 2007 I once described Riesling as “the grape for all seasons” and so it has been in Martinborough year after year, consistently producing good crops where other varieties have failed to do so. In the miserly 2007 vintage however, the spell was broken and not even the German workhorse could managed to set a successful crop. The resultant wine has surprised us in many ways and finesse is the key to its charm.The eye will wonder at the delicacy of the straw-ghost colour and the nose will be enchanted when probing deep into the glass to discover reticent aromas of lime zest and waxy jasmine blossom which are as demure and alluring as a debutante sipping punch at her leaver’s ball. Orange petal touched with the light chalkiness of Nori rice lead on to hints of aniseed that are reminiscent of standing in the queue at the school tuck-shop before such delights were banned there. The palate begins with a tantalising touch of residual sweetness that is balanced moments later by a trickle of finely crafted citrus acidity. Subtle sliced pear and guava are matched by the cool slate smoothness of the fine-boned structure. A reassuring grittiness builds toward the rear of the palate and stands up for itself like an accountant at an AGM. The finish is squeaky clean and more-ish and there is as yet no sign of the mineral/fusel characters which add complexity as these wines age. No hurry here.
|
||||||||||
|
We believe our Riesling is best served at approximately 11 degrees Celsius. |
|||||||||
