Dr. Konstantin Frank Amber Rkatsiteli 2021
Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery is the pioneer of the Eastern United States’ vinifera movement. Situated on the southwestern hills of Keuka Lake, it was here in 1957 that Dr. Konstantin Frank planted the first vinifera vines in the Eastern United States and ignited the “Vinifera Revolution”. This movement would forever change the course of winemaking in New York. Four generations strong, the Frank family are leaders of grape growing and winemaking throughout the Finger Lakes.
A Georgian grape variety that dates back to 3000 B.C. and the oldest known grape variety in the world.
This lightly orange style of Rkatsiteli conveys the tradition of amber winemaking with flavors of toasted orange, ginger, rosemary, bitter almond, white flowers, and macerated peaches. This is one meant for food and pair with meals meant for lighter red wines.
VINIFICATION
Whole Cluster. 5 Day Cold Soak on Skins. 11 Day Ferment on Skins. 16 Days Total on Skins.
VESSEL
Open-Top.
FERMENTATION
On Skins. Twice Daily Punchdowns.
ÉLEVAGE
Aged 6 Months in 2 Amphora, Concrete Egg, & Steel.
Amphoras allow micro-oxygenation, which concentrates the wine. And since an amphora is shaped like an oval, it keeps the wine and lees constantly moving and in suspension. Unlike a wine barrel, an amphora does not actually impart any flavors to the wine. What an amphora does provide, however, is roundness, mouthfeel and concentration. An amphora softens the flavors of Rkatsiteli as well as its tannins. In summation, most of the flavors in the wine come from the grape itself, but an amphora adds to the flavors’ concentration and complexity.
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Varietal | Rkatsiteli |
| Appellation | Seneca Lakes |
| Vineyard | Keuka Estate |
| Alcohol | 12.00% |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Country of Origin | UNITED STATES |
| State of Origin | New York |
| Artificially Carbonated | No |
| Sparkling Wine | No |
Dr. Konstantin Frank was the first to plant Rkatsiteli in the Finger Lakes during his experiments in the 1950s and 1960s. We grow just under 10 acres of Rkatsiteli on our Keuka Estate: 3.1 acres planted in 1983, 2.8 acres in 1987, and 3.8 acres in 2003. Our soils on Keuka Lake are shallow, Mardin and Volusia silt loam with high shale content which adds minerality, acidity, and elegance. Our vineyard is east-facing ranging from 980 ft to 1200 ft elevation and are at the deepest parts of Keuka Lake.
