2022 Whitehaven Marlborough Riesling

VITICULTURE

Harvest Date: 28th and 30th March 2022

Climate:

The 2022 growing season started with soil moisture at capacity, following an unusually wet winter which had seen flooding in parts of the region. Pleasingly, the region did not suffer any major frost events and despite conditions in November being a little wet, the warmth that went with it meant that flowering was not drawn out and resulted in good fruit set and the prospect of healthy yields. The remainder of the season was punctuated by cooler weather and rainfall events, and we were vigilant around disease pressure as we entered the harvest period. Harvest was later this year and Brix accumulation was slow. We experienced another rain event in the final third of March which then required us to harvest quickly in order to retain pure fruit expression. This is where Whitehaven’s new receival building came to the fore, allowing greater throughput while maintaining the quality focus and attention to detail that Whitehaven prides itself on.

Grape growing:

The fruit used to make this wine is from our Pauls Road 38% (Rapaura) and Awa-Iti 62% (Southern Valleys) Vineyard sites. The vines were trained to 2-3 cane VSP. Throughout the growing season the vines were thoughtfully managed, with open canopies and prudent crop thinning helping to create fully ripe, clean fruit come harvest time.

VINIFICATION

Winemaking:

Some fruit was machine harvested in the cool evening and pressed with minimal skin contact.  The portion of hand-picked fruit was whole bunch pressed. For both components, a press cut was made to minimise harsh phenolic compounds in the wine.  After settling and clarification, the juice was fermented at very low temperature with a select yeast strain to retain the fruit’s intense varietal flavours.  The ferment was stopped with some residual sugar to balance the high acidity.

• Enticing aromas of fresh lime flower and green apple, lemon flesh and apricot stone. Youthful palate textures from acidity, residual sweetness and minerality give way to fruit flavours of lime, lemon and apple with a whisper of fine lees. Lightweight and fresh, new and taut, medium dry expression, a wine that will show its best from 2024 through 2030+. Cameron Douglas, MS, NZ, 93/100 Pts.
• Bright, even, pale straw yellow. The nose is soft, with lush aromas of stonefruit, citrus and blossom. Medium-bodied, dry to taste, aromas of peach, lime and lime peels entwined with a citrus blossom. The wine has beautiful acid and sweetness balance; sweetness contributes to a lush, fleshy palate, and vibrant acidity drives a long, crisp finish. This well-balanced Riesling possesses a citrus core with floral and lime peels. Match with Bratwurst and sole. Candice Chow, Raymond Chan Wine Reviews, 18.5-/20 pts (92 pts) Oct 2022
• Gorgeously elegant and poised, the wine shows white flesh nectarine, lime zest and lemon sorbet aromas on the nose, followed by a brilliantly linear palate delivering exquisite texture and racy acidity with a hint of sweetness, finishing long and mouth-watering. Sam Kim, NZ, 95/100, 5 stars.
• A delicious Riesling with well-balanced flavours of freshly picked crunchy green apple, lime zest and a ripe peachy note, all adding complexity to an incredibly beautiful expression of Riesling from Marlborough.  Joelle Thomson, NZ, 17.5/20