WTN: Stoney Ridge Riesling 2008

Dim Vineyard
Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula

Light yellow in the glass.

Light petrol on the nose.

Light to medium bodied, apple, lemon, lime, a hint of tangerine, crisp, honey, petrol, good acidity, peppery, clean, with a mild dirty streak.

Mouthwatering, lemon on the finish.

Fairly simple and straightforward and unexciting.

Purchased at $14 (Canadian).

Screwcap closure.

Bruce, I'm not familiar with the maker, but, in general, 2008 was not a very good year for this area. Likewise the 2009s. However, in about 6 months or so, you should be seeing some 2010 Rieslings and they should be very good.

Howie,
You are correct that '08 and '09 were not particularly wonderful years weather-wise, either for growing most grapes or for going to the beach. However, many producers in the area feel that '08 was very good for Riesling, superior to those from the warm '07 vintage. '09 should also be quite fine for Riesling in Niagara despite (or perhaps, because of) the cool weather. As for the Bordeaux varieties, let's just say I won't be knocking myself out buying anything from Niagara in these two years.

Best,
Norm

Norm, I agree with you.

In general, my observations over the past decade have indicated that less-than-stellar years still produce very good Rieslings and Chardonnays in Ontario. In general, the vintage quality affects the reds more than the whites - and the whites, in general, can fare better in so-called mediocre years even than in the hotter years.

Accordingly, I'm expecting that most '08, and perhaps a few '09 Chards will be more impressive than the '10s. I say this because several '08 whites have outshone '07 whites in my experience ('07 was a good red vintage, like '10).

Of course, if we're talking about red hybrids, then all bets are off; I've been wowed by many a shitty-vintage Foch, much against my expectations.