Racy, concentrated, dry. The Benchmark Series was developed as a new, "standard for elevated quality through meticulous winemaking, sustainable viticulture practices and deliberate vineyard site selection."
This single-vineyard Riesling is harvested from the Fool's Gold Estate in North Oliver--a property planted over two decades ago by Richard Cleave, the Okanagan's most renowned viticulturist. The western sloping site benefits from the afternoon sun with the sandy clay loam soil containing a lot of rocks and gravel, providing excellent drainage.
There's a concentration and richness to this Riesling that is uncharacteristic of the Okanagan. It's a bright yellow-gold colour and suggests Jonagold apples and pie crust, wildflower honey, straw and pomelo aromas. The palate has notable intensity with bread dough, bracing citrus (think unsweetened marmalade) and mineral flavours. The finish is long, dry and racy.
©copyright 2023 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 29th, 2023