Hermann J Weimer Riesling Finger Lakes 2022 750ml
DescriptionFrom the steep slopes overlooking Seneca Lake comes this exemplary dry Riesling that showcases why the Finger Lakes has emerged as America's premier region for this noble variety. Hermann J. Wiemer, a pioneering estate that helped establish the region's reputation for world-class Riesling, has crafted a 2022 vintage that perfectly balances New World fruit intensity with Old World precision and minerality. This wine represents decades of experience in understanding how Riesling expresses itself in the unique Finger Lakes terroir.
The wine displays a pale straw color with brilliant clarity, reflecting its pure expression and careful winemaking. The nose is immediately captivating, offering classic Riesling aromatics with a distinctly Finger Lakes signature. Green apple, white peach, and citrus blossom lead, followed by distinctive mineral notes of wet slate and crushed stone. As the wine opens, subtle notes of white flowers, fresh herbs, and a hint of petrol emerge—the latter a sign of quality Riesling even in its youth.
On the palate, this dry Riesling delivers laser-like precision and exceptional purity of flavor. The texture is light to medium-bodied with a crystalline quality that showcases the variety's inherent elegance. Flavors of crisp apple, lime zest, and white grapefruit are perfectly balanced by stony minerality and a subtle phenolic grip that adds complexity. The wine is technically dry, with any residual sugar perfectly balanced by the variety's naturally high acidity, creating an impression of perfect harmony.
What distinguishes this Hermann J. Wiemer Riesling from other New World examples is its remarkable sense of terroir and restraint. The influence of Seneca Lake's deep waters, which moderate temperatures and extend the growing season, is evident in the wine's combination of ripeness and freshness. The winemaking approach emphasizes minimal intervention, with cool fermentation in stainless steel preserving the pure expression of fruit and site. This is Riesling that can stand proudly alongside the best from Germany or Alsace.
The finish is extraordinarily persistent, with echoes of citrus, mineral, and a subtle herbal note that invites contemplation. This is a versatile wine that pairs beautifully with a wide range of cuisines—from delicate seafood and sushi to spicier Asian dishes where its precision and touch of sweetness provide perfect balance. For those who dismiss American Riesling or prefer only bone-dry whites, this Hermann J. Wiemer bottling offers a compelling argument for the Finger Lakes' greatness—a wine of place that expresses its cool-climate origins with clarity and grace.
