Rockway Small Lot Riesling, 2018

Maker: Rockway Vineyards, St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada.

Grape: Riesling

Place of origin: Niagara Peninsula VQA (“mostly estate fruit with a small portion coming from neighboring vineyards”), Ontario, Canada.

Vintage: 2018.

Style: Dry Riesling.

ABV: 10.5%

Purchased for $15 US (2020 vintage sells for $20 Canadian on their website.)

Appearance: Pale straw.

Nose: Pear, petrol, pineapple.

Palate: Medium bodied and dry. Golden apple, white mulberry, tangerine, limestone dust, lychee.

Finish: Quick but refreshing. Fruit and minerals.

Parting words: I picked up this wine when the family and I vacationed at Niagara Falls last summer. We had a great time. For more information on our visit to Rockway, take a look at this review of their Small Lot Syrah.

At any rate, I had to pick up some Riesling while I was there, being the Riesling nerd that I am. This Small Lot Riesling is a not quite estate wine that nevertheless does a great job of showcasing the terroir of the St. Catherines area.

I’m writing this review in March, but this wine would a perfectly refreshing summertime wine. It’s crisp (granted, it’s probably a little less crisp than it was a couple years ago,) but complex with a good balance of fruit, minerals, and a soft mouthfeel (maybe a little lees contact?).

$20 is a very good price for a wine this enjoyable. If you ever find yourself in St. Catherines, pick up a bottle or four of this wine. You won’t be disappointed. Rockway Small Lot Riesling is highly recommended.