Madrona Vineyards

Select Harvest Rieslings are rare and relatively difficult to make. Produced from Riesling infected by the Noble Rot (Botrytis Cineria) in years when the climate is just perfect (rains during the harvest followed by warm, dry conditions), the berries are dehydrated due to the mold. Although the resulting juice is extremely sweet (30%-45% sugar), the acid levels are balanced. And unlike most rots, Botrytis has very enticing characters of rich honey and intense apricot. It is no wonder then that Botrysized Rieslings make some of the most expensive and most sought-after wines in world!

Yet another fantastic vintage in a long stream of wonderful Rieslings dating back to 1985! The 2008 vintage is more akin to a German Beerenauslese, due to the lower harvest brix level of 30 degrees. Thus the balance between Botrytis intensity and Riesling freshness is more intriguing. The aromas are a mélange of Riesling’s tart apple and tangy tangerine fruit married with an essence of mountain honey and ripe apricots.

However, it’s the palate that makes this wine so unique among its peers. The texture is classically rich, yet elegant with wonderful acidity. Medium-bodied and not too sweet, the palate is a glorious blend of honey, carol syrup, apple crisp and just a hint of lemon zest to balance it all. Lingering long into the finish, the lusciousness of this Select Harvest Riesling just makes you dream for one more sip!

As I taste through the barrels in preparation of making final blends, I invariably come across a barrel that is positively special. The characters may be intense or subtle, unusually fruity or complex, but the single barrel screams be bottled separately to retain the unique aspects that show the exquisite nature of our diverse vineyards. Single-vineyard lots are traditionally bottled unfined and unfiltered. These wines exhibit a purity and a sense of place seldom seen in California wine

It There is no wonder why Riesling is considered one of the four noble varieties of the world when one tastes the ’07 Black Label Riesling. Boldly Riesling with a nod to distinct styles, this wine exemplifies classic European structure with a splash of California fruit. The undeniable impact of our high-elevation vineyards is the complexity of the nose in this wine. Gooseberry, lemon tart and tart green apple vie for the most intense character while being framed by an enticing fusil oil richness. Spend a moment longer on the bouquet, and the fruit shifts to kiwi, pineapple and lime.

All of the high-acid fruit characters in the aromas meld together on the palate, constantly refreshing the experience. Lime then apple, kiwi then lemon, and the revolution of the fruit just continues on, but always held together with the minerality of great Riesling on the edges. Tart and fresh, the texture is bright, but uncommonly rich for such an acidic wine, which is positively playful with the senses. A great vintage for making a great wine, there is no question why we decided showcase our vineyard-designate wines with this Riesling!

Using the great Rieslings of Germany as our inspiration, this variety has become a specialty of the winery. A long, cool fermentation preserves the complex array of fruit and floral qualities found in our grapes. While many don’t have the patience to wait, our Rieslings have an impressive track record of ageability, comparable to the best of Germany.

The 2010 vintage was a wonderful vintage for cool-climate Riesling. A cool spring, a moderate summer and good weather during harvest has produced a Riesling with great acidity coupled with ripe fruit characters. The aromas are hallmark Riesling, fresh yet inherently complex. Tree-ripened apple, Meyers lemon and rich honey frame an interesting spice character of cardamom, allspice and green tea.

With the off-dry style (1.0% residual sugar), the art is finding that perfect balance of bright acidity and luscious texture. And the 2010 vintage hits it. Mountain honey characters burst out then meld into tart green apple, finishing with a Riesling minerality that almost makes the wine seem dry. From start to finish, this wine shows exactly why Riesling is considered one of the four Noble varieties of the world!

Our Reserve Dry Riesling has evolved over the years, emphasizing the unique fruit characters of hillside vineyards while celebrating the variety’s incredible acidity. With each year, we have refined our style, fermenting the wine drier while embracing its tart brightness. To our amazement, the result has been an incredible marriage of intense California fruit with European structure and style. I don’t think we could ask for more!

The 2010 Vintage:
A late spring, moderate summertime temperatures and an early harvest in late September have given us one of the most exciting Rieslings in years. The cool-climate characters of Granny Smith apples, fresh lemon and floral notes of Spring fill the aromas of this wine. Wonderfully elegant, the complexity of the nose alone entices one to take a sip. This freshness continues through the palate with a brightness not often seen in California Rieslings. Tart green apple greets the senses on the forepalate, but the tartness is balanced by a honey richness, giving this dry wine a sensation of luscious texture. And from this, the wine once again returns to its liveliness, finishing on the continuum with a hint of lemon/lime crispness.