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Akarua Alchemy Ice Riesling 2018 (Central Otago)

Akarua Alchemy Ice Riesling 2018 (Central Otago)

Riesling is considered the high priestess in the wine world. In the right hands she delivers the most diverse range of premium wines of any other white varietal. Deliciously dry to intoxicatingly sweet she can be flirtatious and beautiful when young, complex and engaging when aged. Central Otago, is typically accoladed for pinot noir, yet under the radar this most southern region in the world is also home to some of the finest rieslings. Akarua Alchemy Ice is one such gem. Initially the winery thought that this style would be a one-off wine – something special to have at the cellar door –  however, following multiple successes the wine has become a celebrated style in the winery’s portfolio. For this version, Akarua hand-harvested riesling in late autumn when the fruit was fully ripe yet the acidity remained naturally high. The grapes were then frozen in the winery. Using this technique the water molecules are bound yet the sugars and other dissolved solids do not freeze, yielding hyper-concentrated flavours at the time of pressing. Production volumes are traditionally tiny, so be sure to savour every drop.

The golden hue and rich viscosity produce a stunning visual in the glass. The beautifully concentrated floral and spicy aromas open out to flavours of apricot, lychee and honeyed caramel. The palate remains fresh and vibrant with balanced acidity and a supportive phenolic structure.

  • Dessert wine
  • Central Otago - New Zealand
  • NZ $50
  • Buy now
  • Cellar: 3 year(s)
  • top 5
  • View the full tasting results