Late harvest and ‘iced’ wines — those made with grapes frozen in commercial freezers before processing — are common in New York. Real deal ice wine is not.

This is the real deal and you can certainly taste the difference.

Arrowhead Spring Vineyards 2008 Vidal Blanc Ice Wine ($38) smells like juicy ripe peaches and apricots drizzled with floral lavendar honey. The nose is intense and ever-moving as the wine warms to room temperature.

The palate is explosive in its concentration and complexity, bursting with stone fruit flavors along with those of hay, honey, cooked sugar, golden raisin, dried apricots and lavender blossoms. Though intense and extremely sweet and rich in the mouth, it’s also incredibly balanced by acidity and long on the finish.

Producer: Arrowhead Spring Vineyards
AVA: Niagara River
ABV: 12.3%
Price: $38*

 (4 out of 5, Outstanding and Delicious, Highly Recommended)

2008, arrowhead spring vineyards, featured, ice wine, Review, vidal blanc