Times Union New York Wine Club: May 2011 Selections

By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor

May's Times Union New York Wine Club selections are on their way to members and that means it's time to tell you a bit about them.

For our Basic-Level Members this month, we have a great duo that you can take to or serve at your next bbq.

Peconic Bay Winery 2009 Lot #2 is a blend of merlot, cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon that delivers good value. Complex for the price point, the nose offers sweet red cherry and red raspberry fruit with layers of earthy spice and sweet herbs over top. The palate shows similar berry and herb qualities along with some woodsy/stemmy character and a distinct red apple skin note.

Our second wine for the Basic Level this month is Sheldrake Point 2009 Dry Riesling. With classic lime and citrus blossom aromas with a little green apple, the nose screams "Finger Lakes" while the palate brings a snappy, citrusy combination of lime and ruby red grapefruit with a herbal-fennel edge. Mouthwatering and medium-long, the finish shows just a bit of slate minerality too.

With our Premium-Level wines this month, we present two very different Finger Lakes rieslings for summer.

Bloomer Creek Auten Vineyard First Harvest Riesling is a unique expression of Finger Lakes riesling. It's plump but with plenty of acidity to cut through ripe apple and nutty, leesy character that is vaguely reminiscent of Champagne or maybe an old white Rioja. This may not be what you expect from Finger Lakes rielsing, but that's one reason we're including it -- it's delicious and distinctive. Only 173 cases were made.

For a bit more classic of a presentation, try our second wine, Red New Cellars 2009 Sawmill Creek Vineyard Riesling. With all of its lime, white tea and green almond and apple character -- with a laser beam of acidity running through it -- it's a fine example of riesling from America's top riesling region.

Learn more about the club and by all means, sign up. You can just do a month or three if you want to try it out. And as always, if you have any questions, please just ask me!

Comments

[Paul Z]

Ah, that Sawmill Creek riesling is one of my favorites. Heck, all of Red Newt's single-vineyard rieslings were terrific when we were up there a couple of months ago, but this one was special. I should have taken Evan's advice from this morning's riesling article and gotten a case of it.

[Tom H]

Interesting club. There look to be two different levels to the club. What's the advantage to the premium level over the standard. Also the "Buy Now" link is broken.
Also are there state restrictions on the wine shipments? I don't see that in the FAQ.

[Lenn Thompson]

Paul: No doubt that this is a fine riesling. What other fun stuff did you find up there?

Tom: Sorry about that broken link. I've sent an email to the powers that be at TU to have it fixed. In the meantime, you can get more info here: http://www.bacchuswineonline.com/Wine-Club

The main difference in the two club levels is price. The basic club is a fixed price and the premium fluctuates (maxing at $60) depending on the wines I pick. That gives me the freedom to really get some incredible stuff in the $30/bottle range in every now and again.

[Paul Z]

This trip we made it a point to go to mostly places we hadn't been to before, so we visited Ventosa (a really nice surprise that I hadn't heard too much about), Lakewood, Casa Bellangelo, and finally made it to Shaw and Heart & Hands. (Plus the obligatory visits to Ravines and Anthony Road.) Interestingly, the winemakers at H&H and Shaw both recommended we cellar the rieslings we got there for a few years. So we'll see how they hold up.

[Dan Clifford]

@Tom Yes. We are unable to ship to all 50 states. Here is a link outlining the shipping policy:

http://ow.ly/58rBZ

Feel free to contact me directly if you would like to talk wine, the club & shipping.

dclifford@bacchuswineonline.com

Thank you for your interest.

dc
@dclifford
@BacchusWine

[Weinclub]

I once made a trip out to that vinery and it was beyond awesome! Really enjoyed all the good food and beverages out there!