Lone Goat Ehrenfelser 2013, Canterbury

You may ask what Ehrenfelser is - well it’s grape variety that was developed in the early twentieth century in Germany. It was named after the Rheingau ruin of Schloss Ehrenfels (https://www.rheingau.com/ruins-castles/ruins-of-ehrenfels-castle-ruedesheimrhine). Thought to be a cross between Riesling and Sylvaner developed to withsatnd more extreme climate conditions.

Though grown in New Zealand it would be used for blending more than a single variety expression. It doesn’t appear on the River Sun varieties list - so I’ll have to investigate the origins and let you know: https://www.riversun.co.nz/grapevines/varieties-and-clones/

This sample has a very Germanic bouquet of mineral and flint and a lite kerosine note - After which aromas of apricot and peach then sweet ripe golden apple and honeysuckle show. Off dry on the palate with a firm phenolic structure, plenty of acidity and a mix of primary and secondary fruit flavours. Definitively a food wine - and all I can think of to eat with it right now is sauerkraut. The finish is very long and after the phenolic grip dies down there remains a pleasant floral and spicy flavours wine. Best drinking is from today and with food - through to 2025+.

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