Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
The cornucopia of rose petals on the nose pulls you into this beautifully refreshing gewurz that marries restrained rosewater character with elegant acidity on the barely medium-bodied palate. Long, refined finish that makes you want more. Unusually for this grape, almost no perceptible bitterness in the finish.
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Vinous
The 2023 Gewürztraminer is one of the more finessed expressions of this variety I've tasted in the Finger Lakes, deftly taming its natural tendency toward exuberant floral intensity. Richness and opulence are present, but a nice measure of calibrated acidity and spice makes this feel very varietal. Orange confit and salty minerality season the finish.
Gewürztraminer, an expressive and aromatically distinctive white grape variety, is considered a noble variety in the Alsace region of France, and produces wonderful wines in the mountainous Alto Adige region of NE Italy. Generally this grape grows well in cooler regions and its natural intensity makes it a great ally for flavorful cuisine such as Indian, Middle Eastern or Moroccan. Somm Secret—Because of a charming perfume and tendency towards slight sweetness, Gewürztraminer makes for an excellent gateway wine for those who love sweet wines but want to venture into the realm of drier whites.
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.