Winemaker Notes
The flagship Riesling from Red Newt, a dry wine suitable for everyday drinking that also has the interest and complexity to reward aging. It is both savory and fruity, opulent and refreshing. Intense and intriguing smoky notes on the nose evolve to grapefruit peel with time, both of which lead to a rich mid-palate that features exotic fruit while still being steely and dry through the finish. Long hang time for developing flavors in the berries was a given, but due to the cooler than average growing season this could be accomplished without sacrificing freshness.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Hang on to your hat, because this “regular” dry riesling is spectacularly different to the great majority of this vintage in the Finger Lakes! Enveloping nose of ripe mirabelle with touches of candied pineapple, bergamot and jasmine. Imposing textural richness on medium-to full-bodied palate and so much depth and structure at the bold finish.
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.