Andrew Blake — Marlborough, New Zealand
Tasting Notes
A lovely purity of aroma with notes of honeysuckle, jasmine and lime combining beautifully. Purity is also apparent on the palate with flavours of tangelo, a touch of blue borage honey. A succulent, juicy palate is kept in check by the clean, fresh acidity giving the palate length and minerality.
Winemaking Notes
The 2011 Marlborough Riesling is a blend of fruit from a vineyard in the lower Hawkesbury along with a vineyard in the lower Waihopai. The Hawkesbury fruit was machine harvested, pressed and fermented at around 14°C using aromatic yeasts. The Waihopai vineyard fruit was hand picked, pressed and separated into a few small batches which were fermented under different conditions. One batch was fermented using wild yeast, another was inoculated and fermented cool, while the last batch was stopped sweet with a low alcohol and when blended helped to achieve the balance we were after.
The 2011Riesling is sweeter than previous vintages but still displays a lovely pure acidity which provides a edge to the palate and focus on the finish. The wine should develop well in the bottle over a few years.
