Long Island North Fork Trip Part 1

The first stop on the Saturday wine tour of Long Island was Mattebella Vineyards. Mattebella is at the far end of the North Fork wine road which makes it a good place to start and work your way back to the highway. Mattebella is much smaller than many of the wineries and hosts the wine tasting in a nicely decorated small house. The house includes some couches and a nice bench. The small tasting room and lack of crowds allows for a very intimate experience.

We tasted the following wines:
2009 Famiglia Chardonnay
-If you are a fan of Chablis style of Chardonnay this is your wine. High acidity and balanced fruit. This is the opposite of the normal Chardonnay you find in the local store.
2010 Famiglia Chardonnay
-2010 was a warmer year and it shows in this wine. The fruit is much brighter, the use of oak is more prevalent and the acid is not as high. This could be described as a 'New World' Chablis.
2010 Reserve Chardonnay
-Typical Burgundian Style Chardonnay. Significant oak, vanilla and buttery qualities. Similar to anything you can find in your local wine store and cheaper.
2011 Rose
-The essence of what a true Rose should be. Light and refreshing yet has structure that will hold up with many diverse meals. The wine has a long finish. This wine will satify any lover of Provence style Rose. Best wine in the portfolio. A true sense of what the North Fork is capable of doing. This is a wine I would bring to any wine lover not familiar with Long Island.
NV Famiglia Red
-Easy drinking wine that has effervescent hints. Dark fruits in the front palate but lacking in the finish. Your typical Italian style table wine.
2007 Old World Blend
-Remains true to old world style. Has the earthy qualities you would expect from Chianti or Bordeaux. The front and mid palate show dark fruits and the finish has only light tannin. An easy drinking wine that would benefit from food.
2008 Old World Blend
-The weather in 2008 was not a sunny as 2007 and it shows immediately in the wine. The wine has a high tannin content and the dark fruits are not as prevalent. Another wine that would benefit from food at the table.

Overall the 2009 Famiglia Chardonnay and 2011 Rose are exceptional wines. The red wines are enjoyable but lack the depth and complexity of the whites and roses.

Recommendation - a must visit on your North Fork adventures.

*Editor's Note* - I paid full price for the tasting and purchased two bottles at full retail price.