2017 Red Newt Cellars Riesling The Knoll Lahoma Vineyards- USA, New York, Finger Lakes (3/2/2022)
Popped and poured? Unscrewed and poured perhaps. This was my first ever wine from Red Newt, and it left a very positive impression. The aromas were apparent from the first pour, focused on stone fruit and ripe citrus. The palate showed excellent depth, as well as bright acidity, carrying the fruit flavors on a dry wave that finished with a salty tang. Blind I probably would have guessed a dry Riesling from the Nahe. Impressive, and with lots of time in hand.
All the single vineyard Rieslings here are marvelous - and their ‘Circle’ Riesling may be the best value in the entire country for an everyday Riesling under $15 -
Thanks for the note, sounds great I have a mixed box coming from Berserkersday from them and believe your wine is in my order too, anxious to try for the first time as well. This was supposed to be their reserve, most backward Riesling offering IIRC?
I didn’t look at any notes related to this wine before I tried it. I wanted to be as blank a slate as possible. There are the two other 2017s, which I will try next.
15 years ago when I was in living/working/studying in Central NY, the Rieslings from Red Newt did not stand out to me compared to others from Weimer, Dr. Frank, Ravines, Heron Hill, Sheldrake Point, and others; so I did not really keep up with them even when I found them locally. I have not visited the region in several years, and am due for a return trip in the next couple, provided that we’re past the worst of the pandemic now. Sounds like I should revisit Red Newt perhaps?
Hi Andrew. My experience with Red Newt dates back 10 years but is similar. I found Red Newt wines to be decent but definitely 2nd rank compared to others. Based on what David and others are reporting it definitely sounds like it’s time to check back.
BTW, I also put Heron Hill in the 2nd rank category at that point and I haven’t heard anything that would prompt me to reassess. Beautiful site though.
Agreed. I popped a 2015 Knoll tonight and it is delicious. Green apple, nice acid backbone, lemon blossom and more
Our son begins his senior year at Syracuse next fall and we’ve slow walked our way back home every year in the Finger Lakes. Red Newt will definitely be a stop on that trip
A very similar experience. I have been very impressed with them over the past couple of years after feeling they were decent but not memorable 10+ years ago. Wuality is up and they are among out favorites in the Finger Lakes now.
I got the '14 through '16 library vertical, and already drank all 3. I liked them all, but thought '16 > '15 > '14. Not sure if that means I like them younger, or if it just worked out that the '16 happened to be more to my preferences. In any case, I will be looking for more of these wines.
This has been my experience, too. I still am not enthusiastic about Red Newt nor Heron Hill. However, given the positive notes here from people who I respect, I’ll give them another try.
Being very political here, but let me lightly note that the winemaking and winemaker at Red Newt (i.e. me) has changed rather markedly in the past decade. That has turned some of our customers off, as I’ve pursued a much more powerful and structured/smoky style of Riesling. But it also means that for those of you who are giving us another try after many years: 1) Thank you!, and 2) You may be very surprised in the changes indeed.
