Anthony Road Riesling’s Spectator Scores Soar

PENN YAN – Wine Spectator loves Finger Lakes Rieslings, none more than those of Anthony Road Wine Co.In Wine Spectator Insider, which came out Feb. 17, senior editor and noted wine critic James Molesworth gives three Anthony Road wines some of the highest ratings ever handed out to Finger Lakes wines by the nation’s leading wine magazine. The top-shelf scores include 93 points for Anthony Road’s 2008 Trockenbeeren Martini Reinhardt Selection Riesling, a dessert wine. This is believed to be the highest score that Wine Spectator has given for a Finger Lakes wine.The Penn Yan winery’s 2008 Berry Selection Martini Reinhardt Riesling, also a dessert wine, received a score of 91 points and its 2008 Dry Riesling was rated at 90 points. “This is a major accomplishment for Anthony Road and the Finger Lakes region,’’ said JimTrezise, president of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation. “To receive three scores of 90 or above with three different Rieslings shows consistency of quality regardless of the style of the wines, and solidifies the Finger Lakes region’s increasingly widespread reputation as one of the world’s premier Riesling producers,’’ Trezise said.“We are so excited about the Spectator points,” said Ann Martini, who with her husband, John, has been making Rieslings and other Finger Lakes wines since they opened the winery in 1990. Anthony Road is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The Anthony Road wines were included as part of “A first look at our editors’ most exciting new wines.” Here are Molesworth’s tasting notes for the top-rated wines:ANTHONY ROAD Riesling Finger Lakes Trockenbeeren Martini Reinhardt Selection 2008 Score: 93 | $100 This has a gorgeous mouthfeel and loads of complexity with layers of lush Jonagold apple, heather honey, dried persimmon and chamomile flower all woven together seamlessly. The long finish is lushly sweet, but has the drive to keep bringing you back. Beautiful. Drink now through 2020. 58 cases made. Dessert — J.M.ANTHONY ROAD Riesling Finger Lakes Berry Selection Martini Reinhardt Selection 2008 Score: 91 | $65 Frankly sweet, but fresh and racy in style, with persimmon, heather, apricot, quince and candied citrus peel notes that ripple through the lengthy, pure finish. Made from 60 percent botrytized fruit. Drink now through 2016. 36 cases made. Dessert — J.M.ANTHONY ROAD Riesling Finger Lakes Dry 2008 Score: 90 | $16 Ripe and powerful with green melon, glazed pear, candied grapefruit peel and quince notes allied to a bright, racy framework. The mouthwatering finish picks up additional yellow apple and quinine notes, adding length and definition. Drink now through 2011. 404 cases made. — J.M. “Producing these wines is a team effort,’’ Ann Martini noted. “It starts in the vineyard with the grapes, and that is Peter Martini’s responsibility. In the winery it is Winemaker Johannes Reinhardt with Assistant Winemaker Peter Becraft who pay close attention to detail.”Commenting in The Finger Lakes Wine Road blog, Reinhardt says he is happy to see wines from the Finger Lakes get the recognition they deserve. “For years, our region has been knocking on the door with consistently great wines, and now it’s as if the glass ceiling of 89 points is broken,” said Reinhardt. “These tremendous scores do not speak solely of Anthony Road; it’s a team effort and a reflection of the noble blood our region produces.”Last year, Anthony Road’s 2008 Semi-Dry Riesling received the prestigious Governor’s Cup, the top prize among 805 entries at the 2009 New York Wine & Food Classic competition in Watkins Glen.The winery is located off Route 14, about 10 miles south of Geneva on the west since of Seneca Lake. For more about Anthony Road, call 800-559-2182 (toll-free) or 315-536-2182, e-mail [email protected] or visit the Web site: www.anthonyroadwine.com.Anthony Road is in the heart of Finger Lakes Wine Country in upstate New York. Finger Lakes Wine Country is the largest concentration of wineries east of California, boasting more than 100 wineries producing world-class wine. For more information about the region, go to this Web site: www.fingerlakeswinecountry.com.