Last year, Keuka Spring Vineyards winemaker August Deimel crafted one of the NYCR tasting panel’s top two 2012 roses, so when he sent the 2013, it didn’t take me long to get it in the tasting queue.
Keuka Spring Vineyards 2013 Wiltberger Vineyard Field Blend Dry Rose ($17) is completely different from that stellar 2012. It’s a field blend — a blend of lemberger, cabernet franc, merlot — and smells of trawberries and cream with hints of peppery spice and spring flowers.
The dry, medium-bodied palate is richer than the 2012, with watermelon and red cherry flavors backed by more of that creamy character and subtle white pepper and earthy notes on the end of a rather short finish. That creaminess is balanced nicely by a squirt of citrusy acidity.
(2.5 out of 5, Average-to-Very Good)