Description
Te Whare Ra Riesling M 2019 is a medium dry Riesling inspired by the Mosel’s great Rieslings. It’s also produced organically and bio-dynamically and, like all the Te Whare Ra or TWR wines that I stock, it is suitable for vegans and vegetarians. The ‘M’ in the name signifies that it’s a medium dry Riesling. The natural acidity of the cool climate Riesling cuts through the slight sweetness and the subtle apricot, apple, white nectarine and citrus fruit flavours leaving a long lime-flavoured mouth-watering finish.
TWR owners and winemakers, Anna and Jason Flowerday, thought that their old block Riesling vines, planted in 1979 and the oldest Riesling vines in Marlborough, would be the perfect match with the Marlborough climate and terroir. As they say “Our passion for making and drinking Riesling is based partly on the wide variety of styles that this variety is capable of producing… We are enamoured by the general characteristics of all great Riesling wines: purity, elegance and age-ability and feel that the growing conditions here in Marlborough allow Riesling to produce at its best… high sunshine hours mean that we are able to achieve ripe, fruit concentration and the cooler night time temperatures mean that we retain the natural acidity that is the hallmark of this noble variety… We love the knife edge of tension in this style of wine – the perfect balance between the initial sweetness of the fruit and the lingering, chalky acidity.”
How to Enjoy this Wine
Chilled, this makes a lovely aperitif. Riesling is also a great food wine. It is renowned for being a good partner to Asian food and as this one is medium, it will match well with the heat of chilli in Thai and Vietnamese food, hot spicy food generally, sweet and sour dishes and meat with fruity sauces such as pork with apple sauce.
Serve at: 10 – 12°C
Producer's Notes
“This Riesling ‘M’ is designed from the “vineyard-in” in a medium-dry style and is dangerously drinkable. Lifted aromas of mandarin, pink grapefruit, and white peach follow onto vibrant, ripe flavours of the same with juicy lime with underlying slatey mineral notes. This wine is fine and soft with excellent fruit weight and concentration to counterbalance the mouth-watering acidity.”
Awards
Cameron Douglas MS – 96 Points
“Really lovely bouquet of Riesling – perfumed with fruit and flowers, lime-flower, peach, apple and green tea. Tense, lively, crisp and fruity on the palate reflecting the flowers and fruit flavours from the nose. No mistaking the how the texture dances around the palate with acidity and residual sweetness. This medium-style Riesling is delicious, a great example for pairing with food or just on its own as an aperitif. Drink from today and through 2026+.”
Sam Kim – 96 Points
“This is gorgeously expressed on the nose showing Gala apple, apricot, lemon peel and floral aromas, followed by a concentrated palate that’s bright and refreshing. The wine delivers excellent fruit purity and vibrancy, wonderfully enhanced by subtle sweetness and perfectly pitched acidity, finishing long and delicious.”
Bob Campbell MW – 94 Points
“Concentrated, high-energy riesling with lime, citrus, apricot, feijoa and subtle floral flavours. A touch of sweetness is perfectly balanced by punchy acidity to give the wine some pleasing tension and help drive a lengthy finish. Medium-dry.”