Forest Hill Vineyard Estate Riesling 2018

95 points - James Halliday "Mainly from Block 2 (planted '75), plus a smaller amount from younger estate blocks. Picked and sorted by hand, mostly whole-bunch pressed, a small portion crushed and destemmed before pressing. This is very good, with riesling flaunting its varietal wares. Block 1 needs at least a decade to release its treasures, but here they're ready to start now."

• Winemaker's Notes
• Reviews/Accolades

• Riesling grapes were picked and sorted by hand. Several picks ensure optimal ripeness across Block 2. The grapes are then mostly whole bunch pressed although a small parcel is destemmed & crushed before pressing. The juice chilled and cold settled. Each parcel kept separate and fermented at cool temperatures between 12 and 15 degrees to retain as much vitality as possible. Once alcoholic fermentation was completed, each parcel is racked off yeast lees, with a small component left on lees for a short period post ferment. Blended, filtered and bottled in July.
  
  The 2018 growing season in Mount Barker began a little early and with strong vigor spurred on by very good soil moisture from winter rains. The last major rain event was in September with 137mm falling setting up our dry grown vineyards for the season. Summer was dry although with moderate day time temperatures and very few days exceeding 30°C. There was very little disease pressure and cool night time temperatures helped maintain natural acidity. Harvest dates were generally early across most varieties although more pronounced in the reds.
  
  

  Region: Mount Barker, WA

  Vintage: 2018

  Alcohol: 12.5%

   

• 95 Points - James Halliday
  Mainly from Block 2 (planted '75), plus a smaller amount from younger estate blocks. Picked and sorted by hand, mostly whole-bunch pressed, a small portion crushed and destemmed before pressing. This is very good, with riesling flaunting its varietal wares. Block 1 needs at least a decade to release its treasures, but here they're ready to start now.