Hartenberg Riesling 2014

Name: Hartenberg Riesling 2014
Brand: Hartenberg Estate
SKU: 38762

The spicy richness on the nose gives way to a taut yet floral and fruity mid-palate that has both richness and complexity. The residual sugar is barely noticeable and if anything it contributes extra fullness and richness to the palate. This is a quality wine that offers great value and food-pairing versatility.

Independent Tasting Note: "Defined lime zest, apple and character building slight wax/ terpene nuance on dry palate. Opens in the glass and lingers." ~ Platter's Wine Guide SA 2015

Smoked trout terrine, Thai inspired foods, bobotie, peri-peri chicken livers.

variety : Weisser Riesling [ 100% Weisser Riesling ]

winery : Hartenberg Estate

winemaker : Carl Schultz

wine of origin : Stellenbosch

analysis : alc : 12.53 % vol rs : 3.5 g/l pH : 3.06 ta : 5.9 g/l

type : White style : Off Dry body : Light taste : Fruity

pack : Bottle size : 750ml closure : Cork

AWARDS

2013 4 stars Platter's SA Wine Guide
2012 4 stars Platter's SA Wine Guide
2011 4 stars Platter's SA Wine Guide
2010 Gold medal Riesling du Monde Strasbourg 2012, Gold Medal Veritas 2012 (SA)
4 stars Platter's SA Wine Guide, 91 points Robert Parker
2008 4 stars Platter's SA Wine Guide
2009 Gold medal Veritas, SA / Gold medal 5 Nations Challenge, Australia
2010 4 stars Platter's SA Wine Guide / Gold medal Les Grands Concours du Monde (2012), Strasbourg
2011 4 stars Platter's SA Wine Guide

ageing : Up to 6 years from vintage.

Since the first release in 1984, our Rieslings have achieved something of a local cult status. Driven by a market in search of a "dry" or "trochen" style wine, our 2011 vintage seeks to highlight the purity and complexity of fruit that makes Riesling so individual.

Weisser? Rhine? Paarl? Cape? South African? What’s the difference?

It’s all a case of mistaken identity really, because the Paarl/Cape/South African Riesling is not a Riesling at all.

Actually a varietal of the “Crouchen” grape (mainly grown in the Pyrenees region of France) our locally named “Riesling” is thought to have been translocated to South Africa in the mid 19th century, and incorrectly named due to some identification error.

The true German Riesling grape (“Cepage”) is known as the Weisser, or Rhine Riesling in South Africa (and only in South Africa) mainly to differentiate it from its poor local cousin.

The German Riesling grape, considered one of the “Noble” varieties, can produce wines of high acidity and elegance, best characterised by its peach and honeysuckle aromatic notes, and with a distinct “petrol” nose as it ages.

All Hartenberg Rieslings are made from this noble grape. As of 2010 only Weisser or Rhine Riesling may be labelled and sold as Riesling.

in the vineyard : Riesling at Hartenberg: The first release of the variety was the 1984 vintage and since that time our Rieslings have been recognized in South Africa as one of the "must-buys". The style of the wine has been driven by the market which is in search of dry Riesling, but also giving an impression of sweetness. Carl Schultz ,the Hartenberg Cellarmaster was fortunate to gain an intimate knowledge of the grape, learnt from the "father" of the grape in South Africa, Frans Malan, in the time he worked at his Simonsig Estate.

about the harvest: Hand-picked at daybreak to ensure only the most heavenly flavours, about 15% of grapes showed the presence of Botrytis.

in the cellar : After crushing and de-stemming, the fruit underwent six hours of skin contact at 12 degrees Celcius. After pressing, the juices were fermented using a yeast personally selected by our winemaker in Austria, then stabilised, filtered and bottled.

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