As I said earlier this week, Roanoke Vineyards is, first and foremost, a red wine winery. Cabernet sauvignon and other Bordeaux varieties rule, but this spring, they released their first white wine -- a $17 chardonnay -- in response to tasting room demand.
60% barrel fermentation brings freshness while 40% fermentation in barrel brings depth and a softness. Refreshing apple and Asian pear aromas lead to a well balance palate that blends apple and melon flavors with richer, more tropical notes. Nice acidity brings balance to this wine and makes it perfect for summer drinking.
This is a style that I prefer to over-manipulated, oaky chardonnay any day. Winemaker Roman Roth (also of Wolffer Estate) always seems to know where that "judicious oak" vs. "too much oak" line is.
I think, for the money, I like this better than any of the Wolffer chards right now actually.
Lenn, why do they call it Roanoke Vineyards? When I see Roanoke, I think of that location in Virginia both in the current sense and the historical "lost" colony. Is there a town or a village on Long Island called Roanoke? If I saw it on the shelf, I'd think Virginia wine...
Posted by: Jason Feulner | July 24, 2006 at 04:10 PM
Jason...Roanoke Vineyards is next to Roanoke Avenue and in an area of Riverhead called Roanoke Landing :)
I can understand the confusion though...most (including myself) would make that association.
Posted by: Lenn | July 24, 2006 at 04:13 PM