Winemakers
Adam Eggins
Chad Bowman
Technical Data
Acidity
9.22 g/L
Alcohol
12.5%
Sugar
1.5 g/L
Wakefield Wines
Wakefield Wines
Estate Riesling 2017
Background
With the first planting of our vineyards in 1969, we set out on a journey to create authentic estate grown wines. Nothing prepared us for its overwhelming success, with the first vintage awarded a gold medal in every national wine show entered. While the range has since grown to include more varieties, every bottle is still crafted at our Clare Valley estate with the same care and attention as that very first vintage.
Appellation
Clare Valley, Australia
Varietal Composition
100% Riesling
Vintage Notes
In the growing season leading up to vintage 2017, winter rainfall was above average, in fact for the full year, it was the wettest recorded since 2000. Soil temperatures remained very low due to the waterlogged conditions and the below average ambient temperatures recorded through the spring resulted in budburst occurring up to a month later than in recent years. Weather conditions during flowering however were favorable and hence fruit set was good across all varieties. Harvest began in late February and picking continued at a slow and steady rate until early May due to the prevailing mild conditions. Overall, the winemakers have declared the vintage to be above average vintage in terms of quantity and fruit quality with Riesling a standout white variety. The Estate Riesling was harvested between the 2nd and 9th of March.
Winemaking
The juice was extracted using gentle whole berry pressing to protect the delicate fruit flavours and prevent any extraction of course phenolic character. It is then chilled quickly to just under 10 degrees C. The entire process occurring within 15 minutes of harvest to ensure the true varietal and regional characters are captured and retained. The juice was allowed to cold settle for 24 hrs before being racked off gross lees. A cool fermentation was carried out in stainless steel vessels, using a relatively neutral yeast strain to preserve varietal characteristics. The fermentation was completed to a natural level of dryness. Minimal fining and filtration is employed prior to bottling in June 2017.
Tasting Notes
Bright, vibrant clarity to the wine. It has a very pale straw color and subtle green highlights to the edges. The wine displays lifted fresh and vibrant aromas. Lemon and lime citrus characters abound, followed by layers of subtle blossom and enticing floral nuances. The wine displays intense citrus fruit characters of fresh lemon and lime along with hints of orange blossom. An apex of tantalizing acid soars inthe mid-palate, balanced by good fruit presence. The finish is crisp and resonates with citrus fruit - hallmarks of a great Clare Valley Riesling.
