Clark Estate Block 8 Marlborough Riesling 2023

Description

"This is instantly appealing on the nose, showing mandarin, lemon zest, subtle spice and rich floral aromas, leading to a deliciously expressed palate offering vibrancy as well as rich fruit intensity. Mouth-watering and enticing with elegant sweetness and racy acidity, making it hugely appealing. Style: Medium-sweet. At its best: now to 2033" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

"Bright, even, pale yellow with a light green sheen. The nose is fresh and vibrant, with aromas of green apple, lime, blossom and stony minerals. Medium-light bodied, medium-sweet to taste, aromas of green apple and lime melded with apricot, blossom and stony minerals. The zingy acidity carries apple-skin-like phenolics and minerals and persists a focused, refreshing finish. Match with spicy fish satay and smoked fish pate over the next 3 years. Fermented cool to 8.3% alc, 63.8 g/l RS, aged on lees for 5 months" Candice Chow, Raymond Chan Wine Reviews

"A sweet and pretty young riesling with pears, white peaches and some minerals. It has medium body and a fresh finish" James Suckling

"Medium-dry riesling with lime zest, oyster shell, a subtle hint of honey and a suggestion of green apple have created a vibrant, mouth-watering wine that can be appreciated now but should develop well with bottle age" Bob Campbell, Master of Wine

The 2023 Block 8 Riesling has pure aromas of lemon and lime, elderflower and white peach leading to the perfect balance between natural fruit sweetness and the crisp chalky acidity. This medium sweet wine is refreshing and ideal with asian cuisine or as a lunchtime aperitif.

The vineyard is situated in the picturesque Upper Awatere Valley where the rugged climate of strong winds, early frosts and rocky, ancient soils is ideal for creating an environment where the vines struggle, producing grapes of intensity and concentration. As a result, the crops are naturally low and the energy of the plant is dedicated to the small but intensely concentrated berries. The Riesling block of just 2 acres is now 17 years old but still requires careful canopy management to ensure the grapes are all ready for a single picking.

The grapes were picked and processed as quickly as possible to retain the delicate aromas of the juice. Carefully selected yeasts were added to the beautifully clear juice which was slowly fermented under very cool conditions. Once there was a perfect balance between the natural sweetness and acidity the ferment was stopped and the wine was left on its lees for 5 months.