McCoy’s pick: the best of Newton Vineyard
Newton, Chardonnay, Knights Valley, Sonoma County 2014 92 N/A UK www. newtonvineyard.
com Of the winery’s two singlevineyard Chardonnays, this one comes from a northfacing volcanic slope in Sonoma’s Knights Valley and was my favourite thanks to its savoury, mineral-inflected character and the dialled-down ripeness of its fruit. Drink 2018-2028 Alcohol 14%
Newton, Unfiltered Chardonnay, Napa Valley 2014
90 £42 Clos 19, Edencroft, Justerini & Brooks Intense and layered, this wine has more vibrancy and minerality than it did in the past, though it still has the lush texture that people loved, thanks to barrelfermenting with native yeasts. The fruit comes primarily from cool Carneros. Drink 2018-2025 Alc 14%
Newton, Mt Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2014 94
£ 140 Clos 19 Dark and intense, with classic cassis aromas and flavours, this 98% Cabernet with a dash of Malbec has an earthy, sinewy mountain character. It’s the most structured, powerful and tannic of the three single-vineyard Cabernets.
Drink 2019-2032 Alc 14%
Newton, Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2014
94 £ 140 Clos 19, Jusetrini & Brooks The most complex of the three single-vineyard Cabernets comes from the Spring Mountain vineyard’s oldest vines and includes a little Cabernet Franc. It’s bright and lifted, with violet and wild herb aromas, plus very pure, layered flavours of savoury cool fruit. Drink 2019-2030 Alc 14%
Newton, Yountville Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2014
93 £ 140 Clos 19 The vineyard that supplies these grapes is a mix of alluvial valley floor and rocky soil. This super-plush, all- Cabernet cuvée has the plummy, chocolatey overtones and soft, velvety tannins that people expect from Napa Cab. Drink 2018-2029 Alc 14%
Newton, The Puzzle, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley 2014
91 £ 51.60-£71 Clos & Cru, Voyageurs du Vin The grapes for this plummy, surprisingly soft and approachable Bordeaux-style blend are from the Spring Mountain estate. With 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec, this has a cashmere-textured palate but it’s not complex. Drink 2018-2027 Alc 13.9%