New York Wine News and Notes (12/8/08)

Posted December 8, 2008 by Lenn Thompson in News & Events

A few New York wine news items from the last several days:

Shinn Estate Vineyards 2005 Estate Merlot was mentioned over on Eric Asimov's wine blog,
The Pour, last week. Eric has long been a proponent for Long Island
merlot and I think this wine, year in and year out, is one of his
favorites. (Read my review)
Shinn Estate also received an 89-point score from the Wine Spectator for their 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, a wine that I've not tasted.
Juan Eduardo Micieli-Martinez,
winemaker at Martha Clara Vineyards, also let me know that Premium Wine
Group, the custom-crush facility where he makes MCV's wines has just received it's first screw-capping equipment and that many of MCV's wines will be bottled under screwcaps going forward.
In the next issue of Wine & Spirits Magazine, ten Finger Lakes rieslings will be rated at 90 points or higher,
including: Dr. Konstantin Franks 2007 Dry Riesling (93), Hermann J.
Wiemer 2007 Dry Riesling (92), Sheldrake Point 2007 Riesling (92),
Hermann J. Wiemer Dry HJW Vineyard Riesling (91), Hermann J. Wiemer Dry
Magdalena Vineyard Riesling (91), Hosmer 2007 Dry Riesling (91),
Rooster Hill 2007 Dry Riesling (91), Sheldrake Point 2007 Dry Riesling
(91), Dr. Konstantin Frank 2007 Semi-Dry Riesling (90) and Hosmer 2007
Riesling (90). I think it's time for the Wine Specatator would give up on its silly 89-point ceiling for Finger Lakes rieslings. Every other major publication has.
Roman Roth, winemaker at Wolffer Estate and also Roanoke Vineyards, will be releasing his 2003 Grapes of Roth Merlot under
his own label this week. Roman made the wine with grapes sourced from
Sam McCullough's vineyard (Sam is the vineyard manager at Lenz Winery).
I'll be tasting it soon.
Jamesport Vineyards has also announced a barrel tasting of their 2006 and 2007 pinot noirs, and 2007 reserve sauvignon blanc on December 13. Tickets are $10. Visit their site for more details.