Derwent Estate Late Harvest Riesling 2015

Derwent Estate is a family owned and operated wine business situated just 20 minutes North of Hobart - the largest city in Tasmania. Located at 42 degrees south latitude this is genuine Cool climate Viticulture. Tasmania is rapidly gaining a reputation as Australias premier Pinot Noir, Riesling and Sparkling wine producing area. When we say family operated - thats exactly what we mean, with 3 generations of family members currently involved in the business. Planted on the historic Mt Nassau property which has been in the current owners family since 1913, Derwent Estate Wines was part of the diversification program.

The property has seen a vast array of ventures over the last 100 years or so including Sheep, Cattle, Vegetable production, seed crops, poppies, quarrying and the production of lime. Viticulture is the next exciting phase in the history of Mt Nassau.

On a north facing bank of the Derwent River this 28-year-old cool-climate vineyard in Southern Tasmania has its Riesling block on the uppermost slope. The soils are shallow, permeable loams over limestone that allow this variety to develop intensity and definition while retaining delicacy. The vines were leaf plucked 6 weeks prior to harvest to allow greater sunlight penetration on the fruit. Hand-picked at flavour ripeness, crushed and soaked on their skins for 24 hours, then pressed under inert gas. Fermentation was stopped when the wine reached a balance between alcohol, flavour, phenolics and residual sugar. Minimal fining and filtration, then bottled.

"Hand-picked, cool-fermented, 60g/l residual sugar, 7.5gl acidity, top gold Tasmanian Wine Show '15. Beautifully balanced; blossom, nectar and lime juice don't come better than this exquisitely detailed wine. The Tasmanian climate is perfect for this style. 97 Points James Halliday"