The Bevergare Testing Institue rated our 2019 Sunrise Hill Lemberger 88 points. See what else the had to say: :Dusty violet color. Aromas and flavors of black plums, hints of wild blueberry, chocolate-covered toffee, orange zest, and hay with a satiny, crisp, dryish light body and a sleek, interesting, medium-length finish with light oak flavor. A juicy and berry-laden Lemberger with rustic style."
Damiani Wine Cellars 2019 Single Vineyard Sunrise Hill Lemberger Finger Lakes USA Wine Review | Tastings
Winemaking
100% Lemberger
Hand-harvested
Hand-sorted
Harvest Date: 10/21/2019
Harvest Brix: 22.0°
Alcohol: 12.4%
Total Acidity: 6.9 g/L
pH: 3.42
Bottling Date: 8/3/2020
Unfined
Unfiltered
Aged for 9 months mostly ¾ year old French and a balance of neutral oak barrels.
Cases Produced: 116
Drink Window: now through 2024+
Tasting Notes
This gloriously inky, garnet hued Lemberger is a sight to behold! A perfume-y aroma makes one’s mouth water at the first sniff. Scents of ripe red raspberries, black currants, fresh strawberries and the dark and enchanting aroma of orchids in bloom are braced by gentle notes of oak and a hint of unsweetened whipped cream. With the first sip an explosion of flavors tantalize the palate! A flood of ripe fruit; plums, both black and red, red currants, blackberries, brambleberries, and a hint of vanilla, all braced by the most delicate brush of tobacco and white pepper. This is a Lemberger to be adored by Lemberger fans and to perhaps make some new ones!
Viticulture & Vineyard Site
Sunrise Hill Vineyard, a picturesque landscape located on the western side of Cayuga Lake, is owned and operated by Bob and Kathy Ruis. Here, 12 acres of eastern-facing vinifera grapes are grown. The combination of soil, location and climate produce grapes that are packed with bright, fruit-focused flavors with just a hint of mineral and spice.
Vintage Notes
Winter of 2018-19 was pretty mild, resulting in little to no bud damage and setting us up for a good year of growing to come. 2019 started with a pretty “by the books” finger lakes spring, with an on-time start to the growing season; no late frosts to hassle us and a reasonable amount of rainfall. The growing season was warm but not hot, with moderate rain which tapering off by the fall to a nice mild harvest season. The weather cooperated well and allowed the vines to achieve full ripeness and flavor development. Overall, a solid growing season finished with a nice easy, harvest.
