon. We were feeling so mellow that we took home two bottles each of all three wines! Lily asked if we wanted to join the wine club, but after careful consideration we decided that we belonged to enough wine clubs already.

2023 Festival Chardonnay $24

Happily for me, this is a steel-fermented chard, with some interesting characteristics. It smells piney, and even tastes a bit like pine, plus the usual citrus taste one expects. I also felt it smelled a bit like lemon candy, with a touch of funk. Not your ordinary North Fork chard. My husband dubbed it “likeable.” I also felt it went well with both sandwiches. I used to automatically pair cheeses and meats with reds, but I have come to feel that charcuterie and soft cheeses go best with whites or rosés.

*The wines. The rosé* *has a particularly pretty label.*

2024 Dry Rosé $28

Lily was eager to tell us about this rosé, since it was new to the tasting menu and she was quite enthusiastic about it. With good cause. It is a delicious blend of 52% merlot, plus cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, and pinot noir. Though it has some of the expected strawberry aroma and taste, I also taste cranberries or raspberries and maybe some tart apple, like Winesap. It goes particularly well with the potato chips! She also tells us about the history of the Massoud family, how they started in Lebanon, where it was illegal to buy wine, but not to ferment it oneself. After making their own wine for a few years, they decided to emigrate to the United States, and settled on the North Fork in 1983 to found their winery. They now also own Palmer, and continue to live on the Paumanok property.

*The flight. This is a nice set-up if one wants to share a tasting.*

2022 Festival Red $24

This is, according to Lily, lighter than their other reds, and she described it as a “barbeque” wine. It is certainly priced for casual drinking. This is a 50/50 blend of merlot and cabernet sauvignon (although the web site describes it as a different blend), with some tobacco and cherry aromas, not much tannins, and very easy to drink. “Smooth,” opines my buddy.

Reasons to visit: comfortable deck overlooking the vines; we liked all three wines we tried; a nice menu of snacks and substantial sandwiches; dogs allowed during the week.

McCall Wines: Cherries for the Win

Posted by nofowineaux in Tasting and tagged with Burger night, cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, dogs allowed, Field Blend, McCall Wines, merlot, Miguel, no outside food, North Fork, petit verdot, pinot noir, snacks available, wine tasting April 21, 2024

April 19, 2024

*Ornamental cherry trees line the road to the tasting room.*

Cherries for the win? Have I been playing slot machines? Nope, just going to a winery during cherry blossom season. As we walked towards the entrance to McCall’s winery with our friends, the winery aficionados, we paused to admire the blooms on some ornamental cherry trees, noting that the Greenport cherry blossom festival was scheduled for Saturday. Then, as a nosh with our tastings, we got the fruit and nut tray, on which the star was definitely the juicy dried cherries. (At $10 I thought it was a bit overpriced.) And, as we were leaving, I commented that those dried cherries were the star of the day. Were the wines bad? No, just underwhelming.

*We had already made some inroads in the nut and fruit tray, but it was still a small serving.*

We were headed to a tasting for the second time this week to take advantage of Locals Week. About twenty-two wineries were offering two for the price of one tastings, with some also featuring 10-15% off bottles of wine. It seems that no one checks your id, by the way, so even if you are not local you can probably safely enjoy these deals next spring.

*Miguel behind the bar, with a photo of Theodore Roosevelt over his shoulder.*

McCall has a cool little tasting room that began life as a stable, and still has stalls, repurposed as nooks for tables, with all sorts of farming bric-a-brac decorating the walls. We also noted a display of articles about Theodore Roosevelt, and wondered about the connection. Miguel, the general manager, was manning the bar, and he explained that Russ McCall admired President Roosevelt for his dedication to conservation, a cause Mr. McCall also champions.

*This is just a small sample of all the “stuff” on the walls.*

The room was also cool in temperature, and we kept our jackets on, even after Miguel turned on a little stove heater next to us.

We ordered two tastings, with each couple sharing one, and Miguel brought us the wine in little carafes, plus glasses. He also brought us a bottle of chilled water and some cups, always a nice touch. We decided to both get the Rouge Flight, of three wines for $25, so we could compare notes as we sipped and chatted.

2016 Estate Pinot Noir $30

“I much prefer pinot noir from Oregon,” our friend, who has been to several wineries in Oregon, noted. This wine has the sweet aroma of Cheracol, a cough medicine much favored by my mother when I was little, but is dry, with slight tannins. It has a bit of a cherry taste, but is not very interesting. “Okay, but not spectacular,” opined my tasting buddy.

This may look like a lot of wine for one tasting. That’s because our server misunderstood when we ordered, and thought we wanted four flights, not two. Very nicely, he only charged us for what we had ordered.

2016 Estate Merlot $24

This was our favorite of the day, a fairly typical North Fork merlot, dry, with some taste of not quite ripe plums. We discussed the prevalence of merlot and chardonnay on the North Fork, figuring they grew well here. Perhaps the pinot noir grapes are not as happy here as in Oregon?

2018 Field Blend $26

I assume “Field Blend” means all the grapes for this blend are grown in the same field. According to their website, this is a blend of 75% merlot, 14% cabernet sauvignon, 6% petit verdot, and 5% cabernet franc. It has lots of red fruit taste and a slightly funky aroma. It’s fine, but, again, not exciting.

*One of the cozy nooks created by the old stable configuration.*

Reasons to visit: pleasant, quiet tasting room; dogs allowed; burger night, which will recommence on May 16^th “and continue every Thursday and Friday 4-8 pm through the summer”; the Estate Merlot. Burger night features delicious burgers made with beef from the Charolais cattle the McCalls raise, and has become quite popular. Make reservations if you want to go! I wrote about it in my blog on August 3, 2023.

Sparkling Pointe: Perks of Being a Local

Posted by nofowineaux in Tasting and tagged with Blanc de Blancs, Brazil, Brut, Brut Rose, Carnaval, Champagne, chardonnay, Cynthia Rosicki, merlot, muscat, no dogs, no outside food, North Fork, NV Cuvee Carneval Blanc, NV Cuvee Carneval Rose, Pinot Meunier, pinot noir, Rio, rose, Sparkling Pointe, Tom Rosicki, Topaz Imperial Brut Rose, wine tasting April 17, 2024

April 15, 2024

*It was too nice to stay indoors, though the tasting room is quite attractive.*

We were not celebrating tax day, but rather “Locals Week” in the wineries. So we called up our friends the winery aficionados and headed to Sparkling Pointe, where they were offering two tastings for the price of one. Since both couples prefer to split tastings, it worked out perfectly.

*A view of the terrace and our first taste, an easy-to-drink rosé.*

The weather, in this fickle month of April, was also perfect, warm and sunny, so we opted to sit outside on their lovely terrace overlooking the vineyard. As soon as we settled ourselves, a waitress appeared with four glasses of their NV (non-vintage) Cuvée Carnaval Rosé, a “welcome toast” offered to everyone. More about that later.

After we told our waitress that we would be getting the two-for-one flights, the “Grand Tasting Flight,” ($25 for four tastes) plus a package of Z Crackers ($6), which were slim and light and salty, we began chatting. It had been a while since we were out together, so there was plenty to talk about, plus we always enjoy discussing various winery issues, such as price points. For example, we wonder whether North Fork wines tend to cost more than some similar wines from elsewhere due to the high cost of living on the Fork.

*Tom Rosicki, the owner, with his wife Cynthia, of Sparkling Pointe.*

As we were chatting, a tall blond man came over to our table, and introduced himself as Tom Rosicki, one of the owners. We asked him about the Brazilian connection evident in the “Carnaval” names of some of his wines and some of the décor of the tasting room and shop. He said that he and his wife Cynthia, the inspiration for the name of his new favorite of their wines, had gone to Rio and fallen in love with the place and the people. Carnaval is a reference to what they call Mardi Gras in New Orleans, or Fat Tuesday, and is a huge celebration in Rio, with elaborate parades and costumes. “Guess how many times I’ve been there?” he asked. “Twenty?” Nope. “Sixty-three! And we’re going again next week.” He also pointed out a statue far away at the end of a row of vines, and informed us that it is a (small) replica of the famous Christ the Redeemer statue which has become a symbol of Rio, like the Eiffel Tower for Paris.

*The colorful painting over the bar is all about Carnaval.*

After he left our table, I wondered if his chattiness had anything to do with my notebook, but he then ambled over to the other tables on the terrace and visited with everyone else who was there. So I guess he just enjoys visiting with his guests. By the way, he also offered that the winery is a popular wedding venue.

*At the end of the row, you can just make out the statue.*

Sparkling Pointe, as hinted in the name, only offers sparkling wines, which they can’t call champagnes, since only wines made in the Champagne region of France can bear that name, but the wines are made using the méthode champenoise, a traditional, hands-on method that produces champagne-like wines. Though we liked some of the wines better than others, and had some differences of opinion, overall we enjoyed the experience.

NV Cuvée Carnaval Rosé ($36)

A blend of 39% pinot noir, 27% chardonnay, and 34% merlot, this is a good choice for a first impression, as it is definitely a crowd pleaser. It has the expected strawberry aroma and taste of a rosé, plus beautiful bubbles. It is dry, but not too dry, with a pleasant fruitiness.

2. 2019 Brut ($31)

I have had the opportunity to taste many variations on champagne, from a rather awful libation called Cold Duck to vintage Dom Perignon. This falls somewhere in the middle, more towards the Dom Perignon side of the range. Another blend, this time of 50% chardonnay, 36% pinot noir, and 14% pinot meunier, this tastes like a classic champagne, dry, with tastes of apple and pear, and it also has the characteristic yeasty aroma of sparkling wines, caused, I’ve been told, by the second fermentation in the bottle. I like it.

3. 2021 Topaz Impérial Brut Rosé ($44)

The waitress pours the last of the bottle into our glasses, and we wonder whether we are underwhelmed by this wine because it has been open too long. It has barely any bubbles, and not much taste. We much prefer the Carnaval Rosé (which is also cheaper). This wine blends 45% chardonnay, 40% pinot noir, and 15% pinot meunier.

4. 2018 Blanc de Blancs ($48)

True to its name, this is 100% chardonnay. We enjoy its warm yeasty aroma and tastes of apples and toast. The waitress mentions starfruit, but we’re not sure what that tastes like. As I recall, starfruit’s appearance is more dramatic than its taste. Nicely dry. I like this, too.

5. NV Cuvée Carnaval Blancs (30)

If you read my blog, you know I prefer dry wines to sweet ones, though I do make an exception for dessert wines. This is not quite as sweet as a dessert wine, but it is a bit sweet for my taste. It is a blend, again, of 47% pinot noir, 28% chardonnay, 23% merlot, and 2% muscat. Though muscat is such a small percentage of the mix, our friend wonders whether it contributes to the sweetness. I taste thyme honey and citrus.

*The little gift shop has some Carnaval costumes and masks, and also some of the snack items for sale.*

Reasons to visit: you like sparkling wines (duh!); lovely patio and attractive tasting room; the Cuvée Carnaval Rosé and the 2019 Brut, in particular, though the only one we really did not care for was the Topaz Impérial Brut Rosé; no outside food allowed, but they do have a nice menu of cheeses and charcuterie and other snacks. No pets, and they request that children stay seated.

Paumanok Vineyards: Lunch Again!

Posted by nofowineaux in Tasting and tagged with cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, charcuterie and cheese board, chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, dogs allowed on weekends, merlot, no outside food, North Fork, Paumanok Vineyard, snacks available, wine tasting, Winemaker flight October 21, 2023

October 19, 2023

*I love the barn-like aesthetic of so many of the vineyards on the North Fork.*

We enjoyed our lunch at Jamesport Vineyards so much, we decided to head a little further down the road and do it again at Paumanok. We hadn’t been there since before the pandemic, so it was definitely time to go back. We were planning to sit outside on their pleasant wooden deck, but just as we got there the sun hid behind some clouds and a breeze made us shiver. Of course, shortly after we were settled inside the sun came back out—it was that kind of a if-you-don’t-like-the-weather-wait-five-minutes day—but we were happy with our table by the large windows.

*That’s our waiter Rob out on the deck.*

*The tables were pre-set with glassware and seasonal flora.*

We were shown to our seat by a pleasant young woman, who also provided us with a bottle of chilled water. The tables were all already set, with sets of four glasses for tastings and larger glasses for the water, plus very attractive seasonal arrangements of gourds, etc. We perused the menus, one for wine and another for food, and decided to share a Winemaker Flight, of two whites and two reds for $22, and get the Cheese and Charcuterie Board for $35.

Our flight arrived about ten or fifteen minutes before our lunch, so we had plenty of time to sample all the wines before starting on the bountiful tray of food. That meant that we knew which wines we liked the best, and then had the chance to decide which went best with the snacks.

*We found the pour generous enough that it was easy to share.*

The board was ample, enough for at least four people, and we ended up taking home many crackers (including some very tasty gluten-free ones), half the little loaf of bread—which arrived warm, a nice touch—most of the olives and cornichons, some cheese, and a couple of slices of prosciutto and salami. We enjoyed the brie the most, as the other cheeses were…undistinguished, but overall we were happy with the food. Another time, I might think about ordering a la carte, though that might end by costing more. It is nice that they use compostable bamboo utensils and plates, though those knives and forks, unfortunately, don’t work very well. By the way, they don’t allow outside food, and dogs are only permitted during the week. I guess they figure it gets too busy on weekends to allow for dogs.

Our waiter, Rob, checked back with us at proper intervals, and shared his knowledge of and enthusiasm for the wines, which enhanced our experience.

2022 Chenin Blanc $32

“Multi-dimensional,” opined my tasting buddy, as we enjoyed our first sips. The aroma reminds me of white grape juice, and the flavor mixes sweet and tart, with notes of ripe pineapple. Very good, we decide, and move on to our next wine, leaving about half the glass to consume with our cheese and charcuterie.

*The bar featured a nice award they won.*

2021 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay $32

I was a bit concerned about this, as I often dislike oaked chardonnays, but Rob assures us that this is aged in neutral, or used, oak barrels for only six months, so it is not too oaky. He’s right, and we find this pleasantly smooth, “fruit forward,” according to my pal, who has been reading Wine Spectator. I think it has a taste that is a nice balance between steel and barrel fermented chards. It also goes the best with our lunch. I used to think that charcuterie, being meat, should be paired with reds, but now I prefer whites.

2020 Merlot $36

There are so many versions of merlot on the North Fork that there is surely one for every taste. This one has aromas of cherry and oak shavings, but does not have much fruit taste. I say it is rather light, and my husband says, “It’s kind of quiet,” which I think is apt.

*The Massoud family photo, behind which you can see into the winemaking area.*

2021 Cabernet Franc $36

We prefer the cab franc, which, though it is also light, with soft tannins, has more interesting fruit flavors and a longer finish. I think it also goes better with the cheese than the merlot. By the way, we felt the pour was more than adequate for sharing the flight.

Reasons to visit: pleasant deck and tasting room; good service; the chenin blanc, though all the wines were drinkable; a pricey but bountiful cheese and charcuterie board; dogs allowed during the week.

*The grapes have been harvested. It was a day of alternating sun and clouds.*

Jamesport Vineyards: Pizza and Wine Again

Posted by nofowineaux in Tasting and tagged with Albarino, cabernet franc, food available, Jamesport Vineyards, no dogs allowed, no outside food, North Fork, pizza, riesling, rose, wine tasting October 8, 2023

October 5, 2023

We were discussing the possibility of going to do a tasting while examining the refrigerator for lunch ideas, when it hit us—why not combine lunch and a tasting? A quick check of the Internet confirmed that Jamesport Vineyards offers their “wood fired” pizza on Thursdays, and in fact they have a Thursday special, of a Margherita pie and a bottle of any of their East End label wines for $45. So we slathered on some sun screen (not really needed, as the patio is amply shaded), put on our shoes, and headed out.

*This was a perfect day for sitting outside, but I don’t know how many more of these we will have this year.*

We were quickly greeted at the entrance and escorted to a table on the pretty patio, which looks out on beds of flowers, a lawn, and groupings of tables and chairs. A number of other couples must have had the same idea, because bottles or flights of wine and pizzas appeared on most tables. Glasses of ice water, a welcome amenity on this warm afternoon, were set on our table as we perused the menus.

The wine menu offered three tastings, one of all whites, one all reds, and a mixed flight, of four wines for $27, which we decided to order. There are 16 wines on the list, all available as a glass or a bottle. Then we turned the menu over to check out the food offerings, which are quite extensive, from snack-type items like olives and cheeses to real meals, including a lobster roll. But the main attraction is the pizzas, of which seven varieties are listed. We decided to get the “Larry,” for $26, which features house-made mozzarella and house-made hot Italian sausage, plus tomato sauce, onions, roasted red peppers, chili oil, and fresh oregano. It arrived at our table hot from the oven, appropriately singed at the edge, and delicious. It is worth going there for a glass of wine and a lunch pizza any time. The menu says one pie serves two, but we took home enough to reheat (in the oven, please, not the microwave) for dinner. One downer: the plastic knife is totally inadequate to cut the pizza (I know, I do the NYC fold to eat mine, but my tasting buddy prefers to knife and fork his.).

*The pizza is divided into six slices, and we found one each to be enough for lunch.*

Another note: no children allowed on the weekends, and no dogs except service dogs at any time.

Our waitress brought out the bottles and poured a generous amount for each taste, giving a brief spiel to describe each wine. As we sipped and munched, we discussed what an asset wineries like this are to the North Fork.

2022 Estate Albariño $38

I am generally fond of albariños, and often order one when getting wine by the glass in restaurants. I wish more North Fork wineries used this grape. They tend to be crisp, with nice fruit tastes of pineapple and guava, with some notes of lemon, and this one is no exception. The waitress says she smells banana, which we debate after she leaves. Maybe a very ripe banana? Very good. I’d buy a bottle, but I think I can get it for less at Vintage, our local liquor store.

2019 Estate Riesling $35

Happily, this is not a sweet riesling, as I tend not to like sweet wines (except for dessert). It has very little aroma, and is dry, with lots of minerality. It is not at all fruity, but I find it has an edge to it I don’t care for. I let my husband drink most of it.

*The “East End” wines have screw caps, which I have to admit I am coming to prefer.*

2022 East End Rosé $38

On the other hand, I like this rosé better than he does. It is crisp and dry, with a touch of fizz. It’s not very fruity, but goes well with the pizza. It is definitely a food wine, not a sipper.

2020 Estate Cabernet Franc $36

“What I smell,” says my seasonally allergy afflicted pal, “smells good.” I agree, and note aromas of cherry and other dark fruits plus tobacco. The taste, however, is a little disappointing, as it is a very light red, with no depth. But it goes the best with the pizza, and is certainly pleasant to drink. “Not bad,” opines my fellow taster.

*No surprise, no one wanted to sit inside on this beautiful day.*

Reasons to visit: beautiful outdoor setting, with lawn and flower gardens; menu of real foods, particularly the pizzas; the albariño and the rosé; excellent service; laid-back vibe (at least on a weekday).

*You can see into the wine-making area from the tasting room.*

Macari Vineyards: Time to Book a Table

Posted by nofowineaux in Tasting and tagged with cabernet franc, Dos Aguas red, Dos Aguas white, Life Force Cabernet Franc, Life Force sauvignon blanc, Macari Vineyards, Malbec, no outside food, North Fork, rose, sauvignon blanc, snacks available, wine tasting February 25, 2023

www.Macariwines.com

February 23, 2023

I’ve become quite familiar with Macari’s tasting room this year, since I now belong to a book club that meets there. What’s better than sitting around a table with a group of bright people, discussing books and sipping wine? Oh, and let’s not forget nibbling on truffled potato chips. However, the book group has settled on one favorite wine—the Life Force Sauvignon Blanc—so when friends who belong to the Macari wine club offered to take us there for a tasting, we accepted with alacrity. They made the reservation, which, by the way, is required.

*Not sure what this is, but it is impressive.*

To get to the entrance, you have to wend your way around the wrap-around porch. The room you enter is dominated by a decorative structure which I think is beautiful, but which defies categorization. We were shown to a table overlooking the vineyards on a plastic-windowed porch, cozily warm, with chairs decorated with soft furry drapes. In front of us were place mats with three glasses, and the names of the three wines in the standard tasting. However, as our cheery server informed us, as wine club members we could choose the special wine club trio of tastes. It took my husband and me only a moment to decide that he would get the standard group and I would opt for the wine club tastes. One friend also got the wine club trio, while her husband opted for a glass of his current favorite, the Dos Aguas Red, a blend of 48% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Cabernet Franc, and 7% Petit Verdot. ($35 per bottle) The Dos Aguas refers to the North Fork’s two waters—the Long Island Sound and Great Peconic Bay—which moderate the climate.

*The tables were set like this. If you didn’t want the three wines on offer, you could substitute others from the list.*

As we discussed what to get, the server brought us chilled bottles of water. We also ordered a charcuterie board for four, which had enough meat, cheese, almonds, olives, bread, hummus, and chips for at least six. ($50) Yum. We all agreed that this was a very civilized way to spend a damp, chilly February afternoon.

*No outside food allowed, but they have plenty of snacks to choose from.*

2020 Dos Aguas White $24

This was the first of the wine club trio, and a very good way to begin. It is a light, dry, lemony white blend, half grüner veltliner, blended with pinot grigio, sauvignon blanc, and a touch of chardonnay. The grüner can tend to be a bit sweet, but in this case it was nicely balanced with the other grapes. It would go well with seafood in a cream sauce.

2022 Life Force Sauvignon Blanc $28

As I noted, this is the book club favorite, and for a good reason. It is aged in a combination of a concrete “egg,” and stainless steel, which makes it both more complex and smoother than a typical sauvignon blanc. One time, years ago, we were at Macari and happened to get into a discussion with the winemaker about the concrete egg, and he gave us a long explanation of the benefits of this way of aging wines. I’ll just say, it seems to work really well. This is dry but fruity, very easy to drink.

*I believe these are the wine club prices.*

2019 Life Force Cabernet Franc $30

My favorite of the day, this is a yummy red, with tastes of berries and plums. Again, this is aged in concrete. It was the second of the wine club trio.

2021 Rosé $24

On the other hand, this was my least favorite, a very light rosé, tart, with not much fruit.

*We had made some serious inroads on the charcuterie platter before I remembered to take a photo.*

2019 Malbec $50

We had made some inroads on the charcuterie platter by the time I got to the malbec, and I noted that it went very well with the cheese and other snacks in front of us. Despite its high price, I did not like it as well as the Life Force Cab Franc, though it is a perfectly good wine. I got some cherry taste, and nice tannins. Perhaps it needs to age a bit more.

*By the time we left, the room had emptied out quite a bit.*

2020 Cabernet Franc $38

One problem with this red was that it was served too cold, a common problem. I think if it had had time to warm up, I might have liked it better. I found it somewhat light for a cab franc, with notes of berries and herbs. Very drinkable.

Reasons to visit: pleasant tasting room overlooking the vineyard; excellent service; I liked all the wines, but especially the Life Force Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc; ample charcuterie board (no outside food). One unfortunate note—when the room is crowded, it tends to become very noisy, as it was during this holiday week.

Sparkling Pointe: Celebration Time

Posted by nofowineaux in Tasting and tagged with Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs, Brut, Brut Seduction, chardonnay, cheese tray, Cuvee Carnaval Blanc, Cuvee Carnaval Rose, Cuvee Carnaval Rouge, merlot, no outside food, North Fork, Pinot Meunier, pinot noir, Reserve Blanc de Blancs, rose, Sparkling Pointe, sparkling wine, Topaz Imperial Rose, wine tasting May 28, 2022

May 24, 2022

*The lovely terrace was empty on this Tuesday.*

There are certain people who make every get-together feel like a celebration. So where better to take that couple than to Sparkling Pointe, where the sparkling wines make every sip feel like a party. In addition, one of our guests is a wine aficionado who has been to many wineries, so I wanted to take him somewhere unusual. I made a reservation that was clearly superfluous, since we had the entire terrace to ourselves, but I wanted to be sure it was open, since we went on a Tuesday when many wineries, stores, and restaurants are closed (at least until after Memorial Day).

We settled ourselves on the flagstone terrace, commenting on how pretty the view out across the vines was. Natalia, our lively and intelligent server, quickly brought each of us a welcoming flute of the 2017 Brut and explained the menu. The bubbly wines—which can’t be called champagne because they are not made in the Champagne region of France—are made using the méthode champenoise, a labor-intensive process. Some are dry, and some are sweet, with the Carnaval labels more on the sweet side. Since one of our guests prefers sweeter wines, we decided that they would share the Flagship flight ($20, for three), which features two of the Carnaval wines, and we would share the Prestige Flight ($30, for three), which has drier sparklers.

*We hungrily attacked the cheese board before I had a chance to take a photo.*

*We quickly finished the baguette slices and, though I like Taralli, they are not ideal as cheese holders.*

Since it was lunchtime, we also ordered a cheese board, which included three cheeses, a little dish of jam, a tiny jar of honey, and some Taralli crackers and sliced baguette. It was plenty for the four of us. (Outside food is not allowed.) As we sipped and munched, we talked and laughed and told stories, and I sometimes forgot to take notes, we were having such a good time.

Tastes are brought to your table one at a time, so the bubbles don’t dissipate, and Natalia quickly noticed that it was taking us longer than average to consume each one, so she allowed extra time between samples. Then, I guess because there was no one else there, or because we were clearly serious about tasting, or because of my notebook, she brought each couple one additional taste. As a result, I could theoretically tell you all about nine of their wines—but, as I said, we were having so much fun being together, my notes are a bit sketchy. I list the wines more or less as we had them, not separated by who had which.

2017 Brut $31

Everyone gets a flute of this “welcome toast,” a very nice gesture. It is made from a blend of 54% chardonnay, 33% pinot noir, and 13% pinot meunier. You might note that two of those grapes are red, yet the wine is pale yellow. That’s because the color in the wine comes from contact with the grape skins—and Sparkling Pointe does have some rosés and even a red sparkler—but this wine has no skin contact. These three grape varieties, by the way, are the same ones traditionally used in the Champagne region of France to make champagne. Anyway, we like it. It is sophisticated and dry, and tastes very like a traditional champagne, though one guest notes it has fewer bubbles.

2017 Blanc de Blancs $48

As you might guess from the name, this is made from all white grapes—100% chardonnay—and has that zippy citrusy taste you might expect from a chard.

2016 Blanc de Noirs $75

In contrast, this is made only from red grapes, 65% pinot noir and 35% pinot meunier. This has a more complex fruity taste, maybe raspberry, and has a nice aroma of yeast, with a touch of something funky. Dry.

NV Cuvée Carnaval Rosé $36

If you examine the Sparkling Pointe menu, you will note that in addition to the usual descriptions of the wines, each wine also has the additional information of when it was disgorged and what the “dosage” of sugar is. The sugar number is easy to decipher, since the higher the number the sweeter the taste. This one has a dosage of 14 g/l, while the previous wine’s is 6. The disgorgement date is the date when the yeast and sediment in the bottle are removed, ending the second fermentation, and giving you a good idea of exactly how old a wine is. Since this is a non-vintage wine (NV), you might like to have that information. A light pink blend of 50% pinot noir, 41% chardonnay, and 9% merlot, this is the bubbly equivalent of a still rosé, slightly sweet, with some strawberry taste.

2019 Topaz Imperial Brut Rosé $44

I was concerned, looking at the pink color, that this blend of 50% chardonnay, 34% pinot noir, and 26% pinot meunier would be too sweet for my taste, but in fact I quite liked it. It has the strawberry taste one expects in a rosé, but is more complex, with some lemon and bread notes.

NV Cuvée Carnaval Blanc $30

The sweet wine lover in the group declared this to be her favorite, while her companion compared it to a prosecco.

2011 Brut Seduction $70

The usually very well-informed Natalia couldn’t tell me why this is called seduction (though I’ll bet she’ll know next time someone asks), but we speculated it could be because it is so good it seduces you. This is the oldest vintage they have, though it was disgorged in 2020, so it aged for quite a long time. It is complex and interesting, with layers of flavor, including some of the buttery flavor you get in an oaked chardonnay. It has almost no bubbles. 54% chardonnay, 46% pinot noir.

*A red sparkling wine is a bit unusual.*

NV Carnaval Rouge $36

This is unusual—a red sparkling wine. It is almost startling to look at. It smells like cranberry juice, and could almost be mistaken for a Cosmo, but, according to our friend, has almost no flavor. “Tastes like wet paper, like a spitball,” he opines. On the other hand, it is an “extra,” not included in the tasting, so no complaints. The menu says it tastes like bubblegum!

2016 Reserve Blanc de Blancs $68

We are very happy with our extra, and in fact, it is my favorite of the day. This is dry, lemony, with some warm pear tastes. Very nice.

*An array of unfinished glasses, which eventually we did finish!*

Reasons to visit: time to celebrate, as they only have sparkling wines, which most people consider as party wines; lovely terrace outside, and elegant room inside, with thoughtful table service; the 2017 Brut, the Blanc de Blancs, and the Blanc de Blancs Reserve, to my taste; the Carnaval Blanc if you like sweeter wine (the term “Carnaval” refers to the owners’ love of Brazil, which can also be seen in some of the gift shop offerings).

*The “Bubbly Boutique” has a limited selection of items, which used to be bigger. You can see the Brazilian influence.*

Palmer Vineyards: Cozy Setting, Not So Warm Welcome

Posted by nofowineaux in Tasting and tagged with 8 Hands, Albarino, cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, dogs may be allowed, menu of snacks, merlot, no outside food, North Fork, Palmer Vineyards, Weekend Red, wine tasting February 13, 2022

February 11, 2022

*The tasting room is in here, not the first building you see from the road.*

A break in the cold and snow, and a reduction in Covid rates, gave us the impetus to venture out for a tasting. We decided to head to Palmer, which we hadn’t been to since 2018, because I was curious to see if its new ownership made any difference. Fortunately, my favorite aspect of the tasting room—the cozy booths that remind us of our favorite London pubs—is still the same. The service, however, was lackadaisical. There were three workers in the tasting room, and we were the only customers (one hardy couple was seated outside), but the service consisted of one person setting our wines on the table, indicating the order in which to taste them, and referring us to the menu for all other information. Did anyone stop by our table to ask how we liked the wines? Nope. When we finished, did anyone ask if we wanted anything else? Nope. I wanted a taste of the Albariño after we finished, but as I sat there with four empty glasses, while my tasting buddy visited the rest room, the server spent his time looking at his phone and carefully NOT looking my way until I was finally able to catch his eye. Sigh.

In any event, the wines were all quite drinkable, and the pour was generous. We opted for a tasting of four reds, for $25. Our other options were a tasting of whites and a rosé, for $22, or a Reserve tasting, of their higher end wines, for $35. Another page of the menu offers glass and bottle rates (the latter higher if you are consuming it on the premises) and a third page lists snacks, local beers, and coffee or tea. They do not allow outside food. There was a food truck parked in the parking lot, and I wanted to ask about it, but felt the servers had no interest in conversation.

2016 Merlot $25

“Pleasant and tasty,” said my drinking buddy. If you like a very cherry merlot, this is not it, as it is not at all fruity, but it is somewhat interesting. It smells of cherries and tobacco and fresh-cut wood, with some berry tastes and maybe a touch of vanilla. Dry.

Can’t tell the players without a scorecard.

2016 Cabernet Franc $30

This one has a flowery aroma, and tastes like purple plums. Like the merlot, it is dry, with some nice tannins, but no finish. Last week we had some lovely little lamb chops from 8 Hands Farm, which I seasoned with the last of the sage from the garden and marjoram, and this would have gone well with them.

Weekend Red $22

We actually considered buying this, our favorite of the flight, especially since Palmer offers a 5% discount if you buy three. This is their Bordeaux blend—70% cabernet franc, 20% cabernet sauvignon, and 10% merlot. I think it smells like red lollipops, but my husband disagrees. However, we both like the taste, of black raspberry with a touch of cherry, and lots of tannins.

*The decor includes these faux posters, some the worse for wear. Since we’ve been watching the Olympics, this one amused us.*

2017 Cabernet Sauvignon $30

I was wondering if I had nose fatigue, since I could barely get any aroma, but my tasting pal agreed. He also said he was not impressed with it, as the initial fruit flavor quickly faded away. I felt there was an unpleasant taste at the end.

2021 Albariño $30

I really wanted to try this, since I often like albariño, and not many Long Island wineries use this grape, or only use it in blends. I did like this version, which had delicious aromas of lychee and flowers, and tastes of apples and nectarines, and was pleasantly tart. When it came time to pay for our tasting, I reminded the server that I had had this extra taste, and he said, “No charge.” Well, that was nice.

Reasons to visit: cozy tasting room, plus an ample veranda and outside seating area; the Weekend Red and the Albariño; in the past, they allowed dogs at the outside tables, but I would ask before bringing Fido.

Channing Daughters: Club and Cousins

Posted by nofowineaux in Tasting and tagged with Autumn Vermouth, barbera, Blaufrankisch, cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, channing daughters, chardonnay, Envelope, L'Enfant Sauvage, lagrein, Malbec, merlot, muscat ottonel, no dogs, no outside food, Petillant Naturel, petit gris, Petit Manseng, petit verdot, Pinot Bianco, Research Cab, Sangiovese, snacks, South Fork, Sylvanus, wine tasting December 9, 2021

December 7, 2021

In the midst of a week of unsettled weather, we took advantage of a sunny day to venture to the South Fork. We had two goals in mind—to have lunch with cousins we hadn’t seen in years, and to pick up our wine club selections at Channing Daughters. Lunch at Sant Ambroeus in Southampton was delicious, and we took home enough left-over pasta for dinner that night. The cousinly meeting went so well, that our cousins decided to come with us to Channing Daughters, which they had never been to. They enjoyed the tasting, so I hope this will not be the last time they trek there.

*On the right, you can see two sculptures by Walter Channing, the founder of the vineyard.*

Aside from liking their wines, we admire Channing for the wide variety of their wines, the unusual grapes they grow, and their willingness to experiment. There are about thirty wines on their list, plus five different vermouths, an amazing amount for such a small winery (about 15,000 cases per year). We also appreciate how generous they are at tastings for wine club members. We had two tastings of four wines each, but then decided to try a number of other wines, plus a vermouth, and Laura, our server, was delighted to accommodate us.

We had not been there since Covid, opting to have our selections sent to us, so it was interesting to see their adaptations. The outside patio area is now enclosed in clear plastic, with propane heaters which quickly made sitting out there comfortable, though we kept our jackets on. They request that you make a reservation most days, though Tuesday is not one of them, since they are a small space. They also ask that you wear a mask inside the building, but, obviously, the masks come off when you sit for a tasting! They have clever wire racks, which hold five glasses vertically, thus making the most of the limited table space, and they also offer a menu of snacks, which is new. Our cousin picked up a bar of sea salt chocolate for us to share, since we hadn’t had room for dessert at the restaurant.

Before we left, we filled a case with a variety of additional selections, including the “Autumn” vermouth and three bottles of the Scuttlehole Chardonnay (our favorite), and our cousins bought two bottles of L’Enfant Sauvage and two of the Petit Verdot. Though we encountered some traffic as we wended our way back to the North Fork (the “back road” I discovered years ago is now well known), we felt that the trip was well worthwhile.

A standard tasting is $28 for five tastes, free for wine club members, who may also get wines not yet on the list.

2019 Sylvanus Petillant Naturel $28

Starting from the top of the rack, we choose this bubbly white, made from 50% pinot grigio, 40% muscat ottonel, and 10% pinot bianco. It is light, crisp, and refreshing, the sort of bubbly I could see pairing with charcuterie and some rich cheeses. Lovely.

2016 L’Enfant Sauvage $38

Some years I really love this wine, fermented with wild yeast (hence the name) and aged in oak, and other years I do not. This year’s version is…delicious. We all like it. I often don’t care for chardonnays aged in oak, but this one is not at all buttery. It smells of apples and, according to the cousin, fresh cut grass, and tastes fruity and deep. It might be nice to drink this with a dish of sauteed wild mushrooms, to match the wild with the wild.

2015 Envelope $42

This is one of their orange wines, made by fermenting white grapes with their skins on, as I explain to the cousins. As we chat, I realize that, over the years, I have gradually amassed a bunch of random facts about wine. What a great way to get an education! It may be psychological, based on the color, but I swear I taste Mandarin oranges plus lychees. This is a fairly tart wine, and would be good with pork belly, to cut the fatty taste.

2020 Lagrein $35

A young red that I think could use some aging, it nonetheless has a delicious aroma of fruit and tobacco. I taste dark purple plums, and could see serving this with lamb chops.

Autumn Vermouth $28

Spicy, fruity, complex, tasty—these are a few of the adjectives we share after I request a taste of this vermouth. It is made from red wine, and includes a panoply of ingredients. It will be great as a light cocktail, on the rocks.

2016 Research Cab $40

Our cousin requests a taste of this, since, she notes, she likes cabernets. Our server also brings a sample of the Petit Verdot, noting that it has more of the kind of fruity flavor those who like cabernets are looking for. And she is right. Though I like this blend of 68% merlot, 16% cabernet sauvignon, 4% petit manseng, 3% syrah, 2% barbera, 1% malbec, 1% petit verdot, 1% sangiovese, and 1% blaufrankish (I told you Channing likes to experiment!), the cousin does not. It is quite tannic and dry, and could probably benefit from a few more years in the bottle. The aroma includes berries and cherries (the merlot, I’m sure) and spice, as does the taste.

2018 Petit Verdot $38

Oh yes, very nice. How smart she was to bring us this, as I buy a bottle as well. It is deeply fruity, yet dry, with some notes of spice (anise?), cherries, and berries. Just last week I had a petit verdot at Macari which I liked, and this compares well with it. This may be my favorite red grape!

Reasons to visit: you are on the South Fork and want to try a winery (you can skip Duck Walk; Wölffer is also very good); the carved wooden statues by Walter Channing are worth looking at; knowledgeable servers who are generous with “extra” tastes; an astonishing array of wines and vermouths—plus they also carry some local gins and vodkas; L’Enfant Sauvage, Petit Verdot, Autumn Vermouth, plus most of the whites, rosés, and many of the reds; no outside food, but they do sell snacks.

Mattebella Vineyards: Sunny Sunday in October

Posted by nofowineaux in Tasting and tagged with Blanc de Blanc, cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, cheese and charcuterie, Famiglia Red, Mattebella Vineyards, merlot, no dogs allowed, no outside food, North Fork, Old World Blend, petit verdot, reserve chardonnay, rose, wine tasting October 5, 2021

October 3, 2021

“It’s such a beautiful day,” my tasting buddy said. “Can you think of a winery with a nice outside seating area?” I certainly could, so off we went to Mattebella. Because it was a Sunday, I did not want to go to any of the bigger wineries, and indeed, as we drove past Pugliese, Osprey, and others we noted their full parking lots and signs promoting “Live Music.” However, Mattebella was quiet, with a few groups here and there, scattered around their patio and grounds.

They really don’t have much in the way of inside space, but their patio is very comfortable, with cushy couches and chairs, and pretty, with plantings of hydrangeas and roses. My husband said,” They get an A for atmosphere.” The server motioned us over, as we paused at the entrance, and told us we could choose our seats. We immediately walked over to a nice couch and wicker coffee table set-up, and settled down to look at the menus she handed us. Okay, here’s one for cheese and charcuterie boards, one for wine-based cocktails, and another for glass and bottle service, but where’s one for a tasting?

When the waitress returns, we ask, and she informs us that if you want a tasting on the weekend, you have to reserve it in advance, though during the week it’s not a problem. Is it possible to get a tasting anyway, we asked, gesturing to the almost empty grounds. Well, okay. And she brought us a tasting menu. The menu makes the most of the few varietals they grow, with multiple chardonnays and blends. You can get a white flight, a red flight, a sparkling flight, a rosé flight, a reserve chardonnay flight, a Library flight (of “special wines from our cellar”), or a Vintner Select Flight (of “our winemaker’s favorite wines”). We opt for the latter, which is pretty comprehensive, as it includes a sparkling wine, a rosé, two whites and four reds, for $45. That’s a pretty steep price for a tasting, but it does feature eight wines, and the pour is generous enough that sharing is no problem.

I’m not sure why a tasting on the weekend is such a big deal, since they give you all your wines at once (except for the sparkler, which comes separately). One more note—they used to allow dogs, but they say they are no longer permitted to.

The sparkling wine comes in this nice glass.

2013 Blanc de Blancs $70

The méthode champenoise is very labor intensive, and takes years from harvest to completion, so sparkling wines made this way tend to be more expensive, and this one is no exception. And it is quite delicious, with aromas of freshly baked bread and tastes of crisp green apple and bread. However, is it a $70 bottle of wine? I don’t think so.

2017 Steel Chardonnay $29

Sometimes steel chards have a piney aroma, like an evergreen forest, and this one does, with tastes of mild citrus and green apple. It is very light, and “not memorable,” according to my tasting companion.

2013 Reserve Chardonnay $50

As you know if you read my blog, I am not a fan of oaked chardonnays, but this one is only 40% oak-aged, so not bad. My husband likes it, and says it would be a good sipping wine. This also has a slight woodsy aroma, with some nice fruit tastes and just a touch of butterscotch.

No actual dogs allowed, but they do have these somewhat ugly statues of dogs.

2020 Rosé $28

Light, dry…too light and dry. I like rosés to have some fruit taste, and this has no aroma and almost no taste.

Famiglia Red $35

The lack of a vintage year indicates that this is a blend of various years, as they like to keep the taste of this wine consistent every time. A blend of merlot and cabernet franc, this is a good wine to have with food, like lamb chops, as it has some tannins. It has the slight cherry aroma from the merlot grapes, and a pleasant, though uncomplicated, taste of fruit and olives.

2011 Old World Blend $65

Our waitress proudly points out that this wine and the next were highly rated by Robert Parker, earning scores of 90 and 93. As I look at the list of grapes used in this blend—merlot, cabernet franc, petit verdot, cabernet sauvignon—it is clear the “old world” is Bordeaux. My husband takes a sip and says, “This is certainly not bad.” Again, it has that cherry aroma, plus some tobacco and leather. It is tasty, I offer, as I sense plums and perhaps a touch of chocolate.

2013 Old World Blend $91

This is a slightly different blend, with merlot, cabernet franc, and petit verdot. My husband notes that it would “stand up to steak,” with good tannins and blackberry flavor. But when I tell him how much they charge for a bottle, he says, “They’re drinking too much wine.” That is a problem with small vineyards like this—they have no economies of scale, especially because they are farming sustainably and using machines as little as possible.

2015 Old World Blend $78

Using the same four grapes as the 2011, this is somehow much better, and my favorite of the day. Yummy. The aroma is of cherries and brambles, and the taste includes blackberry and unsweetened chocolate. It even has “legs,” which indicate possibly more tannins and alcohol than the other blends. If I came here to have a cheese and charcuterie tray and a glass of wine, this is the one I would get.

I always think it’s nice when they bring me water.

Reasons to visit: beautiful outdoor patio with comfy seating; relaxed, laid-back vibe; the Blanc de Blancs, the Reserve Chardonnay, and the 2015 Old World Blend; menu of cheeses and charcuterie with lots of options; creative wine-based cocktails. Reasons not to visit: high prices, and the rest room is a rather yucky port-a-pottie.

NoFo Wineaux

Wine notes from Long Island's North Fork

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