90+ Point Club

As the Finger Lakes wine region evolves, the ratings and accolades continue to roll in. In 2020 our local wineries are achieving some impressive 90+ scores from Wine Enthusiast. In fact, every score is an all-time high (one tied) for these wineries! Congrats...

2016 Noble Select Josef Vineyard Riesling ~ 95pts*

This dessert wine from Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard was so impressive, it was designated as a "cellar selection"~ a top 100 wine to add to any wine cellar. This wine is sold out at the winery, so it will be challenging to find.

"Perhaps the earthiest and richest of Wiemer's Noble Select Rieslings, the Josef dazzles in heady tones of honeycomb, lemon oil and puréed peach, with a hint of pine lingering in the background. Full and creamy on the palate, this has gobs of luscious, rich fruit jam on the palate, but all the while is lifted by an intense vein of lemon-tinged acidity and a spicy ginger undertone. This is coiled and tight right now, and will reveal its charms in the years to come. Drink 2022–2035." ~ Alexander Peartree

$115 per bottle, 375 ml Dessert, 8.2% alcohol, 28.4% Residual Sugar

2018 Silver Thread Gridley Bluff Point Riesling ~ 93pts

Situated along Seneca Lake, Silver Thread Vineyard has a solid reputation as a quality producer of Riesling (six versions currently). The 2018 vintage is currently not available at the winery, but you can purchase the 2019 vintage. Extremely limited production with only 60 cases, so buy yours today!

"Sourced from a vineyard that sits on the Keuka Lake bluff overlooking the east fork, this blossomy, heady wine displays aromas of peach and apricot, with ginger, honeycomb and white blossoms in full force. There's incredible purity and power to the palate, displaying creamy, ripe fruit struck through with piercing lemon-lime acidity, all while a delicate waxy sheen gently coats the palate. It shows impeccable balance to be enjoyed now, but will also hold well through 2030."

~ Alexander Peartree

$26 per bottle, 750 ml Riesling, 11% alcohol

2018 Living Roots Honeysuckle Riesling ~ 93pts

Living Roots is a young, urban winery located in Rochester that has created quite a following for itself. This award-winning wine was sourced from a single vineyard along Cayuga Lake. We recommend a visit to the tasting room to pick up a few bottles. Yes, it is still available to purchase, so hurry!

"Late-picked fruit in a difficult, wet vintage has yielded a success in this unctuous Riesling. A concentrated nose of peach, pineapple and mango is drizzled in gobs of honey, with a slight accent of lemon furniture polish chiming in. The palate is ultrarich in a mix of tropical and stone fruit but impeccably balanced by laser-like acidity. It shows the fruit power and structure to hold well in the cellar. Drink now–2027." ~ Alexander Peartree

$28 per bottle, 750 ml Riesling, 11.4% alcohol

2018 Keuka Spring Humphrey's Vineyard Riesling ~ 92pts*

Keuka Spring Vineyards is no stranger to 90+ ratings and Governor's Cup awards. While this vintage is sold out at the winery, the 2019 vintage is still available. With only 218 cases produced, it won't last for long!

"Ripe apple and pear aromas are lifted by a bright floral tone on the nose. There's a pleasing rounded softness to the palate, most likely due to the partial fermentation in neutral barrel, with lifted elements of pine-dusted lemon and ripe orchard fruit filling it out. Waxy lemon peel and a bit of earthy spice frame the fruit well, giving a firm boundary to all that weight." ~ Alexander Peartree

$22 per bottle, 750 ml Riesling, 11.3% alcohol

* Denotes a Wine Travel Card member winery

~ Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard save 10% off bottle purchase

~ Keuka Spring Vineyards save $5 off a $40+ bottle purchase

#thewineguy #thewinetravelcard