Winemaker Notes
Crafted from a tiny half-hectare block at Two Paddocks Red Bank Vineyard at Earnscleugh, Central Otago, which consistently produces the ripest and most intense riesling on the estate. You will find notes of lime, honeydew, loquat and wet stone aromatics, followed by a mineral infused textural driven palate giving great drive and persistence.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
This has very attractive, fresh and vibrant aromas of apples and lime juice that lead to a palate that has a very smooth, fleshy, apple and lime core. Great balance. Pastry-like notes to close. From organically grown grapes.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
There are 150 cases of the briny, zesty 2018 Riesling. Almost dry (between six and eight grams of residual sugar per liter), it boasts sensational aromas of lime zest, green (underripe) peaches and crushed stone. Medium-bodied and plump in the mouth, it's generous while not lacking for energy, with an electric burst of citrus on the lingering finish.
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.
Home to the globe’s most southerly vineyards, which are cultivated below the 45th parallel, Central Otago is a true one-of-a-kind wine growing region, but not only because of its extreme location.
Central Otago is more dependent on one single variety than any other region in New Zealand—and it isn’t Sauvignon blanc. They don’t even make Sauvignon blanc there.
Pinot Noir claims nearly 75% of the region’s vineyards with Pinot Gris coming in a far second place and Riesling behind it. This is also New Zealand’s only wine region with a continental climate, giving it more diurnal and seasonal temperature shifts than any other.
The subregion of Bannockburn has enjoyed the most success historically but the area’s exceptional growth has moved to the promising regions of Cromwell/Bendigo and Alexandra districts. Central Otago is known for its fruity and full-bodied Pinot noir. With the freedom to experiment here, growers and winemakers are easily exhibiting the area’s great potential.