2015 Old Vines Riesling

The 2015 growing season gave us record-breaking heat but the balance in our wines remained intact. Curiously, once temperatures reach above 35 degrees Celsius, vines enter a dormant protective mode.

Our very warm July in particular saw steady and slow ripening as opposed to what one might expect. Cooler September evenings soon arrived and offered a welcome relief as harvest commenced and the ripening phase finished off.

With a series of warm growing seasons behind us, our dedication to thoughtfully promote a healthy, balanced vineyard is paramount. Organic nutrient additions and precise canopy and irrigation management all play a vital role. In addition, we continue to farm as sustainably as possible – without the use of herbicides or pesticides. Our honey bee apiary is thriving and we’re amazed at the diversity of resident species that can be found on our property – a true testament for us to the health of our site.

94 points - Anthony Gismondi, The Vancouver Sun

Old Vines is the pinnacle wine of place at Tantalus shepherded by winemaker and GM David Paterson. The vines are planted on a single two-acre plot known as Block 5 over marginal, deep silty soils protected from the warm, late-day sun by a stand of Ponderosa Pine. As warm as 2015 was, it would appear the vines shut down during the warmest weeks, thus saving the wine from developing massive amounts of sugar accumulation at the expense of its normally intense acidity. After two years in the cellar it’s ready for showtime.