Gravel Lane Vineyard Botrytised Riesling

The 2018 Gravel Lane Late Harvest Riesling shows aromas of orange blossom and elderflowers with candied citrus peel, honeysuckle, and ginger spice. Fresh acidity and lime pith flavours are complemented with spice and florals with an orange marmalade finish.

The Vineyard

The Gravel Lane vineyard is located just off New Renwick Road in the Omaka area of Blenheim. The soils in this site are shallow, stony and freedraining. Due to the proximity to the Southern Valleys, the site enjoys cooler nighttime temperatures.

Winemaking Notes

The 2018 growing season was not without some challenges. December enjoyed perfect flowering conditions, January was one of the warmest on record, February delivered some rain and March was characterised by extended dry periods and high sunshine hours. Once botrytised the fruit for this wine was hand selected and harvested into bins. The fruit was then gently crushed and soaked and crushed again to extract the precious juice and sugar from the dehydrated berries. After a cold settling the juice racked into 100% aged oak barrels, where it was inoculated with a strong yeast culture and fermented. The fermentation was stopped when the balance of sugar and acid was achieved.

Cellaring Recommendation

This wine is immediately enjoyable but will continue to drink well for the next eight years.

2018 Tasting Note