NEW RELEASE!
There is something about the purity of Riesling that keeps us wrapped around its finger; but pure doesn’t always equate to great. It still needs plenty of fostering in the vineyard and delicate handling in the cellar to allow its presence to shine through unimpeded.
Our flagship Riesling is a testament to our team’s dedication to our farming and cellar practices, and above all else, the pursuit of balance in this noble variety.
A shimmery lemon colour in the glass, big aromas of bergamot flowers, jasmine, chalk, mandarins and persimmon first emerge. Underlying notes of slate and lemon oil add intrigue. The palate is lush and juicy showing a touch more wet rocks and orange blossom, with lemon peel and a lovely early peach component at the mid palate. This vintage release rides the line between citrus, stone fruits and sub-tropicals just beautifully.
WINEMAKER'S NOTES
Our flagship off-dry Riesling is comprised of all our Tantalus home block vines planted in 2005 and 2009 as well as neighbouring established grower sites in our East Kelowna Slopes sub-GI. All grapes where whole bunch pressed to 1.2 bar and the juice was settled naturally for two days before inoculation with a variety of Riesling specific yeasts. Ferments lasted between 30 and 45 days at temperatures that did not exceed 15C.
The final blend naturally balanced itself with just the right amount of sweetness (just under 15 g/L of residual sugar remain) to maintain the lovely tension we seek in this wine, year after year.
ACCOLADES
91 points - Anthony Gismondi, Vancouver Sun Wine Critic
"Year after year, the Tantalus team digs in and give us a masterpiece in simplicity and consistency with its flagship off-dry Riesling. The fruit comes off home block vines planted in 2005 and 2009, and neighbouring established grower sites inside the East Kelowna Slopes sub-GI. Winemaker David Paterson says, "the fruit is self-balancing," with 14+ g/L of residual sugar working its way into an explosion of acid tension. Chalk, lemons, minerals, and florals precede a rush of citrus and peach that takes over and runs through the finish. Drink or hold. A recent tasting of the 2021 was only beginning to open now, so take your cue from that."
91 points - Treve Ring, Gismondi On Wine
"Juicy and mouthwatering, this off-dry riesling rings with tangerine, lime, ripe pear, cold cream, and perfumed apricot, with a driving lime peel acidity tempering the sugar and sailing this through the shimmering finish. Friendly, but never dumbed down, this is an Okanagan gem."
90 points - David Lawrason, Wine Align
"This is a pitch-perfect riesling balancing rounding sugar (not sweet) with vibrant natural acidity. I really like that the front label does not steer us to dry or off-dry, although a back label scale rightfully places it a bit sweeter than dry. Can we move on, and discuss the classic peachy, orange-grapefruit and fresh herbs. Not much petrol/minerality or florality. It is medium weight at a logical 12.2% alcohol. The length is excellent. It should appeal very widely as a high quality, refreshing and satisfying Kelowna riesling. Tasted July 2024."
TECHNICAL INFO
Varietal: 100% Riesling
Alcohol: 12.2%
Residual Sweetness: 14.9 g/L
pH: 2.79
Total Acidity: 9.45 g/L
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VINTAGE NOTES
2023 was a rollercoaster of a growing season. Following an extreme cold snap in late December 2022, the vines were slow to emerge. Bud break occurred in early May. From there it was a race against the vintage as the vines grew incredibly fast. Low rainfall and high temperatures were the hallmark of the start of the season.
The main part of the growing season and the ripening period were also very warm with little rainfall but high humidity. As a result of the winter damage, the crop was small and intensely flavoured which resulted in earlier than average picking dates for most varieties. The additional challenge of wildfires in our region at the end of August meant that nuanced winemaking choices were key for this vintage.
