Tasting notes by Laura Winter Falk, Experience! The Finger Lakes
Some talented winemakers in the Finger Lakes are producing terroir-based Chardonnays that are creating a style specific to our region. Here are some suggestions of where to get started with tasting these for yourself.
Osmote Wine 2017 Cayuga Lake Unoaked Chardonnay, $18
Ripe melon, apple and peach, white blossoms, crushed stones, round body, bright with clean fresh finish.
Osmote Wine 2017 Seneca Lake Chardonnay, $21
Ripe pineapple, candied mandarin, lemon cream, round body, lemon drop, ginger and light toast with clean, fresh finish.
Barry Family Cellars 2014 Chardonnay Reserve, $32
Spiced pear, bruised apple and exotic star fruit, spiced cream brulee, nutty with a touch of dill.
Barry Family Cellars 2016 Chardonnay Reserve, $20–22
Ripe pear, vanilla, full round body, vanilla, butterscotch and toffee, toast with creamy finish.
Nine-Four Chardonnay 2016, $22
Ripe pear with notes of candied apple with creamy notes of ginger and toffee, notes of light toast. Nice round body with a crisp finish.
Nine-Four Chardonnay 2017 (not yet released)
Bright lemon cream and stone with wisps of vanilla on the nose, lean and clean body with nice acidity and a lovely crisp finish.
Laura Winter Falk owns Experience! The Finger Lakes, a touring and events company that provides immersive wine experiences. She holds a PhD in food and nutrition and is a Certified Sommelier, with WSET 3 award in wines. She is also an adjunct professor of wine at Tompkins Cortland Community College. All this means she makes a living talking about and drinking wine in the Finger Lakes, which makes her very happy.
This article originally appeared in the May/June 2019 edition of the magazine.
