Riesling, Block 1, Central Otago, 2017
Exotic fruits on the nose with suggestions of nectarine and apricot from this steeper north facing slope. It’s hugely textural on the palate with baskets of stone fruit quickly disguising the residual sweetness. The concentration and texture provided by the deep and heavy soils in Block 1 is immediately apparent and salivating. The finish is expansive and long with the weighty palate deftly supported by bright acidity.
critic reviews
The 2017 Block 1 Riesling manages to avoid the reductive issues that many of New Zealand’s Rieslings seem to exhibit. This offers attractive lychee and tinned apricot scents, almost Gewürztraminer-like in style. The taut, linear palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity and a fresh, lively, irresistible finish that lingers in the mouth. Excellent.
The 2017 Block 1 Riesling weighs in at the same exact level of residual sugar (63 grams per liter) as the regular bottling, but at an extra half-degree of alcohol, it comes across as slightly sweeter. Ripe nectarine and candied pineapple are joined by hints of bergamot and lime zest. This is dense, with an almost creamy texture to it that flows seamlessly across the palate. These 2017s are some of the most exciting New World Rieslings I've ever tried.