Sometimes I really (seriously) get sick of all the local chardonnay I drink in covering the region so closely. It's the second most planted variety on Long Island and, by far, the most planted white variety, so it only makes sense that there's a lot of it made, but man, with a lot of these wines, any Long Island terroir is beaten out of these wines by new oak.
That is why I'm still so excited about the local sauvignon blanc that some wineries have put out in recent year, including Shinn Estate Vineyard's First Fruit, which is 96% sauvignon blanc and 4% semillon, their nod to the white wines of Bordeaux.
The nose is expressive with fresh pear, lemon, grapefruit and herbal-grassy notes mingling.
The palate brings similar flavors-with the addition of a squirt of lime and a sprinkling of salty minerality. Medium bodied and impeccably balanced with snappy acidity, this is a wine born beside the sea and one that goes with anything from the sea.
Grape(s): 96% sauvignon blanc, 4% semillon
Producer: Shinn Estate Vineyards
AVA: North Fork of Long Island
Price: $22
Rating: 
(4 out of 5 | Delicious, Distinctive
)
I am new to this 'Blogging' and have been suprised and pleased to read the articles talked about on this site. The passion for wine etc is fab!! Great work, keep it up.
Posted by: simon | April 17, 2008 at 04:27 PM
Shinn does seem to consistently "bring the thunder", lol.
Posted by: Bryan | April 18, 2008 at 09:06 AM
I love a good white Bordeaux. Interesting to see if it's seen any oak.
Posted by: Jon | April 18, 2008 at 10:19 AM
To Jon: No Oak.
To Lenn: when I was last at Shinn, they had just pressed the fresh 2007 Sauv Blanc fruit and they gave us a taste of it straight from the press. Quite cloudy and it looked unappealing... but it was quite a pleasant surprise to taste the fruit before it was fermented. I just popped a bottle of the 2006 last week and it was amazing, so I can't wait to get back to Shinn next month and stock up on the 2007!
Posted by: Foley | April 18, 2008 at 07:54 PM
To Jon: No Oak.
To Lenn: when I was last at Shinn, they had just pressed the fresh 2007 Sauv Blanc fruit and they gave us a taste of it straight from the press. Quite cloudy and it looked unappealing... but it was quite a pleasant surprise to taste the fruit before it was fermented. I just popped a bottle of the 2006 last week and it was amazing, so I can't wait to get back to Shinn next month and stock up on the 2007!
Posted by: Foley | April 18, 2008 at 07:54 PM
Hello,
I am John Conner.I would like to book dinner, for my group of workers arriving from United Kingdom. They will all come for dinner in your place from the 28th, 29th and 30th of October 2009 by 6:00pm each day. They are 15 in number.Get back with your response if there is availability in your restaurant.do get back to me through e mail johnoconner0001@gmai.com.Have a lovely day.I await your respond.
Posted by: john conner | October 15, 2009 at 09:22 AM