Tasting Note I have scored every vintage of Carly’s Block Riesling since 2009 in the low to mid 90s and it has consistently taken gold or silver medals at the National Wine Awards. With vines now approaching 50 years of age it is one of the great rieslings of Canada — profound, complex and richly textured, yet so poised. The nose billows ripe pear/green apricot, petrol, linden and that certain spice I get from old-vine riesling. It is medium bodied but feels bigger thanks to the flavour intensity, firmness and minerality, and touch of sweetness. The length is outstanding. The 2017 tasted alongside had the same sense of volume, structure and grace, with mature tertiary notes of petrol, white mushroom and honey emerging. It too has outstanding length.

Backgrounder Carly’s Block, named for one of Moray Tawse’s daughters, is one of the oldest riesling plantings in Niagara, planted in 1977. It was converted to organic and biodynamic viticulture when Moray Tawse bought the vineyard in 2001 and built the winery next to the vineyard. Recently the biodynamic treatment has been suspended but it remains certified organic. The winemaking is straightforward and non-interventionist, with wild yeast fermentation in stainless steel and bottle ageing for over a year.