Tinpot Hut 'Turner Vineyard' Riesling

The Tinpot Hut story began in 2003 when winemaker Fiona Turner and her husband Hamish established their own 20 hectare vineyard in Marlborough's emerging sub-region of Blind River. Naming her range of wines after a historic Marlborough mustering hut, the 'Tinpot Hut' links the area's sheep farming past with its current state as one of the world's most dynamic wine regions. Fruit is sourced from Fiona's 'Home Block' and is supplemented by grapes from selected vineyards. Fiona is assisted by Matt Thomson, a friend and colleague with whom she has worked for many years.

Vineyards

The fruit for this single-vineyard wine was grown on the Barker vineyard in the Blind River sub-region of the Awatere Valley. Low yielding vines were monitored closely and then hand picked when the right balance of flavour and sugar ripeness was reached to produce this lower alcohol style of Riesling.

Vinification

After harvest, the fruit was transported to the winery for immediate pressing, with minimal skin contact to prevent juice deterioration. The fruit was crushed and only the free run portion of the juice was retained. Specialty Riesling yeast was used for a long cool ferment. The resulting wine was then balanced and prepared for bottling under a screwcap closure so as to retain as much of the freshness and fruit character of the vineyard as possible.

Tasting Notes

This Riesling is pale straw in the glass. It has fresh citrus aromatics of sweet lime and grapefruit mingle with subtle floral notes. Light bodied, it is fresh and appealing with flavours of lime and grapefruit on the palate and a distinct mineral finish so reflective of the Blind River sub-region. Rounded and well-balanced acidity with mineral notes lead to a long pleasing finish.