Blackenbrook Riesling 2008

Viticulture:
The grapes for this wine were sourced entirely from our Home Block in Moutere, consisting of clay soil with a layer of sandy loam. Our focus here is on healthy soil, strong plants and sustainability. For our Riesling we use clones GM110 and GM198-19.
Vintage:
Excellent spring weather resulted in almost perfect pollination. A warm summer brought along healthy canopy growth leading to the earliest harvest ever. We hand-picked and hand-sorted on 28 March.
Tasting Notes:
Made in an off-dry style, this vibrant Riesling boasts elegant floral and mineral flavours, terrific fruit purity and real energy. The wine will benefit from bottle ageing and we recommend to enjoy it between now and 2010.
Winemaking:
Whole bunch pressed and gravity-fed from press area to main winery. Cool fermentation, stopped at 15g/ltr natural residual sugar. Extended fine lees contact in stainless steel. Minimal pumping and gentle filtration. Bottled on 31 July 2008 under screw capsules.
13.0% Alcohol.
Food match:
Chilled zucchini flower soup with lemon infused olive oil, hearty shellfish casserole, baked goat cheese parcels, Choucroute Garnie (Alsatian Speciality). Ideal serving temperature: 15°C.

Accolades:
“One of the Top Twelve New Zealand Rieslings” according to Bob Campbell MW.
Gourmet Traveller Wine
*****5 Stars or 95/100 Bob Campbell MW.
Intense, vibrant Riesling with strong lime/citrus and mineral flavours, great purity and wonderfully fine acidity. Made in a medium/dry style, the wine achieves real tension between acidity and sweetness.
*****5 Stars Michael Cooper, Winestate
Full of potential, yet already drinking well, this estate-grown wine is tight and rich, with substantial body, a sliver of sweetness (10 grams/litre of residual sugar), and lovely depth of citrusy, slightly spicy flavours. From the earliest harvest to date, it’s still very youthful, with notable ripeness, delicacy and length.

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