2011 Greywacke Late Harvest Riesling Marlborough 37,5cl

Moderately sweet Riesling with honey from botrytis as well as peach/stone fruits and citrus flavours. Varietal flavours are still very evident despite a significant botrytis influence. Good tension between acidity and sweetness with mouth- tingling finish.

Organic fruit from 18-year-old vines in Ashmore Vineyard in Fairhall, adjacent to the mouth of the Brancott Valley on gravelly clay-loam soils, conditions more typical of the Southern Valleys than the Wairau plains. Hand-harvested with considerable botrytis infection in two lots, the first batch being picked on 11 May at 28 Brix and the second on 26 May at 42 Brix after a period of dry windy weather. Whole-bunch pressed, cold-settled with a light fining and the clear juice was racked and inoculated in stainless steel tanks using cultured yeast. The two batches were blended during fermentation. Ferment stopped at RS 120 g/l. Kept on light lees for 5 months. pH 3.09, TA 7.7 g/l. Very sweet but very fresh. Terrific citrus purity plus the rich apricot/orange flavours of botrytis. A very gentle grip in the texture adds length. Drink 2015-2025.

Beautifully balanced botrytised Riesling with apricots, honey and spice. Full body, sweet and rich with a long and zingy finish. Wild fruit yet harmonious. 120 grams residual.

The 2011 Late Harvest Riesling presents a youthful nose with a little SO2 poking out over the vibrant citrus and peach aromas, plus a hint of orange blossom. Sweet, rich, luscious and viscous, it has crisp acid beautiful concentration and a long finish. It still needs time for the SO2 to marry into the wine and should drink best 2013 to 2017+.