Spy Valley Noble Riesling 2006

Country

New Zealand

Region

Marlborough

Vineyards

Johnson Estate

Variety

Riesling

Harvest Date

15 May 2006

Brix at Harvest

34.5 - 39.6 °Brix

Viticulturalist

Adam McCone

Vineyard Notes

Noble rot doesn't occur every year on our Riesling sites due to the very free draining soils and low rainfall. The 2006 vintage was unique in that the season was about two weeks early at harvest due to an early bud burst in the spring. A portion of the vineyard was set aside for a (successful) attempt at attracting the desirable fungus. The weather obliged with some regular rain events and sunshine between to dry out the berries. The early season allowed the vines to maintain canopy health and the resulting fruit was captured in ideal condition.

Soils

Shallow and stony soils with overlying sandy loam

Winemakers

Ant Mackenzie, Jayne Grigg and Paul Bourgeois

Winemaking

After selective picking and whole bunch pressing the juice was tank fermented at warm temperatures. At the end of fermentation the wines were racked off the yeast lees and aged for four months prior to blending and bottling.

Colour

Pale straw

Bouquet

Early aromas of lime and mineral will give way to the typical honey/apricot botrytis aromas as the wine develops in the bottle.

Palate

Pure and focused. The palate shows ripe citrus along with the classic honey and apricot botrytis notes. The finish shows a great balance between residual sweetness and an apple like acid structure.

Release Date

October 2006

Cellaring

3-5 years