Time Capsule Flights
TIME CAPSULE FLIGHT: RIESLING
About the grape….
The first recorded evidence of riesling vines can be traced back to Germany’s Rheingau region and the year 1435. Hallmarked by its intense aromatics and racy acidity, the Riesling grape embraces a range of styles from bone-dry to lusciously sweet and is one of the most age-worthy white wines in the world. Beloved by Sommeliers, the riesling grape has a way of transmitting terroir in a way that no other grape can.
About the vintage….
A year when Lorde’s hit song “Royals” dominated radio stations, Barack Obama was inaugurated to the White House for a second term, and Lance Armstrong admitted to doping in all of his Tour de France wins in an interview with Oprah Winfrey. What were you doing in 2013?
Okanagan Valley 2013 Vintage Summary:
2013 was a warm year with heat mainly concentrated in July and August. A dry and warm autumn is almost a sure thing in our region. 2013 was a rare exception with an unusual string of rainy days in the middle of harvest that kept producers on their toes. The characteristic of the wines is as such dependent on if the grapes were picked before or after the rainy period. Luckily for riesling, its cold-hardy resilience allowed for longer hang time resulting in beautifully concentrated fruit. Because of the hot year, we expect to see more kerosene/petrol aromas and flavours develop over time.
CEDARCREEK ‘PLATINUM’ RIESLING, KELOWNA, OKANAGAN VALLEY 2013
Block 3 is a 1991 planting of riesling at CedarCreek’s Home Block vineyard. The grapes were harvested early at low sugars to maintain high acids. The fruit enjoyed a long, cool ferment with extended lees contact, building texture and complexity. At just 8.8% alcohol, this is an amply textured off-dry riesling with juicy lemon-lime acidity and a persistent finish of petrol and wet stone.
TIGHTROPE RIESLING, NARAMATA BENCH, OKANAGAN VALLEY 2013
Located along the south end of the Naramata Bench, just north of Penticton. Originally an apple orchard, the planting of the Tightrope Vineyard was carried out meticulously over a two year period, starting in 2007. The Riesling is situated on a southwest-facing slope, giving this late ripening grape maximum sun exposure late into the fall. The wine was hand harvested and fermented in stainless steel. The wine is intensely aromatic with floral aromas, along with pineapple, peach, citrus peel and green apple. The racy acidity is balanced by a touch of residual sweetness.
OROFINO ‘HOME VINEYARD’ WILD FERMENT RIESLING, SIMILKAMEEN VALLEY 2013
Rooted in the sandy-loam gravels of the Similkameen Valley, this beautiful riesling underwent a cool fermentation on native yeast in old French barrels, encouraging textural complexity alongside bright vibrant fruit. Notes of summer apricots and lime cordial meld with a savoury herbal background, tapering into a stony, mineral finish.
