Winemaker Notes
Every year, we aim to make a fruit-driven, dry Riesling which has an explosive flavor profile. To achieve this in 2018, we picked our fruit as late as possible, but still not as late as previously. The result in this dry Riesling is more “finesse” and less “power.” Nonetheless it still has the unmistakable weight and depth that are the hallmark of the #239 Dry Riesling.
Professional Ratings
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Wine & Spirits
Surprisingly complex in its youth, this dry white leads with scents of salt and lemon that broadens with air. There’s tension in its spine, lifted and racy, the fruit leaning more toward pear or quince. For razor clams.
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Wine Enthusiast
The nose of this dry Riesling is zesty lemon-lime, with a pronounced white blossom tone lingering in the background. Linear and focused on the palate, it shows a clean citrus and apple flavors that are accented by crushed stone. Bright acidity keeps it lively, with a slight stony grip to the close.
Riesling possesses a remarkable ability to reflect the character of wherever it is grown while still maintaining its identity. A regal variety of incredible purity and precision, this versatile grape can be just as enjoyable dry or sweet, young or old, still or sparkling and can age longer than nearly any other white variety. Somm Secret—Given how difficult it is to discern the level of sweetness in a Riesling from the label, here are some clues to find the dry ones. First, look for the world “trocken.” (“Halbtrocken” or “feinherb” mean off-dry.) Also a higher abv usually indicates a drier Riesling.
As the most historic wine-producing region in New York state, winemaking in the Finger Lakes area dates back to the 1820s and today as a region, accounts for 90% of the state’s total wine production.
Its narrow and deep lakes created by the movement of Ice Age glaciers create an environment similar to the classic Riesling-loving regions of Europe, namely Germany and Austria. The Finger Lakes retain summer heat that incidentally warms up cold winter air, making it fall down from the lakes’ steep slopes. When spring comes, the lakes, already cooled by cold winter weather, stave off vine budding until the danger of frost has subsided. The main lakes of the zone, that is those big enough to moderate the climate in this way, are the focal points of prime vineyard areas. They include Canandaigua, Keuka, Seneca and Cayuga.
While Riesling has fueled most of the region’s success, today Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc enjoy some attention.