Riesling 2022 – Black Market Deal #43108

This riesling comes from 40+ year-old vines in Nagambie Lakes, crafted by a winemaker with prestigious experience at Victoria's top wineries and French cellars. The mature vines contribute concentrated flavours and complexity that younger plantings simply can't match. The combination of the winemaker's international expertise and these established vines creates an 'intense yet pure expression of place' that showcases the unique terroir characteristics of this renowned Victorian region.

This riesling offers a beautiful aromatic journey starting with floral notes of ginger and jasmine on the nose. The palate begins with crisp, crunchy green apple flavours that gradually evolve into riper tropical pineapple notes. The mouthwatering acidity provides the perfect framework for these flavours to unfold, creating subtle yet persistent taste sensations that demonstrate the wine's excellent balance and complexity.

The wine's bright acidity and mineral backbone make it exceptional with fresh seafood, particularly oysters, sashimi, or grilled fish with herbs. The floral aromatics and apple-to-pineapple flavour spectrum also complement Asian cuisine beautifully - think Thai salads, Vietnamese spring rolls, or lightly spiced dishes. The wine's purity and balance won't be overwhelmed by delicate flavours, making it perfect for summer entertaining or as an aperitif.

Nagambie Lakes is a distinguished Victorian wine region known for its unique granite soils and continental climate, which create ideal conditions for aromatic white varieties like riesling. The region's established vineyards, many planted decades ago, benefit from deep root systems that access mineral-rich subsoils, contributing to the wine's distinctive minerality. This terroir allows riesling to develop the intense aromatics and pure fruit expression that this wine exemplifies.

The 2022 vintage represents riesling at its peak drinking window, offering vibrant fruit flavours while maintaining the variety's characteristic freshness and acidity. This vintage captures the essence of a cooler climate year, allowing the delicate floral aromatics and precise fruit flavours to shine without being overwhelmed by excessive ripeness. The wine demonstrates how skilled winemaking can harness vintage conditions to create a perfectly balanced expression that's both immediately enjoyable and built for graceful development.