Andrew Blake — Marlborough, New Zealand
Tasting Notes
This is a low alcohol, sweet wine that is a great expression of Riesling.
Although quite shy while young, given time the aroma reveals its true colours showing a lovely purity and a fragrant blend of honeysuckle, citrus fruit, kaffi r lime leaf and chalky, hot rock minerality.
The palate has a luscious fruit sweetness and juicy mouthfeel again with a clean, pure focus. Flavours of ripe tangelo and subtle honey meld together on a palate that is sweet yet bright and vibrant.
Ideal as an aperitif, partnered with spicy food, a relaxing summer picnic or lunch on the ski slopes.
Winemaking Notes
The fruit was hand harvested from the south block of Giesen’s Riesling vineyard in the lower Waihopai Valley. The whole bunches were pressed without destemming or crushing to maximise the purity of fruit flavour and retain its natural acidity. The juice was settled overnight then racked off the heaviest solids to tank for fermentation.
The ferment was completed using natural ‘wild’ yeast at warmer temperatures around 18 - 20ºC. The fermentation was stopped after two weeks at around 9% alcohol when the balance in terms of sugar, acid and alcohol seemed spot on. The
wine was held for an extended time on its original yeast lees – about 16 months, before racking. A light fining and filtration prepared the wine for bottling in September 2011.
