The Finger Lakes has an exceptional reputation for world class white wines, especially Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Traminette, as well as Chardonnay Vignoles, and Vidal Blanc. But what abut red wines. I am constantly besieged by people who want to find great red wines in the Finger Lakes.
No problem.
Here's some excel lent red wines form some of my favorite producers. Hunt them down. They are well worth it.
Nancy Irelan and Michael Schnelle have established one of the class wineries in the Finger Lakes. Their Red Tail Ridge Pinot Noir Seneca Lake is exceptional, with cherry bright and dark cherry nuances. But I also love their Blaufrankisch, their Teroldego, and their Lagrein. Amazing red wines at this incredible winery.
Mel Goldman started Keuka Lake Vineyards in 1997. He make some of the most intriguing white wines in the Finger Lakes from his Fall Man Vineyard. But his Keuka Lake Vineyards Leon MIllot has consistently been one of the best red wines in the state. Leon Millot is a grape variety that is not planted widely enough in my opinion. Winemaker Margot Federkiel has made a big, deep Syrah-styled wine with dark stewed fruits, that give it power, and terrific acidity and tannins which make it power, yet well balanced and complex. Absolutely stunning, for the big red wine drinker.
John & Josephine Ingle Heron Hill has been making great wines for a long time now. Former winemaker Barry Torolton had long made stellar wines. Current winemaker Jordan Harris has offered several new bottlings that have also impressed. LOVE their Baco Noir Reserve and their Pinot Noir Reserve!!!!
Peter Bell and Scott Osborne introduced Fox Run Vineyards Ikehu Cabernet Franc some time ago, and it was an instant winner! New winemaker Craig Hosbach is doing a stellar job crafting new wines at the classy Finger Lakes winery. This Cabernet Franc is deep, with dark cherry and red raspberry. Super drinkable and bankable.
Tasted this wine recently with Dr. Elizabeth Smith, one of the most travelin' wine writers I know, and Susan Higgins, the co-owner, along with her husband Tom. This is one of the best pinot Noirs on the east coast, with lovely notes of blueberry, lavender, and cherry like a good, classic Pinot Noir should be. Just like the best of the Saanta Rita, Santa Ynez, Santa Barbara regions.
Anthony Vinny Aliperti, along with his wife, Kim, run Billsboro Winery, on the hills over looking the western side of Seneca Lake. This Saw Mill Creek Cabernet Franc is one of the best versions of this wine done in the Finger Lakes. Terrific fruit, great complexity, and wonderful balance. A must buy! Great food wine. You will love it.
Dr. Konstantin Frank Old Vines Pinot Noir is a very special wine. The winery, under the wonderfully guiding hand of Meaghan Frank, has continued a long string of exceptional wines. This Old Vines Pinot Noir, made by wine maker Santa Rosa native Mark Veraguth, unforgettable. Deep dark and bright young cherry, a lovely floral touch to the nose, and a brambly undertone make this super complex and well balanced. A wonderful wine if it were in any region. Another must buy!
Steve Shaw and Steve Shaw Jr. are a dynamic duo in the Finger Lakes, and their early wines were definitely featured among the bottlings that helped move the quality needle in the region. For those who like sophisticated, old world, older vintages, Shaw is your spot. The red wines are usually bottled four to five years after the vintage. The Cabernet Franc Reserve is a mix of cherries and dark raspberries, with notes of bramble and farmyard, and terrific acidity. These are great food wines. They go great with spicy pasta dishes like Penne Arabiata and grilled meats. They need something big to stand up to. If that sounds like you, you will love this wine. Great stuff. Great people.
Winemaker Phil Plummer makes a slew of some of the most cutting edge wines in the Finger Lakes Region. His line of Voleur wines at Montezuma Winery are outstanding. This Lemberger (I prefer Blaufrankisch) is a stellar bottling. Co-fermented in the style popularized in France's Cote-Rotie region, and built from varieties more commonly associated with cooler growing regions in Austria and Germany, this Lemberger is a collision of Old World inspiration and New World innovation. This medium-bodied red has notes of cherry, orange zest, and peppercorn. Excellent!
Winemaker Ian Barry has made a lovely, light, floral Six Eighty Cellars Pinot Meunier. This lightly colored red, with tons of fresh fruit and lots of other flavors swirling through the glass, is a juicy, delicate, and elegant wine. Great with lighter dishes. Perfect with roast chicken.
Some of the best Pinot Noir in the region is made at Silver Thread Vineyards, owned and operated by winemaker Paul Brock and wine educator Shannon Brock. The Pinot Noir is delicate. A very pretty, pretty wine, with cherries and notes of blueberry on the nose. Terrific fruit flavor lasts, and lasts. Love their wines, and this Pinot is a winner.
Hermann J. Weimer is a name that is synonymous with the region. Their Cabernet Franc has long been a standard bearer for the region. Fred Merwarth has made a wine of sophistication and elegance. Dark red fruit and light red fruit run through its veins. You taste one then the other as you go through the layers in this wine. A truly beautiful glass of wine.
Nathan Kendall has been making some wonderful wines, between his classic wines, and his cutting edge line of wines with Pascaline Lepeltier. The Nathan Kendal Pinot Noir is light and delicate and an easy drinker. If you're a Pinot noir fan, this light, fruity, delicious wine is for you!
Keuka Spring Vineyards has been making delicious wines now for some time. Dan Bissell leads the winemaking team here. And their Keuka Spring Blaufrankisch is something to behold. I think this is easily one of the best Blaufrankisch made in the Finer Lakes, and it never disappoints. A terrific food wine. Great with pastas and grilled meats. Even stands up to chili. Terrific wine. A great red wine for the holidays.