Tasting Note This, to me, is the signature wine of Tantalus, although there are many in the portfolio that inspire. From B.C.’s first riesling vines planted in 1978 (coming up on 50 years) the depth, complexity and sense of fulness transcends normal expectations of this grape. Expect generous, effortlessly co-mingled peach, grapefruit, honey and a sense of dried evergreen forest floor. It is medium-full bodied (12.5% ABV), fulsome, broad yet even and dry, with perceptible sweetness and a vaguely pithy/bitter finish. The length is outstanding. It will age in bottle for years and become more golden and honeyed, but it is so packed with complexities now that I would enjoy it anytime that a meal or occasion calls for a grand white wine. The 2025 Riesling is also very solid with excellent length, one of the best of the vintage tasted so far.

Backgrounder The Old Vines Riesling is drawn from four mature riesling blocks, originally planted in 1978 with Clone 21-B. The majority of this wine, however, comes from “Block 5,” a two-acre parcel bordered by 10 acres of mature ponderosa pines along its western and northern edges. These pines provide shade in the late afternoon, cooling and diffusing light from the setting sun, that slows ripening in late summer and early autumn. In the warm growing season of 2023, fruit was hand-picked early on September 21, gently whole-cluster pressed, and settled into stainless steel. Fermentation proceeded at cool temperatures, and the wine spent three months on fermentation lees before bottling. It rested in bottle two years before release this spring.