Posts Tagged“2012”

Hosmer Winery 2012 Single Wheel Riesling

You wouldn’t know it to look at the front label, but this wine is produced by winemaker Aaron Roisen at Hosmer Winery. It’s an interesting branding decision, which is another discussion for another day, but this is really just how Hosmer has decided to do a single-vineyard riesling — which are all the rage in the Finger Lakes these days. Actually, it’s a single three-acre section of Hosmer’s Patrician Verona Vineyard, which is located on the western side of Cayuga Lake. I really like the nose, which shows bright, fresh aromas of lime, rainwater, under-ripe honeydew and a lightly savory…

Paumanok Vineyards 2012 Cabernet Franc

Paumanok Vineyards 2012 Cabernet Franc ($24) has a ripe, but varietally correct nose of blackberry and plum fruit with notes of dried autumn leaves, dried herbs and woodsy spice. With a bit of time in the glass, the faintest scent of grilled asparagus emerges as a tertiary aroma. Cottony tannins and crunchy, fresh black cherry and blackberry flavors are accented nicely by more woodsy spice, dried herbs and plum skin on the medium-bodied palate. I appreciate the restrained oak — that really lets the fruit shine on this ripe but far-from-heavy red that begs to be enjoyed at the table…

Heron Hill Winery 2012 Reserve Riesling

    You don’t see “reserve” on Finger Lakes wine labels as much as you used to (a topic that Evan will explore in an upcoming feature story). Heron Hill Winery, located high above the western shores of Keuka Lake, still uses the term on an entire line of wines. These wines, as I guess you should expect given the label, are often among their best, though I’m partial some of the Ingle Vineyard wines too. Heron Hill Winery 2012 Reserve Riesling ($25) starts off with aromas of green apple, peach, lime and citrus blossom — pretty classic Finger Lakes —…

Hudson-Chatham Winery 2012 River’s Edge Casscles Vineyard Reserve

Many wine lovers turn their collective noses up at wines made with hybrid grapes. While obscure varieties from dark corners of European countries are sought out and embraced, grapes like Corton Noir, De Chaunac, Frontenac, Marechal Foch, Traminette and La Crosse are shunned. I’d be lying if I told you I was, generally, a fan of hybrid wines, but I do have one thing that many wine lovers don’t have — an open mind. I’ll try any wine made with any grape (or fruit really) once. Okay, maybe even twice. There are hybrids that I don’t care for very much (I’m…

Forge Cellars 2012 Les Allies Pinot Noir

When Forge Cellars burst onto the Finger Lakes wine scene with the 2011 vintage, it was with plenty of noise and fanfare. A famous French winemaker will do that for any New York wine project. The label’s first release — an oak-aged riesling — has inspired several other Finger Lakes winemakers to try it. But for all of the attention the Forge riesling garners, there are plenty of outstandingly delicious rieslings in the Finger Lakes, in a variety of styles. The Forge wines that have captured my attention most are the pinot noirs — in part because there simply aren’t many…

Hector Wine Company 2012 Dry Riesling

Hector Wine Company is a Finger Lakes winery on the rise. Still a relatively new producer, the wines seem to improve with each vintage and this Hector Wine Company 2012 Dry Riesling ($18) stood out in a recent tasting. Fresh and citrusy, the nose is dominated by lemon and lime peel with notes of lemon cookie, ripe apple and lemon verbena (especially as the wine warms). More citrus and apple greet the palate — which is dry but not harsh or austere. There is a breadth to the palate that is deftly balanced by well-integrated acidity.  It finishes with a lingering…

Treleaven Wines 2012 Dry Riesling

Treleaven Wines 2012 Dry Riesling ($16) didn’t jump out at a recent tasting, but it’s a well-made, dry riesling that is both refreshing and deftly avoids the “lemon water” quality that some Finger Lakes dry rieslings suffer from. Aromas range from white flowers to Granny Smith apple to sweet herbs and lime. Pretty classic Finger Lakes for this style. On the palate, it’s more of the same — green apple and lime — with a bit of dried pineapple and pear. Refreshing and somewhat tart, there is ample acid here — enough that it pinches the finish a bit. ABV: 10.9% RS: .5% pH: 2.87…

Dr. Konstantin Frank 2012 Reserve Riesling

Dr. Konstantin Frank 2012 Reserve Riesling ($25) aligns nicely with the recent trend of richer, decidedly off-dry rieslings in the Finger Lakes. The nose is a stunner, showing aromas of Golden Delicious apple, Bartlett pear, peach, honey, fennel frond, green melon and delicate floral notes. Round and weighty, the palate shows intensely ripe fruit and similar flavors — peach, pomme fruit and melon — with a slight bruised-apple note. Though sweet, it’s balanced by delicate acidity that keeps it from being cloying. The light herbal and floral notes are a bit hidden, but emerge as the wine warms a bit. Don’t…

Hector Wine Company 2012 Syrah

It’s easy to get caught up in all of the delicious white wines — not just riesling, mind you — coming out of the Finger Lakes and assume that the red wines just aren’t very good. Several folks charged with selling Finger Lakes wines of all styles lament this fact quite openly when you speak with them or interact with them on the interwebs. It’s a common misconception, but like many is based at least in part on facts. You can throw “cool-climate” around all you want — and many do — but if you’re working with the wrong varieties…

Robibero Family Vineyards 2012 Cabernet Franc

Made with fruit sourced from the Finger Lakes, Robibero Family Vineyards 2012 Cabernet Franc ($40 | Sold Out)  offers aromas of wild blueberries, blackberries and red cherries, black licorice, garden herbs and cinnamon candy. Concentrated but not over-extracted, the palate starts with hat same black and blue fruit before showing woodsy spice, licorice, herbs and enough toasty oak to add a layer of complexity but not enough to get in the way of the intense fruit core. Medium-intensity tannins and a bit of fresh acidity provide a nice frame. Though not overly lengthy, the finish doesn’t drop off either. Robibero is one of…