Complex cool-climate Riesling with perfumed aromatics of elderflower, peach, lime, and apricot, balanced by keen acidity, minerality (chalk, wet stone), and a distinct pithiness, showing purity, intensity, and a long, dry finish with notes of grapefruit and wild honey, praised for its balance and elegance. It offers contrasting textures, from sharp citrus to sweeter notes, making it a compelling, age-worthy wine.

The 2024 season in Elgin was a tale of early caution and late reward. Winter delivered good cold unit accumulation, though not significantly more than other parts of the South Coast. Spring was cool and wet, which slowed early growth and made for a cautious start to the season. While fungal pressure remained relatively low, sustained high wind speeds in early summer did affect fruit. Happily, the harvesting period was far drier than the previous year, and fruit came into the cellar in excellent health. Ripening was advanced by about 7 to 10 days. A result of warm summer conditions and smaller crop loads making for clean fruit with excellent natural acidity and aromatic intensity.

Tasting Notes: An exhilarating study in contrast and complexity. The nose opens with pungent apricot preserve, spiced citrus rind, elderflower, and lavender stalks. As the wine breathes, additional notes of orange blossom, sweet pasture grass, and beeswax emerge, all dusted with a whisper of apricot sherbet.

On the palate, it’s a live wire – a charge of white citrus acidity and tart green apple that surges through the core. Yet this is not a wine of angles alone; it’s insulated by sweeter textures of orange barley candy and ripe apricot preserve. By Day 3, the richness deepens, revealing stewed citrus, cling peaches, and touches of dried apricot and marmalade. The finish is remarkably persistent, coiling out in vivid layers of grapefruit and Granny Smith, expressed with gleaming clarity.

"The 2024 Riesling Elgin comes from vines planted in 2006, the berries kept in the press for six hours and fermented and aged in concrete. This has a perfumed nose that translates the variety with style. Good intensity. The palate is well balanced with a keen line of acidity, hints of elderflower and peach skin, just a little pithiness that comes through on the finish. Fine." - Neal Martin, Vinous

ANALYSIS: ALC 13.12% |  TA 7.5g/l | pH 2.93 | RS 5.5g/l