The November shipment of the Empire State Cellars Wine Club will go out to members in a few weeks — but here’s a sneak peak of what is coming..

If you aren’t familiar with the club, you can learn more here.

“Hello New York” Wines

Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars 2012 Dry Riesling: This wine has been getting a lot of attention lately and rightly so. Dry but not austere, this riesling shows classic citrus-meets-peach qualities with mouth-watering verve and a vein of of wet river rock on the finish. I’ll be pouring this one before and during Thanksgiving dinner.

Red Tail Ridge Winery 2010 Blaufrankisch: Table ready and delicious, this medium-light bodied red is crunchy at the edges, clean, brambly fruit and floral notes. Time in a decanter unlocks complex layers of and lavender, mustard seed and turmeric as well. Black pepper — a characteristic tightly associated with the grape — is there, but always in the background.

“Getting to Know New York” Wines

Keuka Spring Vineyards 2012 Humphrey’s Vineyard Riesling: Winemaker August Deimel’s ‘standard’ 2012 Riesling was named the top wine at this summer’s New York Food & Wine Festival — but I like this one even better (and only in part because I find single-vineyard wines intellectually more fascinating). Crisp, apple-y with stone fruit undertones, this is just a delicious riesling. Serve it with most anything that doesn’t moo or bah.

Bellwether Wine Cellars 2011 Sawmill Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir: The first pinot release from this new label delivers pinot in a decidedly older-world style. Light bodied but not dilute, it offers floral and red berry flavors joined by spicy notes that integrate and take  a step back as the fruit blooms with time in the glass. Silky on the palate with with nice freshness, this wine is proof positive that pinot is the red grape to watch in the Finger Lakes.

“New York Wine Trail” Wines

Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard 2012 Late Harvest Riesling: I probably don’t need to tell you about the riesling program at Wiemer, but winemaker Fred Merwarth is one of the most meticulous, thoughtful winemakers in the Finger Lakes. This Spatlese-style riesling shows intense fruit concentration and richness, balanced by plenty of acidity. Drink now, or tuck it into your cellar.

Lenz Winery 2007 Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon: Thought technically only available to Lenz Subscribers (wine club member) we were able to get our hands on just enough of this wine for you! Ripe and mouth-filling, this red is full bodied but restrained and far from jammy, with grippy, slightly angular tannins that frame flavors of dark berry fruit layerd with earthy and minty notes. There is a hearty, savory edge to this wine that I find appealing, and those tannins bring cellaring potential.

“Excelsior” Wines

Kemmeter Wines 2012 Sansan Riesling: One of winemaker Johannes Reinhardt’s first wines under his new label, this wine is named after his wife, Imelda (it’s her Chinese name). Made with fruit grown down the road at Red Tail Ridge, this is a richer, concentrated style of riesling with well-balanced residual sugar — and the stuffing to age for years. 

Wolffer Estate Vineyards 2001 Reserve Merlot (Magnum): For the second shipment in a row, we’re lucky to be able to get our hands on some merlot from the well-regarded 2001 Long Island vintage. This time though we are sending you a magnum from one of Long Island’s top producers. Magnums age more slowly, of course, but I’d still drink this one within a year. Maybe over the holidays!

Remember, you can customize your club to include just red or whites wines too if you’d like. Join today.