I am very discerning about Ontario Rieslings and I don’t want to stir things up about why. I have much better luck with British Columbia Rieslings.
Trust Mayhem to cause a bit of mayhem with its Riesling as not only was it aged in stainless steel but neutral French oak. EEKS! Oak and Riesling! Does it work?
It has a light gold colour. As for aromas right off the bat I would say it is more akin to a German Riesling than an Ontario one. Inviting aromas of peach, apricot, tangerine, tahini, almond paste and sweet white grapefruit. On the palate I take away the EEK and say the oak has not caused any damage to the wine! It is dry but far from the grapefruitish sourness one sees from vineyards and winemakers east of Beautiful British Columbia. It is spicey and a bit peppery for that initial instant but that fades quickly. There is noticeable acidity but thank goodness it is not overpowering. There is some lemon and lime with a little hint of ginger on the after palate. It has good traction on the finish. I find it a bit dry and I say it is not a great sipping wine but rather designed for food. The winery suggests bacon, grilled cheese with ham or any kind of pork. Were they reading my mind on that? I would add mac and cheese to that list provided you forgo the ketchup on it. I love ketchup on my homemade mac n cheese made with Balderson’s two-year-old cheddar. What a plebe I am with ketchup! As a side story I learnt to love ketchup as a 9-year-old in Vancouver eating at White Spot! Memories…….
2020 in the Okanagan might not have been a banner year for red wines but its coolish influence let the fruit retain its acidity without the sugar getting too far ahead. The handpicked Riesling grapes were from the Garagan Vineyard in Naramata and Capagnero Vineyard in Summerland.
If you think I suffer from Riesling Hesitation Syndrome (RHS) you guessed right. It keeps slapping me around this RHS but I have been checked into the Riesling Rehabilitation Institute in Kelowna and they are doing their best to help me. This Mayhem Riesling is a component of my daily regimen. My doctor, Doctor Vitis Vinifera is hopeful I will have a complete recovery. Unlike Nancy Regan I can’t say “Just Say No” to Riesling! Lead me to recovery Mayhem! Oh Dr. Vinifera says my superlative experiences with Mayhem wines is because I have Salmon Arm blood in my veins because that is where my father was born. British Columbia lives matter (BCLM).
(Mayhem 2020 Riesling, BC VQA, Mayhem Wines, Okanagan Falls, British Columbia, $20.87, 750 mL, 12.7%, Robert K. Stephen A Little Birdie Told Me So Rating 89/100).
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