2023 Isolation Ridge Riesling
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Tasting notes
The 2023 Isolation Ridge Riesling has a peculiar nose—unexpected, at least—and leads with cheesecloth and amber, preserved lemon rind/yellow grapefruit and damp cedar wood. In the mouth, the wine is far more on track, imbued with searing acidity and precise tension through the finish. The wine is tightly coiled, springy and laden with jasmine tea, although it errs to the tea convalescing at the bottom of the pot. It is concentrated, a little bitter and floral. I find this to be a somewhat sharp and forthright release of this wine, which may hold it in great stead in the cellar going forward; however, I far prefer the texture and balance of the Alter Weg from the same vintage tasted next to this.
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Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Erin Larkin, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Full screwcapped bottle 1,347 g. Certified organic. From two clones of Riesling planted in this special vineyard in 1988 on ironstone gravel over clay at 256 m. Many different parcels of which 10% were barrel-matured. They are now picking the grapes a little riper than they once did. An increasing proportion is fermented spontaneously. Intense, very Germanic, nose. Lime and toast and blossom in a delicious cocktail with real extract and minerality. Very dense but fabulously sculpted too. (JR)
The single vineyard 2023 Riesling Isolation Ridge Vineyard delivers a powerful and precise aromatic core of blossom, crushed lime and stony mineral tones with faint touches of riper melon. Dry, with a punchy upfront acid bite, there is a delicious tension underlying granitic flavors that unravel over a long, finely tuned finish. The 2023 is young and will age well.