Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2023 Dry Riesling has lemon pastry and fresh pressed linen, and that must be a Bone Line character because I saw linen notes in their Hellblock Riesling from the same vintage. This also has sweet tobacco, sage and green apple skins. The acidity penetrates the palate early, which is a hell of a wake-up call to the senses, and proceeds with a stately outlay of flavor and character. It's a little leesy and wide in the mouth—a wild ferment? This is a powerful and yet slight wine, and I like it so much.
Riesling possesses a remarkable ability to reflect the character of wherever it is grown while still maintaining its identity. A regal variety of incredible purity and precision, this versatile grape can be just as enjoyable dry or sweet, young or old, still or sparkling and can age longer than nearly any other white variety. Somm Secret—Given how difficult it is to discern the level of sweetness in a Riesling from the label, here are some clues to find the dry ones. First, look for the world “trocken.” (“Halbtrocken” or “feinherb” mean off-dry.) Also a higher abv usually indicates a drier Riesling.
On the central eastern coast of the South Island, Canterbury includes a collection of small and varied subregions. The region is cool and dry with low rainfall and light, infertile soils. Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir are well-suited here, with Pinot Gris coming in third place.