2023 Reviewed Wines
2023 Mo Chuisle Estate Reserve Pinot Noir
James Suckling – Stuart Pigott
The way the delicacy, silkiness, and freshness of this great pinot noir are so exactly in step with one another makes this a game-changing wine. There’s nothing about this wine that copies Burgundy, but it has all the general qualities that make great red Burgundy so exciting. Very concentrated yet subtle and refined. Super-long and elegant finish that has so much power, yet lifts you up and makes you feel weightless. Sustainable. Glass stopper.
Drinking Window: Drink or Hold.
Score: 97
2023 Old Quarry Vineyard Estate Reserve Pinot Noir
James Suckling – Stuart Pigott
Very flinty and minerally, this is delicate yet intense. Diamond-bright and juicy at the same time, the blood orange freshness is married to wonderfully creamy tannins that drive the very long, bright and minerally finish. Sustainable. Glass stopper.
Drinking Window: Drinkable now, but best from 2026.
Score: 96
2023 Hedrick Vineyard Estate Reserve Pinot Noir
James Suckling – Stuart Pigott
Compact with stunning fine tannins, this sophisticated pinot noir really shows the potential the Finger Lakes region has with this variety. Still quite tightly wound on the focused medium-bodied palate. Long-term stuff that’s also very long in the finish. Sustainable. Glass stopper.
Drinking Window: Drinkable now, but best from 2026.
Score: 95
2023 Hedrick Vineyard Estate Reserve Pinot Noir
James Suckling – Stuart Pigott
Power and grace meet in this very velvety pinot noir that glides over your palate. It really seems to float on a cloud, but I’d say it’s medium-bodied from the gentle impact. Very long and flinty finish that pulls you inexorably back for more of this delight. Sustainable. Glass stopper.
Drinking Window: Drink or hold.
Score: 95
2023 Nutt Road Vineyard Pinot Noir
James Suckling – Stuart Pigott
A very sophisticated pinot noir with candied orange, raspberry and cranberry aromas. Impressive concentration on the mid-palate. Elegant tannin structure that’s already very well integrated, extending through the long, filigreed finish. Sustainable. Glass stopper.
Drinking window: Drink or Hold
Score: 94
2023 Pinot Noir
James Suckling – Stuart Pigott
A beautiful wine for an entry-level pinot noir, this is perfumed, elegant and silky on the barely medium-bodied palate. Red fruit and flowers embrace you, and the graceful finish pulls you back for more. Sustainable. Glass stopper.
Drinking window: Drink or Hold
Score: 93
2023 ESOTERICS
2023 Lagrein
James Suckling – Stuart Pigott
This makes a bold statement, although the alcohol is moderate. Big blue fruit, but somehow it’s subtle. Ample fine-grained tannins shape the medium-bodied palate and drive the long, moderately dry finish. Sustainable. Glass Stopper.
Drinking window: Drinkable now, but best from 2026.
Score: 93
2023 Esoterra
The Wine Advocate – Joe Czerwinski
A blend of 56% Auxerrois, 23% Aligoté and 21% Petite Arvine, the 2023 Esoterra proves that blending can sometimes improve on the individual parts. Ripe peach and citrus notes lead the way on the nose, while the medium-bodied palate is nicely rounded, tapering down into a crisp, mouthwatering finish with ample length.
Drinking window: 2025 – 2030
Score: 91
2023 RIESLING
2023 Estate Riesling
The Wine Advocate – Joe Czerwinski
Weighing in at 11.5% alcohol and 9.6 grams per liter of residual sugar, the 2023 Riesling Estate Vineyard features dramatic aromas of crushed stone, floral notes, green apples, fresh limes and white peaches. It’s medium-bodied, with a lush mouthfeel and a long, mouthwatering finish. It’s yummy now but should drink well for several more years, perhaps up to a decade.
Drinking Window: 2025 – 2033
Score: 92