Reif Estate First Growth, Totally Botrytis Affected Riesling 2009

Natalie's Review

Reif Estate First Growth, Totally Botrytis Affected Riesling 2009, V.Q.A., Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario, Canada: Incredible balance and elegance in this gorgeous dessert wine! It's not too sweet, yet satisfying so with ripe, fleshy apricot and honeysuckle notes. It's voluptuous and layered with maximum hedonistic pleasure. As the winemaker notes, "Botrytis is naturally occurring 'noble rot' that has a beautiful effect on grapes however its presence is totally dependent on weather conditions, so we can never be sure which vineyards, if any, will produce botrytis wines in a given year. In 2009 winemakers Klaus W. Reif and Roberto DiDomenico selectively harvested grapes that had been naturally affected with Botrytis and then placed them in customized kilns so that the grapes became totally botrytis affected(TBA). The grapes were harvested Nov. 20, 2009 at 20.0 °Brix and were kiln dried until Dec. 2, 2009; at pressing grapes were 35.7° Brix. Translation: a deliciously rich elixir! Drink: 2011-2016.  8%  S  200 mL  $50.00  Score: 92/100. June 6, 2011  Full Review