WTN: 2005 Dr. Konstantin Frank Dry Riesling (Finger Lakes)

2005 Dr. Konstantin Frank Dry Riesling (Finger Lakes)

This Finger Lakes producer was represented to me as "blowing away“ German Rieslings. A challenging claim to be sure. I have had some experience with Finger Lakes Riesling and have for the most part been under whelmed.

Color: Pale straw yellow.

Nose: Dead at first. Opened up a bit with some time in the glass to show some Sweet Tart and a hint of petrol.

Taste: Tart and zippy. Very nice acidity. A bit of citrus and some honey with a rather abrupt finish. Went quite nicely with the ginger and teriyaki salmon.

A very nice sipper and solid food wine for the most part. It could probably hold it’s own with some German Kabinetts, but not on par with the better German producers, in my opinion. And that’s okay. I did pay $19 for the wine. I would like to see it come in under $15 to entice me to buy it again. It seems that some Finger Lakes Riesling fans have a inferiority complex regarding the German wines. I say variety is the life of spice… or something like that.

2005 Dr. Konstantin Frank Dry Riesling (Finger Lakes)

This Finger Lakes producer was represented to me as "blowing away“ German Rieslings..

By who? Blowing away what wines?

Seems kind of broad. Perhaps that inferiority complex you mention.

Rahsaan,

By a guy from up state New York who worked at a Finger Lakes winery for a couple of summers. We got into a discussion about FL Rieslings. I told him of my strong preference for the German and Alsatian wines. With some good natured bluster he told me why the FL wines were superior and then pointed me to the Frank Riesling. We never actually got into a deep discussion no style comparison. In fact, he really didn't have much experience with wines outside of FL. Just defending the home turf. I remain unconvinced, but the Frank was not a bad wine.

I remain unconvinced, but the Frank was not a bad wine.

My feelings as well.

A lot of Finger Lake folk get a tad chauvinistic/defensive re their reislings.....IMO, Weimer, Lamoreaux Landing and Dr Frank are probably the best of the FL reislings..They are a smidge overpriced for what they are but not outrageously so..Nonetheless, I doubt that they wd stand out in a tasting of Kabinett level reislings from Germany..I believe John Zuccarino of Silver Springs (Seneca) put together a tasting of FL and German reislings not long ago but I haven't looked at the results and,since I did not partake, I am not in a position to comment on the wines and my impressions of them..Long story short, I doubt that any FL reislings blow German reislings on a consistent basis..In any given year, there may be a few that are quite nice..but not outstanding..I doubt that Donnhoff, Loosen, et al are terribly concerned in this regard