Paumanok, North Fork of Long Island (New York) Chenin Blanc 2014

($28): Chenin Blanc is a tough grape to transform into a balanced wine in North America because a little extra ripeness from the warmth of the growing season translates into an overly fruity and flabby wine.  But when a winery hits it just right, as the team at Paumanok does on a regular basis, Chenin Blanc is an ideal summertime choice.  Paumanok’s 2014 is crisp and refreshing with an engaging hint of fruitiness offset nicely by racy acidity.  Finishing dry, it can be enjoyed by itself on these hot and humid days because it is not overly aggressive, but is also a perfect choice for light dishes or for spicy food.
90 Michael Apstein Aug 23, 2016