2021 by Merrill Dancing Queen Clare Valley Riesling

THE Story: The new ‘by Merrill’ range features five new wines including a Riesling, Chardonnay, Dry Rosé, Grenache and Shiraz Cabernet that are designed for immediate consumption. The key objective for the ‘by Merrill’ range is to engage with the next generation of wine consumers who want to have fun while drinking great wines. With younger and fresher wine styles combined with some terrific new modern packaging, ‘by Merrill’ is strategically aimed at introducing the Geoff Merrill brand to a whole new segment of the wine consuming market. 

Vintage Information: The 2021 vintage is described by local winemakers as ‘Classic Clare’ with cool and dry conditions producing solid yields and fruit with great varietal character and natural acidity. Good rainfall during winter and spring lead to early canopy growth before drier weather returned in November ensuring conditions were ideal for flowering.

Bunch and berry sizes were higher than crop estimates in most varieties, with overall yields the best since 2018. The slower ripening and the longer growing season with mild weather conditions combined to produce wonderful wines with varietal character and outstanding middle pallet development. The 2021 vintage is being hailed across South Australia as ‘one for the ages’ with the Clare Valley proving no exception.

Winemakers Notes: The colour is a youthful light straw with green hues. A wonderful varietal aroma displaying orange blossom, lime zest, a hint of musk lolly and green pear which opens up to tropical fruits and a talc minerality. Immediately showing its varietal and regional pedigree with balanced acidity, citrus and green apple flavours.

With time in the glass, complex pear and pineapple flavours are revealed hinting at a long and interesting future for this wine. The acidity on the palate finishes almost unexpectedly gentle, adding to its youthful drinkability.

Food Pairing: Enjoy with pickled octopus, goats cheese, roast snapper, Thai cooked fish with spice and tamarind.

Winemakers: Geoff Merrill & Scott Heidrich

Variety: Riesling

Oak Treatment: No oak was used in the production of this wine.

Region: Clare Valley

Harvest Date: March 2021

Alc: 11.5%, pH: 3.00, TA: 7.90 g/L, RS: 1.6 g/L