Ravines Argetsinger Vineyard Dry Riesling 2019
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Robert
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Winemaker Notes
An expressive and vibrant wine from the old vines and sloping limestone soils of the famous Argetsinger Vineyard on the southeastern edge of Seneca Lake.
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
The Argetsinger cuvée is a tour de force in this vintage, with the abundant aromas of nectarine and green apple of the 'regular' dry Riesling. Yet, the limestone soil of the mild slopes in this southeast corner of Lake Seneca shines through in the verdant and saline minerality that sets this wine apart. Piercingly lovely acidity but more than enough exuberant peachy fruit shot through with floral notes to bring this exciting wine into dynamic balance and carry it to an immensely satisfying finish. Its tightly wound structure and silky finesse ensures it should age for decades. Perhaps America's preeminent Riesling. Drinking Window: 2021 - 2031.
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James Suckling
An intensely mineral dry riesling that is only just beginning to open up. Very complex and subtle aromas that range from peaches to wild herbs. Impressive structure is packed into quite a sleek silhouette. So much wet-stone character at the long and pristine wet-stone finish.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2019 Dry Riesling Argetsinger Vineyard, another late release, has just two grams of sugar plus 8.7 grams of total acidity and 12.8% alcohol. The regular Dry Riesling shows so well that some might wonder why they should trade up. It's a fair question since the difference in price is over $10 in a region known for its bargains. Many will be perfectly happy stopping there. Still, I'd say this is the better wine and that will become even clearer as they both age (and likely separate a bit more). This is more impressive for expressive fruit. It seems more like the essence of Riesling, unfolding slowly over your tongue and coating the palate until some bursts of acidity crop up. Like its regular 2019 sibling, though, it is relatively integrated and balanced, with not a hair out of place. If anything, it seems more refined and graceful. The slight tart aspect on the finish provides a bit of spice, but it never overwhelms the wine. So, you can drink this now. Best After 2022
Other Vintages
2017-
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Robert
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Ravines was created by Morten and Lisa Hallgren in 2000. Morten, a French-trained oenologist, came to the Finger Lakes from his family’s centuries-old estate in the South of France. He and his wife and business partner, Lisa, convinced of the potential for fine winemaking in the Finger Lakes, opened their original tasting room on 17 acres of sloped, shale stone soils nestled between two deep ravines on Keuka Lake.
They focus on making fine, classically-styled wines that allow for the cool-climate characteristics to be shown without compromise - creating their own unique expression within the Finger Lakes wine region.
Riesling possesses a remarkable ability to reflect the character of wherever it is grown while still maintaining its identity. A regal variety of incredible purity and precision, this versatile grape can be just as enjoyable dry or sweet, young or old, still or sparkling and can age longer than nearly any other white variety. Somm Secret—Given how difficult it is to discern the level of sweetness in a Riesling from the label, here are some clues to find the dry ones. First, look for the world “trocken.” (“Halbtrocken” or “feinherb” mean off-dry.) Also a higher abv usually indicates a drier Riesling.
As the most historic wine-producing region in New York state, winemaking in the Finger Lakes area dates back to the 1820s and today as a region, accounts for 90% of the state’s total wine production.
Its narrow and deep lakes created by the movement of Ice Age glaciers create an environment similar to the classic Riesling-loving regions of Europe, namely Germany and Austria. The Finger Lakes retain summer heat that incidentally warms up cold winter air, making it fall down from the lakes’ steep slopes. When spring comes, the lakes, already cooled by cold winter weather, stave off vine budding until the danger of frost has subsided. The main lakes of the zone, that is those big enough to moderate the climate in this way, are the focal points of prime vineyard areas. They include Canandaigua, Keuka, Seneca and Cayuga.
While Riesling has fueled most of the region’s success, today Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc enjoy some attention.