A beautifully aged Niagara Riesling that shows how delicious and easy-drinking this classic style can be.

If you enjoy dry white wines with a touch of softness and a bit of extra complexity, this is a great place to start. Expect bright apple and citrus flavours, gentle floral notes, and a smooth, rounded finish that comes from a few years of bottle age.

Wine Style

Dry Riesling, 11.1% Alc.

Tasting Notes

Apple  ·  Chamomile  ·  Preserved lemon  ·  Petrol

This is a classic Ontario Riesling, lively with minerality, steel and wet stone. Granny Smith apple, new cut hay and petrol notes add intrigue to the aroma. On the palate, traditional steely notes contrast with gentle chamomile and quince flavours. The residual sugar is balanced with vibrant acidity.

Pairing suggestions

Smoked salmon, Cold fried chicken, Quiche Lorraine, Pork Schnitzel, and Cheese Gougeres.

Technical information

Alcohol: 11.1%
Residual Sugar: 13.8 g/L
Total Acidity: 8.9 g/L
pH: 3.10
Bottled: February 2012
Cases Produced: 550 cases

The story behind Robert’s Block

Robert's Block Riesling is a single vineyard wine originating from the oldest block of Riesling currently planted on the estate. My father planted the block for me in 1994 to commemorate my graduation from the University of Guelph. I named this wine Robert's Block for my ancestor, Robert Staff, who settled on this farm sometime around 1800, and I only make this wine in particularly good Riesling years. ~ Sue-Ann

Vinification

Robert's Block Riesling is only vinified in premium Riesling growing/vintage years of 2009, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. Sue-Ann vinified the 2011 Robert's Block Riesling from 100% estate fruit grown on thin clay soils with escarpment limestone beneath. 2011 was a cool year so yields were low, with tiny berries at 18.2 Brix, and 10.5 g/L total acidity.

What the Experts Say

Old gold in colour; citrus bouquet with that petrol note of aged Riesling; light-bodied, mature, just off-dry lime and grapefruit flavours with a honeyed note; well-balanced, with a long finish. Drinking well now but will age another 5+ years. 90 pts, Tony Aspler