Settlement, 'Ashmore Vineyard Riesling', 2022, Marlborough (GI)

'One-Liner'
Racy, off-dry Marlborough Riesling – lime, white peach and mandarin with floral lift, slatey minerality and beautifully balanced sweetness.

Tasting Note
Pale gold in the glass, with lifted aromas of lime, mandarin and white peach alongside apple blossom and a subtle herbal note. The palate is light, energetic and finely balanced, with a touch of residual sweetness cushioning Riesling’s naturally piercing acidity. Citrus zest, ripe apple and orange blossom build through the middle, joined by a cool, stony mineral character that gives the wine real precision. There is just enough sweetness to soften the edges without sacrificing freshness or definition. Long and mouth-watering on the finish, with lime, peach and mineral notes lingering behind.

Country: New Zealand
Region: Marlborough GI
Sub-Region: Wairau Valley
Grape(s): 100% Riesling
ABV: 11.5%
Friendly: Organic

Awards & Critics' Scores
Cameron Douglas MS – 93/100
Stephen Wong MW – 92/100
James Suckling – 91/100

The Story
Ashmore Vineyard sits where Marlborough’s Wairau Valley begins to meet the Southern Valleys, with a warm north-facing aspect and deep, free-draining alluvial silt loam over clay. The vineyard was planted in 1997, began conversion to organic farming in 2009 and achieved full certification in 2012. Its mature vines now need very little irrigation, drawing deeply on the site and producing Riesling with particularly vivid citrus, apple and herbal character. For the 2022, the grapes were harvested by hand, whole-bunch pressed and cool fermented in stainless steel before spending a full year in tank. Fermentation was stopped with a little natural sweetness remaining, giving the wine an off-dry balance that plays beautifully against its high acidity and gives it both immediate charm and excellent ageing potential.

Perfect With... (click me for the recipe)
- Meat/fish: Cape Malay chicken curry with apricots and toasted almonds
- Vegetarian: Roast aubergine with spiced tomatoes and whipped feta
- Vegan: Roast cauliflower and mushroom curry with toasted almonds