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Guides / Wine Regions / United States

New York

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2026
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Red Newt Cellars Cover Image
  1. New York
  2. /Wineries
  3. /Red Newt Cellars
  4. /Wines

Red Newt CellarsVerified Organization

Merlot - Glacier Ridge Vineyards Bottle

2015

2012

Merlot - Glacier Ridge Vineyards

Seneca Lake

$30 USD

Release Price

-

Drink Window

12.1%

ABV

3.09

pH

6.15

TA

1

RS

Growing Conditions

Glacier Ridge takes a studied minimalist approach in the vineyard; all weed control is manual and allows for some non-grape vegetation for competition as well as insect biodiversity. Disease pressure and crop size are subsequently lower as a result, with a notable difference in increased ripening capability of the grapes.

Harvest

2015 will primarily be remembered for what preceded the growing season, an unbelievably brutal winter featuring the coldest month ever recorded in the Finger Lakes. As a result, yields were significantly down in a growing season that held much promise. Heavier than average rains in June required careful attention in the vineyard to manage botrytis and mildew, but the remainder of the growing season until the harvest rain events was dry and even in temperature.

Winemaking

All the fruit was lightly crushed and placed into welch bins for cold soaking with 100% stem inclusion. Moderate SO2 and tannin additions were added to the must. Following a three day cold soak at 45F, the grapes were warmed up and allowed to spontaneously ferment. At completion of alcoholic fermentation the wine was left on skins for three weeks, sealed under a dry ice blanket for cap health with occasional light punch-downs. The wine was then pressed off through the basket press and barreled down. Upon completion of malolactic fermentation, the wine was sulfured and topped regularly to maintain freshness. The wine was kept in puncheons to allow for maximum tannin integration until just after the following vintage, at which point it was racked and bottled unfined and unfiltered.


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There are oceans of Grüner Veltliner, both in the New World and Austria, that are pleasant but nondescript white wines. Coming from the back portion of The Knoll vineyard site, with all the opulence that pedigree implies, the KJR Grüner Veltliner takes as its inspiration and goal the dense, weighty, and powerful styles that mark top-end Austrian examples. White pepper, flint, and rich fruit run from the nose right through to the palate and finish, with more structure provided by the long ferment in neutral french oak barriques.

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Circle Riesling is meant to be a quintessential example of Finger Lakes Riesling; a touch of residual sugar to bring out the rich orchard fruit flavors without overwhelming the lemon zest and citrus that make it crisp and refreshing to drink. The overall wine is easy to drink, but made with as much seriousness and as many individual layers as any Riesling that Red Newt releases.

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The 2020 Newt Riesling marks the first vintage of this wine for Red Newt; a Riesling that embraces the exuberant aromatics, juicy fruit, and racy balance that we so love in Finger Lakes Riesling. Made from some of our best fruit and with the same exacting standards for cold soaking and spontaneous fermentation, this is a Riesling everyone can enjoy, and can afford to enjoy.

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Red Newt Cellars Merlot - Glacier Ridge Vineyards 2015 | Red Newt Cellars Wines | New York Wineries | Wine Folly