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Dr. Edge

2021

Riesling

Tasmania - Australia
Shelf Talker Spec Sheet Wine Label Bottle Image

About

The Dr. Edge ‘Tasmania’ Riesling comes from two sites, one in the south (Meadowlark vineyard in the Derwent Valley) and the east (Freycinet Vineyard). In 2021, the wine was made in exactly the same way as the ‘Tasmania’ Chardonnay, with the idea being that adding whole clusters during fermentation and aging would help with the aging process. Peter Dredge says that most Rieslings are a race to market, but he thinks that Tasmanian Rieslings in particular need time to mellow out so that they don’t “taste like a glass of acid reflux.” The whole-clusters through texture, flavor, and drinkability, and the nine months on the lees help to relax the razor sharp acidity. Like with all of the Dr. Edge wines, Peter likes to focus on blends of sites to really encapsulate the entirety of the vintage across Tasmania. Plus, this way, he gets to play with the percentages of each block to bring out the elements he desires, which are consistently drive, energy, and texture.

The grapes were hand picked then whole-bunch pressed straight to old French oak barriques. Every four barrels, about 10% whole clusters were left un-pressed to soak with the juice. Those clusters stayed there through spontaneous fermentation and the nine months of aging on the lees. It was bottled unfined with a gentle cross-flow filtration and a 70 ppm sulfur addition.

Stats

  • Grapes: 100% Riesling
  • Vineyard: Meadowbank Vineyard (Derwent Valley) - Freycinet Vineyard (East Coast)
  • Vine Age: 20-27-years-old
  • Soil Type: Loose sand & sandstone overlying dark brown coffee rock (Derwent Valley) - volcanic, iron-rich soil (East coast)
  • Viticulture: Sustainable - practicing organic
  • Fermentation: Native – old French oak barriques
  • Skin Contact: 1 in 4 casks contain small amounts of whole Riesling clusters through fermentation and aging
  • Aging: 9 months on the lees in old French oak barriques
  • Alcohol: 12%
  • Residual Sugar: 3 g/L
  • pH: 3.04
  • Total Acidity: 8 g/L
  • Total SO2: 70 ppm
  • Total Production: 150 cases
  • UPC: None

Tasting Notes

This is a distinctively nutty Riesling, almost like a Fino sherry or Vin Jaune de Jura. There is a succulent honey character that is matched with 8 g/L of acidity. The palate is savory and and mineral bordering on salty, but all in a tightly wound balance with the sweeter elements. This is Riesling to sip and ponder.

Press & Reviews

The Wine Front

94

"Not sure you’d pick it as a Riesling, but that’s no problem for me. This is a little wild, ultra-saline, floral and nutty, with a distinct fino character – falling more towards Jura than anything else. It has a gentle honeyed sweetness, salty tang, a fine powdery and chalky texture, umami flavours, citrus zest, and a long and nutty finish. So distinctive. It won’t be for everyone, but I find it compelling, and different. A big yes."

- Gary Walsh

Wine Enthusiast

91

"This gold-hued Riesling from a small batch Tassie producer opens gently, with quiet aromas of waxy lemon, wild lavender and flecks of honey and spice. Bone dry, it's slippery in texture with a lovely lift of citrusy acidity, florals and a lemony finish. Could age gracefully 5-7 years."

- Christina Pickard

Producer


Dr. Edge

Region


Tasmania

Country


Australia

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