Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars is one of New York's most well-known wineries, and with good reason. In addition to being a truly pioneering producer, they craft some of the Finger Lakes region's best wines--particularly their whites.
Last weekend, I tasted through their current whites, dry rose, and sparklers. So, in quick-fire style, here are some notes on them:
Dr. Konstantin Frank 2006 Dry Rose ($18)
A medium, orange-tinged pink, the nose is extremely faint and austere with just a
little red berry aroma. Medium bodied and with a terrific mouth feel,
and crisp finish, this wine is marred by a surprising lack of flavor. 
(1 out of 5 | Not Recommended)
Chateau Frank 2000 Blanc de Blancs ($30)
Pale straw-yellow with tiny, persistent bubbles. This traditionally made bubbly has a nose with lightly floral aromas with citrus, pear and just a touch of honey as well. Delicate and very fresh in the mouth, there is nice apple, pear and citrus flavor with just a little honey on the medium-long finish. Dry but not harshly so, it also features great acid balance. I really like this one. Rating: 
(4 out of 5 | Delicious, Distinctive
)
Chateau Frank 2002 Brut ($25)
Slightly less effervescent than the BdB, the color is very similar. The nose is toasty with roasted nuts, fresh cut-flowers, minerals and light white cherry and apple aromas. Dry and flavorful, I taste a lot of white cherry and apple here, with a faint earthiness and a creamy finish. Rating: 
(3 out of 5 | Very good, Recommended)
Dr. Konstantin Frank 2006 Dry Riesling ($18)
This wine has everything I look for in Finger Lakes riesling. Juicy lime, minty herbs, minerals and just the most subtle tropical (papaya?) aromas greet the nose. From the first sip, this light-bodied wine delivers delicious lime flavors and minerality just that minty flavor in the background. The acidity is balanced, but gentle. It really cleans your palate as it lingers on a medium-long finish.
(4 out of 5 | Delicious, Distinctive
)
Dr. Konstantin Frank 2006 Gewurztraminer ($25)
Classic rose petal and lychee aromas really had me excited to taste this pale tan-gold white. A little too much residual sugar for me (and for the acid level). Floral, with a little melon and banana. Nothing special once you get past the great nose. Definitely not a very good value. 
(2 out of 5 | Average
)
Dr. Konstantin Frank 2006 Pinot Gris ($18)
An up-and-coming varietal in the Finger Lakes, this pinot gris has straight-forward lemon-citrus and melon aromas with just the most subtle honey and nut. Medium bodied and nicely balance, the flavors closely match the nose. more flavorful than your average pinot grigio, that's for sure. 
(2.5 out of 5 | Average-to-Very Good)
The sparklers at Dr. Frank's are very good and sometimes extremely good. They really are an open secret that not enough consumers know about.
Couldn't agree more on the rose--I dumped it down the drain when I had some. It blew my mind that it came from Dr. Frank's.
Posted by: Jason Feulner | September 27, 2007 at 01:43 PM
Lenn, did you see Jancis Robinson's tasting notes on a whole bunch of NYS wines? On her site today.
Posted by: Terry Hughes | September 28, 2007 at 08:12 AM