Riverby Estate Noble Riesling (375ml)

Region: New Zealand

Background: Riverby Estate is a boutique wine producer, occupying a prime site in Marlborough's Jacksons Road heartland. All grapes are grown on the estate vineyard by descendants of the Matthews family, who have been farming the property for over 100 years.

Winemaking: After being very carefully and selectively hand-picked at 43.7 brix the grapes were moved to the winery, where they were destemmed and cold soaked for 24 hours. They were then given a slow, gentle pressing to extract the rich, pure juice. After being cold settled this juice was fermented in stainless steel, very slowly at cool temperatures to retain fruit intensity. Fermentation was eventually stopped when the ideal balance was reached between sweetness and alcohol.

Grapes: Riesling

Tasting note: A spectacular sweet wine; the gloriously fragrant bouquet shows orange peel, honey, marmalade, mixed spice and dried flower characters, leading to a concentrated palate that is superbly weighted and persistent. It is wonderfully sweet and unctuously delicious, backed by bright acidity, finishing impressively long and gratifying.

Food Pairing: Good with ice cream or dessert

Scores: 96/100, Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, October 2019

Award: Gold Medal & Trophy Marlborough Wine Show Oct 2019