Wiemer

Seneca Lake (West - Dundee)
3962 Route 14
Dundee, NY 14837

800-371-7971
wiemer.com

Hours: 10am-5pm M-Sat, 11-5 Sun
Fee: $3 & $5, Reservations: not required

Herman J. Wiemer Vineyard was started by a German winemaker in 1973 with the first vintage released in 1979. At the time, Wiemer was one of the few wineries using vinifera (European) vines. The practices and traditions inherent to European winemaking carried over to these vineyards, creating series of wines that are well-crafted with balance, complexity and unique aromas and flavors. Everything from pressing to labeled takes place on premises. Wiemer employs environmentally-friendly practices.









Great tasting room in the barn - the old barn wood contrasts fantastically with the tall stainless steel tanks and white "barn within a barn". The staff (winemaker's wife Maressa, regrettably a Yankees fan) was friendly and offered side-by-side pours to compare vintages, which was immensely helpful in pinpointing preferences. I'd read great things about their Rieslings (HJW, Magdalena, Dry Reserve & Late Harvest all scored 89 points or higher in Wine Spectator). My favorite of the Rieslings was the regular Dry Riesling. I found the HJW to be too austere and the Magdalena flowery and too feminine, but still some of the best we sampled during our trip. Overall, Wiemer's selections of wines were a wonderful treat and will warrant a return visit next time we're in the area.












Selections from tasting menu (purchases in bold):
Dry Riesling 2007 - $17.50. A combination of the three Riesling vineyards, including austere HJW & flowery Magdalena. Crisp, dry with flint. Not a lot of sweet, balanced. Great nose. Texture is a touch oily. Very good flavor of apple and citrus with sharp acidity. Clean finish. 0.9% RS
Semi-Dry Riesling 2007 - $17. Oily texture; sourced from the Magdalena vines. Very well done. "Semi-dry Rheingau style... ripe, expressive nose featuring fresh floral notes of citrus and lime fruit. Complex minerality and subtle finish." 2.4% RS
Late Harvest Riesling 2008 -$23. The well balanced acidity brings the wine through; not cloyingly sweet. Spatlese style. "Apricot and honey flavors. Rich and full bodied." 4.5% RS. The 2007 vintage received 89 points in WS.
Gewurztraminer 2007 - $19. Heavier style. A touch sweeter than what I prefer. Picked up on the floral aromas, citrus flavors and finish. Smooth. Also aromas of "peaches, apples and melons perfumed with rose petals." 1.7% RS
Blanc de Noir 2003 - $26. Blend of 85% Pinot Noir and 15% Chardonnay. Very delicate and great bubbles. Not my style as the flavors mimic the Niagara/Concord grapes, too fruity. "Apple and citrus on the nose... exotic maturity, nut flavors supported by a harmonious structure."
Dry Riesling Reserve 2007 - $23. Similar to the HJW (sourced from that vineyard). Much like the Dry Riesling 2007 but without oily texture and more acidity. "Hand-picked... from oldest low yield vineyard. Elegant... with brilliant fruit and long, lingering finish." 0.7% RS. This vintage received 89 points in WS.
Pinot Noir 2006 - more fruit driven with nice berry flavor. Pleasant, fine tannins. Ready sooner than the 2007 vintage. (Bonus taste to compare the two vintages.)
Pinot Noir 2007 - $18.50. Sharp, lean and not fruit forward. "Medium-bodied, smooth, dry... French oak. Black cherries in nose and taste... light tannins."
Estate Red 2006 - $16. Blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Lemberger and Pinot Noir. A darker style than the Pinot Noir with sharpness and good acidity. A nice wine but tight. Pink-red color. Tobacco aroma was easy to pick up on. Well-structured.
Cabernet Franc 2006 - $17.50. Nice mid-palate with Red Delicious apple peel finish. "Firm and velvety tannins, well defined acidity.
Cabernet Franc 2007 - Very similar to the 2006, but wound tighter. Previous vintage has benefit of an extra year in the bottle; opened up more and had a light color. The 2007 had a darker color approaching light magenta and surprising fruit flavor. Will definitely be good with some cellaring.

Other wines on the tasting menu:
Chardonnay 2007
Pinot Noir Rose 2006
Frost Cuvee 2008
Cuvee Brut 2006
Chardonnay 2005
Select Late Harvest Chardonnay 2007