2022 Late Harvest Riesling
Blustone's 2022 Late Harvest Riesling is more than a wine; it's a golden-hued treasure trove of flavors and aromas from the Leelanau Peninsula. From honeycomb and apricot jam to luscious nectarine and subtle almond, designed to inspire couples to create unforgettable moments. This wine encourages playful exploration and creativity, perfect for a wine-themed game night or for crafting inspired desserts that echo its rich palette. Its versatility not only delights the palate but also sparks imagination, making every occasion an opportunity for love, laughter, and togetherness.
Vineyard Notes:
2022 was a very traditional Leelanau Peninsula growing season at our Sylt Road Vineyard. Despite bud break being a few days late on May 17, our total growing degree days (a measure of how much heat the vines have to work with during the growing season which our vineyard team uses to gauge vine growth and grape ripening) was pretty much spot on our 5-year average. Total rainfall was as expected though the number of hours it rained was higher than normal. This meant constant supervision of the grapes to ensure proper management of potential Botrytis bunch rot.
Fruit quality metrics were exactly on par with sugar contents generally running between 20-21 degrees Brix, although the pHs were a touch lower than normal. Lower pH equates to a higher acid concentration in the wines, which we take into consideration when we make our finishing decisions to produce incredibly well-balanced wine.