Hermann J. Wiemer 2007 Dry Riesling

By Lenn Thompson, Editor and Publisher

One should never assume that the wineries with the best reputations make the best wines. In fact, I'm often skeptical of these "best" wineries.

Sometimes wineries that worked hard to earn their reputations rest on their laurels a bit, feeling as though they've arrived at the pinnacle of the industry.

Others never truly earned their place at all, instead relying on superior marketing and public relations.

Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard, on the western side of Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes region of New York is one winery that not only earned its reputation as a leading producer, but is showing no signs of slowing down in its drive for even higher heights.

Take this Hermann J. Wiemer 2007 Dry Riesling ($17.50) for instance. 

Winemaker Fred Merwarth makes seven different rieslings, including two single-vineyard wines, a late harvest, a TBA-style, a Reserve and then two "regular" bottlings. This is one of those "regular" wines, and it's delicious. It seems silly to call it "regular" really.

The nose is somewhat floral with light petrol notes, but it's dominated by that classic peach-lime-wet stone combination I've noticed in many of the Finger Lakes' best rieslings. If you want to know what "a typical Finger Lakes riesling" smells like, this is it.

The feather-light palate is alive with citrusy acidity -- more than many 2007s -- that more than balances the .9% residual sugar. Peach and lime flavors dominate here, with white flowers and super-subtle sweet herbs behind. The petrol notes from the nose are barely noticeable on palate, but there is a terrific minerally vein throughout.

A long, peachy finish ends with a citrus zest note.

I don't want to overuse the word "classic" here, but this is a classic Finger Lakes riesling, and it's very well priced.

Producer: Herman J. Wiemer Vineyard
AVA: Finger Lakes
Price: $17.50*
Rating: (4 out of 5 | Delicious, Distinctive ) 

(Ratings Guide)

Comments

[Evan Dawson]

Hmm. No petrol in there?

[Lenn Thompson]

Man, you're quick. I didn't even know that I had this published and you comment!

Actually yes, some on the nose (but somehow florally petrol if that makes sense) but less so on the palate.

I wasn't actually done writing this review, but I had it set to publish instead of draft (thus all the typos as well).

All fixed now. I think.

[Lenn Thompson]

I know that Tom (ithacork.wordpress.com) found the petrol dominant here, but not me.

[Evan Dawson]

I had a glass at the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel the night you and Nena came in, and it was richly petrol (in the nose only, I agree).

[Peter Bell / Fox Run]

I poured this wine to a group of wine industry professionals in Serbia a few months ago, and they were like speechless.

[Peter Becraft/Anthony Road Wine Co.]

Fred is one of the hardest working guys in this wine business and totally humble to boot. The many hats he wears in the cellar, vineyard and nursery would run down the strongest of us yet he plugs away and continues to improve on the Wiemer legacy. I never get tired of these wines or reading about them. Keep it up. Peter

[marisa d'vari]

I love this wine. I am a fan of MOST NY Rieslings ... they need to get wider distribution in America.