New York wines are back in the game.

Everytime I drink a bottle of old vine zin from California, I tell myself that I am going to hate the wines that I grew up with from New York.  And everytime I drink a bottle from Seneca Shore, my faith is restored.  In a totally no-nonsense review, this is an excellent red from Seneca Lake in upstate NY.

Composition: 50% Cabernet Franc, 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot

This is a big red from NY that simply defies reason…I’m just not sure how they do it.  It has an old, refined taste that is not typical of many of the reds from NY.  While at first, the Medieval Red tastes like a well-cellared cab sauvignon, it comes alive on the finish with hints of cinnamon and cherries.

Cabernet Franc tends to grow quite well in the Finger Lakes, and happens to be one of my favorite NY varietals.  While NY state is hustling to unify the region as a being a producer of premium riesling, I have a really hard time getting on board.  From what I can tell, the Riesling in NY tends to be quite good.  However, is a good Riesling really enough to establish a reason?  Oregon has Pinot Noir, California seems to have everything, why can’t NY have Cabernet Franc?  If anyone else has any thoughts on this subject, please post a comment - I’d like some validation either way.

Moving on…

What is truly most bizarre about this winery is that they have seahorses on their label and signage, which to be honest, was a reason that I had put off visiting this winery.

As the saying goes, don’t judge a winery by its seahorses.  They have really good wine at Seneca Shore, if you can find it (which is tough outside of the Finger Lakes), please do give it a shot.  Behind the seahorses lie a really excellent wine.  And in front of the seahorses are pirate ships.

-Ryan