Posts Tagged“riesling”

Keuka Spring Vineyards 2013 “Humphrey’s Vineyard” Riesling

Keuka Spring Vineyards 2013 “Humphrey’s Vineyard” Riesling ($22) offers a nice balance between fruity and floral character. The nose opens with Mandarin oranges and Meyer lemons with notes of peach, honey and fennel frond. Juicy and dry, the palate welcomes Golden Delicious apple flavors to the party along with more-pronounced, zesty citrus notes. Finishing with notes of apple skin and citrus blossom, this is a pretty classic Finger Lakes dry riesling, minus the minerally slate notes you might find from other vineyard sources. Producer: Keuka Spring Vineyards AVA: Finger Lakes Designation: Humphrey’s Vineyard Variety: Riesling Alcohol: 12% Production: 360 cases Price: $22 (sample)…

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Silver Thread Vineyard 2013 Dry Riesling

In the three-plus years since Paul and Shannon Brock bought and took over Silver Thread Vineyard, they’ve quickly pushed the label’s reputation forward. Paul makes wines in a clean, focused style that is well suited to the region and to the vineyards the couple buys fruit from. Silver Thread Vineyard 2013 Dry Riesling ($18) is made using fruit from a variety of sources — 32% was estate grown fruit on Seneca Lakes, while 33% came from Gridley Bluff Point Vineyard (Keuka Lake), 30% from Doyle East Seneca Vineyard (Seneca Lake) and 5% Randolph O’Neill Vineyard (Cayuga Lake). Crisp and clean, the nose is…

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Knapp 2013 Dry Riesling

With aromas of lemon drop, peach flesh and pit and a subtle floral quality, Knapp 2013 Dry Riesling ($16) is fruity and forward without being too candied. Thought sweeter than many would expect from a wine labeled “Dry” there is a nice balance between the residual sugar — which brings a bit of mid-palate fullness — and citrusy, juicy acidity that lingers with a distinct lime finish. Peach flavors are ripe and plush with citrus at the edges and a bit of apple skin. This was the surprise of a recent tasting. Producer: Knapp Wines AVA: Finger Lakes ABV: 12% Production: 302 cases…

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Red Newt Cellars 2012 Semi-Dry Riesling

Tasting on the drier side of semi-dry Red Newt Cellars 2012 Semi-Dry Riesling ($15) begins with a burst of citrus on the nose — lemon and lime — with added aromas of flint, citrus blossom, jasmine tea and wet gravel. Ample, but well-integrated, acidity brings verve to a palate that shows a nice bit of concentration on the mid-palate to go along with flavors that closely match the nose. There is a touch of sweetness here, but crunchy, lime-juicy acidity balances it deftly. The finish lingers with notes of lime peel and slate. Producer: Red Newt Cellars AVA: Finger Lakes  ABV: 10.3% Production: 240…

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Lakewood Vineyards 2012 Riesling

Lakewood Vineyards can always be counted on for good value rieslings — affordable wines that typically over-deliver for the price. Lakewood Vineyards 2012 Riesling ($13) goes even further — offering quality well above its $13 price-tag. Fruity and forward, the nose offers pear, peach and dried apricot notes right out of the refrigerator that turn a bit more musk melon-y as the wine warms. Driven by stone fruit — peaches and apricots — the slightly sweet palate shows a drip of honey and crisp, citrusy edges. Finishing nearly dry with apple and lime notes, this is the kind of Finger Lakes riesling…

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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…

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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 —…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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