Konstantin Frank 2001 J'berg Riesling Semi-Dry

[quijote]

For shame that I didn't try much NY wine when I lived in Buffalo a few years ago! The only wine I had had from this producer was a Salmon Run Chard, which I didn't care for very much. But this Riesling is faboo, and I'll be sure to bring more back from my next trip to NY.

This wine is lively and elegant, with a nose of green apples, white peach, lavender, and honey followed up by well-balanced apples, pears, and honey on the palate. The finish adds a harmoniously contrasting dash of mineral and spice to the profile. Pan-fried scallops, basmati rice, and mesclun with a raspberry vinaigrette went nicely with this wine. Alc. 11%, ~$18.

[wondersofwine]

I hope to try Konstantin Frank Riesling at the offline at Glenora in May.

[Thomas]

quijote, semi-dry Riesling and vinaigrette--the only wine that can do it well.

Frank's Rieslings are among the world's best.

[wondersofwine]

I found a bottle of the Salmon Run Riesling from Konstantin Frank in Charlotte so will be able to try it prior to the Glenora offline.

[Thomas]

That's a reasonable wine, but not at their top level. They call it their "value Riesling."

[quijote]

Had the 2002 KF Semi-Dry J'berg over the long weekend. Very good, but a bit sweeter and more minerally than the 2001. Would another year of waiting have made a big difference?

[Thomas]

Maybe, just for the purpose of melding; generally, Riesling benefits from a few years bottle age. 2002 was a ripe year, so the sugars started higher than normal, which of course ran the danger of lower acids.

2003 in the Finger Lakes offers a great challenge to winemakers. Bad year all around.