SKU: 06321

Keuka Spring Vidal Blanc Ice Wine 2018

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wa92
v90
ws89

375ml

$39.99

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Category	Icewine
Varietal	Vidal Blanc
Origin	United States, New York, Finger Lakes
Brand	Keuka Spring
Alcohol/vol	9%

In the early 1980’s Len and Judy Wiltberger had the opportunity to purchase 30 acres of land overlooking Keuka Lake. With their love of wine and winemaking experience, they planted several wine grape varieties at the site with help from their children and Len’s sisters. They opened a tasting room in the mid-80’s, adjacent to the vineyards, as an outlet for their premium wines. Keuka Spring’s first vintage was in 1985.

For 5 years, current winemaker August Deimel has created a growing reputation for the wines worldwide. Receiving his Master’s from Cornell, he’s well respected in the Finger Lakes. Keuka Spring has been Winery of the Year, Value Brand of the Year and won a Governor’s Cup. They’ve had positive coverage and great scores in Wine Enthusiast, Wine and Spirits, Wine Advocate, Wine Spectator, JamesSuckling, Vinous Media, The Washington Post, and The San Francisco Chronicle.

Vidal Blanc grapes grow happily in just about any weather. Their thick, rubbery skins expand and contract with successive waves of warmth and chill through the late fall and early winter. They develop a rich palette of fruit flavors that can vary from vintage to vintage. Keuka Spring hand-picked the frozen grapes for this 2018 at two friends’ vineyards on Seneca Lake on the same January morning at 17⁰F.

Wine Enthusiast

we92

Pure aromas of lemonade, pineapple and honey-drizzled peach carry to the luscious, sweet palate. This is full in feel, utterly fruity and con- centrated, yet balanced by well-poised acidity.

Wine Advocate

wa92

The 2018 Vidal Blanc Ice Wine was frozen on the vine, meaning the grapes are really from the 2017 harvest, but picked January 3, 2018, so it carries the 2018 vintage designation. It comes in with 220 grams of residual sugar and 9% alcohol. Kind of sensational, this is utterly delicious, but more than that, it is gorgeously balanced. Long, fresh and clean, this does everything well. Did I mention that it really tastes great too? This should age beautifully, acquiring more complexity as it goes along. It's not cheap, but making ice wine is expensive, and the price is fair for a wine that may last for decades. It might improve along the way too. There were 230 cases of half bottles produced.

Vinous

A classic ice wine from Vidal Blanc, hand-harvested at 12-17F. Definitely an after-dinner sweet tart, with 220 grams of residual sugar. Light gold in color. Luscious and creamy, offering notes of honey, baked pear and candied fruit.

December 2019

Wine Spectator

ws89

Plump and broad in feel, with a maple note coating a core of apricot, peach and mango flavors. A flash of ginger at the end prevents this from being too languid. Drink now through 2020.

2019

Keuka Spring Vidal Blanc Ice Wine 2018

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Vinous

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