2023 Clark Estate Block 8 Riesling

Gold Medal – 2023 New Zealand International Wine Show

Gold Medal – 2023 National Wine Awards Aotearoa NZ

Gold Medal – 2024 Aotearoa Regional Wine Competition

Gold Medal – 2024 New World Wine Awards

Gold Medal – 2024 Marlborough Wine Show

Bronze Medal – 2023 The Marlborough Wine Show

95 points / 5 stars            Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

This is instantly appealing on the nose, showing mandarin, lemon zest, subtle spice and rich floral aromas, leading to a deliciously expressed palate offering vibrancy as well as rich fruit intensity. Mouth-watering and enticing with elegant sweetness and racy acidity, making it hugely appealing. Style: Medium-sweet. At its best: now to 2033.

92 points / 4 stars            Bob Campbell MW

Medium-dry riesling with lime zest, oyster shell, a subtle hint of honey and a suggestion of green apple have created a vibrant, mouth-watering wine that can be appreciated now but should develop well with bottle age.

93 points / 5 stars            Candice Chow, Raymond Chan Wine Reviews

Bright, even, pale yellow with a light green sheen. The nose is fresh and vibrant, with aromas of green apple, lime, blossom and stony minerals. Medium-light bodied, medium-sweet to taste, aromas of green apple and lime melded with apricot, blossom and stony minerals. The zingy acidity carries apple-skin-like phenolics and minerals and persists a focused, refreshing finish. Match with spicy fish satay and smoked fish pate over the next 3 years. Fermented cool to 8.3% alc, 63.8 g/l RS, aged on lees for 5 months.  May 2024

Viticulture

The rugged climate of the Awatere Valley is ideal for producing grapes of intensity and concentration.  The ancient soils and harsh winds combine to create an environment where the vines struggle and crops are naturally low, therefore all the energy of the plant is dedicated to the fruit.

Winemaking

The grapes were picked and processed as quickly as possible to retain the delicate flavours.  The beautifully clear juice was slowly fermented under very cool conditions until the balance between the residual sugar and acidity was perfect.  The resultant alcohol is 8%.

Wine Analysis

pH        2.99

TA        9.82 g/L

Alc       8.0 %

RS       43.0 g/L

Our single-vineyard Block 8 Riesling is the pure essence of the Awatere Valley.  This wine shows great poise and structure with flavours that burst out of the glass.  The lower alcohol of 8% makes this wine perfect for lunchtime meals or simply enjoyed by itself.