Grape: 100% Riesling

Region: Alsace, France

Soil Type: Heissenberg means 'hot mountain', a reference to its granite, sandstone and tufa slopes.

Winemaking: Yep, you did read right, this wine has a small amount of barrique ageing!

ABV: 13.5%

Tasting Note
Right, let's deal with the oak first. You can't 'taste' it, although its effects are evident in the golden colour, richness and soft feel on the palate - a bit like when the Kiwis barrel ferment their Sauvignons. The nose has that distinctive whiff of petrol with lime fruit and a beautiful orange blossom perfume. There's a touch of residual sugar on the palate, more citrus fruit and a distinctive lees character along with hints of brioche (that must be the oak), ginger and lemongrass. The finish is a fresh, long and exciting one on which the wine comes full circle with lime and orange blossom fading slowly (or not very slowly as I can rarely resist another mouthful of Riesling)

Cellaring
Oh yes, this will keep for years and years

If you like this, why not try...it's tempting to be dull and suggest another Riesling, but I'm going to plump for Ata Rangi, Sauvignon Blanc - another wine which hides a very small, woody secret!