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Anthony Gismondi on Wine
Tantalus Den's Block Old Vines Rieslingtext
92POINTS
17/20

Tantalus Den's Block Old Vines Riesling 2016

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaI’m a fan of the 2016 vintage that got off to a quick start before cooling off and slowing down. The fall was warm and sunny, but by then, the evenings were cool – perfect riesling weather. Den’s Block Riesling was launched in 2016 to honour BC wine industry pioneer, Daniel Martin Dulik. Dulik established some of the earliest vinifera in Canada, planting riesling vines sourced from the Weis family of Mosel's St. Urban-Hofs winery back in 1978. There is excellent intensity mixed with bright fruit reminiscent of apricots, peaches, white cherries, pear, orange marmalade and an enticing nervous mineral citrus finish. Drink or hold for a decade or more. The fruit is hand selected from a handful of rows in Block 5, and is Clone 21B 1978 riesling plants. The clusters were handpicked, gently whole-bunch pressed and fermented wild in neutral oak puncheons. Fermentation was then arrested in the first window of balance, paying homage to Dulik’s love of the Mosel Spatlese style.Tasted: 02 May 2019Tasted by: Prices:
BC$34.70750mlwinery direct, VQA shops, private wine shops
Producer: Tantalus VineyardsDistributors: The Wine Syndicate
Grape: RieslingCSPC: 30003UPC: 626990189954