The tasting room isn't fancy and sure, I wish more of their wines were closed with natural cork (to see how they cellar) but for my money, Hosmer Winery offers some of the best value vinifera wines in the Finger Lakes. This dry riesling is no exception -- in fact, it's one of the best examples.
Hosmer Winery 2008 Dry Riesling ($12), made with grapes grown in the oldest section of their vineyard, planted almost 30 years ago, is very apple-y on the nose with hints of tropical fruit, fresh herbs and lime.
The palate is fruity and forward, showing more apple and some melon fruit character with a squirt of lime and a sprinkling of lemon zest. It's dry (.7%) with nice balance, but not austere or harsh.
The finish isn't super-long, but for $12 you can do far far worse -- not just in the Finger Lakes, but the world over. The Finger Lakes needs more quality riesling at this price point.
Producer: Hosmer Winery
AVA:
Cayuga Lake
Price: $12
ABV: 12.5%
RS: .7%
Rating: 85
Wait until you taste the 2009 Dry Riesling. It will blow your mind. I had a little sneak preview last night and loved it's intense fruitness, lower alcohol, high acid.
Christine
Posted by: Christine McAfee | July 19, 2010 at 01:24 PM
Hosmer Rieslings starting with the 2009 vintage are sealed with natural cork.
Posted by: Cameron Hosmer | July 19, 2010 at 03:35 PM
Cameron,
Thanks for switching back to natural cork. I've had too many FL wines prematurely oxidized with those synthetic stoppers - a higher percentage than are corked. Screwcaps don't seem to be catching on in the FL - any reason why?
Posted by: Cyclist | July 21, 2010 at 09:12 AM
Cyclist:
It's probably because you have to change your entire bottling line, and many places just don't have the capital to do that.
There are a few places that have screwcap bottling lines. Eagle Crest (wayy out on Hemlock Lake) is entirely screwcap and Tierce Rieslings are also screwcapped.
Posted by: Tom Mansell | July 21, 2010 at 09:47 AM