2005 Newton The Puzzle

Newton’s 2005 Proprietary Red the Puzzle is a blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot from Newton’s estate holdings on Spring Mountain. I was somewhat shocked to see this wine tip the scales at 15.6% alcohol, as it is totally hidden and there is no trace of heat. Dense ruby/purple with notes of forest floor, graphite, blueberry and black raspberry, the aromatics are super-fresh and complex. Full-bodied with the level of glycerin one would expect with this potency, but very fresh with well-delineated and precise flavors that clearly are the advantage of the cool mountain climate. The finish is long and the wine approachable and drinkable now, but promises to last at least another two decades.