Visit to Hermann J. Wiemer

HJW has long been acknowledged as a top FL winery, but I came away even more impressed. They have a strong focus on showing terroir differences, biodynamic farming, and experimenting with new varieties and winemaking methods. With the purchase of Standing Stone vineyards, they gained some special vineyards over in the "banana belt" on the other side of Seneca Lake. World class by any measure, not just for the Finger Lakes.

• 2020 Hermann J. Wiemer Riesling Magdalena Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, New York, Finger Lakes

  At the tasting room, side by side with the 2020 HJW Bio Riesling. This was the ripest of the rieslings, also the deepest yellow color. The fruit is more exotic - I get quince as well as the usual lime. Only 9 g/L RS, but with the riper, less acidic profile there is a perception of sweetness here. Very good, but a bit too pricy at $39.

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• 2020 Hermann J. Wiemer Riesling Bio HJW Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, New York, Finger Lakes, Seneca Lake

  At the winery, side by side with the 2020 Magdalena Riesling. This is from specific blocks of HJW, farmed biodynamically, although I understand the entire vineyard is Demeter certified now. 50% is aged in neutral fuder, and I do get a little more mature notes from the extra oxygen exposure and extended aging compared to the 2022 rieslings. HJW is slightly higher elevation and further from the lake than Magdalena, so less ripe and fruity. Tastes drier and more mineral, with a touch of petrol. An outstanding riesling, but a bit too pricy at $45.

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• 2022 Hermann J. Wiemer Dry Riesling 90 Points

  USA, New York, Finger Lakes, Seneca Lake

  Their flagship riesling, made from grapes derived from all of their Seneca west side sites, hand-picked, spontaneously fermented. Tasted side by side with the Flower Day from the same vintage. This has 7g/L RS, so not analytically dry. It tastes relatively dry, but not severe. White flower aromatics, stone fruits on the palate. I don't get any tropical fruit notes in this vintage. Benchmark FL riesling, as usual.

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• 2022 Hermann J. Wiemer Riesling HJW Flower Day 91 Points

  USA, New York, Finger Lakes

  Tasted at the winery side by side with the regular dry Riesling. This one emphasizes biodynamics as the name suggests, and thus in previous vintages was solely sourced from the HJW vineyard as this was the certified one. In 2022, for the first time they blended in fruit from the Standing Stone site on the other side of Seneca Lake, which has a warmer microclimate. It has a similar profile to the standard dry Riesling, but I sensed a little more minerality and depth of flavor. At $27 I felt this was a great deal, so it was a buy (as well as the 2022 Blaufrankisch). Others seemed to think so as well, because after I left, they had all of 5 bottles left in stock!

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• 2021 Hermann J. Wiemer Cabernet Franc 89 Points

  USA, New York, Finger Lakes, Seneca Lake

  At the winery. I think this was the best FL red we had from this difficult vintage. Color is pale ruby - looks more like a sangiovese than a cab franc. Dark cherry aroma, tons of acid and cherry on the palate as well. It was pretty good in a tasting format, but I could see a whole bottle getting a bit monotonous.

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Everything was excellent. But they know how good their wine is, so it's among the most expensive in the region. Still, a very good deal relative to comparable quality from other regions around the world.