2007 Red Newt Glacier Ridge Merot, 1/15/9Wow, this is a big wine. The nose starts off with powerful, deep smoke, which gives way to rich dark chocolate cafe mocha. Big tannins dominate the palate from beginning to end, underscored by raisin, prune, blackberry syrup, and cinnamon. While still in its infancy, I expect some smoothing of the tannins over time without losing the overall stature. This is a Vin Diesel wine - strong enough to save the world from aliens one day, but refined and sensitive enough to read you poetry by candlelight the next.

2007 Red Newt Glacier Ridge Cabernet Franc, 1/14/9 Vanilla and smoke on the nose, followed by an strong undercurrent of blackberry, plum, and currant. Stunning depth in the mouth - plum, cedar, and clove with supple round tannins. This is a Richard Gere wine - wise, grounded, elegant, yet timeless and spiritual. Perhaps the best Finger Lakes Cabernet Franc I have ever tasted.

2007 was a terrific year for red wines in the Finger Lakes. Hot, sunny and really ripe. In general, the 2007 reds are big, rich and full of color. Tannins can be aggressive at this young age, or can simply be a rewarding mouthful. The Red Newt Cabernet Franc (cream label) shows black plum color that is darker and more opaque than most vintages in the Finger Lakes. The mouth is full of fruit, with dense flavors of blackberry preserves and a dose of dense, fine tannin. This wine is showing similarly to the 2005, as it did when it was young, but with more intensity and power. In all honesty, the wine is a bit bold and impetuous at this point, but the intensity and flavor make up for any awkwardness that its youth portrays. One thing to note is that, in the context of a wine world where jammy, oaky over the top reds are defining the mainstream wine market, this 2007 Red Newt Cabernet Franc is showing with elegance and poise. This wine will be great with our Christmas dinner!Cheers!David.

The 2008 harvest is pretty well wrapped up with all of the grapes in, all of the reds pressed, and most of the white fermenters done and tasting like wine. All in all it was a pretty good year. At Red Newt, it was an exciting fall. This year we purchased and installed a complete grape processing area (previously, our pressing had occurred at one of our neighbor wineries) which made life hectic, exciting and satisfying. The wines are looking good, with Riesling and Gewurztraminer looking to be the real stars. Keep a watch on the forum and blog. We'll keep you posted.Dave.

2006 was a great year for Riesling, producing wines that were tight, expressive and focused. This Dry Riesling shows clearly expressed tangerine in the nose, with hints of pineapple and fresh vanilla bean in the background. On the palate it is crisp and angular. Ample acid, which was wrapped in bursting fruit characters when the wine was younger, are rising to the surface as the youthful exuberance of the wine shifts to well poised maturity. Flavors of orange drop, pineapple and lemon pith ride on a smoothly textured palate with gravelly protrusions. Slightly awkward at this moment, the wine is well poised to develop further complexities of age while being well supported in acidity and structure.

34% CABERNET FRANC 30%MERLOT 20% CABERNET SAUVIGNON 10% PINOT NOIR 6% SYRAH The Eastern Red Spotted Newt is one of nature's most beautiful but often overlooked creatures. As a teenager (in newt years) it sports a brilliant red color as it romps about in the moist wooded areas of the Finger Lakes forests. While in its juvenile phase of development, we know this newt as the "Red Eft". This wine, too, is brilliant red, playful and full of life. Forward rich fruit and a supple palate make it a wonderful wine for pairing with fish, fowl or game. RED EFT is produced most vintages, and represents vineyards and lots that show excpeptionally forward fruit and supple tannins. Finished with a wisp of residual sweetness, the Red Eft is smooth, engaging and approachable.

Blue Newt White is an elegant blend that allows the sweet, delicate grapey characters of Niagara fruit to show through. This wine is designed to be drunk young and enjoyed. Semi-sweet, crisp and legantly fruity, it can be a part of a relaxing afternoon orlively evening. It is truly enjoyable on its own or with light foods such as: fruits, salads and cheeses.

Red Newt White is a semi-dry, exquisitely fruity blend of Vidal Blanc and Cayuga White. Perfectly balanced to accompany a wide variety of foods and please most any palate. Cayuga White and Vidal Blanc show great assets as wine varieties. Cayuga lends brightness and crispness to the blend. Vidal lends fruit intensity, body and structure. Both varieties are fermented in stainless tanks with a variety of yeast strains. Various cellar management techniques such as cool, gentle fermentation, sur lie aging, lees stirring and juice reserve addition increase the complexity and structure of the wine while retaining delicate characters. This wine is designed to be drunk young and enjoyed. It appeals to a wine variety of wine drinkers. Its slight sweetness makes the wine pleasing and approachable. Firm but supple acidity makes the wine intriguing and enjoyable for the conosiur.

The yellow Spotted Salamander is a larger and more assertive cousin to our own Eastern Red Spotted Newt. This exquisitely dry and fruit flavored wine is one that demands attention. Dry with delicate aromas of apple followed by lean citrus flavors and a crisp finish with hints of lemon peel. This wine is a perfect accompaniment to grilled tuna with lime and cilantro. This wine is created as a blend of 41% Seyval Blanc, 35% Pinot Gris and 24% Cayuga White. All varieties are fermented in stainless tanks with a variety of yeast strains. Various cellar management techniques such as cool, gentle fermentation, sur lie aging, lees stirring increase the complexity and structure of the wine while retaining delicate characters.

Wow! This wine is great. Deb and I shared this at winelover's night at Red Newt. I had pork with cranberry apple chutney and Deb had grilled salmon with and apple cranberry glaze. The wine was smooth, supple and mouth filling with complex, ripe cherry and cedar overtones. Satisfying on the attack, rich and ethereal in the finish. Great length and complexity. With over 5 years in the bottle, this wine still has plenty of life.-dbw.