2021 Riesling, Colorado – 90pts Decanter Magazine, May 2023
Winemaker
Ben Parsons
Grapes
100% Riesling, Box Bar Vineyard
Vineyard
Box Bar is a cool growing site located just south of Cortez, CO on the slopes of the Sleeping Ute Mountain that overlooks Mesa Verde National Park. It sits directly above the Yucca House National Monument known as an important center for Ancestral Pueblo people from 1150 to 1300. Yucca House preserves one of the largest archaeological sites in SW Colorado. The vineyard itself is littered with ancient pottery shards and an unexcavated Kiva sits amidst the rows. At 6200ft elevation this is one of the highest vineyard sites in Colorado. It is naturally farmed with no cover crops, no artificial fertilizers or sprays and is weeded by hand. Average yield is 3 tons per acre. The Box Bar sits on rocky, rugged ground that creates wines with remarkable depth of flavor and intensity.
Winemaking Notes
Hand harvested on October 5th. Whole cluster pressed to stainless steel tank for cool controlled ferment at 52f.
Tasting Notes
Layers upon layers of minerals, citrus, anise, apple, lemon oil – the list goes on and on this wine is a stunner with mouthwatering acidity.
Numbers
RS: <1gl/ Alc: 12.4%/ pH: 2.97/ TA: 8.3gl
Case Production
420
