Not all that many have hit tasting room lists or store shelves yet, but if the early returns are any indication, 2009 may prove another great year for Finger Lakes riesling.
Swedish Hill Winery winemaker Ian Barry makes a lot of wines. When we stopped there last month to taste, I was shocked at just how many wines were on the tasting sheet -- at least 30. Throw in the fact that he makes the wines for Penguin Bay Winery and Goosewatch Winery and he's one busy man come harvest time (and the rest of the year.)
Swedish Hill Winery 2009 Dry Riesling ($16) very well may be the best wine I've tasted from Swedish Hill.
Intense melon and lime aromas dominate the nose with supporting green apple and citrus blossom notes.
Forward and fruity on the palate, it delivers juicy melon and sweet lime flavors with integrated acidity and a finish that lingers nicely with more lime, more melon and just a little floral character.
Not overly complex, but shows great balance and good focus.
Producer: Swedish Hill Winery
AVA: Finger Lakes
Price: $16*
Rating:
87
Nice label too!
Ian does a great job with all his wines.
Posted by: Peter Bell / Fox Run | August 17, 2010 at 10:59 AM
Thanks Lenn and Peter. I'm very satisfied with the way this wine turned out. About 20% of the blend was Riesling grapes from our "Blue Waters" estate vineyard on Cayuga Lake. This was the first crop from that vineyard and this year we will be up to almost a full crop load. Our vineyard manager Rick Waite has done a great job on this site and I'm really looking forward to working with this fruit. We'll also have some Gewurztraminer and Traminette coming out of there this year.
Posted by: Ian Barry | August 17, 2010 at 09:21 PM