Palmer Vineyards

A little over a year ago, Miguel Martin joined Palmer Vineyards as its new winemaker bringing nearly 20 years of experience at wineries like Gonzalez Byass, Robert Mondavi, Yalumba and Catera. Obviously his coming to Long Island just in time for harvest means we won't truly taste his impact until the 2007 vintage is released. Still the 2006 was his first crush on Long Island and wines from that vintage are technically his first here as well.

This Palmer Vineyards 2006 Sauvignon Blanc is a nice start to Martin's career at Palmer - a solid example of what North Fork Sauvignon has to offer. Of course, given how some wineries still push the region's similarities to Bordeaux, the fact that Sauvignon Blanc excels here should come as no surprise. A pale yellow with a faint greenish tint, this wine offers citrusy, lightly herbal aromas with a distinct lemongrass note. The palate is ripe and citrus-driven with fresh acidity, a little more of that lemongrass, understated hints of herbs and a chalky, minerally finish. If you find New Zealand bottlings too aggressively herbal, and California bottlings too tropical, check this one out.

Reviewed November 9, 2007 by Lenn Thompson.