2018 Riesling - the Knoll - Lahoma

'The Knoll': A special two acre block of Riesling within the fifteen acres of Riesling for Red Newt at Lahoma Vineyards on the southwest side of Seneca Lake, 'The Knoll' has been distinct from the time the vines went in. Planted with Geisenheim 239 Riesling, 'The Knoll' is in fact a sandy knoll of land that rises over the rest of the rolling hills of Lahoma on a unique patch of Dunkirk Sandy-Loam. This soil type separates 'The Knoll' from the other, slightly heavier, soils at Lahoma and is a relative rarity in the remainder of the Finger Lakes, but for Riesling it seems to be perfect. With both excellent air drainage due to the Knoll and the water drainage of the soil, this block typically sees little disease pressure and is picked very ripe near the end of harvest.   In a moderate boytritis harvest, this was the latest pick and cleanest fruit that came to Red Newt Cellars. A riper more tropical expression of Riesling, the palate is weighty with a core of stone fruit and minerality packed into this lush wine.

RS:  0.3%  TA: 7.35 g/L pH: 3.28 ALC: 12.8%

96 points - James Suckling

92 Wine & Spirits

94 Wineanorak

90 Wine Advocate