Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard, Field Cuvée 2011, Finger Lakes, New York

Tasting Note: A fun cuvée to introduce yourself to Hermann J. Wiemer’s 2011 red wine vintage.

Black currant, black cherry, red currant, red cherry, plum and a hint of nectarine are what you get on the nose of this ruby-colored field blend which is literally a mix of the 2011 vintage red grapes used by the winery including cabernet franc (30%),  pinot noir (30%), cabernet sauvignon (20%), merlot (15%), lemberger (5%).

On your palate the wine is fruit-forward, light to medium bodied with medium acidity kicking in on a raisiny finish.

There is some mid-palate complexity. The wine serves a mostly straight-forward expression of the vintage.

I like the field blend wine concept as well as its execution in this bottle.

Bottle Note: A new twist on a traditional field blend, this medium-bodied red wine is a unique combination of cabernet franc, pinot noir, lemberger, merlot and cabernet sauvignon. The Field Cuvée begins to take shaped in the vineyard with small blocks of certain varietals, while the character of the vintage is accentuated through additional blending in the winery. The results is an easy-drinking red with a balance of dark fruit and round tannins. 30% Cabernet Franc, 30% Pinot Noir, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 5% Lemberger.