At Osmote, Ben Riccardi is making some of the Finger Lakes’ best wines, and is shining a light on modern hybrids as well as vinifera varieties
Website: https://www.osmotewine.com/
Ben Riccardi (pictured above) is doing some special things at Osmote. On my first visit to the Finger Lakes back in 2017 I managed to taste a few of his wines, and I was impressed. He’d just started out (first vintage was 2014) and at the time was making wines at Damiani. Since then he’s bought a property on the east side of Seneca Lake and also moved into his own winemaking facility.
He’s also focusing on hybrids. As well as making excellent Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir and Riesling, Ben is working very smartly with hybrids, which are an important part of the Finger Lakes story. Last year he even planted some: 2 acres of Aromella and 2 acres of Marquette. They are much more sustainable to farm, and the results can be excellent if a lot of care is taken.
Osmote TTYL Dry white 2024 Finger Lakes, New York
70% Cayuga White, 30% Melody. This is pure and delicious with pear and lemon as well as some fine spicy detail. Nice texture and depth. 92/100
Osmote Chardonnay 2024 Seneca Lake, Finger Lakes, New York
12.5% alcohol. Barrel fermented, wild yeast. Spicy and detailed with some mealy richness. Pear and peach with some spicy citrus. Nice depth here with lovely balance and complexity. 93/100
Osmote Riesling 2023 Seneca Lake, Finger Lakes, New York
Citrus and pear fruit with nice depth, showing nice depth with some apple notes. Rich and textural with nice crystalline fruit. Juicy and expressive. Some richness. 91/100
Osmote Pinot Noir 2024 Finger Lakes, New York
Lovely cherry and plum fruit. Floral with some herby detail. Silky and expressive with fine grained detail. There’s elegance and poise here: a lovely Pinot. 94/100
Osmote Cabernet Franc 2024 Seneca Lake, Finger Lakes, New York
Such focus and elegance with raspberry and cherry fruit with fine grained tannins. Lovely grip here. Has some elegance as well as a bit of structure. 94/100
Osmote Bici Dechaunac 2024 Finger Lakes, New York
Spicy, vivid, grippy and a bit wild. Firm tannins. Spice and tar and nice acidity. An impact wine with a lot of flavour. Juicy finish. 90/100
