2016 Ridgecrest Vineyard Riesling

WINEMAKER’S NOTES

This Riesling has full, beautiful and complex aromatics consisting of petrol, white flowers and tropical fruits like guava and mango. The palate is well balanced between bright acid and residual sugar. There is a rich concentration coating the mouth that seems to always be naturally present from the Riesling we farm at Ridgecrest vineyard. This is drinking amazing now but will continue to integrate and evolve for years to come.

VINTAGE OVERVIEW 

This is the year of Earliest Ever. The winter was warm, budbreak was early and 2016 never looked back—bloom, veraison and harvest, all early records. Harvest began in August and was done before October. Although early, the growing season wasn’t as hot as the prior three, but still the same new warm norm. Fruit is fully ripe but not overripe, moderate alcohols, good enough acids and intense, easily extracted, dense wines from 15% smaller berry sizes and yields. Potentially an excellent-to-classic vintage.