2007 Shaw Vineyard Finger Lakes Gewurztraminer

I got to taste the 2007 Shaw Vineyard (Finger Lakes) Gewurztraminer over the weekend.  Anyone who has been reading my blog probably knows by now that Gewurztraminer has always been one of my favorite grapes - in fact, it was a taste of Gewurztraminer that sparked my fascination with wine years ago.  So naturally I was excited to try the Shaw Gewurztraminer, especially after enjoying their other wines over the past several months (particularly the Riesling, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Franc).

The Gewurztraminer, like the other wines, has its own identity, and it’s quite different from Gewurztraminer from Alsace.  A bit more reserved and somewhat lighter, it’s not bursting out of the glass, and the lychee notes are not quite as dominating.  The Shaw Gewurztraminer is tastefully done, and still has notes of tropical fruit as expected, as well as a bit of orange, and the lovely floral and spice notes we’d expect from a Gewurztraminer, as well as cool mineral characteristics we’d expect from a Finger Lakes wine.  It has a clean feel and bright acidity, and a nice finish.

Also this weekend, I got to taste through Shaw’s 2005 Chardonnay, 2008 Sauvignon Blanc, 2007 Pinot Noir, 2005 Merlot, 2006 Cabernet Franc, and 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon again at Empire State Cellars.  That Pinot Noir amazed me once again as it reminds me very much of a Burgundy, and the Cabernet Franc is still the only American Cabernet Franc that I enjoy - a lot.

Shaw’s Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon are all available at Empire State Cellars in Riverhead.  The Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and Cabernet Franc are available at Race Lane Liquors in East Hampton.

2007 Gewurztraminer

Seneca Lake property

250 cases produced

Hand picked October 6

Cluster pressed over 3 hours

Cool fermentation - average 14-15 degrees Celsius

Left on fine lees until bottling

TA 6.2 g/l

Brix 23.2