Tantalus Vineyards Riesling Okanagan Valley Vqa 2010

Already losing its youthful flowery bouquet, the 2010 Tantalus Riesling is beginning to pick up the petrol and stewed white fruit on both nose and palate without losing its full-strength citrus-like acidity. Very refreshing on the palate but more serious and best with food. A bit more pH balance would push this wine into 90 point country. 88 points.

Another delightful expression of Riesling from the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia. The nose is of fresh tropical flowers and similarly situated white fruit with a touch of peach and ginger spice. The entry is equally pleasing with tart acidity that promises some aging potential. The only demerit is a bit too much attention to acidity and less to balance. Reliable, good quality from a serious winery.

This slightly more distinguished Tantalus offering (vinification tied to a 34 year old block of Riesling) has a smidge more nuanced character than the mainstay product: the nose is showing some aging with notes of gasoline and stewed stone fruit infused with peach cordial. The palate receives a one-two punch of bracing acidity and more stone fruit with zero sweetness. Balance is lacking at the moment as structure is the game here and the wine will last at least another decade in the bottle. Delicious if mouth-puckering, this wine is built for collectors intent on aging a wine to optimality. An Alsatian style with real BC verve. 89 points.

This edition of Tantalus Riesling is very similar to the 2007: lively acidity with some spice and plenty of apple, pear and tropical fruit on the nose. Overall, the balance is better with a bit of residual sugar to offset the tartness. Good BC Riesling and worth cellaring for a few years.

Riesling is currently under-performing in British Columbia - this in spite of its proven adaptability to the local climate. But the Tantalus 2007 is a good example of what the variety can do in BC; there are beautiful spice, green apple, pear and wooden match-stick notes on the nose with cleansing acidity on the palate. Though a bit out of balance, it still comes highly recommended as a patio sipper or in concert with fish and crab. A bit more finesse at this price-point is perhaps yet another "next step" in the evolution of this wine.

Very crisp, made me think of granny smith apples.