2012 Stoney Lonesome Zero Degree Dry Riesling by Three Brothers Wineries & Estates, Seneca Lake #FLXwine

Finger Lakes Rocks the Riesling!

It was my pleasure to receive this wine to taste and review at home. This Riesling is one of four samples I received featuring Finger Lakes 2012 Rieslings. While I assume you know that the Finger Lakes wine region is in Central New York, it doesn't hurt to mention that the Finger Lakes region is just south of Lake Ontario. The deep Finger Lakes run North-South and provide premium growing on the eastern and western slopes. Riesling is King in the Finger Lakes.

"From dry to sweet versions, the Finger Lakes is slowly but steadily cementing its reputation as this country's best source for Riesling."

- James Molesworth, Senior Editor, Wine Spectator

As it says on their website: "Four Degrees of Riesling" created to cater to your individual preference. Designed to showcase the versatility of the Finger Lakes Riesling grape, and the wine's unique ability to be finished either dry or sweet. Your selections range from Dry (0) to Semi-Dry (1), Semi Sweet (2) and Sweet (3).

This is the Dry Riesling (0), as in not sweet.

Tasting Notes:

Color: Clear, palest gold.
Nose: Mineral, delicate honey-suckle, fresh apple/pear notes, cinnamon.
Palate: Honey, a lot of honey at first, crisp Fuji apple, dry. Finish was fresh, crisp Fuji apple. I like this wine, especially since it is not an acid monster, but beautifully balanced. This was a dry, crisp, refreshing wine. Just my speed.

Thoughts: Pair with fried chicken, fried fish, Caesar salad, fresh oysters and sashimi. A wonderful wine to start the evening. This is the kind of wine I think of when I think Finger Lakes Riesling; dry, minerality, crisp, refreshing. Later in the evening, this wine had a steely quality I also enjoyed. I believe 2012 is an excellent vintage. Recommended.

* Update: Day two this wine is more focused to the front palate. Intense fruit and mineral make for a lip smacker with a longer finish. All smiles my friends.

AVA: Seneca Lake - Finger Lakes
Vineyard: Three Brothers
Blend: 100% Riesling
Closure: Screw cap
ABV: 11%
Production: 1,000 Cases
Bottled: 06/14/2013
SRP: $14 (great value in my opinion)
Sample provided by the Finger Lakes Wine Alliance

Three Brothers Wineries and Estates LLC
623 Lerch Road
Geneva, NY 14456
www.3brotherswinery.com
@3BROSWine

About Three Brothers Wineries

Located in Geneva, New York, Three Brothers Wineries has 11 acres of Estate Riesling, at the Northeast end of Seneca Lake. Four acres were planted to vine in 1980, another seven acres were planted in 2006. A native to Seneca Falls, Winemaker Justin Paolicelli works with Winemaker Rick Clement to create Three Brothers wines. Vineyard manager John Wilkins began working at the winery in 2012. Located on the Estate are three wineries and a microbrewery: Stony Lonesome Wine Cellars is more traditional in style, Passion Feet Vineyard and Wine Barn is geared toward the "romantic" at heart serving semi-sweet wine, Bagg Dare Wine Co. is modeled after a 1920's Louisiana bayou Road Stop and sits on a pond. You may have noticed the names of all three wineries on the label of this Riesling. For me a touch confusing at first.

Finger Lakes Wine Region FAQ

115 + Wineries
9,200 Acres of grapes
848 acres of Riesling
220, 000 cases produced of Riesling
2-3 styles of Riesling per producer
Growing season is 190-250 days
For more Finger Lakes wine information, visit www.RieslingLaunch.com

The Four Finger Lakes Rieslings.

I look forward to opening the next three bottles of Finger Lakes Riesling.

Cheers!

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