Heaphy Moutere Old Vine Riesling

Country: New Zealand Region: Nelson

Varietal: Riesling Vintage: 2023

Colour: White Style: Dry 

Producer: Heaphy Estate

Description:
Heaphy Vineyard is a small winery in the north-west corner of New Zealand’s South Island, a region named Nelson Tasman. Our winery is situated high above Tasman Bay on the Moutere Hills, where our 10ha of long-established vineyards are defined by Moutere’s signature clay soils. First planted in 1973, our vines are amongst the very oldest productive vineyards in New Zealand.

Heaphy Vineyard are certified "Sustainable Wine Growing New Zealand". This means that their wines are made from grapes grown in 100% SWNZ-certified vineyards and produced in 100% SWNZ-certified winemaking facilities. To be SWNZ certified, all members must complete annual submissions and undergo regular on-site audits conducted by an independent verification company.

The Moutere Riesling was made solely from the estates oldest block (planted in 1973). A lot of dedicated thinning work was done on this block in order to reduce crop levels and concentrate flavours and sugar. Grapes were hand-picked, cold pressed pressed and fermented separately, some in stainless steel and some in old puncheons (500L oak vessels). Some of the stainless-steel fermented portion then spent a few months in Drunk Turtle Amphora, creating a distinctive mouth feel to the wine. All those different elements were blended back together later. After a 6 months on light lees, the wine is then stabilised and only coarse.

Tasting Notes:
Very dry, racy, and firm and yet opens up with lively jasmine, spicy ginger, white tea floral notes over a structured palate and intense, mineral finish. Feels like a drive through the luscious Golden Bay.

Food Pairing:
Fish tacos with zesty lime, chicken or cauliflower wings with blue cheese sauce.