Hillick & Hobbs Estate Seneca Lake Dry Riesling 2021
(Finger Lakes, New York) - [TP 95] [JS 94] [WE 93] [DM 93] [VM 92] [WS 91]

The pursuit to craft world-class Riesling has brought Paul Hobbs back to his family roots in upstate New York to create site-specific estate wines from the emerging Finger Lakes region. Founded in 2013, the winery is named after his parents, Joan Hillick and Edward Hobbs, and planted to high density vines on steep slate slopes. 

Situated on the southeastern banks of Seneca Lake, Hillick & Hobbs estate vineyards’ steep slopes and row orientation encourage excellent air flow and early ripening. Vines grow on blue slate, glacial till, limestone glacial shale on western exposure with slopes up to 55%. 

100% Riesling hand harvested and sorted in the vineyard, pressed whole cluster and fermented and aged in 100% stainless steel. Bottled unfined. 

95 Points - Tasting Panel:
"Aromas of honey and fresh linen intersect with tart lemon, frozen peach, and crisp Asian pear, carried on a sea breeze that tingles and arouses the palate. Initiated by taut acidity, salinity leaves an impact through the finish."

94 Points - James Suckling:
"One of the stars of this challenging vintage. Cool and reserved nose with fresh mint, parsley and basil aromas. Some aeration in the glass teases a lot more crisp pear and yellow-apple aromas out of the wine and expands the mid-palate creaminess. Excellent structure and juiciness on the sleek and precise, medium-bodied palate. Complex wet-stone minerality at the self-confidently dry and crisp finish. Drink or hold." (Jun 2023)

93 Points - Wine Enthusiast: 
“Restrained and elegant, notes of citrus, peach pit and ginger weave between waxy, honeyed richness. The palate is finessed, long and harmonious but speaks quietly, demanding thoughtful tasting rather than porch pounding. Drink now, just slightly chilled, with food, or up until 2031." - Christina Pickard (May 2024)

93 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"This is a classic and refined Riesling from Hillick & Hobbs in the 2021 vintage. Evocative of the steep slate slopes of Germany's Riesling epicentres, this wine shows petrichor, white flowers, and a touch of petrol. The palate is gorgeously textured with honeyed ginger, orange oil, and lots of mouthwatering lemon zest. It's undeniably ageable yet delicious now." - Clive Pursehouse (Apr 2024)

92 Points - Vinous Media:
The 2021 Dry Riesling Estate is cool-toned, settled and fresh as a daisy—very relaxed and zen. Notably elegant and concentrated in spite of the cold, wet season, this is such a finessed wine. Rich layers of peach, chamomile, ginger, lemon oil and salty yeast unfurl in the glass. The finish is long and even-tempered. The 2021 doesn’t have a hair out of place." - Billy Norris (Feb 2025)

91 Points - Wine Spectator:
"Crackles nicely with pippin apple, lime and slate notes. Reveals flashes of yellow apple and chamomile on the finish, with the slate edge lingering nicely. Drink now through 2027. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 4,500 cases made." - JM (May 2023)