Gold Medal - Decanter World Wine Awards, UK
Gold Medal – Women’s Wine & Spirits Awards, UK 2021
Varietal: Riesling
Alcohol/Vol: 9.5%
Size: 375ml
Cellaring Potential: 2032
Sugar Content: 259 g/l
VQA
Only made when the weather and vineyards are JUST right, only a small amount of icewine is ever made at Red Rooster. Our 2018 Riesling Icewine was first hand picked at 2:30am when temperatures reached -11°C on December 6th 2018. But not all Riesling was ready to go.
We waited, and waited and then finally on February 4th 2019, the temperatures reached -14°C and it was time to pick the final batch of our Riesling to make our exclusive and rare icewine. Limited to less than a 1,000 cases this double gold medal winner explodes with flavour. Beautifully golden in colour featuring balancing acidity this wine showcases notes of juicy peach, rich mandarin orange, and floral honey. Serve with local BC cheeses, rich dishes with foie gras or live mousse, or with peach based desserts.
It is a very rare event when the Rooster is strutting through the vineyard on a very cold winter’s night (-11°C) at 2:30 in the morning. On this glorious morning (December 6, 2018), the last of the Riesling grapes were still hanging. The Rooster, excited about the potential of this rare gift, raised its head and let out the loudest crow ever heard throughout the valley. Everyone was awakened to start the early morning harvest. During the next few hours the frozen Riesling grapes were harvested. The chilling temperatures lasted well into the day and by 3:30pm it was time to take a much-needed break. As there were still more Riesling grapes to harvest the team waited patiently for the next available harvest date which arrived on February 4, 2019. Once again, the team made their way to the vineyard and picked the remaining treasure at -14°C from 10:00am till 3:30pm. As soon as the final grapes were picked the Rooster crowed again to complete the harvest. The grapes were taken to the winery where they were pressed, while still frozen, to release the richest juice possible. The juice was then fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks to allow the fruit to shine. The two harvests were later blended together and bottled. A limited production of 994 cases of 375ml bottles.
TASTING NOTES
This rarest and sweetest Rooster of them all has a bright yellow gold colour and aromas of marmalade, golden kiwi, papaya and delicate floral honey. This elegant, full-flavoured Icewine is perfectly sweet and is balanced by refreshing acidity. An explosion of flavour fills the mouth; look for mandarin orange, yellow apple, pineapple and white peach. The long lingering finish mimics the exquisite palate and leaves you wanting more. Enjoy now through 2034.
FOOD PAIRINGS
Serve chilled in small white wine glasses as an aperitif or as a wonderful after dinner drink. Add two ounces of Icewine to your favourite vodka for an amazing Red Rooster Icewine Martini. Serve with fruit-based desserts that may include lemon, orange, pineapple, apple, pear, peach, apricot, golden kiwi and quince. Enjoy with intensely flavoured creamy cheeses. Serve with salty or spicy appetizers for an explosion of flavour.
12% alcohol
7.8 g/l (1)
750ml
Malbec
Pairs Well With Sea Food
