Thirty Bench Rieslings

Emma Garner, winemaker at Thirty Bench invited me for a tasting of her Rieslings and reds. She is regarded in the region as the consummate Riesling producer.

Thirty Bench Small Lot Steel Post Riesling 2020
Bright straw in colour with a green tint developing petrol notes, minerally, grapefruit nose; medium-bodied, crisply dry with a lemony-lime flavour. Great length. (91)

Thirty Bench Small Lot Triangle Vineyard 2019
Bright straw colour; minerally, grapefruit bouquet with light petrol and floral notes; medium-bodied, crisply dry, honeyed grapefruit flavour; vibrant and juicy. (90)

Thirty Bench Small Lot Wood Post Vineyard 2018
Bright straw colour; minerally, floral, grapefruit and petrol on the nose; medium-bodied, dry, honeyed grapefruit flavour; great length. (90)

Thirty Bench Small Lot Wild Cask Riesling 2018
Bright straw colour; honeyed grapefruit bouquet with a thread of minerality; light-bodied, dry, lime flavour; well-balanced – very Mosel in style. (90)

Thirty Bench reds

Thirty Bench Small Lot Pinot Noir 2020
Ruby colour; toasty, cedary, raspberry nose; medium-bodied, dry, savoury, lean and sinewy raspberry and cranberry flavours with a floral note and firm tannins on the finish, (89–90)

Thirty Bench Wild Cask Cabernet Franc 2020
Deep ruby in colour; cedary, blueberry nose, lightly floral with oak spice; medium-bodied, dry, richly extracted, firmly structured, green herbs and blueberry flavours; beautifully balanced with a tannic lift on the finish. (91)

Thirty Bench Small Lot Cabernet Franc 2018
Ruby with a tawny rim; cedary, coconut and red berry nose; medium-bodied, dry, well balanced, blueberry flavour with a firm tannic finish. (90)

Thirty Bench Small Lot Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Ruby colour; cedary, blackcurrant and plum bouquet with oak spice; medium-bodied, dry, redcurrant and blackcurrant flavours; well-integrated oak with a firm tannic finish. (90)

Thirty Bench Benchmark Red 2019
50% Cabernet Franc; 25% Cabernet Sauvignon; 25% Merlot. Ruby colour with a tawny note at the rim; cedary, currant and plum nose with oak spice; medium-bodied, dry, firmly structured, plum and currant flavours. (89)

Other wines tasted this week:

Township 7 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2021 (Okanagan Valley)
Bright golden colour; grassy, lanolin nose with a light floral note; medium-bodied, dry, elegant, Bordeaux-style; beautifully integrated oak, lovely mouth-feel; green plum and passionfruit flavours ending on a saline note. (92)

Hester Creek Viognier 2022 (Okanagan Valley)
Pale straw in colour; lightly floral, minerally, peach pit nose; medium-bodied, dry, white peach and green pineapple flavours; well-balanced with lively acidity. (90)

Quinta dos Aciprestes Douro Red 2017 (Douro Valley, $7.95, Vintages #703561, to be released June 24th)
Opaque purple in colour; cedary, mulberry nose with oak spice; full-bodied, sweet blackberry and mulberry fruit with a rich, fruity mid-palate and a firm finish of mellow tannins. Great value. (90)

Malivoire Small Lot Gamay 2021 (Beamsville Bench, Niagara, $24.95 winery only)
Bright ruby in colour; lightly cedary, black cherry nose with a touch of oak spice; medium-bodied, dry, juicy cherry flavour carried on lively acidity. (90)